Question

Read the passage given below.

1	It is generally accepted that leadership development should be a part of the education system's responsibility for preparing individuals to participate in a democratic and progressive society. Many schools, colleges and universities, across nations, provide their students with leadership courses, curricular programs and co-curricular programs that are designed to develop students’ formal knowledge about leadership as well as opportunities and experiences to develop students as leaders and actually practise leadership. Yet, only a handful of studies have sought to understand leader development from the students’ point of view, with students describing their own experiences and what they learned from them in their own words.
2	A 2014 descriptive study sought to understand student leadership with research through key events via the following research questions: Research Question 1: What key events do student leaders in college, report as significantly impacting their development as a leader? Research Question 2: What lessons do student leaders in college, report learning as a result of the key events they have experienced? Research Question 3: Are certain key events more likely to be linked to particular lessons? Approximately 130 students were contacted and the 72 interested, were interviewed. Two members of the research team were present for each 15 – 45 minute interview. One member served as the primary interviewer while the second ran the audio equipment. The results for lessons learned (Table 1), were varied, but there were a few that were frequently quoted. Lessons learned Responses Identity   Self Identity 58 Leadership Identity 54 Professionalism 30 Balancing Roles 19 Individual Competencies   Delegation 17 Decision Making 15 Adaptability/Flexibility 38 Resilience/Persistence/Hard Work 18 Taking Initiative 36 Accountability/Responsibility 29 Big Picture 27 Learing to Teach/Learn 18 Support Systems   Developing and Using Support Systems 36 Being a Support System 28 Working with Others   Communication 59 Teamwork 26 Conflict 21 Diversity 32 Inspiring and motivating others 17 Others working with others 30 Getting the job done   Task skills 55 Environment 34
3	This study described the rich array of leadership lessons that students are learning through their experiences. It revealed that student leaders are learning foundational leadership skills and competencies that have positively impacted how to accomplish work, how to work with others and how to be both supported by and support others.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.

(i) Does the following statement agree with the information given in paragraph 1? (1)

The researcher believes that educational institutions have ideal resources to study impact of leadership skills on young adults.

Select from the following:

1. True - if the statement agrees with the information
2. False - if the statement contradicts the information
3. Not Given - if there is no information on this

(ii) Do you think the researchers of the study aimed to change the students’ outlook towards the development of leadership skills, directly or indirectly? Support your answer with reference to the text. (1)

(iii) Select the option that displays the most likely reason for including Research Question 3 in the 2014 study. (1)

In order to find out if... 

1. learning opportunities shape students’ overall personality.
2. leadership lessons are the result of the designed learning opportunities.
3. all learning opportunities cater to a specific lesson.
4. certain lessons are common in more than one learning opportunity.

(iv) Complete the sentence based on the following statement. (1)

More than 50% of the identified student respondents were keen to participate in the 2014 study.

We can say this because ______.

(v) Select the option that displays the key event designed with “Balancing Roles” (Table 1) as the objective. (1)

1. Students will be able to debate the issue at hand, with different teams.
2. Students will be able to manage the responsibilities of a mentor, planner researcher and presenter.
3. Students will be able to surmount minor problems and focus on the final goal.
4. Students will be able to explain concepts and clarify them for peers.

(vi) Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option. (1)

The 2014 study attempts to understand student leadership by focussing on ______

1. experiences that shaped students’ overall personality.
2. lessons gained by students as they grew up.
3. relationship of key events with particular lessons.
4. students in leadership roles.

(vii) The lessons for ‘Individual competencies’ had a range of responses. (1)
Give one reason why having the least number of responses for ‘Decision Making’, is a matter that needs attention.

(viii) Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option. (1)

The concluding sentence of the text makes a clear case for ______ by listing it as a core competency for student leadership.

1. collaboration
2. flexibility
3. hard work
4. observation

(ix) Complete the sentence appropriately with one/two words. (1)

In the context of “Working with Others” in Table 1, the lesson of ‘Conflict’ refers to ______.

(x) Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the given statement. (1)

When theoretical knowledge about leadership suffices, it is a waste of funds by educational organisations, to organise leadership camps and programmes.

Answer 1

(i) False.

The researcher indicates that educational institutions have opportunities and programmes to inculcate leadership skills.

(ii) 

• No
• The aim of seeking students’ perspectives was to enable a better designing/creation/of the leadership programmes in educational institutions.
  OR
  promote higher efficacy/betterment of leadership programmes.
  

(iii) certain lessons are common in more than one learning opportunity.

(iv) We can say this because 72 of 130 students consented and were interviewed.

(v) Students will be able to manage the responsibilities of a mentor, planner researcher and presenter.

(vi) The 2014 study attempts to understand student leadership by focussing on relationship of key events with particular lessons.

(vii) This needs attention because it clearly indicates that the lessons created/student experiences do not allow sufficient opportunity for the development of this crucial skill.

(viii) The concluding sentence of the text makes a clear case for collaboration by listing it as a core competency for student leadership.

(ix) In the context of “Working with Others” in Table 1, the lesson of ‘Conflict’ refers to Being able to amicably and effectively resolve matters/conflict resolution.

(x) I disagree because no amount of theoretical knowledge can aid students in actually applying their learning about leadership and developing various skills.