Read the following comprehension passage carefully and then answer the question by choosing the best option out of the four alternatives. There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself, for better or for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his own toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he truly know it until he has tried. It is not without meaning that one face, one character, or one fact makes a deep impression on him and another does not. This sculpture in the memory is not without pre established harmony. The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray. We but half express ourselves, and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents. It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues if it is faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and has done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise shall give him no peace. It is a deliverance which does not really deliver. In the attempt his genius deserts him; no muse befriends him; no invention, no hope appears. According to the author, God is not looking for _____ to manifest his works.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Cowards

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question is based on a philosophical passage that discusses self reliance, inner power, and sincere work. The specific line being tested is the author's comment that "God will not have his work made manifest by cowards". To answer correctly, you must connect this statement with the options and understand what kind of people, according to the author, cannot be instruments of divine work.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The passage states that each person has a unique power residing within him.
  • The author argues that this power is discovered only when a person actually tries and works on his own plot of ground.
  • The passage explicitly says: "God will not have his work made manifest by cowards."
  • The options mention cowards, stubborn people, weaklings, and "all of these".
  • We assume the question refers directly to the phrase used in the passage.


Concept / Approach:
In comprehension questions, when the stem asks "According to the author", you should rely on the literal wording and clear implications of the passage, not on your personal opinion. Here, the author is describing how divine work or higher purpose shows itself in the world. He insists that only those who put their heart into their work, act bravely, and faithfully express the divine idea within them can manifest God's work. The one group he explicitly excludes is "cowards". Therefore, the correct answer must match that exact term rather than some broader or different group.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Locate the relevant line in the passage: "but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards."Step 2: Observe that the word "cowards" is specifically used by the author; no other group is named in this clause.Step 3: Understand the meaning: a coward is someone who is afraid to act, afraid to speak truth, or afraid to express the divine idea within.Step 4: Compare the options. Only option A repeats the exact word "Cowards".Step 5: Reject options that add new categories like "stubborn people" or "weaklings", which the passage does not mention in this context.


Verification / Alternative check:
Re read the surrounding sentences: the author says that when a man puts his heart into his work, he is relieved and joyful, but when he acts half heartedly, his genius deserts him and no muse or hope supports him. This reinforces the idea that courage, not cowardice, is required to manifest God's work. However, the question is not asking about all possible disqualifications; it is asking what the author specifically says God will not use, which is "cowards". Thus, the literal text confirms the answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, "Stubborn people", is not mentioned in the passage in relation to God's work. A person might be stubborn yet still courageous and sincere. Option C, "Weaklings", suggests physical or emotional weakness, but the author does not say that physical weakness alone prevents someone from manifesting divine work. Option D, "All of these", would imply that the passage explicitly rejects cowards, stubborn people, and weaklings together, which it does not. Only "cowards" appears in the original sentence.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes over interpret philosophical passages and assume that if cowards are rejected, then stubborn or weak people must also be rejected. However, comprehension questions reward careful reading, not guesswork. Another pitfall is to pick "All of these" when more than one option sounds negative. To avoid this, always look for exact phrases or clearly supported ideas in the text. Here, only "cowards" is explicitly named as unfit to manifest God's work.


Final Answer:
According to the author, God will not have his work made manifest by cowards.

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