Comprehension
It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the true any one of the two meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give up their lives for an idea. I have seen men and women stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
(Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom)
Question: 1

What effect does the experience as described in the lines below have on the speaker?
Time and again, I have seen men and women risk their lives for an idea.

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Focus on the emotional and motivational impact the events had on the speaker.
Updated On: May 30, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

The experience of seeing men and women repeatedly risk their lives for an idea has a profound effect on the speaker. It fills him with deep admiration and respect for their courage and determination. Witnessing such selfless sacrifice teaches him that true courage is not just about bravery but about being willing to face great dangers for a meaningful cause. This understanding shapes his belief that courage involves resilience, strength, and the willingness to endure hardship without breaking. It inspires him to value these qualities and recognize that real courage is the ability to keep fighting despite fear.
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Question: 2

Select one inference about the idea of courage from the given context:
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

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When interpreting philosophical statements, always distinguish between literal meaning and deeper moral insight.
Updated On: May 30, 2025
  • being fearless
  • absence of fear
  • feeding your fears
  • ability to overcome fear
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The line “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it” conveys a powerful idea about bravery. It means that courage does not imply never feeling afraid or being completely fearless. Rather, it is the ability to overcome fear and continue to act despite feeling scared. Courage is about facing challenges with determination and not allowing fear to control or stop you.

This understanding highlights that even the bravest people feel fear, but what makes them courageous is their strength to confront and conquer that fear. It teaches us that true courage involves resilience, persistence, and inner strength to overcome difficult situations.
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Question: 3

According to the author, what does true courage entail? How does this perspective differ from a common misconception about courage?

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Clarify the contrast between the author’s insight and popular belief.
Updated On: May 30, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

According to the author, true courage entails not the absence of fear, but the ability to triumph over it. It means that a brave person is not someone who never feels afraid, but someone who faces their fears and conquers them through strength and resilience. True courage involves acknowledging fear and still choosing to act despite it.

This perspective differs from the common misconception that courage means being fearless or completely without fear. Many people think that courageous individuals never experience fear, but the author clarifies that feeling fear is natural. What truly matters is how a person responds to that fear—by overcoming it rather than being controlled or paralyzed by it.
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Question: 4

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase from the bracket in the context of the given extract:
Men stood up to torture showing strength and resilience that is _______.
(bracket: impossible to understand / seeped in reality)

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Choose phrases that match the emotional intensity and tone of admiration in the extract.
Updated On: May 30, 2025
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Solution and Explanation

Men stood up to torture showing strength and resilience that is impossible to understand.

This phrase emphasizes the incredible mental and emotional strength these men possessed. Their courage to endure physical and psychological suffering without breaking down is beyond what most people can imagine or fully comprehend. Such resilience is rare and demonstrates a powerful spirit and determination to stand firm for their beliefs despite extreme adversity. It highlights the extraordinary nature of true courage and the human capacity to withstand unimaginable hardships.
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