Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: All of these
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of what personal and social qualities the passage considers essential for the healthy functioning of a democratic society. Near the end of the passage, the author lists several virtues that young people must develop. You need to see whether the passage supports each option individually and then decide whether a combined option summarises them all.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To solve this, you simply need to match each listed option with the qualities mentioned in the passage. The text explicitly names "the spirit of fellow feeling", "the spirit of tolerance" and "the habit of compromise" as required qualities. Because all three appear directly in the relevant sentence and are described as necessary for democracy, the answer must include all of them. Therefore, the comprehensive option "All of these" is correct.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Locate the part of the passage that refers to what young minds must learn.Step 2: Identify the list of qualities: spirit of fellow feeling, spirit of tolerance, habit of compromise, and respect for others feelings and opinions.Step 3: Compare these qualities with the options provided.Step 4: Note that options A, B and C each capture one of the listed qualities.Step 5: Since the passage requires all of these for democracy to function, choose option D, "All of these".
Verification / Alternative check:
If you pick only one of the individual qualities, you ignore the author’s clear statement that all of them together are essential. The passage connects them with the phrase "without which a democratic society cannot function". This shows that democracy depends not just on any single virtue but on a combination of fellow feeling, tolerance, compromise and respect. The exam setter therefore expects you to recognise that all three named qualities in the options are part of that essential set.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
In such questions, some candidates assume that examiners want them to choose one "most important" quality, and they may overlook combined options like "All of these". However, when a passage lists multiple traits and links them directly to the success of an institution like democracy, you should interpret them as a package rather than as competing alternatives. Always pay attention to phrases such as "without which" and "cannot function", because they signal that every item in the list is essential.
Final Answer:
According to the passage, a democratic society requires all of the listed qualities, so the correct answer is All of these.
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