QUESTION 6(b)
GS4
10 marks
“A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” — M. K. Gandhi. What does this quotation mean to you?
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain what Gandhi's idea that thoughts shape the person means to you.
What does it mean to youAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Meaning: thoughts lead to words, actions, habits, character≈30 words
- 2Personal: positive thinking, values, discipline≈30 words
- 3Public life: attitude of service, prejudice shaping behaviour≈30 words
- 4Limit: thoughts must be followed by action≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
MeaningPersonal viewExampleConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Restating the quote
- No illustration, e.g. Gandhi's own non-violence or prejudice shaping an officer's conduct
Draw this
- Chain: thought → word → action → habit → character
Value addition
- SourceSimilar idea in the Dhammapada: 'We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts.'.Dhammapada
- ExampleGandhi's own transformation after the Pietermaritzburg train incident (1893).Historical record
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Apala Mishra · Page 17 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.