Read the following passage carefully :
(1) Almost everyone engages with social media in some form. Whether it is updating a status, sharing photos of a family gathering, or scrolling through friends’ vacation highlights, it is inevitable that most individuals use online social platforms.
(2) People tend to view social media as synonymous with shallow interactions, digital obsession, or the carefully curated presentation of an idealised life. But researchers often define it as ‘‘an extension of human social connection’’, says a professor of digital anthropology. ‘‘It is something that fulfils the fundamental human need for belonging’’ as it is an integral part of modern communication, relationship maintenance and even identity formation.
(3) ‘‘It is not inherently harmful’’, adds a social psychologist. ‘‘It can be positive or neutral.’’ Some researchers argue that social media helped us adapt to an increasingly mobile world. Digital sociologists pioneered this perspective, comparing social media usage to the community gatherings our ancestors valued as a means of maintaining social bonds.
(4) People are usually resistant to thinking about social media as anything but problematic. It is true that there are some types of engagement that should be avoided, such as social media use that fosters unhealthy comparisons or contributes to a poor self-image. In such scenarios, no one benefits. Social media engagement can also be both active and passive. Active engagement refers to directly creating and sharing content, commenting on others’ posts or initiating online conversations. An active user contributes original material and drives discussions. Passive consumption, on the other hand, involves more observational behaviour like scrolling without interacting, watching without commenting or reading updates without acknowledging them, while still allowing content algorithms to shape one’s feed through these subtle interactions.
(5) It is interesting to note that social media usage also reveals something about the relationships people have with themselves and others. The type of content someone shares often reflects their values and self-perception, which are key aspects of personal identity.
(6) Research has found that mindful social media use can enhance connection, while other studies have found it can serve as a platform for self-expression and creativity. So, approach your feed thoughtfully, remembering that some benefit can come from it when used with the right intentions.
Why does the author say that social media usage is a reflection of relationships ?
Why does the author say that social media usage is a reflection of relationships ?
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Solution and Explanation
The idea appears in Paragraph 5: social media usage 'also reveals something about the relationships people have with themselves and others'.
Step 2: Find the reason given:
The very next sentence explains it: 'The type of content someone shares often reflects their values and self-perception, which are key aspects of personal identity.'
Final Answer:
Because the type of content a person shares reflects their values and self-perception, which are key aspects of personal identity.
Mention any two benefits of ‘social media’.
Mention any two benefits of ‘social media’.
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Solution and Explanation
Paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 describe what social media does well.
Step 2: Pick two benefits:
First, it is an extension of human social connection and fulfils the fundamental human need for belonging (Paragraph 2).
Second, it is an integral part of modern communication, relationship maintenance and identity formation (Paragraph 2).
Final Answer:
Social media extends human social connection and fulfils the need for belonging; it is also an integral part of modern communication and identity formation.
Complete the following sentence suitably with one difference between the author’s opinion and that of people about social media.
Generally, people do not readily accept __________.
Complete the following sentence suitably with one difference between the author’s opinion and that of people about social media.
Generally, people do not readily accept __________.
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Solution and Explanation
Paragraph 4 says 'People are usually resistant to thinking about social media as anything but problematic.'
Step 2: Find the author's view:
In Paragraph 3 the author quotes a social psychologist: 'It is not inherently harmful... It can be positive or neutral.'
Final Answer:
Generally, people do not readily accept that social media can be positive or neutral rather than problematic.
There is also a behavioural distinction to be drawn between active and passive engagement in social media. (Paragraph 4)
Based on the above statement, classify the following sentences as active or passive engagement.
Sentence 1 : Meera posted photos of her art exhibition and responded to every comment.
Sentence 2 : Aditya spent two hours scrolling through his feed without liking or commenting on anything.
There is also a behavioural distinction to be drawn between active and passive engagement in social media. (Paragraph 4)
Based on the above statement, classify the following sentences as active or passive engagement.
Sentence 1 : Meera posted photos of her art exhibition and responded to every comment.
Sentence 2 : Aditya spent two hours scrolling through his feed without liking or commenting on anything.
Show Hint
Solution and Explanation
Active engagement means creating and sharing content, commenting on posts or starting conversations.
Passive consumption means scrolling, watching or reading without interacting.
Step 2: Apply them to Sentence 1:
Meera posted photos and replied to comments. She created content and joined the discussion, so this is active.
Step 3: Apply them to Sentence 2:
Aditya only scrolled without liking or commenting, so this is passive.
Final Answer:
Sentence 1 - active engagement; Sentence 2 - passive engagement.
Choose the correct option :
...... mindful social media use can ‘enhance connection’ (Paragraph 6)
The above statement is true because :
Choose the correct option :
...... mindful social media use can ‘enhance connection’ (Paragraph 6)
The above statement is true because :
Show Hint
- We can maintain relationships despite physical distance.
- We always enjoy seeing what others are doing.
- We believe everything that we see posted online.
- To connect, one needs to follow many accounts.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Mindful use means using social media thoughtfully and with the right intentions, and the result is better connection.
Step 2: Check the options:
Option 1 is correct: social media lets people stay in touch with family and friends even when they are far apart, which is how it enhances connection.
Option 2 is wrong: enjoying others' updates is not mindful use.
Option 3 is wrong: believing everything online is the opposite of mindful use.
Option 4 is wrong: following many accounts does not create real connection.
Final Answer:
Option (A): We can maintain relationships despite physical distance.
Complete the following suitably :
The author puts forth the fact that people can never __________ (avoid/appreciate) social media.
Complete the following suitably :
The author puts forth the fact that people can never __________ (avoid/appreciate) social media.
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Solution and Explanation
Paragraph 1 says that 'it is inevitable that most individuals use online social platforms'.
Step 2: Choose the word:
If using social media is inevitable, people cannot stay away from it. The word 'appreciate' does not fit this idea.
Final Answer:
avoid
Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph 2.
genuine : authentic : : __________ : fabricated
Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph 2.
genuine : authentic : : __________ : fabricated
Show Hint
- idealised
- curated
- shallow
- extension
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
'Genuine' and 'authentic' are similar in meaning. So the blank needs a word from Paragraph 2 that is similar to 'fabricated', meaning artificially put together.
Step 2: Check the options:
'Curated' (in 'carefully curated presentation') means selected and arranged deliberately, so it matches 'fabricated'.
'Idealised' means made to look perfect, 'shallow' means lacking depth, and 'extension' means a continuation. None of them is close to 'fabricated'.
Final Answer:
(B) curated
In the line ‘People tend to view social media as synonymous with shallow interactions, digital obsession ..........’ (Paragraph 2)
By the phrase ‘digital obsession’, the writer means __________.
In the line ‘People tend to view social media as synonymous with shallow interactions, digital obsession ..........’ (Paragraph 2)
By the phrase ‘digital obsession’, the writer means __________.
Show Hint
Solution and Explanation
'Obsession' means being unable to stop thinking about or doing something. 'Digital' refers to devices and online platforms.
Step 2: Combine the meaning:
In the list of negative views, the phrase points to people being hooked on their devices and platforms.
Final Answer:
By 'digital obsession' the writer means uncontrolled or excessive use of digital devices and platforms.
What type of social media usage does the author disapprove of and why ?
What type of social media usage does the author disapprove of and why ?
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Solution and Explanation
Paragraph 4 says there are some types of engagement that 'should be avoided'.
Step 2: Name the type:
These are uses that foster unhealthy comparisons or contribute to a poor self-image.
Step 3: Give the reason:
The author says that in such scenarios 'no one benefits'.
Final Answer:
The author disapproves of social media use that fosters unhealthy comparisons or a poor self-image, because no one benefits from it.
The phrase – ‘It is something that fulfils the fundamental human need for belonging’ suggests that social media should not merely be associated with shallow interactions.
Choose the correct response (A) or (B) which confirms that the concern this phrase points towards is about :
The phrase – ‘It is something that fulfils the fundamental human need for belonging’ suggests that social media should not merely be associated with shallow interactions.
Choose the correct response (A) or (B) which confirms that the concern this phrase points towards is about :
Show Hint
- Some types of social media engagement should be avoided.
- Social media can be viewed as part of our need for social connection.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The phrase says that social media meets a basic human need, the need to belong. So the concern is about seeing social media as more than shallow.
Step 2: Check the options:
Option (B) is correct: it links social media with our need for social connection, exactly as the phrase does.
Option (A) is about engagement to be avoided, which is a different point made later in Paragraph 4.
Final Answer:
(B) Social media can be viewed as part of our need for social connection.
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