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Read the following passage carefully and answer the question. Man’s growth from barbarism into civilization is supposed to be the theme of history. But sometimes, looking at great stretches of…

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Read the following passage carefully and answer the question.

Man’s growth from barbarism into civilization is supposed to be the theme of history. But sometimes, looking at great stretches of history, it is difficult to believe that we are very much civilized or advanced. There is enough of want of co-operation today as we see one country or people selfishly exploiting another.

Man in many ways has not made very great progress from other animals. Still, we look down upon the insects as almost the lowest of living things and yet the tiny bees and ants have learnt the art of co-operation and of sacrifice for the common good far better than man. If mutual co-operation and sacrifice for the good of society are the test of civilization, we may say that the bees and ants are superior to man. The old saying goes as follows: “For the family, sacrifice the individual, for the community, the family, for the country, the community, and for the soul, the whole world.” It teaches us the lesson of co-operation and sacrifice for the larger good which we may have forgotten. How wonderful it is to see men and women, and boys and girls smilingly going ahead on the path of progress without caring any pain or suffering? Well, may they smile and be glad for the joy of serving a great cause which is theirs; and for those who are fortunate, comes the joy of sacrifice too.



What is the theme of the given passage?
  1. The Rise and Fall of Empires
  2. Man’s search for Truth
  3. Man’s Moral and Spiritual Development
  4. Man’s quest for Idealism

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Man’s Moral and Spiritual Development
The passage asks whether man has really advanced from barbarism and measures civilization by moral qualities: co-operation and sacrifice for the larger good. So its theme is man's moral and spiritual development. Empires, truth-seeking and idealism are not its focus.

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