Question

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow.
It is harder and harder to make sense of life. Everything is changing, all the time, at a faster and faster pace. Our civilization is struggling to keep up with exponential technology and disruptive change. Our age-old institutions, politics, economics, ethics, religion and laws, even our environment, are so fundamentally challenged, that we risk collapse. Our stories have gotten so divorced from reality, so divisive, so inflexible and so inept to adapt to and explain our present, let alone guide us towards a better future, that we often feel like helpless passengers on a Titanic spaceship Earth. No wonder Aristotle observed that “When the storytelling goes bad in a society, the result is decadence.”
But why is this the case? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it that bad storytelling can keep, if not bring, a whole society down? Is that not simply overstating the power of story?
Literary theorist Kenneth Burke famously noted: “Stories are equipment for human living. We need storytelling in order to make certain sense out of life.” If that is true then our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it we are going to go obsolete too.
It was this process that Fred Polak had in mind in 1961 while observing:
Any student of the rise and fall of cultures cannot fail to be impressed by the role played in this historical succession by the image of the future. The rise and fall of images precede or accompany the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive.
That is why we desperately need a new story. A story that will not only help us make sense of the world today but also unite us as a species of human beings. A story that will motivate us to stop bickering and resolve our common problems. A story that will inspire us to achieve our common goals and guide us towards a better future for all sentient beings on our planet.
We have to rewrite the human story. Because the old stories that brought us thus far are no longer useful. They’ve lost their vision and grandeur. They’ve become petty and short-sighted. They’re stuck in a past that never was at the expense of a future that can be. They divide us and keep us bickering while our civilization is facing unprecedented diversity and depth of existential challenges. Those stories are not simply our history. They are now our chains. And unless we break them, they will be our death sentence.
So, it is worth exploring if or how new stories, good stories can bring us up.
The human story that brought us into the 21st century was written and rewritten several times. The latest major update was perhaps during the industrial revolution. It is time to rewrite it again. We need a new story. A brave story. An unreasonable story. A story that can inspire, unite and motivate us to break free from the past and create the best possible future.
Which of the following options BEST captures the essence of a GOOD STORY?

• A. Laying of railways led to economic and industrial development of India.
• B. Everyone and I are a part of the universe.
• C. India has a glorious past, it had 25% share of global economy before arrival of the British
• D. Life is full of sorrows and only death can provide a solution.
• E. Compared to other nations, our nation has played a special role in progress of humanity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The passage discusses the critical need for humanity to redefine its collective story to adapt to modern challenges. It argues that our old narratives have become inadequate in explaining and guiding us through the rapid technological and cultural changes society faces. According to the passage, a 'good story' should unite and inspire people, providing a framework to address our common issues and guide us to a harmonious future.

To determine which option best captures the essence of a 'good story,' let's evaluate each option:

• Laying of railways led to economic and industrial development of India: This option focuses on a specific historical development in India. While significant, it doesn't encapsulate the idea of a narrative that inspires and unites humanity globally.
• Everyone and I are a part of the universe: This option reflects a universal truth that emphasizes unity and interconnectedness, aligning with the passage's requirement for a story that binds humanity together and guides us toward a common future.
• India has a glorious past; it had a 25% share of the global economy before the arrival of the British: This focuses on historical pride, specific to India, and does not offer a universal narrative. It lacks the forward-looking, unifying theme that the passage advocates.
• Life is full of sorrows and only death can provide a solution: This is a pessimistic outlook that contradicts the passage's call for an inspiring and hopeful narrative for the future.
• Compared to other nations, our nation has played a special role in the progress of humanity: While this option highlights national pride, it doesn't promote a united human story; it instead places emphasis on comparative achievement, contrary to the passage's core idea of unity.

Conclusion: The option "Everyone and I are a part of the universe" captures the essence of a 'good story' as described in the passage. It embraces the interconnectedness and unity of all humans, fitting the need for a narrative that unites and inspires humanity to tackle collective challenges and aspire towards a shared future.

Answer 2

The passage discusses the necessity for a new story that can unite humanity and guide it towards a better future. The author suggests that the old stories are divisive and inadequate to address modern challenges. A good story, therefore, should possess certain characteristics: it should foster unity, inspire positive change, and provide a sense of collective identity among all human beings.
The key to understanding what makes a 'good story' in this context lies in its ability to unite and include everyone as part of a larger whole. It should inspire and motivate people to work together towards a common goal, transcending individual differences and focusing on the shared human experience.
Given this context, the option that best captures the essence of a good story is:
"Everyone and I are a part of the universe."
This statement transcends individual boundaries and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings, aligning perfectly with the passage's call for a unifying narrative that brings people together and inspires collective action towards a better future.