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Unit 1 • Lesson 1 • Class 12Compulsory English (Eng.004)

Unit 1: Critical Thinking — Lesson 1: Know Thyself

एकाइ १: समालोचनात्मक सोच — पाठ १: आफूलाई चिन (Know Thyself)

Critical analysis of argumentative texts, distinguishing facts from opinions, evaluating logical reasoning, and detecting fallacies.

Lesson Summary & Key Concepts

Unit 1 introduces students to the rigorous discipline of critical thinking through the classical theme "Know Thyself." It argues that true intellectual independence begins with self-reflection—recognizing our own cognitive biases, prejudices, and unconscious assumptions. In the contemporary media landscape, distinguishing between facts and opinions is essential to resist sensationalism and political manipulation. The unit integrates comprehensive grammar exercises on modal verbs expressing degrees of certainty and deduction.

Core Themes & Main Ideas

1

Self-examination and metacognition as foundational requirements of critical rationality

2

Detecting cognitive bias, unexamined assumptions, and fallacious reasoning in public discourse

3

Distinguishing objective verifiable facts from subjective emotional opinions

4

Grammar Mastery: Modal Auxiliaries for Speculation, Deduction, and Certainty (must, can’t, may, might, could)

Key Figures & Historical / Literary Personalities

SocratesClassical Philosopher

Pioneered dialectical questioning and famously asserted that "the unexamined life is not worth living."

The Delphic OracleAncient Inscription

Origin of the timeless philosophical dictum "Know Thyself" (Gnothi Seauton).

Textbook Exercises & Solutions

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Ways with wordsEx 1Question 1• 6 Marks
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High-Yield Exam Focus Questions (1)

Exam Preparation

Practice questions curated specifically for Know Thyself.

Exam FocusExam Preparation Question5 Marks

Exam Rationale: CDC Specification Grid Section 1: Critical analysis evaluating logical arguments, distinguishing facts from opinions, detecting fallacies, and applying metacognitive reflection.

Model Answer & Key Marking Points:
Key Criteria Needed for Full Marks:
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Quick Revision Takeaways

Common Exam Pitfalls to Avoid

⚠️ Common Error: Using "must not" to express logical deduction of impossibility (*It mustn’t be true*).

✓ Correct Approach: *It can’t be true.*

Why: "Mustn't" expresses prohibition; "can't" expresses logical impossibility.