Question

The way we _________ has a decisive effect upon our inner growth.

• A. we would act
• B. we would be acting
• C. we act
• D. we should act

Hint:

For universal truths or general statements, always use the simple present tense.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: The sentence is in the simple present tense and expresses a general truth about human behavior. 
Step 2: Among the options:
- (a) “we would act” → implies a conditional situation, not suitable. 
- (b) “we would be acting” → future conditional progressive, incorrect. 
- (c) "we act" → correct, as it refers to a general principle in the present. 
- (d) "we should act" → suggests advice, not a statement of fact.
Step 3: Hence, option (c) fits perfectly. \[ \boxed{\text{we act}} \]

Answer 2

Rather than analyse each option through the lens of formal tense names, test each one by checking whether it makes a general, factual claim (matching "has a decisive effect," a present-tense statement of fact) or something hypothetical, incomplete, or advisory.

1. Option A: "would act" expresses a hypothetical or conditional action (something that would happen under certain circumstances), which does not match a sentence stating a general, ongoing truth.
2. Option B: "would be acting" is a conditional continuous form, describing an imagined ongoing action rather than a settled fact, so it is even further removed from the intended meaning.
3. Option C: "act" in the simple present states a plain, general truth about behaviour, which is exactly the kind of statement that pairs naturally with "has a decisive effect upon our inner growth."
4. Option D: "should act" expresses obligation or recommendation — how people ought to behave — rather than describing how they actually behave, which is what the sentence needs.

Only the plain present-tense form in option C states a general truth consistent with the rest of the sentence.

Hence, the correct answer is we act.