We stand before this great world. The truth of our life depends upon our attitude of mind towards it - an attitude which is formed by our habit of dealing with it according to the special circumstance of our surroundings and our temperaments. It guides our attempts to establish relations with the universe either by conquest or by union, either through the cultivation of power or through that of sympathy. And thus, in our realization of the truth of existence, we put our emphasis either upon the principle of dualism or upon the principle of unity.
Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred from the passage?
- Conquest and union are two ways of realising the truth of our life.
- Principle of dualism is inferior to the principle of unity.
- Our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life.
- War and conquest are a part of the truth of our life.
- The truth of our life co-evolved with our quest for sympathetic supremacy.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Nature of Inference Questions
Inference questions require us to go beyond the literal words of the passage. We must find what is implied or logically follows from the author’s statements, without contradicting the passage.
Step 2: Review of the Passage’s Theme
The passage suggested that our emphasis on dualism or unity does not arise from logic or philosophy alone, but rather from the attitude of mind shaped by our habits and environment. This means personal and external influences guide our perception of truth.
Step 3: Analyzing the Options
- (A) Logical necessity → contradicted by passage (logic is not the only guide).
- (B) Religious faith → not presented as the central guiding force.
- (C) Our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life → matches the passage’s emphasis on habits + mental attitude shaped by environment.
- (D) Dualism vs unity exclusion → not supported; passage does not claim they can’t co-exist.
- (E) Philosophy superior → not implied by the author.
Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the BEST inference is that our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life}} \]
According to the passage, our emphasis on dualism or on unity is BEST guided by:
- How we deal with our surroundings and our temperaments
- Our desire to achieve versus our focus on contentment
- Our deals with the universe, based on special circumstances
- How powerful or sympathetic our surroundings and temperament are
- Our attitude of mind, formed by our habits
The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question
The passage contrasts dualism (viewing reality in terms of two opposing forces) with unity (seeing all as one). The question asks what actually guides our emphasis on either side.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options
- (A) Philosophical training → important, but not the root guiding factor.
- (B) Society → influences thought, but not as directly as personal mindset.
- (C) Religious faith → gives a worldview, but again secondary.
- (D) Logical necessity → dualism or unity are not purely products of logic.
- (E) Attitude of mind, shaped by habits → directly answers the passage’s idea that our way of thinking depends more on mental habits than on abstract logic.
Step 3: Linking Back to the Passage
The passage emphasizes that whether we lean towards dualism or unity depends on the mental framework we build over time through repeated habits. Thus, it is our attitude of mind — not external factors — that guides our emphasis.
Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the most accurate choice is (E): our attitude of mind, formed by our habits.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Our attitude of mind, formed by our habits}} \]
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- What is a classical dance ?
A dance which is created or choreographed and performed according to the tenets of the Natya Shastra is called a classical dance. The two broad aspects of classical dancing are the tandava and the lasya. Power and force are typical of the tandava; grace and delicacy, of the lasya. Tandava is associated with Shiva, and lasya with Parvati. Dance which is pure in movement is called nritta, and dance which is interpretative in nature is called nritya. A dancer in the classical tradition has to have years of training before he or she can begin to perform on the stage.
What are the main schools of classical dancing ?
Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak. Bharata Natyam is the oldest and most popular dance-form of India. Earlier, it was known by various names. Some called it Bharatam, some Natyam some Desi Attam and some Sadir.
The districts of Tanjore and Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu were the focal points in the development of Bharata Natyam. It was danced as a solo performance by devadasis (temple dancers) on all auspicious occasions. Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it and it started shedding its purely sacred character.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- O moon,
give me moonlight,
basketful or two baskets full,
with seeds of moonlight.
From the city to my village,
on the sides of the path
I want to sow many,
small, small moons of light.
The whole village goes to the city
daily to work.
It becomes dark on its way back
as my village is quite far.
The route is tough and full of
snakes and scorpions.
Neither bus nor cart plies.
When my father returns home
I am asleep.
And he goes back early in the morning
while I am sleeping.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Swami and Friends is written in such simple English it is hard to imagine that it is a work of such a literary genius like R. K. Narayan. The English used in the book is both plain and simple, without any troubling words for the kids. Also the use of simple and short sentences adds to the simplicity of the book.
It is mentioned in the description that the book is about a mischievous ten year old Indian boy, and some parents may be concerned about the influence this will have on their already mischievous children. But the book is as such, that it encompasses the mischief of the kids in a view of the kid which is harmless and pure in his perspective. Also amidst all the mischief and naughtiness, we actually find that Swami is a loving and a tender kid who’s actually very sensitive. It is also a known fact that mischievous kids are the most sensitive and loving people of all. And R.K. Narayan does a great job conveying that to all of us.
So in conclusion it can be said that this book is a good read for children of all ages, who may just enjoy a good read or who may want to improve their English skills.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Her name was Sulekha but since her childhood everyone had been calling her Bholi the simpleton. She was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.
At birth the child was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved. But the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.
Ramlal had seven children, three sons and four daughters and the youngest of them was Bholi. It was a prosperous farmer’s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Appreciation of the poem:
Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the points given below:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
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