Comprehension
Read the following passage carefully:
(1) What do we typically do when we find our children doing something we don’t approve of? We become reactive parents. Often, we pepper our reactions with lectures. When it doesn’t work and predictably so; we end up screaming and dole out a punishment. And our children react with anger, resentment or ‘can’t-be-bothered’ attitude.
(2) Buddhist Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh put it beautifully when he described how each child has both negative seeds- of anger, despair, hatred, fear and violence- and wholesome seeds- of love, happiness, compassion and forgiveness. According to him, what will blossom depends on the seeds we nurture.
(3) A parenting and educational approach that’s gaining a large following internationally, called the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) by Howard Glasser, is very much in keeping with this Zen approach. The three main aspects of this approach are:
(4) While on a mission to cut the negative, the parent looks for every opportunity to energize the positive in the child. This is done through persistently appreciating the goodness in the child in the smallest of ways: You were really generous about sharing your pizza with your sister; I appreciate the hard work you have put in your project; It takes courage to stand up to a bully. If you observe, the appreciation is not about saying “excellent”, “amazing” or “good”, which is really an empty praise and does not speak much to the child. Qualifying a praise, on the other hand, gives the child direction and she/he begins to understand what qualities, values and strengths are appreciated. These are also necessary ingredients of life skills and success.
(5) This approach is not merely about noticing when the child is being good, it is about recognizing the child’s worth at every step. It’s about aligning his energy in believing that he has great qualities, which are being identified and validated by the parents at every step. He realizes that there is no point choosing negativity, as there are no pay-offs to it, and is validated building his worth instead.
(1) What do we typically do when we find our children doing something we don’t approve of? We become reactive parents. Often, we pepper our reactions with lectures. When it doesn’t work and predictably so; we end up screaming and dole out a punishment. And our children react with anger, resentment or ‘can’t-be-bothered’ attitude.
(2) Buddhist Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh put it beautifully when he described how each child has both negative seeds- of anger, despair, hatred, fear and violence- and wholesome seeds- of love, happiness, compassion and forgiveness. According to him, what will blossom depends on the seeds we nurture.
(3) A parenting and educational approach that’s gaining a large following internationally, called the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) by Howard Glasser, is very much in keeping with this Zen approach. The three main aspects of this approach are:
- Refuse to energize negativity.
- Relentlessly energize their positives.
- Reset: Do not react negatively and stay calm when the child does something wrong.
(4) While on a mission to cut the negative, the parent looks for every opportunity to energize the positive in the child. This is done through persistently appreciating the goodness in the child in the smallest of ways: You were really generous about sharing your pizza with your sister; I appreciate the hard work you have put in your project; It takes courage to stand up to a bully. If you observe, the appreciation is not about saying “excellent”, “amazing” or “good”, which is really an empty praise and does not speak much to the child. Qualifying a praise, on the other hand, gives the child direction and she/he begins to understand what qualities, values and strengths are appreciated. These are also necessary ingredients of life skills and success.
(5) This approach is not merely about noticing when the child is being good, it is about recognizing the child’s worth at every step. It’s about aligning his energy in believing that he has great qualities, which are being identified and validated by the parents at every step. He realizes that there is no point choosing negativity, as there are no pay-offs to it, and is validated building his worth instead.
Question: 1
Complete the following sentence with an appropriate word: “...we end up screaming and dole out punishment.” In the above sentence, the author criticizes theapproach of the parents.
Complete the following sentence with an appropriate word: “...we end up screaming and dole out punishment.” In the above sentence, the author criticizes theapproach of the parents.
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Avoid a reactive approach in parenting by taking a pause before reacting to a child's behavior. Focusing on understanding their actions can lead to better solutions.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
In the given sentence, the author refers to how parents often react impulsively with frustration when their children act out. This reaction, called the reactive approach, is highlighted as being counterproductive in the passage. Instead of fostering positive behavior, it fuels resentment or apathy in children, as mentioned in Paragraph (1).
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Question: 2
Explain in about 40 words, when and how do parents become reactive?
Explain in about 40 words, when and how do parents become reactive?
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Effective parenting involves staying calm and addressing the root cause of a child’s behavior rather than reacting impulsively.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Parents become reactive when they find their children doing something they disapprove of. This often leads to frustration, resulting in punishment or lectures, as described in Paragraph (1). Such actions create anger and resentment in children, worsening their behavior.
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Question: 3
In the line “what will bloom will depend on the seeds we nurture,” what seeds does the author refer to?
In the line “what will bloom will depend on the seeds we nurture,” what seeds does the author refer to?
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Focus on nurturing positive emotions like compassion and forgiveness in children to help them grow into well-rounded individuals.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
- Seasonal seeds
- Societal news
- Parental attitude
- Values and emotions
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The author, as mentioned in Paragraph (2), refers to the seeds of values and emotions such as love, happiness, compassion, and forgiveness (positive seeds), or anger, hatred, and violence (negative seeds). These determine what blossoms in a child’s personality.
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Question: 4
Explain in about 40 words why NHA focuses on reforming parents to reform children.
Explain in about 40 words why NHA focuses on reforming parents to reform children.
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Reforming parenting techniques can have a significant impact on a child’s behavior and long-term development.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) emphasizes that parents must refuse to energize negativity and instead energize the child’s positives, as stated in Paragraph (3). This shift in parenting style reduces negativity and fosters a constructive environment for children to grow.
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Question: 5
Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words, to support the view that parents appreciate the goodness of the child at every opportunity.
Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words, to support the view that parents appreciate the goodness of the child at every opportunity.
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Recognizing small acts of kindness or courage builds a child's confidence and aligns their behavior with positive values.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
In Paragraph (4), examples like appreciating the child for sharing pizza with their sister or standing up to a bully highlight how parents can recognize and validate even the smallest acts of goodness, reinforcing positive behavior and self-worth in children.
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Question: 6
In paragraph 5, in what way does “This approach” differ from the earlier approach?
In paragraph 5, in what way does “This approach” differ from the earlier approach?
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Focus on constructive reinforcement of a child’s good qualities to replace negative tendencies over time.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
"This approach," as described in Paragraph (5), focuses on consistently aligning the child’s energy with their inherent qualities and worth, rather than reacting to their behavior. It promotes positive validation and removes the pay-offs associated with negativity.
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Question: 7
Select the option that can be classified as qualifying a praise as explained in the passage:
Select the option that can be classified as qualifying a praise as explained in the passage:
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Qualify your praise by appreciating specific actions or qualities to help children understand what values are appreciated.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
- You can be more helpful.
- You demonstrated patience while teaching your junior.
- Use your skill to be an excellent sportsman.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Qualifying praise involves specifying the act or quality being appreciated, as explained in Paragraph (4). Statement (B) directly praises the specific quality of patience, making it a qualifying praise.
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Question: 8
The phrase “to cut the negative” in paragraph 4 most nearly means:
The phrase “to cut the negative” in paragraph 4 most nearly means:
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Reducing negativity and avoiding criticism can create an environment where children feel encouraged to grow positively.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
- To reduce wasteful expenditure.
- To stop criticizing.
- To eliminate challenges.
- You have to be amazing in your work.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
In Paragraph (4), the phrase “to cut the negative” refers to the idea of avoiding actions that energize negativity, including criticism, anger, or resentment. Instead, parents are encouraged to focus on positive reinforcements.
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Question: 9
Read the five headlines (a) - (e) given below:
(a) New Age Parenting
(b) Children A Rebellious Generation
(c) Channelizing Energy
(d) Teacher A Nation Builder
(e) Skill Development Careers Ahead.
Identify the option that displays the headline/s that does/do not correspond with the occurrences in the text:
Read the five headlines (a) - (e) given below:
(a) New Age Parenting
(b) Children A Rebellious Generation
(c) Channelizing Energy
(d) Teacher A Nation Builder
(e) Skill Development Careers Ahead.
Identify the option that displays the headline/s that does/do not correspond with the occurrences in the text:
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When identifying mismatched options, consider the primary themes discussed in the text and check if the options reflect those themes accurately.
Updated On: Jan 31, 2025
- (a) and (e)
- (c) and (e)
- (b) only
- (a) and (c)
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Analyzing the themes, the headline (c) “Channelizing Energy” and (e) “Skill Development – Careers Ahead” are not aligned with the occurrences in the text, which primarily discuss topics around parenting and children.
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