Read the following passage carefully and then select the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives given. Public opinion can be passive and false or active and real. In political theory it is often claimed that all governments ultimately rest on the opinion or consent of the governed. However, in practice we frequently see peoples rights violated while tyranny and oppression continue unchecked. Governments often act in such ways not because people really want them to do so but because citizens are too idle, too uneducated, too divided or too timid to oppose the authorities. In such situations, public opinion is passive and false rather than an active verdict. In contrast, where people are alert, informed and determined to make the government aware of their will, they actively use their voice in running their country. This is an example of true or active public opinion. According to the passage, true public opinion is formed and expressed through several channels: the press, public platforms, political parties and educational institutions. These organs of society have sacred duties to perform because the overall good of the community depends on them. Among these, the press today wields a tremendous influence. A free and fair press supports just causes and movements, condemns wrong actions and helps people form correct opinions. By ventilating the grievances of the public, the press creates a healthy relationship between the people and the government. Political parties also contribute to the creation and regulation of public opinion. Educational institutions prepare the minds of young people who will be citizens of tomorrow. It has been said that modern nations such as Germany and China were shaped by their universities. Young minds must learn the spirit of fellow feeling, the spirit of tolerance, the habit of compromise and proper respect for the feelings and opinions of others. Without these qualities, a democratic society cannot function, let alone succeed. When people are truly awakened in this way, genuine and conscious public opinion will arise, justice will flourish and the voice of the people will truly be the voice of God. According to the passage, which among the following has tremendous influence in forming true public opinion?

Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question asks you to identify which institution the passage highlights as having tremendous influence in forming true public opinion. The passage discusses several channels through which public opinion is shaped, but it singles out one of them with particularly strong language. Recognising this emphasis is the key to answering correctly.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage states that true public opinion is formed and expressed through the press, the platform, political parties and educational institutions.
• It also says that these institutions carry sacred duties because the welfare of the community depends on them.
• Specifically, the passage remarks that "the press today wields a tremendous influence".
• The passage then elaborates on the role of the press in supporting just causes, condemning wrong actions and airing public grievances.

Concept / Approach:
When a passage names several institutions but then uses strong adjectives or emphasising phrases for one of them, that is usually a direct hint for this type of question. Here, the key phrase is that the press "wields a tremendous influence". The question mirrors that wording by asking which has tremendous influence in forming true public opinion. Therefore, you need to choose the institution that the passage describes in exactly those terms: the press.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Locate the section where the passage lists the institutions involved in forming public opinion.Step 2: Read carefully to find any special emphasis on one of them.Step 3: Note the explicit statement that "the press today wields a tremendous influence".Step 4: Compare this phrase with the wording of the question, which also asks about "tremendous influence".Step 5: Select "Press" as the correct answer because it is the institution directly described in this way.

Verification / Alternative check:
Although political parties and educational institutions are important and do help create and regulate public opinion, the passage does not describe their influence using the same strong phrase. It says political parties help create and regulate opinions and that educational institutions train young minds, but only the press is said to wield a tremendous influence. There is no mention of "God men" in the passage at all, which makes that option clearly incorrect. Thus, by matching the exact language of the passage, you arrive confidently at the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option B: Political parties play a role but are not singled out as having "tremendous influence" in the passage.
• Option C: Educational institutions are important for shaping young citizens, yet the passage does not attribute tremendous influence to them in the same explicit way.
• Option D: "God men" or spiritual leaders of that sort are not mentioned at all, so this option has no textual support.

Common Pitfalls:
In such questions, students sometimes over generalise and choose the institution they personally feel is most important, rather than the one highlighted by the text. Another common mistake is to ignore the precise wording in the passage and rely on general knowledge. In reading comprehension, the correct answer must always be based on what the passage actually says, not on outside opinions. When you see a phrase like "wields a tremendous influence" in both the text and the question, treat it as a strong signal pointing to the answer.

Final Answer:
According to the passage, the institution that wields tremendous influence in forming true public opinion is the Press.