Of Studies — Important Questions

To weigh and consider information carefully

Step 1: Bacon clearly states: 'Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.' Step 2: He rules out three wrong purposes — contradicting others, blindly believing, and just finding material for gossip. Step 3: The only correct purpose is to carefully evaluate and think critically about what you read. Step 4: Options B, C, and D are the exact wrong purposes that Bacon specifically warns against. Step 5: The correct answer is A — Bacon's ideal reader is a critical thinker who weighs information before forming op

These books should be read fully, understood deeply, and applied to one's life

Step 1: Bacon uses a food metaphor to classify books. 'Tasting' a book means reading it lightly or partially. 'Swallowing' means reading it but not analysing deeply. 'Chewing and digesting' is the deepest level of engagement. Step 2: Just as digesting food means your body fully absorbs the nutrients, digesting a book means you fully absorb its meaning and wisdom. Step 3: These are the most valuable books that deserve complete attention and careful thought. Step 4: Option C (skim through) describes 'tasting', not digesting. Option A is the correct explanation. Step 5: This metaphor is one of th

He considers them shallow and lacking in depth and substance

Step 1: Bacon says 'distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things.' Step 2: 'Flashy' here means something that looks attractive on the surface but has little real value or substance. Step 3: He says reading summaries or extracts made by others is acceptable only for unimportant or minor books. Step 4: For important books, Bacon insists that one must read the original fully. Summaries strip away the depth and nuance. Step 5: Therefore, Bacon's attitude towards distilled books is negative — he sees them as poor substitutes for the original. The correct answer is A.

an exact man

Step 1: This is one of Bacon's most famous aphorisms (short, wise sayings). Step 2: 'Reading maketh a full man' means reading broadens your knowledge and makes you well-rounded. Step 3: 'Conference (conversation/discussion) maketh a ready man' means talking with others makes you quick-witted and sharp. Step 4: 'Writing maketh an exact man' means the discipline of writing forces you to be precise, accurate, and careful in your thinking. Step 5: The answer is 'an exact man' — writing demands precision. Options B, C, and D are plausible but wrong. Bacon specifically chose the word 'exact' to high