Critical Reading For Exams / Short Reading Comprehension 24


Any one who has common sense will remember that the bewilderments of the eyes are of two kinds, and arise  from two causes, either from coming out of the light or from going into the light, which is true of the mind’s eye,  quite as much as of the bodily eye; and he who remembers this when he sees anyone whose vision is perplexed and  weak, will not be too ready to laugh; he will first ask whether that soul of man has come out to the brighter life, and  is unable to see because unaccustomed to the dark, or having turned from darkness to the day is dazzled by excess  of light. And he will count the one happy in his condition and state of being, and he will pity the other; or, if he have  a mind to laugh at the soul which come from below into the light, there will be more reason in this than in the laugh  which greets him who returns from above out of the light into the den. 

That, he said, is a very just distinction. 



This style of writing qualifies as

An allegory
A parable
An epic
A reflection
A choral

What moral value is the author attempting to establish?

A relationship between light and darkness of the mind’s eye
A distinction in progression from darkness to light or a digression from light to darkness
That all men should be aware of other’s directions and try to help them to a clear mind’s eye
That we should be aware of the direction of those around us and act accordingly
An admonishment that one who comes from the darkness into the light has better reason to celebrate

What progression is presented in the passage as it relates to life?

There is a progression of the mind to the soul from eyes.
There is a progression from eyes to mind’s eyes to the soul.
There is a progression in the mind’s eye to the soul.
There is a progression from darkness to light to excess of light.
There is a progression from light to darkness to excess of light.

Which selection best represents the light the mind’s eye and soul could pass through metaphorically?

Light of salvation
Sunlight
Artificial light
Unfiltered light
Moonlight

Which of the following does the author suggest will warrant more joy?

He who comes into the light from the den
He who constantly moves from one to the other
He who does not leave the den
He who returns to the den from the light
He who stays in the light and out of the den