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It is widely believed that people do their best work when they are promised rewards for their achievements. Our schools and workplaces operate on the assumption that good work occurs - English Elective - NCERT

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प्रश्न

It is widely believed that people do their best work when they are promised rewards for their achievements. Our schools and workplaces operate on the assumption that good work occurs when people are competing for grades, money, or recognition from others. In truth, the prospect of rewards provided by others can inhibit and limit people’s drive and creativity. People do their best work when motivated from within by their enjoyment of a particular challenge and their satisfaction in doing something well.

What do you think motivates people to do their best? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observation.

दीर्घउत्तर

उत्तर

The debate surrounding the factors that truly motivate individuals to perform their best work has long been a subject of interest. While the conventional belief asserts that external rewards, such as grades, money, and recognition, are paramount in driving human achievement, a closer examination reveals that intrinsic motivation, rooted in personal enjoyment and satisfaction, is a more potent and sustainable force.

External rewards often carry a transactional nature, focusing on the short-term outcome rather than the process or depth of work. In contrast, intrinsic motivation nurtures creativity and innovation by encouraging individuals to explore beyond the constraints of immediate rewards. Consider the case of renowned inventors and artists who have revolutionized their fields not for the sake of monetary gain, but due to an innate curiosity and passion for their craft. For instance, Steve Jobs' vision for Apple was fueled by his desire to create products that seamlessly blended technology and design, a goal that transcended the allure of financial gains. This demonstrates that intrinsic motivation sparks creative thinking and empowers individuals to push boundaries, resulting in groundbreaking advancements.

History is replete with examples that illustrate the dominance of intrinsic motivation in driving extraordinary accomplishments. The story of Vincent van Gogh, the renowned Dutch painter, exemplifies how inner drive can fuel exceptional work. Despite financial hardships and limited recognition during his lifetime, van Gogh's passion for art drove him to produce some of the most celebrated masterpieces in history. His paintings, infused with his emotions and personal expression, continue to inspire generations.

Reflecting on personal experiences and observations further validates the potency of intrinsic motivation. When individuals engage in activities they are genuinely passionate about, they often demonstrate higher levels of dedication, perseverance, and enthusiasm. For instance, students who choose subjects aligned with their interests tend to delve deeper into their studies, resulting in a richer understanding of the material. Similarly, employees who are passionate about their work are more likely to go above and beyond, leading to improved productivity and innovation.

In conclusion, the belief that external rewards are the primary driver of exceptional performance is a misconception. Intrinsic motivation, rooted in personal enjoyment, passion, and the desire to excel, is the true catalyst for outstanding achievements.

shaalaa.com

Notes

The marks may be divided as:

  • Content – 2 marks
  • Organisation – 1 mark (fluency, coherence, logical flow)
  • Expression – 2 marks (vocabulary, originality of ideas, grammatical accuracy)
Writing Skills
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(2) The Manager was a grave, calm man. I held my fifty-six dollars clutched in a crumpled ball in my pocket.
“Are you the Manager?” I asked. God knows I did not doubt it.
“Yes,” he said.
“Can I see you …. alone?” I asked.
5
(3) The Manager looked at me in some alarm. He felt that I had an awful secret to reveal.
“Come in here,” he said, and led the way to a private room. He turned the key in the lock.
“We are safe from interruption here,” he said; “Sit down.”
We both sat down and looked at each other. I found no voice to speak.
“You are one of Pinkerton’s men, I presume,” he said.
10


(4)

He had gathered from my mysterious manner that I was a detective. I knew what he was thinking, and it made me worse.
“No, not from Pinkerton’s,” I said, seeming to imply that I came from a rival agency. “To tell the truth,” I went on, as if I had been prompted to lie about it,
“I am not a detective at all. I have come to open an account. I intend to keep all my money in this bank.”
The Manager looked relieved but still serious; he concluded now that I was a son of Baron Rothschild or a young Gould.
“A large account, I suppose,” he said.
“Fairly large,” I whispered. “I propose to deposit fifty-six dollars now and fifty dollars a month regularly.”

15

 

 

 

20

 


25

(5) The Manager got up and opened the door. He called to the accountant.
“Mr. Montgomery,” he said unkindly loud, “this gentleman is opening an account, he will deposit fifty-six dollars. Good morning.”
I rose. A big iron door stood open at the side of the room.
“Good morning,” I said, and stepped into the safe. “Come out,” said the Manager coldly and showed me the other way.

30
(6) I went up to the accountant’s wicket and poked the ball of money at him with a quick convulsive movement as if I were doing a conjuring trick. My face was ghastly pale.
“Here,” I said, “deposit it.” The tone of the words seemed to mean, “Let us do this painful thing while the fit is on us.”
He took the money and gave it to another clerk.

35
(7) He made me write the sum on a slip and sign my name in a book. I no longer knew what I was doing. The bank swam before my eyes.
“Is it deposited?” I asked in a hollow, vibrating voice.
“It is,” said the accountant. “Then I want to draw a cheque.”
My idea was to draw out six dollars of it for present use. Someone gave me a chequebook through a wicket and someone else began telling me how to write it out. The people in the bank had the impression that I was an invalid millionaire. I wrote something on the cheque and thrust it in at the clerk. He looked at it.

40

 

 

45

(8) “What! Are you drawing it all out again?” he asked in surprise. Then I realised that I had written fifty-six instead of six. I was too far gone to reason now. I had a feeling that it was impossible to explain the thing. I had burned my boats. All the clerks had stopped writing to look at me. Reckless with misery, I made a plunge.
“Yes, the whole thing.”
“You withdraw all your money from the bank?” “Every cent of it.”
“Are you not going to deposit anymore?” said the clerk, astonished.
“Never.”

 

 

50

 

 

55

(9) An idiot hope struck me that they might think something had insulted me while I was writing the cheque and that I had changed my mind. I made a wretched attempt to look like a man with a fearfully quick temper.  
(10) The clerk prepared to pay the money.
“How will you have it?” he said. This question came as a bolt from the blue.
“What?”
“How will you have it?”
“Oh!”— I caught his meaning and answered without even trying to think— “in fifties.”
He gave me a fifty-dollar bill. “And the six?” he asked dryly.
“In sixes,” I said.
He gave it to me and I rushed out.
As the big door swung behind me. I caught the echo of a roar of laughter that went up to the ceiling of the bank. Since then, I bank no more. I keep my money in cash in my trousers pocket and my savings in silver dollars in a sock.

60

 

 

65

 

 

70

Adapted from: My Financial Career
By Stephen Leacock
 
    1. Find a single word from the passage that will exactly replace the underlined word or words in the following sentences.    [3]
      1. The kind stranger went and got back the ball from where it had rolled into the bush.
      2. I took offence at the expression on his face that was clearly meant to insinuate I was a liar.
      3. The firm experienced a financial loss when the contract went to a contender who had just entered the business.
    2. For each of the words given below, choose the correct sentence that uses the same word unchanged in spelling, but with a different meaning from that which it carries in the passage.   [3]
      1. alarm (line 8)
        1. The silence from the other end set off alarm bells in her head.
        2. The pallor of his skin alarmed those standing around.
        3. I set my alarm for six o’clock but slept through it.
        4. The sound of the approaching jets caused some alarm in the war room.
      2. wicket (line 44)
        1. The wicketkeeper was the true saviour of the day for that one match.
        2. The team wanted to bat while the wicket was still dry.
        3. The man at the window handed us our tickets through the wicket.
        4. The quick loss of wickets demoralised the team.
      3. reason (line 48)
        1. After the tragedy, his ability to reason is severely diminished.
        2. They reasoned they could get better seats if they arrived early.
        3. Recipients of funds were selected without rhyme or reason.
        4. We have every reason to celebrate.
  1. Answer the following questions as briefly as possible in your own words.
    1. With reference to the passage, explain the meaning of the expression of the ‘I had burned my boats?’   [2]
    2. Cite any two instances of the behaviour of the bank employees that indicate the insignificance of a deposit of fifty-six dollars.    [2]
    3. Why do you think the people in the bank thought of the narrator as an “invalid millionaire?”    [2]
  2. Summarise why the narrator decided ‘to bank no more’ (paragraphs 6 to 10). You are required to write the summary in the form of a connected passage in about 100 words. Failure to keep within the word limit will be penalised.    [8]

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