Class 12 English Core : How to Solve Reading Comprehension?
⭐ SECTION A – READING COMPREHENSION (Q.1)
Unpacking the Global ‘Happiness’ Rankings
Why Finland remains the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year while India stands at 118 is a question that continues to puzzle many. Even more surprising is Pakistan’s higher ranking at 109, despite its political instability and repeated dependence on IMF bailouts. India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, shows remarkable economic progress, yet its happiness ranking remains low. The contrast between economic performance and reported happiness raises deeper concerns about what these rankings truly measure.
The World Happiness Report 2025, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford, once again places Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden at the top. India, with a GDP of $3.7 trillion—the fifth largest in the world—still lags behind Pakistan’s much smaller economy in happiness scores. India’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, infrastructure development is booming, and global confidence in its economic future remains high. Pakistan, in comparison, survives on repeated bailouts and a fragile economic structure. Yet the data suggests Pakistanis report slightly higher levels of happiness. This mismatch hints that happiness may not be strictly tied to income or national prosperity, but to something more complex.
A closer look at the report reveals that happiness scores rely heavily on the Gallup World Poll’s Cantril Ladder, where people rate their own lives from zero to ten. The index uses indicators such as GDP per capita, life expectancy, social support, freedom, corruption levels and generosity. However, these indicators depend on perceptions rather than strict measurable outcomes. Research shows that societies with higher expectations often report lower happiness because people compare themselves with rising standards. In contrast, countries with limited expectations sometimes reflect higher levels of satisfaction because they adapt more easily to their surroundings.
This paradox explains why many wealthy countries struggle to climb higher on the happiness scale, while Nordic countries—known for high taxes and strict regulations—score consistently well. Their advantage lies in deep social trust, strong welfare systems, and a community-centered approach to life. High trust in public institutions, transparent governance, and equal access to services help build emotional resilience and overall life satisfaction. Thus, happiness is shaped not just by income but by relationships, governance quality, and societal culture.
India’s low score highlights a gap between economic growth and emotional wellbeing. Young Indians today experience rising aspirations along with rising pressures. Competitive exams, job insecurity, social comparisons amplified by digital life, and concerns about governance often affect how people evaluate their lives. Even though India’s economy is expanding, institutional stress, political polarisation, and social media anxiety contribute to lower happiness scores. The COVID-19 pandemic further widened inequality and weakened trust, causing emotional fatigue across communities.
Critics argue that global happiness rankings carry inherent biases. Many indexes rely on subjective perceptions gathered through limited sampling. A 2022 study for the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council noted that international indicators often misread Indian democracy because they depend heavily on opinions gathered from select groups. As a result, India’s happiness score may reflect the emotional mood of respondents rather than an accurate representation of wellbeing. However, the country’s fluctuating position over the past decade—from 94th to 144th—shows that institutional trust remains a significant concern.
Research consistently suggests that institutional trust plays a central role in determining happiness. In places like Finland, people trust their public systems deeply—schools, hospitals, police and government processes function reliably. In India, trust varies widely across regions and socio-economic backgrounds. Periods of strong welfare schemes increase trust, while economic slowdowns or administrative challenges reduce it. Fairness, equality, transparency, and community cohesion are essential components of national wellbeing. Where these elements weaken, dissatisfaction grows.
To improve happiness levels, the article argues that India must rebuild social capital—reviving community spaces, encouraging inter-generational bonding, and strengthening family ties. Institutional reforms are also crucial. Making public services simpler, transparent, and stress-free would significantly increase trust in governance. Mental health needs urgent investment. The WHO estimates that each dollar spent on mental health generates four dollars in economic returns. India’s initiatives like Tele-MANAS and school-based mental health programs are steps in the right direction, signalling that emotional wellbeing is becoming part of national policy.
Ultimately, India’s low ranking does not suggest that Indians are unhappy. Instead, it reflects an ongoing process of aspiration, struggle, and transformation. Happiness is not simply an economic achievement—it is a collective experience shaped by trust, empathy, security, community, and mental resilience. India’s journey is not of despair but of evolution, working toward a broader and more inclusive understanding of happiness that aligns both emotional and economic progress.
⭐ CBSE Class 12 English – Reading Comprehension (Passage: Happiness Rankings, The Hindu)
(Exactly like Q.1 of CBSE Sample Paper)
📌 PASSAGE (Already Provided: “Unpacking the global ‘happiness’ rankings”)
I will directly give Questions + Strategies + Answers.
⭐ SECTION A – READING COMPREHENSION (Q.1)
(Based on CBSE Class 12 pattern – MCQ + Inference + Vocabulary)
🔶 Q1 (i) Why is Finland the happiest country while India ranks low?
Type: Direct fact
Strategy: Look for contrast between Finland vs. India.
✅ Answer:
Because Finland has high trust, strong social networks, and stable community systems, while India struggles with social pressures, rising aspirations, and lower institutional trust.
🔶 Q1 (ii) What does India’s low happiness score reveal?
Type: Interpretation
Strategy: Check paragraphs discussing “economic progress vs happiness.”
✅ Answer:
It shows that economic growth alone does not guarantee wellbeing and that rising aspirations and social dissatisfaction reduce happiness.
🔶 Q1 (iii) According to the report, why does Pakistan rank higher than India?
Type: Inference
Strategy: Look for “paradox” and perception-based explanations.
✅ Answer:
Pakistan’s score reflects subjective wellbeing, not economic reality. Lower expectations and different social perceptions may make people report higher happiness.
🔶 Q1 (iv) What does the ‘mirage of metrics’ suggest?
Type: Vocabulary + Meaning
Strategy: Check paragraph with “The mirage of metrics.”
✅ Answer:
It suggests that metrics like GDP or per-capita income do not fully capture happiness, and reported scores can be deceptive.
🔶 Q1 (v) What does “valuation of conformity over democratic capacity” mean?
Type: Concept-based
Strategy: Read section describing criticism of global indices.
✅ Answer:
It means that surveys may reward societies where people conform rather than where active democratic participation exists.
🔶 Q1 (vi) What example shows India’s institutional trust is weak?
Type: Direct
Strategy: Scan for “trust,” “institutions,” examples.
✅ Answer:
India’s swing between the 94th and 144th ranks after COVID-19 shows erratic institutional performance and public distrust.
🔶 Q1 (vii) Which phrase in the passage means “long-term stability”?
Type: Vocabulary
Strategy: Find synonyms around economic sections.
✅ Answer:
“Stable democracy” / “institutional trust”
(Any one acceptable, depending on teacher.)
🔶 Q1 (viii) What according to the authors is the key to improving happiness in India?
Type: Short answer
Strategy: Look for recommendations in the last 3 paragraphs.
✅ Answer:
Investing in community infrastructure, rebuilding social trust, strengthening public services, and promoting institutional empathy.
🔶 Q1 (ix) Why do the Nordic nations rank high in happiness?
Type: Short inference
Strategy: Read the paragraph mentioning “Nordic nations.”
✅ Answer:
Because they have strong social trust, welfare systems, equality, and cultural values that support community wellbeing.
🔶 Q1 (x) Find the word from the passage that means “illusion.”
Type: Vocabulary
Strategy: Words near “mirage.”
✅ Answer:
“Mirage”
🔶 Q1 (xi) Find a word from the passage that means “declining satisfaction.”
Type: Vocabulary
Strategy: Look near the section discussing dissatisfaction.
✅ Answer:
“Dissatisfaction”
🔶 Q1 (xii) According to WHO, why must nations invest in mental health?
Type: Value-based
Strategy: Look for “WHO estimates…”
✅ Answer:
Because every $1 spent on mental health yields a $4 return, making it a highly effective investment in public wellbeing.
⭐ STRATEGY FOR EACH TYPE OF QUESTION
(as you asked)
Question Type Strategy Why it Works
Fact-based Scan & pick keywords Saves time
Inference-based Read 2 lines before + after Context clarifies meaning
Vocabulary Replace with simpler synonyms Easiest marks
Tone/Opinion Identify attitude (critical, analytical) CBSE loves inference
Data/Logic Look for comparisons & contradictions Ensures accuracy
Application-based Use your reasoning + passage hint Scoring answers
Overall theme Summarise entire paragraph Demonstrates understanding
✅ 20 MCQs Based on the Article
(Answers at the end)
1. What is the primary contrast highlighted at the beginning of the article?
A) India’s population vs. Pakistan’s population
B) India’s economic growth vs. its low happiness ranking
C) Pakistan’s GDP vs. Finland’s GDP
D) Finland’s climate vs. India’s climate
2. According to the article, Pakistan’s economy survives on:
A) High industrial output
B) Foreign trade
C) Repeated IMF bailouts
D) Strong agricultural exports
3. Which country is ranked the happiest according to the 2025 report?
A) Sweden
B) India
C) Finland
D) Pakistan
4. The Gallup World Poll’s Cantril Ladder measures happiness on a scale of:
A) 1 to 100
B) 0 to 10
C) 0 to 100
D) –10 to +10
5. Which factor is NOT included as a component of the happiness index?
A) GDP per capita
B) Social support
C) Climate conditions
D) Life expectancy
6. Why do some wealthy countries score lower in happiness, according to the article?
A) They face food shortages
B) Rising expectations reduce satisfaction
C) Their governments ignore happiness surveys
D) They have lower life expectancy
7. Nordic countries rank high primarily due to:
A) Warm climate
B) Low taxes
C) Strong social trust and welfare systems
D) Large populations
8. India’s low happiness score is partly due to:
A) Lack of internet access
B) Emotional stress and rising pressures
C) Declining GDP
D) Low literacy rate
9. Which factor widened emotional fatigue in India?
A) The 2014 elections
B) The COVID-19 pandemic
C) Increase in GDP
D) Decline in digital usage
10. A major criticism of global happiness rankings is that they:
A) Are too expensive to conduct
B) Depend on subjective perceptions
C) Ignore European countries
D) Only focus on income
11. According to the article, happiness is strongly influenced by:
A) Population size
B) Institutional trust
C) Weather conditions
D) Length of working hours
12. India’s happiness ranking fluctuated between:
A) 10th and 50th
B) 94th and 144th
C) 1st and 25th
D) 50th and 100th
13. One suggested way for India to improve happiness levels is to:
A) Increase tax rates
B) Shut down public welfare schemes
C) Rebuild social capital and community spaces
D) Reduce internet access
14. WHO estimates that every $1 spent on mental health generates:
A) $1 in returns
B) $2 in returns
C) $3 in returns
D) $4 in returns
15. What does the article suggest about Indians being “unhappy”?
A) They are truly unhappy as a nation
B) They misunderstand happiness surveys
C) They are not unhappy but still evolving
D) They are indifferent to happiness
16. The article identifies happiness as:
A) Purely economic
B) A cultural myth
C) A collective emotional experience
D) A scientific phenomenon
17. Which of the following affects Indians’ perception of happiness?
A) Social media comparisons
B) Climatic changes
C) Lack of cultural diversity
D) Reduced population growth
18. Critics argue that the happiness index misinterprets:
A) Nordic welfare systems
B) Asian religious traditions
C) Indian democracy
D) GDP calculations
19. According to the article, Finland scores high in happiness because:
A) It has strict immigration laws
B) People trust public institutions deeply
C) It has the largest economy
D) It has lower taxes than India
20. The overall message of the article is that happiness ranking depends on:
A) Only economic indicators
B) Trust, wellbeing, social bonds, and emotional security
C) Climate and geographical features
D) Education and literacy alone
✅ Answers
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B
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C
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C
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B
-
C
-
B
-
C
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
B
-
C
-
D
-
C
-
C
-
A
-
C
-
B
-
B
