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Question

John Locke says that the child's mind is a 'Tabula Rasa,' a _______________ term meaning 'clean slate.'

The correct answer is
Latin

John Locke's 'Tabula Rasa': Understanding the Origin

The question asks about the origin of the term 'Tabula Rasa,' which John Locke used to describe the state of a child's mind at birth. He famously proposed that the mind is born as a 'Tabula Rasa', meaning a 'clean slate' upon which experience writes.

Analyzing the 'Tabula Rasa' Term

The phrase 'Tabula Rasa' is central to understanding John Locke's empiricist philosophy. Empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and sensory perception in the development of knowledge, contrasting with rationalism which stresses innate ideas.

Let's examine the origin of the term:

  • The term 'Tabula Rasa' literally translates from its source language to 'scraped tablet' or 'blank tablet'.
  • This was historically used to refer to wax tablets used for writing in ancient times.
  • John Locke adopted this metaphor to suggest that humans are not born with pre-existing knowledge or ideas; instead, their minds are blank canvases filled through sensory experiences and reflection.

Determining the Language Origin

The options provided are different languages. We need to identify which language 'Tabula Rasa' belongs to.

  • 'Tabula Rasa' is a well-known phrase derived from classical antiquity.
  • Considering the options: Italian, Latin, Sanskrit, French.
  • The phrase 'Tabula Rasa' originates from the Latin language. It directly translates to 'blank tablet'.

Therefore, the correct answer identifies Latin as the language of the term 'Tabula Rasa'.

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Important Questions from Reading Comprehension (Notes)

  1. Despite the thunderstorm, the old man remained seated on the porch, staring into the distance. Rain lashed the ground around him, but he didn't flinch. His eyes, cloudy with age, fixed on something far beyond the horizon - something only he could see. The storm was loud, but whatever echoed in his mind was louder.
    What can be inferred about the man?
  2. Complete the concluding sentence of the following paragraph with one of the options given below:


    Manufacturing companies are often faced with a trade-off between advances in productivity, which is one of the main goals of automation, and flexibility. When firms implement procedures that make repetitive processes more streamlined, they are able to produce more food at a faster rate. At the same time, however, ________

  3. Complete the concluding sentence of the following paragraph with one of the options given below:


    In the 1960s, Jane Goodhall observed chimpanzees removing termites from hides with strapped twigs. Initially, researchers were unable to determine whether the animals viewed a group of tasks as a single problem requiring a general tool set or used individual tools to solve specific tasks. The question was finally resolved when chimps were observed selecting tools to carry with them in anticipation of particular difficulties. Research, therefore, concluded that not only are chimpanzees capable of using tools in a sophisticated way, but they ________

  4. Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent and meaningful paragraph.
    (A) The university president has proposed scheduling several introductory-level classes online in order to save money
    on building maintenance and energy costs.
    (B) The curriculum would not be changed.
    (C) With recent cut backs in educational funding, the state university must reduce its expenditure or face bankruptcy.
    (D) Students enrolled in these proposed 'virtual classrooms' would be taught the full programme by the same instructors teaching in the regular classrooms.
    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  5. Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent and meaningful paragraph.
    (A) Lack of knowledge about the diet is what makes people raise questions.
    (B) This diet often characterized as restrictive, is associated with health benefits, however, it raises concerns.
    (C) The Vegan diet has gained momentum in recent years.
    (D) There is a controversy about this diet with some people supporting it and others questioning its benefits.
    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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