Question

from optimism within by helen keller could we choose our environment, and were desire in human undertakings synonymous with endowment, all men would, i suppose, be optimists. certainly most of us regard happiness as the proper end of all earthly enterprise. the will to be happy animates alike the philosopher, the prince and the chimney sweep. no matter how dull, or how mean, or how wise a man is, he feels that happiness is his indisputable right. my optimism is no mild and unreasoning satisfaction. a poet once said i must be happy because i did not see the bare, cold present, but lived in a beautiful dream. i do live in a beautiful dream; but that dream is the actual, the present,—not cold, but warm; not bare, but furnished with a thousand blessings. the very evil which the poet supposed would be a cruel disillusionment is necessary to the fullest knowledge of joy. only by contact with evil could i have learned to feel by contrast the beauty of truth and love and goodness. 5 select the correct answer. what is the central idea of the passage? a. suffering leads to a greater experience with joy. b. happiness is a subject for philosophers only. c. optimism is the result of a sheltered experience. d. happiness comes from studying in school. reset

Explanation:

The passage states that "only by contact with evil could I have learned to feel by contrast the beauty of truth and love and goodness" and that the evil the poet feared becomes "the fullest knowledge of joy." This directly supports the idea that suffering (contact with evil) enhances the experience of joy. Option B is incorrect because the text says the will to be happy animates philosophers, princes, and chimney sweeps alike. Option C is wrong as the author’s optimism is rooted in recognizing blessings amid reality, not shelter. Option D is unsupported—there is no mention of school study.

Answer:

A. Suffering leads to a greater experience with joy.