Questions

Read the passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the given four alternatives.

By practicing mindfulness and other principles, we become more aware of and present to our fears and others’ fears, bearing witness as a way of healing and empowering. We see the spiritual path as intertwined with the path of social action, with contemplation and action parts of the same whole, each nourishing and guiding the other. Acknowledging that our well-being depends on others makes caring for others’ well-being a moral responsibility.

Through a “mindful citizen” exercise, we create a story articulating who we are as individuals who are also part of communities. This exercise helps us move beyond cynicism, complacency, and despair, instead infusing us with a sense of purpose. We embrace our gifts, resolving to do our part to promote a sense of common humanity as a means toward social justice.

With this exercise, I believe we can help students bridge their divides and replace anger and distrust with compassionate connections – just as I witnessed between Shirley and Tiffany.

Shirley returned to class after a brief hiatus, keeping a cool distance from Tiffany. But over the weeks spent together they gradually came to know each other. They practiced seeing and listening, sharing stories so different that they felt bewildered as to how they could overcome the gap. But they found that acknowledging their
differences led them to discover a place of deep connection in commonalities, such as being raised by grandmothers, and even wounds, including childhood trauma, that they never imagined existed.

In assessments of these classes, students say that these small groups become “healing communities,” where we overcome victimization and claim agency. Healing occurs as we transcend an “us vs. them” mentality, crossing borders and forging connections. These communities show a way of reducing intergroup prejudice and fostering inclusion based in psychology research and pedagogical practice.

What makes the others’ well-being a moral responsibility for us?

In the following passage some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

The preacher challenged hundreds of thousands of young people who gathered in a ___________ Polish meadow to reject being a "____________" who retreats into video games and computer screens and instead engage in social activism and politics to create a more just world. __________ his speech with ______________, the 79- year-old pope, despite a long day of public appearances, addressed his eager audience with enthusiasm yesterday on a warm summer night. Pope Francis spoke of a ______________ that comes from merely seeking convenience, from confusing happiness with a complacent way of life that could end up depriving people of the ability to determine their own fates.

"____________" who retreats into video games and computer screens

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Crocodile tears

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

Living as _________ educated individual in a free society, I felt that we continue to unknowingly hold some biases that we develop _________ time. It requires many maturity updates to install in your psychological system, and at ___________ conscious efforts to develop a good sense of __________. I was small at that time, but with age and experience I absolutely _____________ and approved each and every word my uncle had said that day.

system, and at ___________ conscious efforts

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

This argument is completely ______________ and shows very little understanding ____________ education. The costs quoted for private schools, one, have no reliable source of data and, ______________, they discount two kinds of hidden costs — to the family and _____________ the nation. Often the cost of education in private schools is _________________ with the fee per child.

shows very little understanding ____________ education.

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

This is the arresting and dominant fact about modern social discussion; that the quarrel is __________ merely about the difficulties, but about the aim. We agree about the evil; it is about the good that we should tear each ____________ eyes out. We all admit that a lazy aristocracy is a bad thing. We should not by ________ means all admit that an active aristocracy would be a good thing. We all feel angry with an irreligious priesthood; but some of us would _______ mad with disgust at a really religious one. Everyone is indignant if our army is weak, _____________ the people who would be even more indignant if it were strong.

that the quarrel is __________ merely about the difficulties,

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

We often feel, in such an environment, that our social sphere _____________ around us. We can see, in quantitative values — the number of likes, re-posts, shares — the interest garnered by anything created by us. This makes social interaction slightly more ___________, when we start to think of it in number terms. It becomes easier to see it in visual terms, rather ________ emotive cues. And _____________ that happens we are motivated to reveal only those parts of ____________ that we know will trigger a considerable quantitative response.

slightly more ___________, when we start

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Rags to riches