Instructions

Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow.

It is harder and harder to make sense of life. Everything is changing, all the time, at a faster and faster pace. Our civilization is struggling to keep up with exponential technology and disruptive change. Our age-old institutions, politics, economics, ethics, religion and laws, even our environment, are so fundamentally challenged, that we risk collapse. Our stories have gotten so divorced from reality, so divisive, so inflexible and so inept to adapt to and explain our present, let alone guide us towards a better future, that we often feel like helpless passengers on a Titanic spaceship Earth. No wonder Aristotle observed that “When the storytelling goes bad in a society, the result is decadence.”
But why is this the case? And, perhaps more importantly, how is it that bad storytelling can keep, if not bring, a whole society down? Is that not simply overstating the power of story? Literary theorist Kenneth Burke famously noted: “Stories are equipment for human living. We need storytelling in order to make certain sense out of life.” If that is true then our equipment for living has gone obsolete. And unless we upgrade it we are going to go obsolete too.

It was this process that Fred Polak had in mind in 1961 while observing: Any student of the rise and fall of cultures cannot fail to be impressed by the role played in this historical succession by the image of the future. The rise and fall of images precede or accompany the rise and fall of cultures. As long as a society’s image is positive and flourishing, the flower of culture is in full bloom. Once the image begins to decay and lose its vitality, however, the culture does not long survive.

That is why we desperately need a new story. A story that will not only help us make sense of the world today but also unite us as a species of human beings. A story that will motivate us to stop bickering and resolve our common problems. A story that will inspire us to achieve our common goals and guide us towards a better future for all sentient beings on our planet.

We have to rewrite the human story. Because the old stories that brought us thus far are no longer useful. They’ve lost their vision and grandeur. They’ve become petty and short-sighted. They’re stuck in a past that never was at the expense of a future that can be. They divide us and keep us bickering while our civilization is facing unprecedented diversity and depth of existential challenges. Those stories are not simply our history. They are now our chains. And unless we break them, they will be our death sentence.

So, it is worth exploring if or how new stories, good stories can bring us up. The human story that brought us into the 21st century was written and rewritten several times. The latest major update was perhaps during the industrial revolution. It is time to rewrite it again. We need a new story. A brave story. An unreasonable story. A story that can inspire, unite and motivate us to break free from the past and create the best possible future.

Question 25

Which of the following options BEST captures the essence of a GOOD STORY?

Solution

Option A is the correct answer as it captures the essence of a good story by emphasizing the theme of universal interconnectedness. A compelling narrative often transcends individual perspectives, fostering a sense of unity and shared experience among diverse individuals. This option implies a broader, inclusive worldview, aligning with the idea that a good story should resonate with the common humanity that connects everyone, highlighting the interconnected nature of individuals and the universe. It reflects a positive and unifying theme, which is a characteristic often associated with powerful and impactful storytelling.

Option B emphasizes a national perspective, which might not resonate universally and could be seen as exclusive rather than inclusive.

Option C focuses on a specific event and its consequences, lacking the universal and inclusive nature often associated with a broader, impactful narrative.

Option D eans towards a pessimistic perspective, lacking the uplifting and unifying qualities typically associated with a good story.

Option E highlights a specific historical aspect, but its emphasis on a national achievement may not encompass a universally resonant theme, potentially excluding a global audience.


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