Read the following passage and answer the question. A civilisation proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the point of supplying all the basic essentials of life, food, shelter, clothes…
Question and options
Read the following passage and answer the question.
A civilisation proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the point of supplying all the basic essentials of life, food, shelter, clothes and warmth. Then we are faced with a choice between using technology to provide and fulfill needs which have hitherto been regarded as unnecessary or, on the other hand, using technology to reduce the number of hours of work which a man must do in order to earn a given standard of living. In other words, we either raise our standard of living above that necessary for comfort and happiness or we leave it at this level and work shorter hours. I shall take it as axiomatic that mankind has, by that time, chosen the latter alternative. The men will be working shortly and shorter hours in their paid employment.
A civilisation proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the point of supplying all the basic essentials of life, food, shelter, clothes and warmth. Then we are faced with a choice between using technology to provide and fulfill needs which have hitherto been regarded as unnecessary or, on the other hand, using technology to reduce the number of hours of work which a man must do in order to earn a given standard of living. In other words, we either raise our standard of living above that necessary for comfort and happiness or we leave it at this level and work shorter hours. I shall take it as axiomatic that mankind has, by that time, chosen the latter alternative. The men will be working shortly and shorter hours in their paid employment.
"Then we are faced with a choice". What does "then" refer to?
- When automation takes over many aspects of human life
- The present state of civilisation
- The past stage of civilisation
- After having provided the basic essentials of life
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - After having provided the basic essentials of life
The sentence before says civilisation “passes the point of supplying all the basic essentials of life”; “then” refers to that point, after the basic essentials have been provided. The passage is not about the present or a past stage, and automation is never mentioned.
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CUSAT CAT Five-Year LL.B.
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