Question

the strength of the oak
the oak tree has long been admired as a symbol of strength and endurance. towering above other trees, it seems immovable and invincible. yet the oaks true resilience lies not only in its height or the thickness of its trunk but in its ability to bend and sway in powerful storms. without flexibility, even the mightiest tree would break under pressure.
in much the same way, human beings show resilience not by avoiding difficulties but by adapting to them. psychologists often compare resilience to a muscle: the more it is exercised, the stronger it becomes. people who experience setbacks, failures, or challenges often develop new coping strategies, problem - solving skills, and emotional strength. just as an oak grows deeper roots when battered by strong winds, people can grow in wisdom and perseverance through adversity.
resilience is not about ignoring pain or pretending hardships do not exist. instead, it is the capacity to face challenges directly while holding onto hope. like the oak, which continues to reach upward despite the storms, resilient individuals press forward, finding meaning and strength in the struggle.

1. what is the central idea of the passage?

a. oak trees survive because they grow taller than other trees.
b. resilience means being unshaken by challenges.
c. true strength lies in flexibility and adapting to challenges.
d. hardships can be ignored if a person has enough strength.

1. which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that resilience develops through challenges?

a. towering above other trees, it seems immovable and invincible.
b. psychologists often compare resilience to a muscle: the more it is exercised, the stronger it becomes.
c. resilience is not about ignoring pain or pretending hardships do not exist.
d. the oak tree has long been admired as a symbol of strength and endurance.

1. what does the word perseverance most nearly mean as used in paragraph 2?

a. giving up quickly
b. patience and steady effort
c. sudden success
d. emotional struggle

1. why does the author compare an oak tree to human resilience?

a. to show that both humans and trees can resist damage by never bending
b. to illustrate that growth and strength come from flexibility in difficult conditions
c. to explain the scientific reasons oak trees grow taller than other trees
d. to argue that people should avoid challenges whenever possible

Explanation:

1. The passage emphasizes that like the oak tree's ability to bend in storms, human strength lies in flexibility and adapting to challenges, making C the correct central - idea choice.
2. The comparison of resilience to a muscle that gets stronger with exercise directly supports the idea that resilience develops through challenges, so B is the best supporting sentence.
3. In the context of growing in wisdom and persevering through adversity, 'perseverance' means patience and steady effort, so B is the correct meaning.
4. The author compares the oak tree to human resilience to show that growth and strength come from flexibility in difficult conditions, so B is the correct reason for the comparison.

Answer:

1. C. True strength lies in flexibility and adapting to challenges.
2. B. 'Psychologists often compare resilience to a muscle: the more it is exercised, the stronger it becomes.'
3. B. Patience and steady effort
4. B. To illustrate that growth and strength come from flexibility in difficult conditions