Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 2...

Stories we admire are changing. For a long time, the “best” stories at school or on social media were often about talent: the top student, the gifted singer, the young entrepreneur who “made it” early. Recently, a different type of story has started to stand out—stories about learning in public, where people show their process, admit mistakes, and keep improving even when the results are not perfect. This shift matters because admiration is not only about entertainment; it shapes what we believe is possible for ordinary people.

One reason these stories feel fresh is that they reveal the messy middle. A junior designer posts weekly updates, showing failed drafts and small breakthroughs. A nurse learns data skills after work and shares how confusing the first steps were. A middle – aged worker trains for a new role while caring for family, and still finds time for practice. These narratives focus on consistency, not instant success. They also provide a kind of roadmap: not “be amazing,” but “start small, keep going, and adjust.”

However, learning stories can also be distorted by online culture. When platforms reward speed and confidence, people may perform progress instead of making it. Short videos can turn complex growth into a highlight reel, hiding frustration, feedback, or slow improvement. This creates comparison pressure, where viewers feel behind even when they are doing fine. In the worst cases, “inspiration” becomes a quiet form of stress, and admiration turns into self – criticism.

We can admire these stories in a healthier way by looking for evidence of real learning: reflection, practice routines, feedback, and honest setbacks. Instead of copying someone’s results, we can copy their habits—how they review mistakes, ask questions, and stay patient. The stories we admire should not only impress us; they should expand our sense of agency. When a story shows growth that is believable and repeatable, it does more than motivate—it becomes a mirror that says, “You can build this too.”

Question 23: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of people "learning in public"?

A. A middle – aged employee retraining for a new position.

B. A gifted singer achieving fame through a talent show.

C. A nurse sharing the confusion of learning data skills.

D. A junior designer posting failed drafts of their work.

Question 24: The word "distorted" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to __________.

A. explained        B. changed        C. clarified         D. recorded

Question 25: The word "breakthroughs" in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to __________.

A. setbacks         B. innovations         C. achievements         D. milestones

Question 26: The word "This shift" in paragraph 1 refers to __________.

A. A change from long videos to short videos on online platforms

B. A change from studying offline to studying only on social media

C. A change from admiring talent to admiring visible learning progress

D. A change from following famous people to following only close friends

Question 27: Which of the following best paraphrases the sentence: "The stories we admire should not only impress us; they should expand our sense of agency."?

A. Stories of growth are more meaningful when they encourage us to take responsibility for the mistakes of ordinary people.

B. Rather than simply evoking wonder, the stories we value ought to strengthen our capacity to influence others' decisions.

C. To be truly effective, success stories must provide a practical roadmap that ensures we can achieve similar prestige.

D. Narratives we look up to are expected to go beyond generating awe and instead foster a belief in our own ability to act.

Question 28: According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE about the "healthier way" to admire learning stories?

A. It involves focusing on the end results rather than the daily habits of the learner.

B. It requires observers to look for proof of actual growth, such as how someone handles feedback and errors.

C. It encourages people to compare their current progress with the highlight reels on social media.

D. It suggests that motivation is the only necessary factor for a story to be truly useful to others.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the author discuss the negative psychological impact of modern success narratives?

A. Paragraph 1         B. Paragraph 2         C. Paragraph 3         D. Paragraph 4

Question 30: Which paragraph provides specific examples of individuals who embody the "learning in public" philosophy?

A. Paragraph 1         B. Paragraph 2         C. Paragraph 3         D. Paragraph 4