Sample Reading Comprehension - 51 | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

As mentioned in the first line of the passage ‘As civilization proceeds in the direction of technology, it passes the points of supplying all the basic essentials of life, food, shelter, cloth, and warmth.’ The reference to ‘then’ in this case refers to the point in civilization wherein all the basic essentials have been provided.

The author does talk about the new needs created by technology but he does not refer to them as essential. So, option (a) is eliminated. Option (b) is eliminated as it does not find a mention in the passage. Option (c) finds an indirect mention in the concluding lines, hence is the right answer.

The word ‘axiomatic’ means ‘evident without proof or argument’.

The answer can be derived from the lines: Then we are faced with a choice between using technology to provide and fulfil needs which have hitherto been regarded as unnecessary or, on the other hand, using technology to reduce the number of hours of work which a man must do in order to earn a given standard of living. Option (b) is the direct answer that can be derived from the given context.