Factual Passage: Self Esteem | Class 11 English Grammar PDF Download

Read the following passage carefully:

1. Today, when we pick up a daily newspaper, we invariably find an increasing incidence of vandalism, fraud, theft, robbery, rape, child abuse, battered spouses, murders, hate crimes, genocide (now termed as “ethnic cleansing”) along with a multitude of other senseless violent acts that have become disturbingly common. These are not the actions of people who like themselves.
2. The solution to a great many problems, whether personal, national or global, lies in improving our feelings about ourselves both as individuals and members of society. When the significance of good self-esfeem is well understood and it achieves the prominence it deserves, a transformation will begin, for as the people will learn they are deserving of self-respect, their respect for others will automatically increase.
3. Most of our behaviour has been shaped by our parents, caregivers and authority figures who played an important part in our early upbringing and were responsible for crystallizing our ideas about ourselves and the world. While everyone has self-esteem, only a small percentage of us have high self-esteem. High self-esteem denotes that we accept ourselves unconditionally exactly as we are, we appreciate our value as a human being. When, on the other hand, we have low self-esteem, we believe that we have little intrinsic worth.
4. We believe our personal value is in direct proportion to the value of our accomplishments. If we cannot accomplish certain results, we tend to feel low about ourselves. Some of us try too hard and become workaholics and over-achievers. With few genuine feelings of self-worth, we try to create some and prove that we are somebody by our successes and achievements. Because our desire for perfection is so great, we tend to set unrealistic goals and place unreasonable demands on ourselves. Failing, rather than encouraging us to have more realistic aspirations, only leads to a mere punishing round of self-blame and a resolve to drive ourselves harder next time. If we do finally achieve our goals we are disappointed; despite everything we have done, we still feel empty inside.
5. Vulnerable to the opinions of others, we desperately try to gain their recognition and approval sometimes through risky and dangerous behaviour. Thus we are at the mercy of our emotions, instead of controlling them, we permit them to control us. Since we allow circumstances to influence our feelings, we are inclined to be moody. The insecurity we feel as a result of devaluing ourselves makes us react with jealousy, envy and possessiveness. Fear makes us greedy and acquisitive, and feelings of self-hate alternate with those of futility, unhappiness and depression.
6. Sound self-esteem is the basis for all self improvement. As human beings, our potential is limitless, our abilities inexhaustible, and the possibilities for creative and constructive changes are endless. But, we won’t experience satisfactory progress towards our goals or make any lasting improvements unless we believe we deserve the good we want. Conditions in our lives will improve permanently only when we believe we are entitled to something better. So improving our self-esteem inwardly is the vital ingredient for improving our lives.

A. Answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option:
Q.1. Such acts are done by people______
(a) to preserve their honour
(b) because they lack tolerance
(c) who have high self-esteem
(d) who do not like themselves

Correct Answer is option (d)
who do not like themselves.

Q.2. High self-esteem is a remarkable asset as______
(a) it makes us worthless in our own eyes
(b) it helps us to believe in our worth
(c) it forces us to be achievers
(d) it brings depression and disappointment

Correct Answer is option (b)
it helps us to believe in our worth

Q.3. The word ‘potential’ in para 6 means______
(a) possible
(b) ability of a person
(c) a liquid with magic powers
(d) hidden power

Correct Answer is option (d)
hidden power

Q.4. These days the newspapers are full of______
(a) development news
(b) political news
(c) acts of violence and crimes
(d) educational and employment news

Correct Answer is option (c)
acts of violence and crimes

Q.5. Good self-esteem is stressed upon because______
(a) it is essential for solving many problems
(b) it builds up self-confidence
(c) it increases one’s reputation
(d) it helps one to respect others

Correct Answer is option (a)
it is essential for solving many problems

Q.6. Sound self-esteem ensures success as______
(a) one reacts emotionally to problems
(b) one becomes moody and insecure
(c) one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties
(d) one makes instant improvements

Correct Answer is option (c)
one taps one’s latent talents and creative faculties

B. Answer the following questions in brief:
Q.7. What is the importance of good self esteem?

Good self esteem is important in solving many problems.

Q.8. What does sound self esteem ensure?

Sound self esteem ensure the improvement of life by identifying latent talents and creative faculties.

Q.9. Give the same meaning from the passage.
(a) Destruction (para 7)
(b) Hidden power (para 6)

(a) Vandalism
(b) Potential

Q.10. What is remarkable in high self esteem?

High self esteem is remarkable asset as it helps us to believe in our worth.

Q.11. Whom will conditions in our lives improve permanently?

When we believe we are entitled to something better, the conditions in our lives will improve permanently.