Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Your core values
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question is based on a passage about personal mission statements and the idea of being the Chief Executive Officer of your own life. The author explains that just like successful companies have mission statements, individuals should also define how they want to live, what kind of person they want to become, and what values will guide their decisions. You are asked to identify what the author says a personal mission statement should begin with.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The passage describes the importance of a clear personal mission in the modern knowledge era.- It emphasizes living according to values rather than only chasing titles, possessions, or promotions.- The author explicitly describes how he began his own mission statement, focusing on awareness, uniqueness, and concern for others.- Near the end, the passage directly instructs readers on how to frame their own mission statement.
Concept / Approach:
To answer this type of question, you must carefully read the lines in which the author gives direct advice. The passage says that you can frame your mission statement "starting with your core values, working outward to your material desires and financial needs." This clearly tells us that the foundation of the mission must be values, not possessions or monetary goals. The other options mention things the author specifically warns against focusing on first, such as what you want to own or your next promotion.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Revisit the lines near the end of the passage where the author explains how to frame a mission statement.Step 2: Note the exact instruction: begin with core values, then expand to material desires and financial needs.Step 3: Compare this guidance with the answer choices: "Your core values", "What you want to acquire", "Your monetary ambitions", and "Your next promotion".Step 4: Observe that the passage criticises focusing only on what you want to own, the title on your door, or the next promotion.Step 5: Recognise that "Your core values" is the only option that matches the explicit advice given by the author.Step 6: Select "Your core values" as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can paraphrase the relevant sentence from the passage: it says that your mission statement should start from the inside (values) and move outward toward external achievements (material desires and financial needs). This inside out progression confirms that values are the starting point. If the mission started with what you want to acquire or your next promotion, it would contradict the whole message of the passage, which is to focus on who you become rather than what you own.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option "What you want to acquire": The passage warns against starting with possessions or what you want to own; these come later, after values.Option "Your monetary ambitions": Financial needs and ambitions are mentioned but only as outer layers after core values are defined.Option "Your next promotion": The passage explicitly says that a mission statement is about more than the title you want to see on your door or your next promotion.
Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates skim the passage and remember that material desires and financial needs are mentioned but forget the order in which they should be considered. Another pitfall is assuming that a mission statement must start with external success indicators, such as promotions or wealth, because that is common in goal setting. However, the author is making the opposite argument: true success begins with clearly defined values. Always pay close attention to sequencing words like "starting with" and "working outward to", as they are critical for answering such questions correctly.
Final Answer:
According to the passage, a personal mission statement should begin with your core values and then move outward to material desires and financial needs.
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