Question Details

In an economic organization, allowing mankind to benefit by the productivity of machines should lead to a very good life of leisure, and much leisure is apt to be tedious except to those who have intelligent activities and interests. If a leisured population is to be happy, it must be an educated population, and must be educated with a view to enjoyment as well as to the direct usefulness of technical knowledge.
Question: Which of the following statements best reflects the underlying tone of the passage?

Options

Only an educated population can best make use of the benefits of economic progress.

All economic development should be aimed at the creation of leisure.

An increase in the educated population of a country leads to an increase in the happiness of its people.

Use of machines should be encouraged in order to create a large leisured population.

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option C

An increase in the educated population of a country leads to an increase in the happiness of its people.

Solution :

The correct option is: "An increase in the educated population of a country leads to an increase in the happiness of its people."

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyze the passage:
The passage discusses the relationship between machine productivity, leisure, education, and happiness. It states that productivity of machines leads to leisure, but leisure can be tedious unless people have intelligent activities and interests. To resolve this, the passage asserts: "If a leisured population is to be happy, it must be an educated population..."

2. Determine the logical link:
The core argument is that happiness in a leisured population is contingent upon them being educated. Therefore, educating the population prevents the tedium of leisure and leads to their happiness. This directly supports the idea that an increase in the educated population leads to an increase in the happiness of its people, as education is the key vehicle to make leisure enjoyable rather than tedious.

3. Why the other options are less reflective of the tone:
- "Only an educated population can best make use of the benefits of economic progress" is too absolute and focuses on economic progress rather than the psychological state of happiness.
- "All economic development should be aimed at the creation of leisure" is an overgeneralization not stated in the text.
- "Use of machines should be encouraged in order to create a large leisured population" focuses on the mechanism rather than the ultimate necessity of education for achieving happiness in leisure.