Multiple choice

Directions: The passage given below is followed by four alternative summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage. Key in the number of the option you choose as your answer.

In popular culture, the tale of the emperor’s new clothes raises to the level of common wisdom the alliance of power and error. Duped by flattery into believing that he has purchased an exquisite new outfit, which appears invisible and is indeed non-existent, the emperor proudly parades it in front of his admiring subjects who submissively refrain from calling attention to the conspicuous point that he is wearing no clothes at all. Although he does not allude directly to this story, Helvetius seems to have its message frequently in mind as he writes about despotic power. This power keeps people from thinking and serves only the pleasure of the present moment for one person or possibly a small group of people as in the case of priests or clergy and not the future of all.

  1. Absolute power engenders self-ruination.

  2. Despots make a mockery of themselves before the public as they wield absolute power.

  3. Power gets abused when it becomes the sole preserve of the potentate.

  4. Thinking does get compromised when the elite only use power to seek momentary pleasure.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
  1. Not true. This cannot be inferred from the passage.
    1. Not true in every case.
    2. True. Power is abused by the despot to self-serve, however, “how” and “why” are not captured in this option, hence, not the answer.
    3. True. The word “elite” captures the exclusive group of people who command influence or power or wealth. The “how” and “why” are captured in this option, hence, the answer.

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