Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

As civilization proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the point of supplying all the basic of life, food, shelter, clothes and warmth. Then we are faced with a choice between using technology to provide and fulfil 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 later alternative. Men will be working shorter 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

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The present state of civilization

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The past stage of civilization

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After having provided the basic essentials of life

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Solution

The correct option is D After having provided the basic essentials of life
The author says that technology is now well beyond being used only for supplying the basic necessities of life. Now, the question regarding its use comes to whether we use technology to fulfill needs which till now were deemed unnecessary or to use it to reduce man hours required for a certain standard of living. In this context, "then" ("Then we are faced with a choice") refers to "after having provided the basic essentials of life." So, the answer is D.

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Similar questions

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

As civilization proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the point of supplying all the basic 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 later alternative. Men will be working shorter and shorter hours in their paid employment.

What does the passage suggest about the use of technology?

Which of the following arguments could be used to justify state action to provide basic minimum conditions of life to all citizens?

(a) Providing free services to the poor and needy can be justified as an act of charity.

(b) Providing all citizens with a basic minimum standard of living is one way of ensuring equality of opportunity.

(d) Ensuring basic facilities and a minimum standard of living to all is a recognition of our shared humanity and a human right.

Q. Fill in the blanks with the right choice of words.

Wilson ____ that human beings inherit a tendency to feel an affinity and awe for other living things, in the same way, that we are ____ to be inquisitive or to protect our young at all costs.

Q. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

It is time we looked at the latent causes. Where does the strength of India lie? Not in numbers not necessarily in our moral stands on international issues. In modern times, the strength of a nation lies in its achievements in science and technology. This is not to say that other fields do not count. In the five decades after independence, we have yet to demonstrate our originality in-applied science and technology. Though Japan also started like us, by cultivating the technology of the West, the Japanese adapted, improve and displayed originality in several areas of science and technology. The generation which is at the helm of affairs in science and technology in our country after independence, mostly consisted or self-seekers. By and large, with a few exceptions, the science and technology managers in India concentrated in gaining power and influence. They loved publicity. Most of them stopped doing science while they managed science. Things would have been better had they been humble enough to acknowledge difference between doing and managing science. Instead, they claimed they were the foremost in science and technology simply because they were the helm of affairs. As a result, they ceased to inspire the younger lot. India continues to be a borrower of science and technology, even though its potential for originality is substantial.
Our achievement in nuclear science and technology may be dazzling to our people. But in worth and originality they are ordinary and routine. While our own people remain ignorant, the peoples of other countries know all about the pretensions to knowledge of our nuclear science and technology managers. One subtle way of sabotaging our nuclear goals is to help hollow persons reach and remain at the helm of affairs. International bodies come in as handy tools in that subtle process. The veil of secrecy effectively protects the mismanagement in our nuclear establishments. The talk of national security comes as an easy weapon to prevent any probe into mismanagement. On nuclear matters, the media in our country, by and large, avoid the investigative approach. As a result, the mismatch between promise and performance in the nuclear fields does not get exposed as much as the mismanagement in other fields.

Pick out the word that is most nearly the same in meaning to the word printed in bold type as used in the passage. - Managed

Q. Write a short paragraph in about

120

words to be used for the Counter-View Section on the following topic.
"Science and technology development have helped us in all walks of life."
You may take help of the following points from the View Section.

View Section

Science and technology development useful for mankind.

∙

has made life comfortable and happy.

∙

life being lengthened.

∙

increased agricultural production.

∙

world is brought closer through various safer and faster communication and transport systems.

∙

modes of entertainment.

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