**Directions: Read the given passage carefully to answer the following questions.
Each question will have five alternatives as its answer. Choose the correct option as your answer.**
As the mother of a teenage daughter, I find myself grappling with the stark contrast between the once joyful bundle of joy I raised and the seemingly distant and screen-obsessed individual she has become. Struggling to strike the right balance in my parenting style, I often feel caught between the hovering tendencies of a helicopter parent and the fear of becoming an absentee one. It's a challenging position for many of us, belonging to a generation sandwiched between the strict discipline and physical punishments meted out by our parents and the disapproving glances from our own children now. The recent tragic incident in Jaipur, where a 20-year-old youth addicted to his mobile phone resorted to hacking his own family to death, serves as a haunting reminder of the alarming mental health issues prevalent among today's youth. This stark reality is vividly portrayed in the movie Kho Gae Hum Kahan, where young adults grapple with the complexities of their lives, entangled with romance, ambition, heartbreaks, and the addictive allure of social media.
The movie prompts contemplation on how deeply our children's lives are intertwined with screens, particularly their phones and laptops. In one poignant scene, a character demands privacy by instructing his mother to close the door of his room after a bad day at the gym. This desire for personal space, while understandable, inadvertently creates a significant divide between the younger generation and their parents, who genuinely wish to be their well-wishers. The isolation cultivated by today's youth in their cocoons seems to stem from a lack of realization that, by shutting out their parents, they are losing valuable guidance and support. Actor Ratna Pathak Shah's recent observation resonates, as she expresses relief at not being part of this generation, emphasizing the scant parental guidance they receive. She aptly characterizes them as a generation overwhelmed by unfiltered information, lacking assimilation, and seemingly unable to foresee their own vulnerabilities in the future. Traditionally, advice and wisdom were sought from elder siblings, parents, grandparents, or teachers, fostering a sense of guidance and security. However, today's children often turn to social media platforms like YouTube and Google for information. The influx of information, unfiltered and lacking guarantees of accuracy and appropriateness, poses its own set of challenges.
YouTube influencers have become the new role models, their lives on full display with "Instagram-able" pictures and questionable behaviours. The consequences of over-dependence on screens and the absence of adequate guidance loom ominously, raising concerns about whether children comprehend the potential pitfalls of their choices. Parents, too, shoulder a share of the blame, succumbing to the pressure of modern parenting and fulfilling every desire of their children, inadvertently hindering the development of gratitude and a sense of responsibility. As we raise children in nuclear families and send them off for further studies right after high school, we inadvertently expose them to unforeseen challenges, leaving them emotionally unsatiated, socially vulnerable, and ill-equipped with essential life skills. Recognizing the importance of giving our children space, it's essential to consider the potential repercussions of letting them navigate life without adequate guidance and support.
Which of the following options best describes the meaning of the highlighted word "vulnerable" in the context of the passage?
- AOption (a)
Not satisfied or fulfilled.
- BOption (b)
The quality of being thankful or appreciative.
- COption (c)
Without intention or accidentally.
- DOption (d)
Yielding to pressure or temptation.
- EOption (e)
Susceptible to physical or emotional harm.
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Correct answer
Susceptible to physical or emotional harm.
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is option 5.
Key Points
- To answer this question, let's first understand the meaning of the word "vulnerable" given in the passage:
- Vulnerable - susceptible to physical or emotional harm; easily wounded or hurt (कमजोर)
- For Example -
- Children are vulnerable to the influence of peer pressure, making it crucial for parents to guide them in making wise decisions.
- In the given passage, the word "vulnerable" is used in the context of children being exposed to unforeseen challenges and lacking essential life skills, which leaves them emotionally unsatiated and socially vulnerable to potential harm.
- Therefore, the most appropriate option that aligns with the meaning of "vulnerable" in this context is: "Susceptible to physical or emotional harm."