Question

Future, according to the passage, may find the workers

Answer 1

The passage discusses the likely social and economic impact of rapid technological advancement and machine production. A key concern raised is about the employment status of workers in the future. The author suggests that as machines take over more of the production work, the need for human labor will decrease.
The passage explicitly states:
"When profit ceased or was curtailed, production also ceased or was curtailed. Thus the workers... were taken on when required and dismissed when not required."
This implies a future where employment is not stable and workers can be easily dismissed when machines are more efficient.
Additionally, the author asks:
"Has he thought about what he would do if owing to technological advance, the amount of human labour were catastrophically reduced?"
And further:
"Has he thought of the possibility of bands of unemployed and under-employed workers marching...?"
These statements make it clear that the author envisions a future in which workers may find themselves without work due to automation and over-reliance on machine production.
Let us analyze the options:
- Option 1 (without money) — although unemployment may lead to lack of money, the passage focuses more directly on lack of work, not income.
- Option 2 (without work) — this is directly supported by the passage’s concern over technological unemployment.
- Option 3 (replacing machines) — the reverse is being discussed; machines are replacing workers, not the other way around.
- Option 4 (without leisure) — again, the passage mentions that leisure time may increase but only if workers are properly employed or hours are adjusted. Lack of work, not leisure, is the concern.
Therefore, Option 2 is the correct choice.

Answer 2

In the second paragraph, the passage discusses the challenges socialism faces in the context of technological advancement and mechanization. The author raises a critical question about whether socialism has considered the reduction in the demand for human labor due to machines.
Specifically, it says:
"Has he thought about what he would do if owing to technological advance, the amount of human labour were catastrophically reduced?"
This highlights the main defect — socialism has not yet addressed the significant impact that mechanization can have on employment. The author implies that socialism must evolve to deal with the consequences of a highly mechanized future.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 concerns sharing prosperity — socialism does address this, so not the main defect.
- Option 2 about burdensome work is not mentioned as a central problem.
- Option 3 matches the concern about mechanization reducing labor needs — this is the key defect.
- Option 4 about streamlining production is not raised as a concern.
Thus, Option 3 is the correct answer.

Answer 3

In the passage, the author explains how workers were treated under capitalism — as "units of labour forming part of the costs of production" — essentially as commodities. This commodification of human labor was dehumanizing and sparked resistance.
The passage further notes:
"The labour movements arose largely as a revolt against the conception of workers as commodities to be bought and sold without regard to their needs as human beings."
This directly supports Option 3.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 about increasing productivity is not aligned with the labor movement's motive.
- Option 2 about sharing prosperity refers more to socialism, not the reason for labor movements.
- Option 4 on mechanization is discussed, but not as the root cause of labor movements — the key issue is commodification.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Answer 4

In the passage, the author criticizes capitalism's focus on profit maximization. A key sentence reads:
"The purpose of competitive enterprise was to realize a profit."
This makes it very clear that in capitalism, especially during ruthless competitive eras, the main goal was not job creation, wealth distribution, or maximum production, but rather profit realization.
Analyzing the options:
- Option 1 about job creation — not the aim, jobs were created only if profitable.
- Option 2 about maximum production — production was curtailed when profits dropped.
- Option 3 about wealth creation — not mentioned as the chief purpose.
- Option 4 about realizing profit — directly aligns with the passage.
Hence, Option 4 is correct.

Answer 5

The passage discusses how rapid machine production will likely create more leisure time due to reduced need for human labor. The focus, according to the author, should not be on providing occupation for this leisure, but on limiting leisure to what can be profitably used.
The passage says:
"We should think not so much about providing occupation for leisure as about limiting the amount of leisure to that which can be profitably used."
This line directly supports Option 3.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 (make work as light as possible) — not discussed as the main objective.
- Option 2 (increase occupation) — the author explicitly argues against this.
- Option 3 (limit leisure to profitable use) — this is the exact phrasing of the author’s recommendation.
- Option 4 (produce more goods) — not the main objective; focus is on employment and use of leisure.
Hence, Option 3 is correct.

Answer 6

The passage draws a distinction between work and occupation, emphasizing that occupations are done out of personal initiative and bring pleasure, not because of necessity or external pressure.
The author states:
"There are forms of work, of course, which since external compulsion is reduced to a minimum, are hardly to be differentiated from occupation."
Examples given include the artist, writer, and scientist, who engage in their work creatively and willingly, which makes their activities akin to occupation.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 says “no utilitarian value” — this is too extreme; some may have utility, but that's not the key point.
- Option 2 correctly emphasizes reduced compulsion, agreement, and initiative — directly supported by the passage.
- Option 3 about time and energy is less accurate and not central to the definition.
- Option 4 about caring only for pleasure is not entirely accurate; the focus is on initiative and voluntary engagement.
Thus, Option 2 is the correct answer.

Answer 7

The passage discusses how some forms of work approximate occupation, particularly when external compulsion is low, and the activity is done with pleasure. Examples include the artist, scientist, and writer.
Quote:
"There are forms of work, of course, which since external compulsion is reduced to a minimum, are hardly to be differentiated from occupation."
This directly refutes Option 4, which claims no work resembles occupation. Hence, Option 4 is not true.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 is true — aligns with definition of work in passage.
- Option 2 is true — defines occupation accurately.
- Option 3 is true — work brings reward; occupation does not necessarily.
- Option 4 is false — some work resembles occupation.
Thus, Option 4 is the correct answer.

Answer 8

The passage makes a distinction between “work” and “occupation.” Work is driven by necessity and tangible rewards, while occupation is voluntary, pleasurable, and involves personal initiative.
The author emphasizes:
"Occupation is something that absorbs time and energy so long as we choose to give them; it demands constant initiative, and it is its own reward."
This clearly means that people engage in occupations for pleasure, by choice, and not because they have to. The key feature of occupation is initiative and freedom of engagement.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 (profit) relates to work, not occupation.
- Option 2 (doing something uncommon) — not discussed in the passage.
- Option 3 (social usefulness) — noble but not the main reason for occupation.
- Option 4 — aligns perfectly with the definition: voluntary, initiative-based, pleasurable.
Therefore, Option 4 is correct.

Answer 9

The passage defines work as something tied to necessity — it must be done to earn a living or fulfill duties. Occupation, in contrast, is voluntary and pleasurable.
Key sentence:
"Work implies necessity... where occupation is an end in itself."
This tells us the essential difference: work = necessity; occupation = choice and pleasure.
Evaluating options:
- Option 1 is extreme — work is not always unpleasant, and the passage never states this.
- Option 2 is accurate — captures the necessity in work and the absence of it in occupation.
- Option 3 is partially true but secondary; Option 2 focuses on the fundamental distinction.
- Option 4 contradicts the passage — it explicitly says there is a distinction.
Thus, Option 2 is the best and most accurate.