Joshua

Joshua had a profound influence on my life. While developing reading segments for a test preparation product, I took the opportunity to share his story and inspiring way of living with students. The lesson he taught me is woven into the fabric of my life, and my brand’s slogan.

The segment and questions were designed based on an analysis of the test’s specific style and difficulty level.

I can still hear his music. Can you?

 

“I once believed that using sophisticated words and polished language makes people recognize a person’s worldliness and intellectual worth, appreciate them, and choose to associate with them. 

Both as a university student and in professional frameworks, I strove to sharpen my writing to perfection, always opting for more elaborate expressions and phrasing. I took pride in my eloquence and vast vocabulary. Perhaps, too much pride. 

But then, life’s mysterious stream led me to Joshua  — a colleague, who became a mentor and dear friend. Gradually, Joshua  made me see things from a different perspective. I didn’t give him an easy time, but he never gave up on me. 

In many respects, the gifts I received from him made me who I am today. This was one of them.

I had known Joshua  since childhood, but it was only a decade ago when the opportunity arose for us to collaborate, working together on pioneering social projects. 

In the process of joining his team, I was asked to compose a sample book review to showcase my writing. As was my habit, I utilized intricate sentences and grandiose terms like "concatenation" and "labyrinthine," the more complicated, the better. I can only smile with embarrassment trying to conjure up Joshua ’s response when he read that review. Thankfully though, something must have gotten through, since I was welcomed aboard.

It soon dawned on me that the expertise I had acquired was not going to serve me in my new position. Documents I sent for Joshua 's examination were returned with countless remarks, which led to much frustration on the part of both of us. Particularly memorable is that time we prepared an important publication for high-profile stakeholders. How I insisted on that ceremonious headline I phrased, which Joshua  kept changing. "But this isn't formal English! It's not how things are done!" I protested. "It doesn't matter," he said. "Listen to the music. It speaks to people." 

"You keep missing the point," he would reiterate. "You only think that that's the kind of language people look for. And perhaps they themselves get confused sometimes. But we are all human. Deep down, we want the same. Without genuine connection, all of it is meaningless. It's a waste of time, a waste of life. That impeccable elegance you so admire — it's a wall that keeps people out, and imprisons your voice. If you don't allow some cracks, how can people hear the music?"

 It took time for me to learn to see the beauty in vulnerable simplicity. It took time for me to learn that it is in this intimate space, where the heart can be heard, that I want to build my life and my relationships. It took time for me to believe that Joshua  was right about other people, too. But eventually, I did. I learned that under the embellished armor we don as we trudge through life's challenges, we are all alike. And I learned that words that echo this truth are more powerful than any cleverly articulated copy, which might impress, but also alienate.

It was five years ago when Joshua  departed from our world. He lived as he encouraged others to live, and I'm grateful to him for that. When he passed away, his wife said that there were no words left unspoken, that everyone he cared for knew that they were loved. He never let walls get in the way. Perhaps, this is why I can still hear his music. Can you? I hope so. I tried to leave some cracks in the veneer, just in case.”

 

Reading comprehension questions

 

The primary purpose of the passage is to 

(A) relay the author's lifelong beliefs that meaning is found in genuine human contact.

(B) convey Joshua 's spirit and message of human connection through vulnerable simplicity.

(C) recommend best practices for writing effective business documents.

(D) tell Joshua 's life story from the perspective of the author and her collaboration with him.

 

Lines 1–8 imply all of the following EXCEPT 

(A) The author used to write in a refined style and was satisfied with her writing.

(B) The author's old way of writing garnered praise both in school and at work. 

(C) Thanks to Joshua , the author changed her views on language and writing.

(D) The author did not immediately warm to Joshua 's perceptions of language. 

 

Which does the author mention as the reason she was accepted into Joshua 's team? 

(A) She managed to communicate some of her talent although her review was inadequate. 

(B) She was a childhood friend of Joshua 's so it was predetermined she would be accepted. 

(C) Although initially of two minds, Joshua  eventually decided her writing was acceptable. 

(D) She wrote a stellar book review that held all the right ingredients. 

 

It can be inferred from lines 16–27 that Joshua  

(A) thought people invariably seek connection consciously and therefore expressing oneself in an informal manner guarantees their appreciation. 

(B) was beginning to lose his patience with the author's views of language and the extra work this required of him. 

(C) believed elegance had an important role in writing only as long as it enriched the 'music' one wished to convey to their audience. 

(D) was willing to take the risk that some people would not deem the publication well-written, for the chance to form a meaningful connection with them. 

 

When saying that Joshua  was right about other people too (lines 30–31), the author most probably means that other people 

(A) see beauty in vulnerable simplicity but think it is a waste of time to pursue it. 

(B) strive to appear impeccably elegant in the eyes of others. 

(C) likewise wear armors against life's challenges although it is unnecessary. 

(D) also wish to have intimacy in their lives and relate to expressions of our shared humanity. 

 

The word "music" in the passage most probably signifies 

(A) flawed language that contains grammar mistakes but has charm.

(B) lofty language consisting of academic terminology, which serves to impress.

(C) the expression of one's true voice, which can lead to genuine contact. 

(D) Joshua 's musical work as a composer, which is deeply moving.