Question:
Directions for Summary: A paragraph is followed by four options which have summarized the passage in their own way. Pick the option that best summarizes the passage:
People view idleness as a sin and industriousness as a virtue, and in the process have developed an unsatisfactory relationship with their jobs. Work has become a way for them to keep busy, even though many find their work meaningless. In their need for activity people undertake what was once considered work (fishing, gardening) as hobbies. The opposing view is that hard work has made us prosperous and improved our levels of health and education. It has also brought innovation and labour and time-saving devices, which have lessened life’s drudgery.
Directions for Summary: A paragraph is followed by four options which have summarized the passage in their own way. Pick the option that best summarizes the passage:
People view idleness as a sin and industriousness as a virtue, and in the process have developed an unsatisfactory relationship with their jobs. Work has become a way for them to keep busy, even though many find their work meaningless. In their need for activity people undertake what was once considered work (fishing, gardening) as hobbies. The opposing view is that hard work has made us prosperous and improved our levels of health and education. It has also brought innovation and labour and time-saving devices, which have lessened life’s drudgery.
People view idleness as a sin and industriousness as a virtue, and in the process have developed an unsatisfactory relationship with their jobs. Work has become a way for them to keep busy, even though many find their work meaningless. In their need for activity people undertake what was once considered work (fishing, gardening) as hobbies. The opposing view is that hard work has made us prosperous and improved our levels of health and education. It has also brought innovation and labour and time-saving devices, which have lessened life’s drudgery.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2025
- While the idealisation of hard work has propelled people into meaningless jobs and endless activity, it has also led to tremendous social benefits from prosperity and innovation.
- Some believe that hard work has been glorified to the extent that it has become meaningless, and led to greater idleness, but it has also had enormous positive impacts on everyday life.
- Hard work has overtaken all aspects of our lives and has enabled economic prosperity, but it is important that people reserve their leisure time for some idleness.
- Despite some detractors, hard work is essential in today’s world to enable economic progress, for education and health and to propel innovations that make life easier.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The given paragraph discusses two contrasting views on hard work. One view suggests that people perceive hard work as a virtue, but this has led to unsatisfactory relationships with their jobs, causing them to engage in work-like activities as hobbies. Despite this, hard work has significantly contributed to prosperity, health, education, and innovation.
Option Analysis:
- Option 1: "While the idealisation of hard work has propelled people into meaningless jobs and endless activity, it has also led to tremendous social benefits from prosperity and innovation." This option captures both the unsatisfactory relationship with jobs caused by the idealization of work and the positive outcomes of hard work like prosperity and innovation.
- Option 2: "Some believe that hard work has been glorified to the extent that it has become meaningless, and led to greater idleness, but it has also had enormous positive impacts on everyday life." This suggests that hard work leads to greater idleness, which is not supported by the passage.
- Option 3: "Hard work has overtaken all aspects of our lives and has enabled economic prosperity, but it is important that people reserve their leisure time for some idleness." This option introduces the concept of reserving leisure time, which is not mentioned in the passage.
- Option 4: "Despite some detractors, hard work is essential in today’s world to enable economic progress, for education and health and to propel innovations that make life easier." This emphasizes the necessity of hard work but overlooks the passage's critique of people's dissatisfaction with work.
Based on the analysis, Option 1 is the best summary as it encapsulates the passage's dual points about people's relationship with work and the positive societal impacts of hard work.
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