Multiple choice

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the two paragraphs?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
When socialism, says Mr. Sidney Webb, shall have abolished all other monopolies, there will still remain to be dealt with the most formidable monopoly of all — namely, “the natural monopoly of business ability,” or “the special ability and energy with which some persons are born.” The specific problem at this time is how to provide the natural monopolists of business ability with all adequate motives to develop and exercise their talents. We shall find that the arguments brought forward by them in this connection divide themselves broadly into two classes, one of which deals with the problem of motive directly, while the other class aims at preparing the way to its solution by showing in advance that its difficulties are far less formidable than they appear to be.
These arguments possess a peculiar interest owing to the fact that they have not originated with socialistic thinkers at all, but have been drawn by them from the evolutionary philosophy of the nineteenth century. The dominant idea which distinguished this school of thought was the insignificance of the individual as compared with society past and present. Thus Herbert Spencer opens his work on the Study of Sociology with an elaborate attack on what he calls “The Great Man Theory,” according to which the explanation of the main events of history is to be sought in the influence of exceptional or great men. Such an explanation, said Spencer, is no explanation at all. Great men, however great, are not isolated phenomena. Whatever they may do as the “proximate initiators” of change, they themselves “have their chief cause in the generations they have descended from,” and depend for the influence which is commonly attributed to their actions, on “the multitudinous conditions” of the generation to which they belong.

  1. The first talks of nurturing talent and the second talks of exploiting the groomed talent.

  2. The first paragraph talks about motivation and the second talks about factors influencing motivation.

  3. The first talks of the role of individuals and the second about the greatness that individuals accrue.

  4. The first exalts humans and the second glorifies the circumstances that shape humans.

  5. The first talks of a present day scenario while the second gives a historical perspective to the same.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The first paragraph talks of the need to motivate people with natural monopoly (in terms of ability/intelligence); the second paragraph downplays the role of the individual and highlights the role of the environment that creates such individuals.