QUESTION PYQ 01
GS4
10 marks
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." – William James
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
For Attitude & Human Agency, the core task is to discuss the exact proposition ‘"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." – William James’. Organise the answer around its qualifier and evidence burden, not around a generic syllabus note.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." – William James≈55 words
- 2For Attitude & Human Agency, identify the competing values, apply them to public conduct and use a concrete illustration rather than abstract moralising≈55 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Interpret/define Attitude & Human AgencyCore ethical principleCompeting value or limitPublic-service applicationConcrete examplePrincipled conclusion
Where marks usually go
- Turning this into a broad note on Attitude & Human Agency instead of answering the question’s operative wording: ‘"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his…’
- Adding correct but adjacent facts on Attitude & Human Agency that do not advance the exact causal, comparative or evaluative task in this PYQ
Value addition
- Attitude & Human Agency: ethical balance triangle — principle → competing value → public-interest resolution
→ Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.
Verified value additions
These are verified official-source additions selected for this exact PYQ. Use only the point that strengthens your argument.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.