Question:

The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In 1903, left-wing feminist Elizabeth Magie invented The Landlord’s Game, the original version of what became Monopoly. It was designed as a powerful teaching tool to illustrate the dangers of monopolies and how wealth could concentrate in the hands of a few. The game featured a circular path, properties, and a “Go to Jail” space. Magie created two rule sets: one “monopolist” version where players crushed opponents through accumulation, and another, more radical “Prosperity” version, where everyone shared in the wealth, promoting fairness and equity. Years later, unemployed Charles Darrow sold a simplified version to Parker Brothers. They paid Magie only 500 Dollar for her patent—without royalties—and credited Darrow as the sole inventor. For decades, his tale of inventing the game in his basement remained the official story, while Magie’s name and her original, anti-capitalist message were left in the shadows.

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When summarizing a passage, focus on the main ideas and ensure that your summary highlights the core message without unnecessary details.
Updated On: Jan 5, 2026
  • Celebrated icons of the gaming industry, Charles Darrow and Parker Brothers, snatched the feminist icon Elizabeth Magie’s original design and transformed Monopoly into a worldwide phenomenon, while barely acknowledging her.
  • Parker Brothers’ capitalist intent led to them acquiring from Charles Darrow a simplified version of Elizabeth Magie’s original game, transforming it into a widespread commercial success while providing her only minimal financial compensation and granting scant public recognition.
  • It is ironic that a left-wing feminist lost credit for the Landlord’s Game to an unemployed man, who plagiarised and sold one version of the twin game to Parker Brothers for a meagre sum, denying her royalties.
  • Only one version of Monopoly became famous because of Charles Darrow’s relentless basement work, carefully refining Elizabeth Magie’s original idea into an engaging and entertaining pastime that he successfully patented and sold, symbolizing what many regarded as the ultimate triumph of individual ingenuity.
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The Correct Option is A

Approach Solution - 1

The passage revolves around the history of the board game Monopoly, initially invented by Elizabeth Magie to showcase the adverse effects of monopolies. Elizabeth Magie, a left-wing feminist, designed "The Landlord’s Game" with two sets of rules: one focusing on monopolistic dominance and another promoting equitable wealth distribution.

Years later, Charles Darrow sold a simplified version to Parker Brothers, who capitalized on it and credited Darrow as the sole inventor, sidelining Magie's contribution and her original motives. Magie received minimal financial compensation and public recognition.

Let's break down the options:

  • Option 1: "Celebrated icons of the gaming industry, Charles Darrow and Parker Brothers, snatched the feminist icon Elizabeth Magie’s original design and transformed Monopoly into a worldwide phenomenon, while barely acknowledging her." This option accurately captures the essence of the passage by emphasizing both the role of Charles Darrow and Parker Brothers in popularizing the game and the lack of recognition received by Magie.
  • Option 2: "Parker Brothers’ capitalist intent led to them acquiring from Charles Darrow a simplified version of Elizabeth Magie’s original game, transforming it into a widespread commercial success while providing her only minimal financial compensation and granting scant public recognition." While this option correctly outlines the process by which the game was commercialized, it focuses more on Parker Brothers and less on Magie's original game and intent.
  • Option 3: "It is ironic that a left-wing feminist lost credit for the Landlord’s Game to an unemployed man, who plagiarized and sold one version of the twin game to Parker Brothers for a meager sum, denying her royalties." This option highlights the irony but oversimplifies the broader narrative and intent behind the original game.
  • Option 4: "Only one version of Monopoly became famous because of Charles Darrow’s relentless basement work, carefully refining Elizabeth Magie’s original idea into an engaging and entertaining pastime that he successfully patented and sold, symbolizing what many regarded as the ultimate triumph of individual ingenuity." This option inaccurately credits Darrow's personal ingenuity over Magie's original contribution and intent.

Conclusion: The first option best captures the essence of the passage as it comprehensively addresses both the origin of the game and the overshadowing of Magie's contributions by Darrow and Parker Brothers. Therefore, the correct answer is the first option.

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Approach Solution -2

Step 1: Understanding the Passage:
The passage tells the story of how Elizabeth Magie’s original game design was appropriated by Charles Darrow and Parker Brothers, leading to the popular version of Monopoly that omitted her credit.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options:
- (1) This option captures the essence of the passage, focusing on the appropriation of Magie’s design.
- (2) This option also works, focusing on the capitalist appropriation of her game, but doesn’t convey the full impact of the loss of credit.
- (3) This option is more focused on the irony of the situation but doesn’t highlight the broader consequences.
- (4) This option misrepresents the main idea of the passage, as it focuses on Darrow’s success rather than the loss of Magie’s credit.
Step 3: Conclusion:
Option (1) best captures the essence of the passage.
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