Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Practice Test

What is sympathy primarily characterized by?

1. Feeling happy for someone

2. Feeling "with" someone

3. Understanding someone’s situation

4. Feeling "for" someone

The correct answer is: Feeling "for" someone

Sympathy is primarily characterized by feeling "for" someone. This emotion involves recognizing another person's hardships or feelings and experiencing compassion towards them. It encompasses an emotional response where an individual connects with the suffering or condition of another, often wishing to provide comfort or support. While understanding someone’s situation is important and can overlap with sympathy, the key aspect of sympathy is that emotional response of feeling for the other person. It conveys a sense of caring about their emotional state and wanting to offer consolation. The notion of feeling "with" someone emphasizes a deeper emotional engagement often associated with empathy rather than sympathy itself. Being happy for someone, on the other hand, typically relates to feelings of joy and support in the face of positive situations, which doesn't encapsulate the essence of sympathy centered on acknowledging and responding to emotional pain. Thus, the most accurate characterization of sympathy aligns with the concept of feeling “for” someone in their time of need or distress.