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.
Read the following statements:
1). A story without connections and coherence.
2). A story that talks about recreating the past glory.
3). A story may not be factually true.
4). A story that is meaningful and compelling for humanity
Which of the above statements can be ASSOCIATED with the meaning of “unreasonable story”, as used in the passage?

• A. 1&3
• B. 3&4
• C. 1&2
• D. 2&3
• E. 2&4

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The passage discusses the need for a new story to make sense of the rapidly changing world and the role of storytelling in human progress. It emphasizes that the existing stories are obsolete and divisive, and a new, compelling narrative is essential for uniting humanity and addressing global challenges. The term "unreasonable story" in the passage suggests a story that is brave and breaks away from the conventional or factual constraints to inspire and motivate people.

Let's analyze the given statements to determine which can be associated with “unreasonable story” as used in the passage:

• Statement 1: A story without connections and coherence - This does not align with the passage's notion of "unreasonable story" because, while it might defy logic, the passage suggests the need for a meaningful and inspiring narrative, not one that lacks coherence.
• Statement 2: A story that talks about recreating the past glory - This contradicts the passage since it criticizes the old stories that are stuck in the past and hinder future progress. An “unreasonable story” is not about recreating the past but about inspiring a new future.
• Statement 3: A story may not be factually true - This aligns with the passage's idea of an "unreasonable story." Such a story isn't bound by factual truth but focuses on inspirational and motivational aspects to guide societal transformation.
• Statement 4: A story that is meaningful and compelling for humanity - This fully aligns with the passage, as it calls for creating a narrative that inspires and unites humanity toward a better future. This reflects the essence of a new, transformative story.

Based on this analysis, the correct association with “unreasonable story” according to the passage is:

Correct Answer: 3&4

Thus, statements 3 and 4 capture the essence of what the passage describes as "unreasonable story" – one that might not be factually true but is compelling and meaningful for humanity's future.

Answer 2

The passage discusses the importance of storytelling in guiding and motivating society towards a better future, emphasizing the necessity for a new kind of story, described as "unreasonable". This kind of story diverges from traditional norms and factual accuracy to inspire and unite humanity. Let's analyze the statements provided:

1. A story without connections and coherence.
2. A story that talks about recreating the past glory.
3. A story may not be factually true.
4. A story that is meaningful and compelling for humanity.

Analysis:

• Statement 3: "A story may not be factually true." aligns with the idea of an "unreasonable story" as such a story does not need to be factual but rather inspirational.
• Statement 4: "A story that is meaningful and compelling for humanity." fits the description as it emulates the need for a new, motivating story as discussed in the passage.

Conclusion: Based on the explanations, the statements that can be associated with the meaning of "unreasonable story" as used in the passage are 3 and 4. Therefore, the correct option is:

3&4