Read the passage given below:
Self-Esteem
1. Today, when we pick up a daily newspaper, we invariably find an increasing incidence of vandalism, fraud, theft, robbery, rape, child abuse, battered spouses, murders, hate crimes, genocide (now termed as “ethnic cleansing”) along with a multitude of other senseless violent acts that have become disturbingly common. These are not the actions of people who like themselves. The solution to a great many problems, whether personal, national or global, lies in improving our feelings about ourselves both as individuals and members of society. When the significance of good self-esteem is well understood and it achieves the prominence it deserves, a transformation will begin, for as the people will learn they are deserving of self-respect, their respect for others will automatically increase.
2. Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our parents, caregivers and authority figures who played an important part in our early upbringing and were responsible for crystallizing our ideas about ourselves and the world. While everyone has self-esteem, only a small percentage of us have high self-esteem. High self-esteem denotes that we accept ourselves unconditionally exactly as we are, we appreciate our value as a human being. When, on the other hand, we have low self-esteem, we believe that we have little intrinsic worth.
3. We believe our personal value is in direct proportion to the value of our accomplishments. If we cannot accomplish certain results, we tend to feel low about ourselves. Some of us try too hard and become workaholics and over-achievers. With few genuine feelings of self-worth, we try to create some and prove that we are somebody by our successes and achievements. Because our desire for perfection is so great that we tend to set unrealistic goals and place unreasonable demands on ourselves. Failing, rather than encouraging us to have more realistic aspirations, only leads to a mere punishing round of self-blame and a resolve to drive ourselves harder next time. If we do finally achieve our goals we are disappointed; despite everything we have done, we still feel empty inside.
4. Vulnerable to the opinions of others, we desperately try to gain their recognition and approval sometimes through risky and dangerous behaviour. Thus we are at the mercy of our emotions, instead of controlling them, we permit them to control us. Since we allow circumstances to influence our feelings, we are inclined to be moody. The insecurity we feel as a result of devaluing ourselves makes us react with jealousy, envy and possessiveness. Fear makes us greedy and acquisitive, and feelings of self-hate alternate with those of futility, unhappiness and depression.
5. Sound self-esteem is the basis for ALL self improvement. As human beings, our potential is limitless, our abilities inexhaustible, and the possibilities for creative and constructive changes are endless. But, we won’t experience satisfactory progress towards our goals or make any lasting improvements unless we believe we deserve the good we want. Conditions in our lives will improve permanently only when we believe we are entitled to something better. So improving our self-esteem inwardly is the vital ingredient for improving our lives. —Dr Aparna Chattopadhyay [‘Enhance’ H.T.] On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:
Question. Setting of unrealistic goals generally leads our mental status to:
1. frustration 2. elation
3. disappointment
4. tension 5. satisfaction
6. cool-mindedness
(a) 2, 5, & 6
(b) 1, 3 & 4
(c) 1, 3 & 5
(d) 3, 4 & 6
Answer: B
Question. The unrealistic goals are set by people ............. .
(a) to preserve their honour
(b) because they lack tolerance
(c) who have high self-esteem
(d) who do not like themselves
Answer: D
Question. Good self-esteem is stressed upon because ......................... .
(a) it is essential for solving many problems
(b) it builds up self-confidence
(c) it increases one’s reputation
(d) it helps one to respect others
Answer: A
Question. High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as ......................... .
(a) it makes us worthless in our own eyes
(b) it helps us to believe in our worth
(c) it forces us to be achievers
(d) it brings depression and disappointment
Answer: B
Question. Sound self-esteem ensures success as ......................... .
(a) one reacts emotionally to problems
(b) one becomes moody and insecure
(c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties
(d) one makes instant improvements
Answer: C
Question. The word ‘potential’ in para 5 means ......................... .
(a) possible
(b) ability of a person
(c) a liquid with magic powers
(d) hidden power
Answer: D
Question. What is the importance of good self-esteem?
Answer: Good self-esteem is important for solving many problems.
Question. What remarkability is latent in high self-esteem?
Answer: High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as it helps us believe in our own worth.
Question. Where does the solution of a great many problems lie?
Answer: The solution to a great many problems, whether personal, national or global lies in improving our feelings about ourselves both as individuals and members of society.
Question. How are ideas and behaviours crystallized by society?
Answer: Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our parents, caregivers and authority figures. They play an important role in our early upbringing and crystallizing ideas about oneself and the world.
Question. Why do we feel disappointed in spite of achieving our goals?
Answer: When our goals are too tough and strenuous, we feel disappointed even after achieving them.
Question. What does the expression ‘vulnerable to the opinion of others’ mean in para 3?
Answer: The given expression means that we will soon condone the opinion of others without thinking of the pros and cons.
| CBSE Class 12 English Note Making Passage |