The subject of the importance of good writing is as broad as its use.

Question

The subject of the importance of good writing is as broad as its use. Reaching out in every direction, and pervading every corner of civilized society, from the humblest up to the highest employments, it is a servant of man, second only in importance to speech itself. In the world of business its value is seen from the simplest record or memorandum, up to the parchment which conveys a kingdom. Without it, the wheels of commerce could not move a single hour. At night, it has recorded the transactions of the Bank of England and, during the day, of the whole world.

Through the art of writing, the deeds of men live after them, and we may surround ourselves with the companionship of philosophers, scientists, historians, discoverers and poets; and their discoveries, and reasonings and imaginings become ours. In the amenities of social life, through the medium of the pen, heart speaks to heart, though ocean rolls between. Thoughts of tenderness and affection live when we are gone, and words and deeds of kindness are not preserved by monuments alone. What fountains of grief or joy have been opened in the hearts of those who have read the records of the pen! The pen has written the message of sadness which has covered life’s pilgrimage with gloom. The pen has traced the record of noble and useful lives, spent in humanity’s cause. The songs of the poet, the flights of the orator in the realms of fancy, and the facts of history, would all perish as the dew of morning, without this noble art of writing.    1 
 1. Each of the following can be inferred from the passage about the art of writing EXCEPT:

(A) It depicts the history of noble men.
(B) It keeps the financial world working smoothly.
(C) It brings us closer to people we haven’t really met.
(D) It is present in every part of society.
(E) It has documented trials and rigors of war.

2 
 2. Which of the following could be an appropriate title for the passage?

(A) Writing—An Art 
(B) Fields of Writing 
(C) Significance of Writing
(D) Writing is immortal 
(E) The History of Writing

3 
 3. The author refers to Good Writing as ‘a servant of man’ most probably in order to:

(A) Emphasize the importance of service it provides to man 
(B) Underline the role it plays in man’s life 
(C) Point out the inability of man to function without it 
(D) Justify its importance in man’s life 
(E) Reiterate the fact that man rules it

RC Butler 2022  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 126 Date: 28-Mar-2022
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2022 .  Click here for Details

Muski222222222 · Answer

So, I will try to explain the passage first. Even though it seems really complicated with the use of deep thoughts but it is not. There is only one view presented throughout the passage.

"The subject of the importance of good writing is as broad as its use."
This first line broadly tells us the crux of the entire passage, which talks about the significance of good writing.
 
"Reaching out in every direction, and pervading every corner of civilized society, from the humblest up to the highest employments, it is a servant of man, second only in importance to speech itself."
This tells us how writing is equally important to all, whether rich or poor. And it would we impossible for anyone to function without it.
In the world of business its value is seen from the simplest record or memorandum, up to the parchment which conveys a kingdom. Without it, the wheels of commerce could not move a single hour. At night, it has recorded the transactions of the Bank of England and, during the day, of the whole world.Through the art of writing, the deeds of men live after them, and we may surround ourselves with the companionship of philosophers, scientists, historians, discoverers and poets; and their discoveries, and reasonings and imaginings become ours. In the amenities of social life, through the medium of the pen, heart speaks to heart, though ocean rolls between. Thoughts of tenderness and affection live when we are gone, and words and deeds of kindness are not preserved by monuments alone. What fountains of grief or joy have been opened in the hearts of those who have read the records of the pen! The pen has written the message of sadness which has covered life’s pilgrimage with gloom. The pen has traced the record of noble and useful lives, spent in humanity’s cause. The songs of the poet, the flights of the orator in the realms of fancy, and the facts of history, would all perish as the dew of morning, without this noble art of writing."

Now, the passage just talks about its importance in the various fields like business, recording deeds of noble men, contacting with people etc.

Lets come to the questions now,
 Question 1 
 1. Each of the following can be inferred from the passage about the art of writing EXCEPT:
 
(A) It depicts the history of noble men.
"the deeds of men live after them" this line in the second para eliminate this ans.
(B) It keeps the financial world working smoothly.
The second part of the first para talks about this.
(C) It brings us closer to people we haven’t really met.
"through the medium of the pen, heart speaks to heart, though ocean rolls between." These lines clearly eliminate this ans.
(D) It is present in every part of society.
"Reaching out in every direction, and pervading every corner of civilized society."
(E) It has documented trials and rigors of war.
 Correct answer:- This has nowhere been mentioned in the passage. Even though we know that this is true, but its missing in the passage so this is the correct ans.

Question 2 
 2. Which of the following could be an appropriate title for the passage?

(A) Writing—An Art
The passage nowhere talks about writing being an art. It says that it is present throughout the society.
(B) Fields of Writing
The passage doesn't talk about any fields of writing.
(C) Significance of Writing
 Correct Answer:-  This is exactly what the passage talks about, even mentioned in the first line.
(D) Writing is immortal
Don't be confused by this answer. It may seem like a good choice, but the writer doesn't talk about "writing will never fade away" or "Writing is permanent"
(E) The History of Writing
Nowhere in the passage is the history of writing mentioned.

Question 3 
 3. The author refers to Good Writing as ‘a servant of man’ most probably in order to:

(A) Emphasize the importance of service it provides to man
 Correct answer:   The passage tells us exactly how important writing is to a man and the service it provides to humans.
(B) Underline the role it plays in man’s life
The passage doesn't talk about the role that it plays in a man's life specifically, just that it is important.
(C) Point out the inability of man to function without it
This one confused me too. But the passage doesn't mention that man cannot function without it. It is definitely widespread and important but this statement is too extreme.
(D) Justify its importance in man’s life
Nothing is being justified.
(E) Reiterate the fact that man rules it
This line is mentioned only once in the passage, the writer is not repeating it or saying it multiple times.

Hope this helps you! 
 The answers may be wrong, I explained it the way I understood it. I am sorry if anything is wrong.

hydr01 · Answer

For question #3, I don't understand the difference between A and B. How are the two different?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. The author refers to Good Writing as ‘a servant of man’ most probably in order to:

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

The sense of servitude is what the author is trying to convey by using this phrase; the fact that the pen faithfully records all happenings in a man’s life also conveys the relationship of a master and a loyal servant. Hence,  (A)  is the correct answer.

(B)  The author is not trying to identify where the pen fits in a man’s life—he is exemplifying its role. This fact also does not bring out the servitude aspect as A does.

(C)  Extreme. At no point is it suggested that man cannot function without the existence of the pen.

(D)  While this may be true of the overall passage, the stress of the quoted phrase has to be on the master-servant relationship.

(E)  The passage never states or suggests that man rules writing.

Answer: A

Oppenheimer1945 · Answer

Still not clear why B is not preferred over A. Can you also elaborate on all 3 answers.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Option (B)  is not necessarily wrong, but it may not be the most precise or comprehensive interpretation of why the author refers to good writing as  "a servant of man."  While it is true that the author mentions writing as  "a servant of man,"  the primary purpose of this phrase is to emphasize the importance of the service that good writing provides to humanity, as stated in  option (A).

The phrase  "a servant of man"  is used to convey the idea that writing is a tool or a means that serves and benefits humanity in various ways, as outlined in the passage, such as in business, communication, record-keeping, and preserving human thoughts and emotions. Therefore,  option (A)  is a more direct and accurate interpretation of the author's intention in using this phrase.

VerbalBot · Answer

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The subject of the importance of good writing is as broad as its use.

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The subject of the importance of good writing is as broad as its use.

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