Multiple choice

What is the main idea conveyed by the passage?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Many such have been made by the ingenuity of the makers of the machines, when to make them became the business of a peculiar trade; and some by that of those who are called philosophers or men of speculation, whose trade it is not to do anything, but to observe everything; and who, upon that account, are often capable of combining together the powers of the most distant and dissimilar objects. In the progress of society, philosophy or speculation becomes, like every other employment, the principal or sole trade and occupation of a particular class of citizens. Like every other employment too, it is subdivided into a great number of different branches, each of which affords occupation to a peculiar tribe or class of philosophers; and this subdivision of employment in philosophy, as well as in every other business, improves dexterity, and saves time. Each individual becomes more expert in his own peculiar branch, more work is done upon the whole, and the quantity of science is considerably increased by it.

  1. Improvements in machines and life in general come under the purview of specialists.

  2. Specialization in all fields improves productivity and efficiency.

  3. The art and science of observation is called philosophy.

  4. Quantity and quality of science is considerably increased by the division of labour.

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

Option (A): “Purview of specialists” is not the focus of the passage. Option (B): This is at best a supplementary idea. Option (C): This passage is mainly about thinkers, observers or philosophers. This is the only option that talks about philosophy. Option (D): Division of labor is not the focus of the passage. Option (E): This makes little sense in context.