Class 11 & 12 Reading Passage No-66. Happiness (400 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

By | December 12, 2019

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Happiness

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

1.To date, happiness has defied definition. Most people tend to equate happiness with fun, good living and plenty of money. If happiness were synonymous with all this, rich people with all their luxuries and countless parties would be perpetually happy. But in actual fact, they are, frequently, acutely unhappy, despite their riches and ability to indulge in fun activities at will. Fun is what we experience during an act; happiness is that intangible something we experience after an act. We may have fun watching a movie, going shopping, meeting friends — these are all fun activities that afford us fleeting moments of relaxation and enjoyment. Happiness, on the other hand, is a stronger, deeper and more abiding emotion.

2. If we perceive happiness as the ultimate goal, we must also devise a way to reach that goal. The way to happiness is not a smooth, broad highway along which we can cruise at a comfortable speed. It is a path through rocky and rugged terrain and the going can become very tough at times. At these times we have to roll up our sleeves and with pitchfork and shovel make our way onwards. This pursuit of happiness lasts a lifetime. Great happiness is earned only by great effort and effort not in spurts but diligent, constant effort.

3. In this connection we are confronted with another fallacy, that fun and pleasure mean happiness and thus pain, its corollary, must be synonymous with unhappiness. But in fact, the truth is quite different. Things that bring us happiness, more often than not involve some amount of pain. It is because of a misconception that people avoid the very’ endeavour that is the source of true happiness. Difficult endeavours such as the raising of children, establishing deeper relationships with loved ones, trying to do something worthwhile in life—hold the promise of a world of happiness.

4. Happiness is not a permanent vacation. Another prevalent belief is that if one were rich enough not to have to work, one would be blissfully happy. But a job is more than just a paycheque. Almost all religions teach us that work is worship. Work holds the key to happiness as doing something which increases confidence and self-worth. It brings a feeling of satisfaction, of doing something, of contributing. Job satisfaction comes less from how much one earns than from the challenge of the job. Of course, the pay-cheques count. It would be unrealistic to suggest that one could be happy without basic shelter, roaming the streets on an empty stomach.

1.On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any four of the following questions in about 30-40 words each:

 (i) What is the common opinion about happiness? What is it in a real sense of the term?

 (ii) What does the author want to say in the second paragraph?

(iii) What are the sources of true happiness?

(iv) How does work hold key to happiness?

(v) What is the source of job satisfaction?

2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any four of the following:

 (i) Fun is a kind of……….. that we get from work.

 (a) good living            (b) experience

 (c) happiness              (d) ability

(ii) In para 1, ……………  is the meaning of ‘temporary’.

(a) intangible              (b) relaxation

(c) fleeting                  (d) abiding

 (iii) The diligent and constant effort will give us…………..

  (a) happiness            (b) unhappiness

(c) endeavour              (d) conception

(iv) According to all religions work being worship, brings……………..

  (a) contribution         (b) challenge

 (c) blissful                   (d) satisfaction

 (v) In para 4,………….  is the antonym of work.

(a) confidence            (b) prevalent

(c) vacation                 (d) worship

Answers:-

1.(i) The common opinion is that happiness involves fun activities, good living and plenty of wealth. But in reality, happiness has no association with fun activities or wealth. These are superfluous things. Happiness is a stronger, deeper and more abiding emotion.

 (ii) Man’s ultimate goal should be the attainment of true happiness. But the way to attain this happiness is not easy or smooth. It is, rather, very tough and complicated. In such a situation if one is determined to reach that goal, one should be hard working. Happiness earned through constant efforts gives real joy and it lasts lifelong.

(iii) The sources of true happiness involve some amount of pain. People usually avoid the very endeavour that is the source of true happiness. Difficult endeavours such as raising of children, establishing worthwhile in life are some of the sources of true happiness.

(iv) One who is engaged in some kind of work is happy. ‘Work is worship’ is an old saying. Of course, work holds key to happiness as doing something which increases confidence and self-worth. It brings a feeling of satisfaction, of doing something, of contributing.

(v) Money cannot give job satisfaction. Actually, it comes from the challenge of jobs.

2.(i) (b) experience

(ii) (c) fleeting

(iii) (a) happiness

(iv) (d) satisfaction

(v) (c) vacation

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