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Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for ACT 2025 is part of ACT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the ACT exam syllabus. Information about Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for ACT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.

Solutions for Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for ACT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for ACT Exam by signing up for free.

Here you can find the meaning of Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Directions: Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageSOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866.The ancients summed up the whole of humanwisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainlythere is for an individual no more important and nomore difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself.(5) Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. Theyhave a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, andinstincts of their own, and have the same general lawsof development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay,as the individual man. Equally important, and no less(10) difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation toknow itself, understand its own existence, powers andfaculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten-dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as wellas a material existence, a moral as well as a physical(15) existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter-nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness andgrandeur, which it must in some measure understandand observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stuntedin its growth, and end in premature decay and death.(20) Among nations, no one has more need of fullknowledge of itself than the United States, and no onehas, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinctconsciousness of its own national existence, and haslived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial,(25) till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself andcompel it to reflect on its own constitution, its ownseparate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end.The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear-ful struggle that has followed for national unity and(30) integrity, have brought the United States at once toa distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to passfrom thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles-cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation hasbeen suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now(35) on must act from reflection, understanding, science,and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas-sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why itdoes it. The change which four years of civil war havewrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the(40) seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so farlacked.Though the nation has been brought to a con-sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet,attained a full and clear understanding of its own(45) national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by thefloating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgmentrendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theoriesand fancies of its childhood. The national mind hasbeen quickened, the national heart has been opened,(50) the national disposition prepared, but there remainsthe important work of dissipating the mists that stilllinger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan-cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligentjudgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of(55) its own constitution tendencies.As the individual states have vindicated theirnational unity and integrity, and are preparing to makea new start in history, nothing is more important thanthat they should make that new start with a clear and(60) definite view of their national constitution, and witha distinct understanding of their political mission inthe future of the world. The citizen who can help hiscountrymen to do this will render them an importantservice and deserve well of his country, though he may(65) have been unable to serve in her armies and defendher on the battle-field. The work now to be done byAmerican statesmen is even more difficult and moredelicate than that which has been accomplished by ourbrave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-(70) pared for the political work to be done than they wereat the outbreak of the civil war for the military workthey have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, theerrors of the past corrected, and the government placed(75) on the right track for the future.Q.The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can best be characterized as:a)impassioned.b)indifferent.c)whimsical.d)resigned.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice ACT tests.