1. From the list of people below, identify the ones with Soft Skills.

• Priya displays confidence in her abilities, enthusiastically taking on new challenges and inspiring her team to believe in their collective success.
• Aarush consistently interrupts others during conversations, displaying a lack of courtesy.
• Ananya showcases flexibility by adapting to changes in project requirements and incorporating feedback from her superior.
• Amrita frequently talks loudly on her phone in public spaces, disregarding those around her.
• Rohit is known for his friendliness and approachability, creating a welcoming atmosphere where the team members feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns.
• Rajesh displays high emotional intelligence by understanding and empathising with the feelings of others, creating a positive and supportive environment.

Answer :- a, c, e, f

2. Identify the real benefits of learning Soft Skills from the options below.

• Soft Skills play a significant role in helping individuals achieve professional excellence.
• Learning Soft Skills does not have any benefits.
• Along with technical competence, one’s personality and Soft Skills contribute significantly to being a good team player.
• If you learn Soft Skills, you can easily impress and cheat people for money.
• The only purpose of learning Soft Skills and obtaining a certificate is because it can be added to one’s CV.
• Soft Skills can be used effectively to manipulate and misguide people.

Answer :- a, c

3. Raghav was in his school, and he was constantly asking his father to buy him a new phone so that he could watch lectures online. His father, being a humble farmer, gradually saved some money and bought a phone for Raghav. After a few weeks, Raghav started using his phone to play games, use Instagram, and always talk to his friends. Slowly, as his screen time increased, his conversation and involvement with his family members decreased. As a student who has completed the first week of the course “Enhancing Soft Skills and Personality,” what suggestions would you give him to get out of the mobile phone addiction and regain the art of communication?

• Prioritise caring for your family by actively engaging in face-to-face conversations, shared meals, and quality time together.
• Instead of playing the same old games, download new games and explore the variety of available options.
• It is better to buy a flagship phone with top specifications on your own money, so you don’t have to obey your parents.
• Stop talking to parents, move out of the home, and stay with friends who are supportive of using mobile phones all the time.
• Make it a point to let the parents know that it’s your life and that whatever you do is your decision, not theirs.
• Set limits on mobile usage during family time; this will create more intentional conversations and help regain genuine connections.

Answer :- a, f

4. What are the five cardinal principles of Soft Skills and Personality Development?

• Planning
• Preparedness
• Persuasiveness
• Presentability
• Playfulness
• Perseverance

Answer :- a, b, c, d, f

5. Punith and Muthu were close hostel friends. When they went to have dinner in their canteen, they saw a half-filled glass on the table and started engaging in a lively debate. Punith was upset and disappointed at the unfulfilled portion as he noticed the glass was half empty. But Muthu was happy because the glass was half full instead of being entirely empty. What does this situation talk about the mindset of Punith and Muthu?

• Punith expresses a negative attitude and has a Fixed Mindset.
• Muthu expresses a negative attitude and has a Fixed Mindset.
• Punith has a positive attitude and a Growth Mindset.
• Muthu has succumbed to the stereotypes of society.
• Punith has overcome the stereotypes of society.
• Muthu has a positive attitude and a Growth Mindset.

Answer :- a, f

6. From the list of people below, identify those with Fixed Mindsets.

• Abdul maintains an optimistic outlook during hard times, seeing challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Advika embraces a learning mindset despite facing a setback, eagerly seeking new skills and knowledge to navigate difficult situations.
• Abhimanyu is very resilient as he continuously pushes himself out of his comfort zone to discover fresh perspectives and solutions.
• Bhavna usually avoids challenges and constantly chooses familiar tasks, as she is reluctant to step out of her comfort zone and explore new opportunities for growth.
• Aadhi always resists changes in his life and feels uneasy and frustrated when faced with alterations.
• Brinda never accepts criticism and always becomes defensive rather than embracing constructive feedback as a tool for personal development.

Answer :- d, e, f

7. Consider that you are invited to deliver a guest lecture on Growth Mindset. Assume that after your lecture, one of the students asked you to tell a few points to develop a Growth Mindset. What would be your answers?

• Believe that intellect can be grown with regular practice, put in some extra effort, and work hard to learn the subject you think is difficult to master.
• Perceive that challenges are because of your inability to handle a situation and, hence, stop getting out of your comfort zone.
• Always be ready to take risks instead of trying to feel safe in your familiar surroundings.
• Rather than embracing effort and learning from mistakes, you must believe that intelligence is fixed and unchangeable.
• In case of criticism, never accept it and always retaliate because criticisms are always given by people who are jealous of your growth.
• If you are faced with failure, instead of thinking of it as the end of your journey, consider it a learning experience and try again until you reach the goal.

Answer :- a, c, f

8. From the list of quotes/proverbs below, identify those that talk about the possibility of overcoming hindrances and exposing the power of a Growth Mindset.

• “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
• “Accept the things to which fate binds you.”
• “Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb, go through, or work around it.”
• “All human evil comes from a single cause, man’s inability to sit still in a room.”
• “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
• “No matter what you do in life, there will be suffering.”

Answer :- a, c, e

9. What are the important reasons to have constructive, critical people around us?

• For an individual’s personality to grow, it is important to have trustworthy people to give constructive criticism about our misgivings and mistakes.
• If one does not allow people to criticise and only receives praise, there will not be growth but only stagnancy.
• Engaging with critical individuals can be emotionally exhausting, as their negativity and constant criticism may drain one’s energy.
• Interacting with critical people may decrease self-esteem, as their consistent criticism can make one doubt one’s abilities and worth.
• Regular exposure to critical remarks can lead to heightened stress and anxiety levels, affecting both your mental and physical health over time.
• Critical people may downplay your achievements, making it difficult for you to celebrate successes and recognise your own accomplishments.

Answer :- a, b

10. Choosing a favourable environment to work in or study is one of the most important decisions for the growth of an individual. From the options given below, identify the people who are experiencing the benefit of feeling a sense of belongingness with their surroundings.

• Varsha finds fulfilment and happiness in her studies because of her strong sense of belongingness with her classmates, where everyone’s unique strengths are appreciated.
• Vikram, unable to find common ground with his team, experiences a persistent feeling of isolation, making it tough for him to cope with the daily challenges of the work environment.
• Dhriti faces difficulty in establishing meaningful connections with her colleagues, leading to a lack of bonding and a sense of alienation in the workplace.
• Abheer, despite working for an extended period, feels like an outsider in his team, finding it difficult to share his ideas or participate in casual conversations, hindering his overall job satisfaction.
• Advik is satisfied with his work because of the collaborative and friendly colleagues who create a positive work environment where he feels a deep sense of belonging.
• Girish is genuinely happy to be part of the cricket team because of its inclusive culture and mutual respect among players, which makes him feel at home.

Answer :- a, e, f

11. Devi is a graduate who just landed her first job at a reputable company. On her first day, she is introduced to her team. One individual among the colleagues captures her attention. His name is Abhiram. Everyone likes him and goes to him in case of conflict or problem because he respects everyone despite their differences. He is humble and polite when approaching people, and most of all, he usually forgives people and motivates them to rectify their mistakes.

Why do you think Abhiram is the most preferred person?

• Abhiram has mastered Soft Skills and effective communication.
• Abhiram’s violent behaviour creates a harmful environment, negatively impacting the well-being of those around him.
• Respect for personal boundaries is crucial in relationships, but Abhiram finds establishing or maintaining such boundaries challenging.
• Abhiram neglects personal hygiene and self-care practice, contributing to his overall physical appeal.
• Dishonesty in communication strains relationships, and Abhiram is one of the most dishonest people.
• Abhiram is a person who constantly worries and creates anxiety for the people who are around him.

Answer :- a

12. Amish is interviewing candidates for the post of software engineer, and he interacts with many people from top institutions around the world. One of the interviewees, Neha from Harvard, had 99.5% marks. She is the perfect candidate with all the professional skills as she exhibited enormous technical knowledge, but when she is selected, she starts behaving rudely with her colleagues. After repeated complaints from her colleagues, Amish fired Neha, and he refrained from recommending her to other companies. What does this scenario imply?

• Certain roles require high technical proficiency, such as programming, engineering, or data analysis, where specific technical skills are fundamental to the job. Neha did not possess any of the technical skills.
• Despite possessing hard skills, it is important for an individual to develop Soft Skills so that they can communicate and work effectively with people around them.
• In highly technical industries like IT, engineering, or healthcare, companies may prioritise candidates with a strong technical background to meet industry standards and regulations, which Neha lacked.
• Neha did not know how to convey her ideas to her colleagues. Failing to provide clear and concise responses may indicate a struggle to organise thoughts or an inadequate understanding of the subject matter.
• Neha did not have any idea about her work and what she had to do. So, Amish was disappointed because insufficient knowledge about the company or role led her to give vague responses, suggesting a lack of interest or commitment to understanding the organisation’s needs.
• Neha was always prepared poorly to respond to professional meetings.

Answer :- b

13. From the options given below, why is it necessary for an individual to learn effective communication?

• Due to technological advancements, human interaction is less important in both personal and professional life, and hence, effective communication skills may be less crucial, as technology can handle complex relationships, conflict resolution, and information conveyance adequately through various communication media.
• The effort and practice required to enhance communication skills will not yield substantial benefits, so effective communication skills might not always help with improved interactions, collaboration, or relationships.
• Communication is a complex interactive process involving shared assumptions and unspoken agreements; hence, without effective communication, there is a risk of miscommunication while sharing important information.
• In this modern world, unique human qualities such as effective communication, empathy, and creativity are replaceable and not essential for a professional and personal life.
• Effective communication is overrated because even poor articulation or ambiguity in language can be easily understood.
• Communicating without providing sufficient context can result in confusion, as recipients may struggle to grasp the significance or relevance of the information being conveyed. However, such problems are not an issue because one can easily use technology to rectify them and need not care about effective communication.

Answer :- c

14. From the options below, identify the most appropriate sentence pertaining to nonverbal communication.

• Non-verbal communication is irrelevant and does not play a significant role in conveying messages.
• Facial expressions, body language, and gestures have no impact on how others perceive you.
• Maintaining eye contact during a conversation is considered disrespectful and invasive.
• Non-verbal communication is communication without words; it complements or clarifies the verbal meaning if used appropriately.
• The tone of voice does not affect a message’s emotional undertones.
• Using inappropriate facial expressions in professional settings is a sign of confidence.

Answer :- d

15. What is the most desirable type of mindset?

• Constantly thinking that one will fail and that there is no way to overcome the obstacle.
• Believing that there is no way to improve oneself and that fate has already decided what one person will grow up to be.
• Succumbing to society’s standards and believing that an individual cannot create a unique personality.
• Always waiting for someone else’s help instead of taking responsibility and relying on oneself.
• Having a mindset that accepts constructive criticism and positive responses with humbleness from the people around you.
• A mindset that brings in poor results and appears to be harmful to the people around.

Answer :- e

16. Read the passage and identify its implication: Raj was rude and unhelpful because his friend once cheated him. He was hurrying home from the office for his daughter’s birthday celebration one day. But he realised that he had lost his wallet and did not have the money to take the bus. When Raj seemed very sad about the situation, a stranger gave him money and helped him reach home on time. Raj’s perspective of life underwent a radical shift after this incident, where an unexpected display of kindness inspired him to prioritise love and empathy, reshaping the way he perceived the world.

• Mindset is solely determined by genetics; you’re born with either a positive or negative mindset.
• Reading a single self-help book will instantly transform your mindset.
• Mindset development is only relevant in professional settings, not in personal life.
• Once you’ve developed a mindset, it remains fixed and unchangeable throughout life.
• Watching motivational videos is the only way to develop a growth mindset.
• People’s perceptions, opinions, and ideas are formed from their previous experiences, and hence, as individuals, we must ensure that we spread positivity to the people around us so that they will also grow as individuals with positive mindsets.

Answer :- f

17. Read the passage and identify its implication from the options below: Arjun was once considered boring because he usually avoids challenges and runs away from difficult tasks. He believed that it was impossible for him to be adventurous because such a mindset is genetically inherited. But one day, motivated by a desire for personality improvement, he takes the initiative to engage actively in new experiences. Rather than remaining within his comfort zone, he willingly embraced unfamiliar situations, exposing himself to different perspectives, cultures, and challenges. This intentional exploration helped him foster personal growth, cultivate adaptability, and an enriched mindset.

• One’s mind is adaptable to new challenges, so it is possible to change the fixed mindset by starting with small new challenges and constantly reforming established belief systems.
• Mindset development is predetermined at birth; individuals cannot alter their inherent way of thinking.
• Personal experiences and challenges have no impact on shaping or evolving one’s mindset.
• Once you reach a certain age, the possibility of changing your mindset diminishes significantly.
• Intellectual abilities are fixed, and mindset development is beyond individual control.
• Mindset development is reserved for a select few; most individuals are incapable of change.

Answer :- a

18. A statement like “it’s too tough for me, I cannot do it” is a trait of people with _ mindset?

• Growth
• Fixed
• Flexible
• Fluid
• Transparent
• Easy

Answer :- b

19. Read the following passage and identify its implication:
Aman, a talented and passionate artist from a poor background, found himself facing discouragement from pursuing his love for art. His classmates stereotyped him in order to restrict his aspirations by saying that he belonged to a particular community, which is historically considered to be foolish because of their religious principles. Further, he was belittled for his parents’ occupation and for residing in a poor neighbourhood. Despite these challenges, Aman’s determination and resilience pushed him to challenge these societal norms and pursue his passion against all odds.

• Choosing friends based solely on stereotypes limits the opportunity to build diverse and meaningful relationships.
• Refusing to consider alternative perspectives because of stereotypes is the right way towards personal growth.
• We all should be like Aman, who developed a growth mindset and succeeded in overcoming the negative societal stereotypes based on caste, religion, parent’s occupation, poor neighbourhood, and poverty.
• Judging a person’s abilities solely by their cultural background is one of the ways to motivate them towards their aspirations in life.
• Choosing not to engage with diverse cultures because of stereotypes helps one towards personal growth and develops empathy.
• Assigning specific personality traits to individuals based on their race is very helpful as it will motivate them to their optimal functioning potential.

Answer :- c

20. According to Steele and Aronson, what is a “stereotype threat”?

• Stereotype threat is a statement that is always an accurate representation of different groups of people.
• Stereotype threat is a statement that is always an accurate representation of different groups of people.
• Stereotype threat refers to how the stereotype is positive and does not affect the way individuals are treated in society because people are judged solely on their merits.
• Stereotype threat refers to being at risk of confirming, as a self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one’s social group.
• Stereotype threats are cultural stereotypes that members of those cultures always appreciate as respectful portrayals.
• Stereotype threat is an effective and unbiased way to navigate a diverse and multicultural society.

Answer :- d

21. Soft Skills comprise pleasant and appealing personality traits such as self-confidence, positive attitude, and emotional intelligence.

• True
• False

Answer :- a

22. A few of the reasons why people fear public activities like delivering a presentation are fear of humiliation, unfamiliarity, and the anxiety of unexpected reactions from the audience.

• True
• False

Answer :- a

23. A ‘mindset’ is possessed only by successful people; not everyone can have a mindset.

• True
• False

Answer :- b

24. People with a Growth Mindset believe that one cannot grow at all and succumbs to the judgement of society.

• True
• False

Answer :- b

25. It is proven that the environment and sense of belonging are important for the healthy functioning of an individual.

• True
• False

Answer :- a