Recently, a team of social scientists launched an experiment to test that hypothesis. They recruited 1,500 entrepreneurs in West Africa—a mix of women and men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—who were running small startups in manufacturing, service, and commerce. They randomly assigned the founders to one of three groups. One was a control group: they went about their business as usual. The other two were training groups: they spent a week learning new concepts, analyzing them in case studies of other entrepreneurs, and applying them to their own startups through role-play and re section exercises. What differed was whether the training focused on cognitive skills or character skills. In cognitive skills training, the founders took an accredited business course created by the International Finance Corporation. They studied nance, accounting, HR, marketing, and pricing, and practiced using what they learned to solve challenges and seize opportunities. In character skills training, the founders attended a class designed by psychologists to teach personal initiative. They studied proactivity, discipline, and determination, and practiced putting those qualities into action. Character skills training had a dramatic impact. After founders had spent merely ve days working on these skills, their rms’ pro ts grew by an average of 30 percent over the next two years. That was nearly triple the bene t of training in cognitive skills. Finance and marketing knowledge might have equipped founders to capitalize on opportunities, but studying proactivity and discipline enabled them to generate opportunities. They learned to anticipate market changes rather than react to them. They developed more creative ideas and introduced more new products. When they encountered nancial obstacles, instead of giving up, they were more resilient and resourceful in seeking loans. Along with demonstrating that character skills can propel us to achieve greater things, this evidence reveals that it’s never too late to build them … Character doesn’t set like plaster—it retains its plasticity. Character is often confused with personality, but they’re not the same. Personality is your predisposition—your basic instincts for how to think, feel, and act. Character is your capacity to prioritize your values over your instincts. Knowing your principles doesn’t necessarily mean you know how to practice them, particularly under stress or pressure. It’s easy to be proactive and determined when things are going well. The true test of character is whether you manage to stand by those values when the deck is stacked against you. If personality is how you respond on a typical day, character is how you show up on a hard day. Personality is not your destiny—it’s your tendency. Character skills enable you to transcend that tendency to be true to your principles. It’s not about the traits you have—it’s what you decide to do with them. Wherever you are today, there’s no reason why you can’t grow your character skills starting now.
Which of the following views would the author BEST agree with?
Show Hint
- Character skills risk abandoning your personality along with your instincts.
- Our values and principles are always put to test by our personality.
- Putting our values and principles to practice requires transcending our personality.
- Because principles clash with your personality, character is needed.
- Our behavior is a function of our character not our personality.
The Correct Option is C
Approach Solution - 1
To solve this question, we need to analyze the given comprehension and identify which statement the author would most likely agree with regarding character and personality.
- Understanding the Passage: The passage emphasizes the importance of character skills over personality traits. It illustrates an experiment where character skills training resulted in a significant improvement in entrepreneurs' business outcomes compared to cognitive skills training. The key point is that character allows individuals to prioritize values over instincts and transcend personality tendencies, particularly under challenging circumstances.
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Analyzing Each Option:
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Character skills risk abandoning your personality along with your instincts.This option contradicts the passage since it suggests a negative impact of character skills, whereas the passage highlights their positive role.
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Our values and principles are always put to test by our personality.While personality may influence our instincts, the passage does not stress that it constantly tests values and principles, rather it distinguishes between the responses dictated by personality and those guided by character.
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Putting our values and principles to practice requires transcending our personality.This option is aligned with the passage's core message, which stresses that character skills help overcome inherent personality tendencies to uphold values.
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Because principles clash with your personality, character is needed.Although this suggests a conflict between principles and personality, it's not entirely the passage's focus. The passage highlights transcending tendencies, not just conflict.
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Our behavior is a function of our character not our personality.This oversimplifies the relationship between personality and character. The passage acknowledges both influence behavior but emphasizes character's role in challenging times.
-
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Conclusion: The correct answer is Putting our values and principles to practice requires transcending our personality.This statement best summarizes the passage's argument that character skills enable individuals to act consistently with their values, beyond personality inclinations.
Approach Solution -2
The passage explained that personality is our predisposition (instincts, reactions), while character is our ability to transcend those instincts and act according to values and principles.
Step 2: Evaluate options.
- Option A: Incorrect — character does not abandon personality. - Option B: Misleading — values are not “tested by” personality, they override it. - Option C: Correct. The author stresses character as transcending personality by prioritizing values and principles. - Option D: Incorrect framing — principles do not “clash,” but require practice beyond personality. - Option E: Too absolute — behavior is influenced by both character and personality.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the best view is Option C.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{C}} \]
Which of the following can be BEST inferred from the passage?
Show Hint
- Character skills can compensate for poor cognitive skills.
- Character skills can be built only if one believes in them.
- Cognitive skills unlike character skills are always reactive.
- Being aware of your character skills enable you to exercise them.
- Sustainable success in life requires strong character skills.
The Correct Option is
Approach Solution - 1
This question asks you to determine which option can be best inferred from the given passage about the impact of character skills training versus cognitive skills training. Let us analyze each option carefully to identify the best inference based on the passage's information.
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Character skills can compensate for poor cognitive skills.
- This statement implies that character skills can replace cognitive skills, which is not explicitly supported by the passage. The passage highlights the distinct advantages of character skills training over cognitive skills training but does not suggest that character skills can completely replace cognitive skills. Thus, this is not the best inference.
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Character skills can be built only if one believes in them.
- The passage mentions that character skills can be developed and has plasticity. However, it does not state that belief in character skills is a prerequisite for building them. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
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Cognitive skills unlike character skills are always reactive.
- The passage notes that character skills enable anticipation of market changes, implying proactivity, but it does not claim that cognitive skills are always reactive. It merely highlights one specific case where character skills training led to more proactive behavior. Thus, this inference is not fully supported.
-
Being aware of your character skills enables you to exercise them.
- While the passage emphasizes the importance of practicing character skills, it does not specifically state that merely being aware of these skills enables one to exercise them effectively. Therefore, this option is not the best choice.
-
Sustainable success in life requires strong character skills.
- The passage provides examples of businesses achieving significant growth through character skills training, including increased profits and resilience. It also emphasizes that character skills are needed to stand by values under stress and pressure. These points strongly suggest that character skills contribute to sustainable success. Thus, this is the best inference from the passage.
Considering all the options and the context provided in the passage, the correct answer is: "Sustainable success in life requires strong character skills."
Approach Solution -2
The experiment showed that entrepreneurs who trained in character skills saw profit growth nearly triple that of those trained in cognitive skills.
Step 2: Evaluate options.
- Option A: Not stated — character skills don’t “compensate” but enhance opportunities. - Option B: Incorrect — belief is not emphasized, practice is. - Option C: Wrong — cognitive skills are not described as “always reactive.” - Option D: Awareness is not enough; deliberate practice is stressed. - Option E: Correct. The passage shows long-term business growth came from character skills, proving sustainability.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the inference is Option E.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{E}} \]
Based on the passage, why would character skills help entrepreneurs more than cognitive skills?
Show Hint
- One can be poor in finance and quantitative skills but really good in character skills.
- Character skills enable you to generate opportunities rather than capitalize on existing ones.
- Character skills are industry agnostic in application.
- Entrepreneurs are already aware of their business and are only missing character skills.
- Character skills prepare you for an uncertain future.
The Correct Option is B
Approach Solution - 1
To understand why character skills might help entrepreneurs more than cognitive skills, let's start by analyzing the passage provided in the comprehension section.
- Context of the Experiment: A team conducted an experiment with 1,500 entrepreneurs in West Africa, focusing on comparing the effects of cognitive and character skills training. Cognitive skills included areas such as finance, accounting, HR, and marketing. In contrast, character skills focused on personal initiative, proactivity, discipline, and determination.
- Outcome of the Experiment: The results showed that character skills training led to a profit growth of 30% over two years, nearly triple the impact of cognitive skills training. This indicated a substantial benefit in developing character skills.
- Generating Opportunities vs. Capitalizing on Them: While cognitive skills might equip founders to capitalize on existing opportunities, character skills enabled them to generate new opportunities. This highlights the proactive nature of character skills—entrepreneurs learned to anticipate market changes, develop creative ideas, and innovate by introducing new products.
- Resilience and Problem Solving: Entrepreneurs with strong character skills showed greater resilience and resourcefulness when facing financial challenges, illustrating their ability to maintain productivity and devise solutions despite adversity.
- Conclusion: The critical takeaway is that character skills, through enhancing proactivity and resilience, empower entrepreneurs to not just seize opportunities but to create them. This aligns with the correct answer: "Character skills enable you to generate opportunities rather than capitalize on existing ones."
By focusing on developing character skills, entrepreneurs increase their capacity to adapt, innovate, and maintain their core values, even when facing significant challenges, proving the long-term value of character skills over mere cognitive abilities.
Approach Solution -2
The passage said cognitive skills (finance, marketing) help founders capitalize on existing opportunities, but character skills (discipline, proactivity, resilience) enabled them to create new opportunities and overcome obstacles.
Step 2: Evaluate options.
- Option A: Too simplistic — being “poor in finance” is not the core argument. - Option B: Perfect fit — directly reflects passage’s statement about generating opportunities. - Option C: True but secondary; not the main reason given. - Option D: Unsupported — no evidence that entrepreneurs only lack character skills. - Option E: True but vague; “uncertain future” is not highlighted as main reason.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{B}} \]
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- The advent of social media has dramatically transformed the way individuals consume and share information. In earlier times, people largely depended on newspapers, radio, or television as their primary sources of knowledge about the world. These were institutions that followed established editorial practices and fact-checking processes. With the rise of digital platforms, however, the traditional ‘gatekeepers’ of information have been bypassed. Today, anyone with internet access can create content, express an opinion, or broadcast an idea to a global audience within seconds.
This shift has certainly democratized access and given voice to communities and individuals who were often ignored by mainstream media. Yet, this democratization comes with challenges. Alongside genuine voices, social media has also amplified misinformation, rumours, and half-truths. Unlike traditional journalism, where accountability and verification are built into the system, social media thrives on speed, virality, and emotion. A misleading headline, a misinterpreted statistic, or even a doctored image can travel across the world before fact-checkers have the chance to intervene.
The consequences of such unchecked information can be serious, ranging from the spread of fear and panic to the manipulation of public opinion. The impact of this transformation extends beyond individual users to institutions and democracies. Political campaigns, corporate branding, and even social movements are now shaped by algorithms that decide what people see and when they see it. These algorithms prioritize engagement, often promoting content that provokes stronger emotional reactions rather than balanced analysis.
As a result, echo chambers form, online spaces where people are repeatedly exposed to opinions that mirror their own, reinforcing biases and reducing openness to differing perspectives. This has contributed to increasing polarization in societies across the world. Moreover, the competition for attention has blurred the line between information and entertainment, leading to the rise of sensationalism even in serious public discourse. The credibility of expertise too has been undermined, as opinions from unverified sources are often placed on the same footing as evidence-based knowledge.
In response, several governments and technology companies are exploring ways to promote digital literacy, enhance transparency in algorithms, and strengthen fact-checking collaborations. Ultimately, the challenge lies in balancing the openness of digital spaces with mechanisms that ensure responsibility and trustworthiness in public communication.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- I have still to be brother to a Prince, though I once came near to kinship with what might have been a veritable King, and was promised the reversion of a Kingdom, army, law-courts, revenue, and policy, all complete. But, today, I greatly fear that my King is dead, and if I want a crown I must go and hunt it for myself. The beginning of everything was in a railway train upon the road to Mhow from Ajmir. There had been a deficit in the Budget, which necessitated travelling, not Second class, which is only half as dear as First class, but by Intermediate, which is very awful indeed. There are no cushions in the Intermediate class, and the population is either Intermediate, which is Eurasian, or native, which for a long night journey is nasty; or Loafer, which is amusing though intoxicated. Intermediates do not patronize refreshment rooms. They carry their food in bundles and pots, and buy sweets from the native sweet meat sellers, and drink the roadside water. That is why in the hot weather Intermediates are taken out of the carriages dead, and in all weathers are most properly looked down upon.
My particular Intermediate happened to be empty till I reached Nasirabad, when a huge gentleman in shirt sleeves entered, and following the custom of Intermediates, passed the time of day. He was a wanderer and a vagabond like myself, but with an educated taste for alcohol. He told daring tales of things he had seen and done, of out-of-the-way corners of the Empire into which he had penetrated, and of adventures in which he risked his life for a few days’ food. “If India was filled with men like you and me, not knowing more than the crows where they’d get their next day’s rations, it isn’t seventy millions of revenue the land would be paying, it’s seven hundred millions,” said he; and as I looked at his mouth and chin I was disposed to agree with him.
We talked politics, the politics of Loaferdom that sees things from the underside where the lath and plaster is not smoothed off, and we talked postal arrangements because my friend wanted to send a telegram back from the next station to Ajmir, which is the turning off place from the Bombay to the Mhow line as you travel westward. He had the air of one who had seen strange countries and stranger men, yet bore himself without vanity. There was a restless light in his eyes, the sort that belongs to men who have lived too long without a fixed purpose. When he spoke of the Empire, it was not with loyalty nor with bitterness, but with the detached amusement of one who has played his part and lost interest in the game. His laughter came easily, though it seemed to echo from some remembered hardship. It struck me then that his stories were less of adventure than of survival.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Democracy, often hailed as the most equitable form of governance, is a system where power ultimately rests in the hands of the people. The word derives from the Greek words ”demos” meaning people and ”kratos” meaning power or rule. Democracy aims to provide equal political participation and protect the individual freedoms of all citizens. However, while the idea of democracy is simple, its practice is frequently complex and fraught with challenges. At its core, democracy functions on the principle of majority rule, yet it simultaneously guarantees the protection of minority rights.
This balance ensures that while the majority has the power to make decisions through voting, the fundamental rights of minorities are not trampled upon. Such a system requires consistent vigilance and respect for the rule of law. Without these, democracies can devolve into majoritarian tyranny or authoritarianism. The practice of democracy is not merely limited to voting in elections. It encompasses freedom of speech, an independent judiciary, free press, and protection of individual rights. These elements together create a political environment where citizens can express dissent, hold leaders accountable, and participate actively in decision-making. When any component is weakened, the democratic process becomes vulnerable.
In recent times, democratic societies worldwide have grappled with new challenges. The rise of misinformation and fake news has eroded public trust in institutions and polarized societies. Social media platforms, meant to facilitate communication, have sometimes amplified divisive narratives and falsehoods. This has resulted in voter manipulation and a growing skepticism toward democratic processes. Literacy in media and critical thinking is increasingly vital to safeguard democracy from such threats. Economic inequality poses another significant challenge. While democracy promises equal rights politically, vast disparities in wealth and opportunity undermine this ideal.
This phenomenon raises questions about whether democracy is achievable without addressing socioeconomic inequalities. Furthermore, the involvement of citizens is crucial. Democracy requires that people are informed, engaged, and willing to participate beyond casting votes. Civic education and awareness campaigns play an essential role in nurturing responsible citizenship. Apathy or disengagement weakens the democratic fabric, opening avenues for corruption and other dangers to the system. In conclusion, democracy thrives on the collective responsibility of governments and citizens to protect its pillars and ensure inclusive, fair governance.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
The Rule of Law
by Tom BinghamJustice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?
by Michael J. SandelLetters to a Law Student
by Nicholas J. McBrideIn The Rule of Law, former Lord Chief Justice Tom Bingham explores how the principle of legality underpins modern democratic life. He defines the rule of law as more than just adherence to formal rules; it is the assurance that power is exercised within clear, fair, and publicly known boundaries.
Bingham distills the concept into eight principles, including equality before the law, access to justice, and respect for fundamental human rights. Drawing on cases and historical examples, he warns that national security and administrative efficiency must never override the rights of individuals.
The book bridges legal philosophy and practice, arguing that law must be both predictable and humane. For Bingham, the rule of law represents a moral ideal, one that sustains public trust in justice and curbs arbitrary governance.Michael Sandel’s Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? examines moral reasoning in law and politics. Through examples like price gouging, affirmative action, and taxation, Sandel invites readers to explore competing notions of fairness.
He engages with philosophical traditions such as utilitarianism, libertarianism, and Rawlsian egalitarianism, showing that questions of justice cannot be separated from questions of virtue and the common good.
Sandel rejects the idea of a morally “neutral” legal system, arguing that public deliberation about values is essential to democracy. Ultimately, he argues that a just society is one that cultivates civic responsibility, not merely individual rights.Nicholas McBride’s Letters to a Law Student is a practical and reflective guide for aspiring lawyers. Written as a series of letters to a student beginning law school, it explores what legal study truly involves.
This includes mastering case analysis, understanding precedents, and developing critical reasoning. McBride distinguishes between knowing the law and thinking like a lawyer, the latter requiring analytical discipline and ethical awareness.
He emphasizes that good lawyers combine intellectual rigor with moral judgment and clarity of expression. Beyond academic success, the book urges students to reflect on law’s purpose, balancing order, justice, and compassion in human affairs.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Urban gardening has become increasingly popular as a means to address food security, sustainability, and mental well-being in cities. By growing their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, individuals can reduce their reliance on commercial supply chains that contribute to extensive transportation, energy consumption, and synthetic chemical use. In addition to providing fresh, nutritious food, urban gardening also contributes to environmental sustainability by mitigating urban heat island effects, improving air quality, and managing water runoff. Furthermore, it offers psychological benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, and a sense of accomplishment. Despite its many benefits, urban gardening faces challenges like space limitations, poor soil quality, and inadequate sunlight, which gardeners overcome using innovative techniques such as vertical farming and hydroponics.
- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in XAT exam
- Arun selected an integer \( x \) between 2 and 40, both inclusive. He noticed that the greatest common divisor of the selected integer \( x \) and any other integer between 2 and 40, both inclusive, is 1. How many different choices for such an \( x \) are possible?
- XAT - 2025
- Number Systems
- ABCD is a rectangle where points C and D have coordinates (−2, 0) and (2, 0), respectively. If the area of the rectangle is 24, what is the best way to describe the equation of the line AB?
- XAT - 2025
- Geometry
- Adu and Amu have bought two pieces of land on the Moon from an e-store. Both the pieces of land have the same perimeters, but Adu’s piece of land is in the shape of a square, while Amu’s piece of land is in the shape of a circle. The ratio of the areas of Adu’s piece of land to Amu’s piece of land is:
- XAT - 2025
- Mensuration
- A and B bought lands on the Moon from an eStore, both with the same diameter but A’s land is square-shaped, and B’s land is circular. What is the ratio of the areas of their respective lands?
- XAT - 2025
- Ratio and Proportion
- A bought a phone from a store and paid \(\frac{1}{6}\) of the price using UPI, \(\frac{1}{3}\) of the price in cash, and the remaining balance a year later. He also paid 10% interest on the remaining balance after one year. What was the original price of the phone?
- XAT - 2025
- Percentage