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Sample Reading Comprehension - 16 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Like their ancient toga-wearing counterparts, modern philosophers continue to disagree on the nature of freewill. Do we really have any control over the choices we make and the things we desire, and if so, to what degree?
Theories of freewill vary, but the ancient words of Plato still line up with our modern perceptions of temptation and willpower. The revered Greek philosopher argued that the human experience is one of constant struggle between the intellect and the body, between rationality and desire. Along these lines, true freedom is only achievable when willpower unchains us from bodily, emotional, instinctual slavery.
You can find similar sentiments throughout world religions, most of which offer a particular and often difficult path to rise above our darker natures.
And science? Well, science mostly agrees with all of this. Willpower is all about overcoming your natural impulses to eat cupcakes, skip your morning workout, flirt with the waiter, hit the snooze alarm and check your e-mail during a funeral.
Your willpower, however, is limited. If life were a video game, you'd see a glowing "willpower" or "ego" meter at the top of the screen next to your "life" meter. Successfully resist one temptation, and the meter depletes a little. The next temptation depletes the "willpower" meter even more, until there's nothing left at all.
Our modern scientific understanding of willpower in large part stems from a 1996 research experiment involving chocolate and radishes. Psychologist Roy Baumeister led a study in which 67 test subjects were presented with tempting chocolate chip cookies and other chocolate-flavored treats before a persistence-testing puzzle. Here's the catch: The researchers asked some of the participants to abstain from sweets and snack on radishes instead.
Baumeister's results told a fascinating story. The test subjects who resisted the sweet stuff in favor of radishes performed poorly on the persistence test. They simply didn't have the willpower left to resist slacking off.
The resulting paper, "Ego Depletion: Is the Active Self a Limited Resource?" inspired more than a thousand additional studies discussing everything from the influence of positive messages to the ego-sapping power of daily decisions.
Studies also show that cognitive capacity also affects our ability to hold out against temptation. Cognitive capacity is essentially your working memory, which you employ when resisting a temptation ... or holding a string of numbers in your head. A 1999 study from the University of Iowa professor Baba Shiv found that people tasked with remembering a two-digit number held out better than people remembering a seven-digit number when tempted with chocolate cake. 

Question for Sample Reading Comprehension - 16
Try yourself:What do you understand by ‘freewill’?
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Question for Sample Reading Comprehension - 16
Try yourself:From the RC given above, find a synonym for ‘respected’
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Question for Sample Reading Comprehension - 16
Try yourself:According to Plato, when is true freedom available?
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Question for Sample Reading Comprehension - 16
Try yourself:What is meant by ‘cognitive capacity’?
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Question for Sample Reading Comprehension - 16
Try yourself:In the second paragraph, what does the expression ‘line up’ signify?
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FAQs on Sample Reading Comprehension - 16 - HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana)

1. What is HPSC (Haryana)?
Ans. HPSC (Haryana Public Service Commission) is a government organization responsible for conducting various recruitment exams and selecting candidates for civil services and other administrative positions in the state of Haryana.
2. What are the eligibility criteria to apply for HPSC exams?
Ans. The eligibility criteria for HPSC exams may vary depending on the specific exam. However, generally, candidates must have a minimum educational qualification such as a bachelor's degree from a recognized university and must meet the age limit requirements as specified in the exam notification.
3. How can I apply for HPSC exams?
Ans. To apply for HPSC exams, candidates need to visit the official website of HPSC and fill out the online application form. They must provide all the required details, upload necessary documents, and pay the application fee as mentioned in the exam notification. It is important to carefully read and follow the instructions given in the application form.
4. What is the selection process for HPSC exams?
Ans. The selection process for HPSC exams usually consists of multiple stages, including a preliminary examination, a main examination, and an interview. Candidates who qualify the preliminary examination are eligible to appear for the main examination. Those who clear the main examination are then called for the interview round. The final selection is based on the combined performance of the candidates in all these stages.
5. What are the popular exams conducted by HPSC?
Ans. HPSC conducts various exams, but some of the popular ones include the Haryana Civil Services (HCS) exam, Haryana Judicial Services (HJS) exam, Haryana Forest Service (HFS) exam, and Haryana Engineering Services (HES) exam. These exams attract a large number of aspirants every year.
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