Comprehension:
For my own part, I have ever gained the most profit, and the most pleasure also, from the books which have made me think the most; and, when the difficulties have once been overcome, these are the books which have stuck the deepest root, not only in my memory and understanding but likewise in my affections. For this point too should be taken into account. We won’t think slightly of that which it costs us a slight effort to win. The more a book makes us think over, the more satisfaction we get from that. When a maiden is too forward, her admirer deems it time to draw back.
If you would fertilise the mind, the plough must be driven over and through it. The gliding of wheels is easier and faster, but only makes it harder and more barren. Above all, in the present age of light reading, that is, of reading hastily, thoughtlessly, indiscriminately, unfruitfully, when most books are forgotten as soon as they are finished, and very many sooner, it is well if something heavier is cast now and then into the midst of the literary public. This may scare and repel the weak; it will rouse and attract the stronger and increase their strength by making them exert it. In the sweat of the brow, it is the mind as well as the body to eat its bread.
What does the author mean by this, “We won't think slightly of that which it costs us a slight effort to win.”
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → What is easily available loses its value.
To think slightly of something is to have a low opinion of it. The author's point is that we value little what we win with little effort, and value more what costs us effort: "The more a book makes us think over, the more satisfaction we get from that." What comes easily therefore loses its value.
Example: Never think slightly of a small kindness.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: What requires effort to win is slighted by us. — Incorrect. Opposite meaning: the author values most the books that cost him effort, the ones that "stuck the deepest root".
Option 3: What costs us pushes us back. — Incorrect. Contradicted: difficulties, "when once overcome", make a book more valuable; they do not push us back.
Option 4: What is difficult to get makes us think slightly. — Incorrect. Opposite meaning: what is difficult to get makes us think deeply and value it more.
Note: The paper prints the line as "We won't think slightly of that which it costs us a slight effort to win", which, read literally, says the opposite. The author's argument around it shows that the line means "We think slightly of that which costs us only a slight effort to win", and the answer follows that meaning.