Question Nos. 158–162 : Read the following passage carefully and answer the ques tions given below. At this stage of civilization, when many nations are brought into close and vital contact for good and evil, it is essential as never before, that their gross ignorance of one another should be diminished, that they should begin to understand little of one another's historical experience and resulting mentality. It is a fault of the English to expect the people of other countries to react as they do, to political and international situations. Our genuine goodwill and good intentions are often brought to nothing, because we expect other people to be like us. This would be corrected if we knew the history, not necessarily in detail but in broad outlines of the social and political conditions which have given to each nation its present character. Question No .158. Which one of the following statements is the most correct in the context of the pas sage?

• A. The mentality of a nation is mainly a product of its history.
• B. The mentality of a nation is mainly a product of its international position
• C. The mentality of a nation is mainly a product of its politics
• D. The mentality of a nation is mainly a product of its present character. 159. The character of a nation is the result of its —