Passage 1
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Work Brings Solace(relief)
- A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Flow is an overwhelming (full of enthusiasm/excitement) and
joyous experience while working. It is a sensation we experience when we act
with total involvement. During flow, action follows action according to an
internal logic; there seems to be no need of conscious intervention on the part
of the worker. There is no hurry, and there are no distracting demands on one's
attention. The distinction between self and the activity disappears.
All of us working on SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle) were
experiencing flow. Although we were working very hard, we were very relaxed,
energetic, and fresh. How did it happen? Who had created this flow? Perhaps it
was the fact that the difficult targets we had set actually seemed achievable.
When the SLV-3 hardware started emerging, our ability to
concentrate increased markedly (noticeably). I felt a tremendous surge (flow)
of confidence. I was in complete control over myself and over the SLV-3
project.
The first requirement to get into flow is to work as hard as
you can at something that presents a challenge. It may not be an overwhelming
challenge, but one that stretches you a little; something that makes you
realize that you are performing a task better today than you did yesterday, or
the last time you tried to do it.
Another prerequisite for being in flow is the availability of
a significant span of uninterrupted time. In my experience, it is difficult to
switch into the flow state in less than half an hour. And it is almost
impossible if you are disturbed constantly.
I have experienced this state many times, almost every day of
the SLV-3 mission. There have been days in the laboratory when I have looked up
to find the laboratory empty and realized that it was way past my work hours.
On other days, my team members and I have been so caught up in our work that
the lunch hour slipped by without our even being conscious that we were hungry.
Questions:
1. What does the author mean by 'flow'? How is it created?
The author defines "flow" as an overwhelming and
joyous experience that occurs when a person works with total involvement.
Author says, it is a sensation we experience when we act with total
involvement.
During this state, actions follow action naturally, without
conscious effort or distraction. Flow happens when the task you are working on
is challenging but achievable, and there are no distractions or interruptions.
2. Which project is the author involved in? Do you think he
enjoyed being there?
The author was involved in the SLV (Satellite Launch Vehicle)
project, specifically he was working on SLV-3.
Yes, the author clearly enjoyed being involved in the
project. He says, "Although we were working very hard, we were very
relaxed, energetic, and fresh."
3. State the factors connected with flow in a work culture.
The factors connected with flow in a work culture are:
Challenge: The task should be challenging but achievable.
Total involvement: The worker should be fully focused and engaged in the task.
Uninterrupted time: There should be enough uninterrupted time to enter the flow state.
Absence of distractions: There should be no external disturbances or distractions.
Feeling of progress: You should notice that you are performing better today than you did
before.
(Sense of control: A feeling
of control over oneself and the task is important.)
4. List the requirements to get into the flow of a work.
The requirements to get into the flow are:
Challenge: The task should be challenging but achievable.
Total involvement: The worker should be fully focused and engaged in the task.
Uninterrupted time: There should be enough uninterrupted time to enter the flow
state.
Absence of distractions: There should be no external disturbances or
distractions.
Feeling of progress: You should notice that you are performing better today than
you did before.
(Sense of control: A feeling of control over oneself
and the task is important.)
5. Comment on the dedication and work culture described by
the author in this passage.
The author shows a strong dedication to the work. He and his
team were totally involved in the SLV-3 project, often working without
realizing how much time had passed. The author says, "I have looked up to
find the laboratory empty and realized that it was way past my work
hours." This shows how absorbed they were in their work, indicating a
positive work culture with total commitment and teamwork.
6. Explain the phrase 'surge of confidence'. Make a sentence
using the phrase.
The phrase "surge of confidence" means a sudden and
powerful increase in one's self-belief in their abilities.
Example: After completing the first successful test, I felt a surge of confidence
that made me believe we would be able to finish the project in time.
7. Identify the tense in the following sentence: "The
distinction between self and the activity disappears." Convert the above
sentence into past tense.
The tense of the sentence is Simple present tense.
Past tense version: "The distinction between self and
the activity disappeared."
8. Change the voice: "I felt a tremendous surge of
confidence."
Passive voice: "A tremendous surge of confidence was
felt by me."
9. State the antonyms of the following words:
a.
Joyous - Sad, sorrowful
b. Difficult - Easy, simple
c. Experience - Inexperience, ignorance
d. Conscious - Unaware, unconscious
e. Disturbed - Calm, composed
10. Add suffixes to the following words:
a. Flow → Flowing
b. Conscious → Consciousness
c. Concentrate → Concentration
d. Difficult → Difficulty
11. Describe the idea of ‘teamwork’ as you understand it
based on the passage.
In the passage, teamwork is about being completely involved
in the project, supporting each other, and working together without
distraction. The author says, "On other days, my team members and I have
been so caught up in our work that the lunch hour slipped by without our even
being conscious that we were hungry." This shows how the team was so
focused on the mission that they didn’t even notice time passing, which is a
sign of good teamwork and shared commitment.
12. How do challenges affect your commitment towards your
work? Justify your point of view with an example.
Challenges make me more committed because they push me to
improve and do my best. For example, when working on a difficult project at
school, the challenge motivated me to study harder and find new ways to solve
problems. The more difficult the task, the more determined I became to complete
it successfully.
13. Write from your own experience about work that you
performed with ‘flow’.
I remember working on a group project where we had to conduct
a national level seminar. At first, it felt challenging, but as we worked
together, we got into the flow. We were so focused that hours passed without us
noticing. On other days, all the team members have been so caught up in the work
that the lunch hour slipped by without our even being conscious that we were
hungry. It felt amazing to be so involved and see our ideas turn into something
real.
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