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. In the context of the passage, what does the word "manifest" mean?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Display

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question focuses on the word "manifest" as it appears in the sentence "God will not have his work made manifest by cowards." To answer correctly, you need to understand how "manifest" is used in context, not just rely on a vague memory of the word. The passage talks about God's work becoming visible in the world through brave, sincere action, and that idea guides the correct meaning.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The key sentence is: "God will not have his work made manifest by cowards."
  • The word "manifest" is being used as a verb here, with "made manifest" functioning like "made visible" or "shown".
  • The options offered are: Display, Hide, Shout, Try.
  • We assume the author is describing how God's work appears or is revealed to others.


Concept / Approach:
In English, "to manifest" something means to show it clearly, to display it, or to make it evident. When the author says "his work made manifest", he is referring to God's work being shown in the world through the actions of people. The idea is that cowardly behaviour cannot be a clear expression of divine work. Therefore, the closest synonym in the options is "display", since this also means to show or reveal something so that it can be seen or recognised by others.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Replace "manifest" in the sentence with each option and check the sense: "God will not have his work made display by cowards" is not grammatical, but "made visible / displayed" is the intended meaning.Step 2: Recognise that "Display" is the word that comes closest to "show clearly" or "make evident".Step 3: Consider option B, "Hide". That would produce the opposite meaning, suggesting that cowards hide God's work, which is not what the author is directly saying.Step 4: Option C, "Shout", implies raising one's voice, which has nothing to do with the idea of work appearing in the world.Step 5: Option D, "Try", refers to making an attempt, which is unrelated to the meaning of "manifest". Therefore, option A is correct.


Verification / Alternative check:
Look at other common uses of "manifest": "The symptoms manifested themselves suddenly," meaning the symptoms became visible or apparent. "His fear was manifest in his eyes," meaning his fear was clearly shown. In each example, "manifest" aligns closely with "display" or "show plainly". It never means "hide", "shout", or "try". Therefore, in the passage, God's work being "made manifest" clearly refers to it being displayed or revealed to the world through human action.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, "Hide", is the direct opposite of "manifest". To manifest is to make something evident, while to hide is to conceal it. Option C, "Shout", is about loud speech, which is unrelated to the abstract idea of divine work appearing in human life. Option D, "Try", refers to attempting something and does not capture the notion of visibility or clarity. None of these options fit the sentence as naturally as "display" does when you consider the intended sense.


Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse "manifest" with "protest" or think of "manifesto", which is a written declaration. While related in origin, in this passage "manifest" is clearly used in the sense of "be made evident". Another pitfall is to focus only on the religious context and overcomplicate the meaning, instead of using straightforward vocabulary knowledge. Remember that many exam questions are testing basic synonyms even when the passage is philosophical.


Final Answer:
In this passage, "made manifest" means that God's work is made visible or shown clearly, so the correct answer is Display.

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