The following informational passage is about why students s

The following informational passage is about why students should learn foreign l 1 - HiSET Prep

Question

The following informational passage is about why students should learn foreign languages at school.

Why Should Students Learn Foreign Languages in School?

5)In today's increasingly interconnected world, the ability to speak a foreign language is essential. It's a bridge that connects us to others, cultures, and opportunities. To thrive in the global economy, students must learn a foreign language. Proficiency in a foreign language opens doors to lucrative careers, seamless communication with global clients, and a deeper 5 understanding of the world. It sharpens our cognitive skills, ignites creativity, and broadens our horizons. Therefore, learning a foreign language is not only a valuable skill but also a rewarding experience. It enriches our lives, expands our minds, and empowers us to achieve our goals.

10)People who speak two languages have better thinking abilities. Gaining expertise in a foreign language is a mental activity that strengthens memory, thinking, and problem-solving skills and developing these skills can benefit students in their daily lives. Language acquisition nurtures critical thinking as it requires students to comprehend and interpret linguistic nuances. It also sharpens their analytical and logical reasoning, enabling them to make better decisions.

15)Language ability is a ticket to a wide range of work prospects in a job market that is becoming more globalized. Foreign language proficiency gives professionals an advantage over others. It allows them to communicate with clients from around the world, close deals with foreign partners, and expertly function in culturally diverse workspaces. The ability to speak directly with clients, colleagues, and partners in their native language can form business relationships. It also leads to the widening of professional horizons globally.

20)With that said, language is more than a tool for communication. It is also a means of understanding and respecting different cultures. Learning a new language lets the student learn about a country's rich history, centuries-old stories, and customs. This exposure cultivates empathy and cross-cultural understanding. It also enables people to build intercultural relationships with sensitivity and respect. It allows them to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. As they dig into the nuances of a language’s syntax and idioms, language learners gain a thorough comprehension of the viewpoint of a new culture.

25)At the same time, mastering a foreign language can be challenging. Students refrain from pursuing this course of study because of the difficulty of learning a foreign language. Modern teaching methods have made language learning effective by using interactive techniques, such as language camps and applications. These modes of learning are more engaging and 30 educational. Teachers can make studying a foreign language an enjoyable experience via new methods. Students can also learn by watching movies and videos in the language that they are learning. This will make the challenge of learning a foreign language less difficult and easier to achieve, thus allowing students to reap all the benefits that knowing a foreign language provides.

What does the word “empathy” (line 22) mean as it is used in the passage?

Answers

The ability to feel sorry for someone else’s misfortune
correct
The ability to understand another person’s feelings
The ability to know what others are thinking
The ability to feel compassion for someone else

Explanation

The Correct Answer is: B. The ability to understand another person’s feelings

In paragraph 4, the passage explains that learning a new language exposes students to another culture’s history, customs, and perspectives. This exposure “cultivates empathy and cross-cultural understanding,” meaning students gain the ability to understand how others feel and view the world. In this context, empathy refers to understanding—not pity, guessing thoughts, or emotional sympathy—making option B the best match for the author’s intended meaning.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. The ability to feel sorry for someone else’s misfortune
Feeling sorry for someone describes sympathy, not empathy. Sympathy involves pity for someone’s difficult situation, which is not the meaning used in the passage. The author focuses on appreciating and understanding cultural perspectives, which requires emotional understanding rather than feeling bad for someone’s struggles.
C. The ability to know what others are thinking
Knowing someone’s thoughts refers to mind-reading or prediction, which is not the intended meaning here. The passage explains empathy as understanding cultural viewpoints through language learning, not knowing another person’s exact thoughts. Therefore, this definition does not match the context in which the term appears.
D. The ability to feel compassion for someone else
Compassion involves wanting to help someone who is suffering, which differs from empathy. While compassion may stem from empathy, the passage emphasizes understanding cultural perspectives rather than caring for someone in distress. The author uses “empathy” to highlight awareness and understanding of others’ feelings, making this option inaccurate for the context.