Question

R. C. Hutchinson in 'The Pace for Living' describes the ........................ of modern man.

• A. happy
• B. fast
• C. sad
• D. agony

Hint:

Pay close attention to the author's tone. Hutchinson's tone is critical and sympathetic to the "slow thinker," suggesting that the focus is on the negative emotional impact (agony) rather than just a neutral description of speed (fast).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks about the central theme of R. C. Hutchinson's essay 'The Pace for Living'. The title itself suggests a focus on the speed of modern life.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The author portrays the plight of a "slow thinker" in a world obsessed with speed.
While the pace of life is 'fast' (Option B), the author's primary focus is on the negative consequence of this speed. He describes the mental and emotional distress, or agony, faced by those who cannot keep up.
The narrator speaks of the "terrible strain on the mind" and the "agony of the machine age," highlighting the suffering rather than just the speed itself.
Therefore, 'agony' more accurately captures the essence of the condition described by Hutchinson.

Step 3: Final Answer:
R. C. Hutchinson describes the agony of modern man, resulting from the excessively fast pace of living.