Question

Read the passage given below and answer any 10 questions that follow:

We have but one method of acquiring knowledge. From the lowest man to the highest yogi,

all have to use the same method, and that method is called concentration. Concentration

implies, first, an ability to release one’s thoughts and emotions from all other interests and

involvements, and second, an ability to focus them on a single object or state of awareness.

Concentration may assume various manifestations, from a dynamic outpouring of energy to

perfectly quiescent perceptions. On every level of mental activity, it is the concentration that

is the key to success. What is not generally known is that a concentrated mind succeeds not

only because it can solve problems with greater dispatch, but also because problems have a

way of somehow vanishing before its focused energies, without even requiring to be solved.

A concentrated mind often attracts opportunities for success that, to less focused individuals,

appear to come by sheer luck.

The chemist who works in his laboratory concentrates all the powers of his mind, brings

them into one focus, and throws them on the elements, and the elements stand analyzed, and

thus his knowledge comes. The astronomer also concentrates the powers of his mind and

brings them into one focus and then throws them on to objects through his telescope and

stars and systems roll forward and give up their secrets to him. So it is in every case—with

the professor in his chair, the students and his books—with every man who is working to

know.

The more this power of concentration is, the more is the knowledge acquired, because this is

the one and the only method of acquiring it. Even the lowest shoeblack, if he pays more

concentration, will polish shoes better, the cook with his concentration will focus all his

attention on the work at hand and will cook a better meal. In making money or in

worshipping God, or in doing anything, the stronger the power of concentration, the better

will be that work is done.

Even though concentration is the key to acquiring knowledge—Concentration itself is not

easy to attain. It is a skill that can be developed only through a lot of patience and practice.He who masters it is real 'yogi'. To control our senses and to gather all our awareness into

one focus is by no means an easy task. Life itself is complex and there are invariably several

issues vying for our attention which makes it even more difficult to focus on only one thing.

Even if we try to concentrate fully on the work in hand, our subconscious mind is scattered

in varied directions and soon drags our conscious mind along, without even our realizing it.

It, therefore, requires a lot of discipline, will power and self-control to focus or concentrate.

However, the effort is worth it and pays rich dividends in the form of accomplishment of our

goals. This is the one call, the one knock which opens the gate of nature, and lets out floods of

light.

Answer the following questions:

i. What is the pre-requisite for acquiring knowledge?

1. Focus

2. Concentration

3. Confidence

4. Energy

ii. What comes easily to a concentrated mind than to less focused individuals?

1. Opportunities for success

2. Problems

3. State of Awareness

4. Luck

iii. How does a concentrated mind succeed?

1. Solves problems quickly

2. Problems vanish before its focused energies

3. Both of the above

4. None of the above

iv. What examples of professionals, who use their powers of concentration are cited in the

passage?

1. Chemist

2. Astronomer

3. Cook

4. Only (i) and (ii)

v. The only method of acquiring knowledge according to the passage is ________.

1. Start studying with focus

2. Take help from professor and books

3. Use the power of concentration

4. There is not only one method of acquiring knowledge

vi. How can concentration be developed?

1. By losing control of our senses

2. By focusing on many things at a time

3. By thinking in varied directions

4. By patience and practicevii. What are the key factors to develop focus or concentration?

1. Discipline

2. Will Power

3. Self-Control

4. All of the above

viii. How does being concentrated help us in our lives?

1. We accomplish our goals

2. We fall down the ladder of success

3. We become a yoga guru

4. We get a lot of money

ix. Yoga is a practice that combines meditation, deep breathing, and stretching exercises.

What is a person who performs yoga called?

1. yogi

2. ascetic

3. hermit

4. meditator

x. 'Acquire' is a verb. Give the noun form of this verb

1. acquiring

2. acquirement

3. acquisition

4. acquire

xi. Which word in the passage means unchangingly?

1. invariably

2. varied

3. vying

4. various

xii. Find from the passage the antonym of gathered:

1. directions

2. concentrate

3. focus

4. scattered​

Answer 1

Answer:

5.

Explanation:

The answer is 5

Answer 2

i. What is the prerequisite for acquiring knowledge? - 2. Concentration

ii. What comes easily to a concentrated mind than to less focused individuals? - 3. State of Awareness

iii. How does a concentrated mind succeed? - 3. Both of the above

1. Solves problems quickly

2. Problems vanish before its focused energies

iv. What examples of professionals, who use their powers of concentration are cited in the passage? - 4. Only (i) and (ii)

1. Chemist

2. Astronomer

v. The only method of acquiring knowledge according to the passage is ________. - 3. Use the power of concentration.

vi. How can concentration be developed? - 4. By patience and practice.

vii. What are the key factors to develop focus or concentration? - 4. All of the above.

1. Discipline

2. Will Power

3. Self-Control

viii. How does being concentrated help us in our lives? - 3. We become a yoga guru.

ix. Yoga is a practice that combines meditation, deep breathing, and stretching exercises. What is a person who performs yoga called? - 1. yogi

x. 'Acquire' is a verb. Give the noun form of this verb. - 3. acquisition.

xi. Which word in the passage means unchangingly? - 1. invariably.

xii. Find from the passage the antonym of gathered: - 4. scattered​.

• There is just one way for us to learn. Everyone, from the lowest man to the highest yogi, must utilise the same technique, which is referred to as concentration.
• First, concentration implies the capacity to disengage one's thoughts and feelings from all other pursuits and commitments, and second, it implies the capacity to concentrate them on a single thing or state of awareness.
• From a tremendous outpouring of energy to totally quiet perceptions, concentration can take many forms.
• The secret to success in all levels of mental activity is concentration.
• What is less well recognised is that a focused mind succeeds not only because it can solve difficulties more quickly, but also because issues seem to magically disappear before its eyes.
• A focused mind frequently draws opportunities for success that, to those who are less focused, seem to happen by accident.
• When a chemist is working in his lab, he concentrates all of his mental abilities, puts them into focus, and directs them towards the elements. The elements are then studied, and this is how he gains information.
• The astronomer also concentrates his mental faculties, unifies them, and then directs them toward things through his telescope, causing stars and other astronomical systems to advance and reveal their secrets to him.
• So it is with every guy who is trying to learn—with the professor sitting in his chair, the students, and his books.
• Because this is the one and only way to learn something, the more concentrated one is, the more knowledge one acquires.
• The cook will produce a better dinner if he concentrates more on the task at hand. Even the lowest shoeblack will polish shoes more effectively if he pays more attention to it.
• The better the work is done, whether it is in earning money, worshipping God, or anything else, the stronger the ability of concentration.
• Even while focus is essential for learning, focus is difficult to achieve in and of itself.
• Only a great deal of perseverance and practise will allow you to master this skill.
• Its teacher is a true "yogi."
• It is by no means simple to master our senses and bring all of our awareness into one concentration. Because life is complicated and there are sometimes invariably several situations for our attention, it can be challenging to concentrate on just one subject.
• Even if we make every effort to focus entirely on the task at hand, our subconscious mind is always scattered and quickly takes our conscious mind along.

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