Question:
Four alternative summaries are given in the text: Choose the option that best captures the essence of the text.
Develop Critical Thinking
The way we see the world and relate to others is intrinsically connected to our own set of values that govern the way we decide to live. However, the influence of fashion, consumerism, pop culture, broken homes, social unrest, and the media is all-pervasive. For many people, teachers and students alike, this influence goes unquestioned. Critical thinking, if successfully taught at this level, becomes the antidote for individual and social illiteracy. For the authors, critical thinking should constitute an indivisible part of the overall educational process. Facione (1995) comments: ‘Critical thinking lies at the root of civilisation. It is a cornerstone in the journey humankind is taking from beastly savagery to global sensitivity’.
Supporting the development of these skills involves reflective teaching and learning, which is highly complex and which some students may find difficult, or interpret as weakness on the part of the teacher. But in the long run, with patience on the part of the teacher, it will develop students who can view old or new material, from a variety of sources, through new eyes, using their skills to define their own stance and express it, often better in their second language, with an open-minded confidence.
Four alternative summaries are given in the text: Choose the option that best captures the essence of the text.
Develop Critical Thinking
The way we see the world and relate to others is intrinsically connected to our own set of values that govern the way we decide to live. However, the influence of fashion, consumerism, pop culture, broken homes, social unrest, and the media is all-pervasive. For many people, teachers and students alike, this influence goes unquestioned. Critical thinking, if successfully taught at this level, becomes the antidote for individual and social illiteracy. For the authors, critical thinking should constitute an indivisible part of the overall educational process. Facione (1995) comments: ‘Critical thinking lies at the root of civilisation. It is a cornerstone in the journey humankind is taking from beastly savagery to global sensitivity’. Supporting the development of these skills involves reflective teaching and learning, which is highly complex and which some students may find difficult, or interpret as weakness on the part of the teacher. But in the long run, with patience on the part of the teacher, it will develop students who can view old or new material, from a variety of sources, through new eyes, using their skills to define their own stance and express it, often better in their second language, with an open-minded confidence.
Develop Critical Thinking
The way we see the world and relate to others is intrinsically connected to our own set of values that govern the way we decide to live. However, the influence of fashion, consumerism, pop culture, broken homes, social unrest, and the media is all-pervasive. For many people, teachers and students alike, this influence goes unquestioned. Critical thinking, if successfully taught at this level, becomes the antidote for individual and social illiteracy. For the authors, critical thinking should constitute an indivisible part of the overall educational process. Facione (1995) comments: ‘Critical thinking lies at the root of civilisation. It is a cornerstone in the journey humankind is taking from beastly savagery to global sensitivity’. Supporting the development of these skills involves reflective teaching and learning, which is highly complex and which some students may find difficult, or interpret as weakness on the part of the teacher. But in the long run, with patience on the part of the teacher, it will develop students who can view old or new material, from a variety of sources, through new eyes, using their skills to define their own stance and express it, often better in their second language, with an open-minded confidence.
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When selecting the best summary, ensure it captures the central theme, scope, and intent of the original text without introducing distortions or overemphasizing secondary points.
Updated On: Aug 14, 2025
- The world view of the human being today is influenced by a lot of things. Critical thinking cannot be taught as it involves reflective teaching and could be misunderstood.
- Critical thinking must be part of an individual’s education but it is a difficult concept because it very often reflects a teacher as a dominating individual.
- Critical thinking is an important aspect of an individual’s literacy level and his social knowhow. It is part of civilization and eventually leads to global sensitivity. Students can look at information in a variety of ways.
- Reflective teaching is another aspect of initial thinking and it could lead to individual and social illiteracy.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify the main theme of the passage
The passage stresses the significance of critical thinking as a key educational goal, its connection to literacy, social awareness, and civilization, and its role in fostering global sensitivity. It also highlights reflective teaching as a method for developing critical thinking.
Step 2: Compare each option to the theme
- Option 1 focuses too much on the difficulties and misunderstandings of teaching critical thinking, ignoring its larger significance and benefits.
- Option 2 overemphasizes the difficulty of teaching critical thinking and misrepresents the teacher-student dynamic.
- Option 3 captures all the central ideas — importance of critical thinking, its role in literacy, civilization, and global sensitivity, and the ability to view information from multiple perspectives.
- Option 4 incorrectly implies that reflective teaching can lead to illiteracy, which contradicts the passage’s message.
Step 3: Conclusion
Only Option 3 fully aligns with the main arguments of the passage and expresses them concisely. \[ \boxed{\text{3 — Critical thinking is an important aspect of literacy, civilization, and global sensitivity.}} \]
The passage stresses the significance of critical thinking as a key educational goal, its connection to literacy, social awareness, and civilization, and its role in fostering global sensitivity. It also highlights reflective teaching as a method for developing critical thinking.
Step 2: Compare each option to the theme
- Option 1 focuses too much on the difficulties and misunderstandings of teaching critical thinking, ignoring its larger significance and benefits.
- Option 2 overemphasizes the difficulty of teaching critical thinking and misrepresents the teacher-student dynamic.
- Option 3 captures all the central ideas — importance of critical thinking, its role in literacy, civilization, and global sensitivity, and the ability to view information from multiple perspectives.
- Option 4 incorrectly implies that reflective teaching can lead to illiteracy, which contradicts the passage’s message.
Step 3: Conclusion
Only Option 3 fully aligns with the main arguments of the passage and expresses them concisely. \[ \boxed{\text{3 — Critical thinking is an important aspect of literacy, civilization, and global sensitivity.}} \]
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