As an instrument of intellectual culture, the study of Physics is prof

Question

As an instrument of intellectual culture, the study of Physics is profitable to all; as bearing upon special functions, its value, though not so great, is still more tangible. Why, for example, should Members of Parliament be ignorant of the subjects concerning which they are called upon to legislate? In this land of practical physics, why should they be unable to form an independent opinion upon a physical question? Why should the member of a parliamentary committee be left at the mercy of interested disputants when a scientific question is discussed, until he deems the nap a blessing which rescues him from the bewilderments of the committee-room? The education which does not supply the want here referred to, fails in its duty to England.

With regard to our working people, in the ordinary sense of the term ‘working’, the study of Physics would, I imagine, be profitable, not only as a means of intellectual culture, but also as a moral influence to woo them from pursuits which now degrade them. A man's reformation oftener depends upon the indirect, than upon the direct action of the will. The will must be exerted in the choice of employment which shall break the force of temptation by erecting a barrier against it. The drunkard, for example, is in a perilous condition if he contents himself merely with saying, or swearing, that he will avoid strong drink. His thoughts, if not attracted by another force, will revert to the public-house, and to rescue him permanently from this, you must give him an equivalent. By investing the objects of hourly intercourse with an interest which prompts reflection, new enjoyments would be opened to the working man, and every one of these would be a point of force to protect him against temptation.   1 
 1) What is the main purpose of the author in writing the passage?

A. To advocate that a particular subject be taught compulsorily nationwide
B. To discuss how the knowledge of a particular field of study can be used to stop men from indulging in immoral acts
C. To illustrate why the knowledge of a particular subject is important to everyone
D. To propose that the knowledge of a particular subject be a prerequisite for every Member of Parliament
E. To show how the common man can protect himself from temptation

2 
 2) Which of the following does the author suggest in the passage about the Members of Parliament?

A. They do not have any knowledge of Physics
B. They cannot be asked to legislate on matters that they are ignorant of
C. They prefer taking a nap to legislating on issues that they don't know much about
D. It is not a prerequisite that they legislate only on those matters that they have adequate knowledge of
E. They sometimes allow their personal interests to override the broader good of the people at large

3 
 3) Each of the following can be inferred from the information in the passage EXCEPT?

A. The study of Physics is profitable to everyone
B. The knowledge of Physics helps keep temptation away by educating man on the negative aspects of the same
C. The direct action of the will is not enough to reform a man
D. Physics can in an indirect manner be linked to the level of moral degradation in a society
E. Man can in general be prevented from indulging in immoral acts by providing him another pursuit to channelize his energies on

gotit12345 · Answer

For Q.2  the following line from the passage helps explain why D is the correct answer " In this land of practical physics, why should they be unable to form an independent opinion upon a physical question?". If Legislators are unable to or are weak in some of the physics related questions , it means that they at least legislate on those topics , which they are not much familiar with.

On the contrary, there is not much evidence for choice B to be correct. Author says that they can be asked for the subjects they are ignorant of. Moreover, he keeps on explaining this when he discusses about " until he deems the nap a blessing which rescues him from the bewilderments of the committee-room".

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3) Each of the following can be inferred from the information in the passage EXCEPT?

Explanation

This Question covers the whole passage, you can not answer until you read complete passage. Just read the answer choices and recall what you read in the passage. We have to find something which is  not available by the passage . Look into the answer choices.

A.  The study of Physics is profitable to everyone
This option is easy to cross off as it is mentioned in the first paragraph.  Incorrect

B.  The knowledge of Physics helps keep temptation away by educating man on the negative aspects of the same
 Read these lines in the passage

The will must be exerted in the choice of employment which shall break the force of temptation by erecting a barrier against it.

So it is will not physics which helps keep temptation away. It is not mentioned in the passage so this one is we are searching for.   Correct

C.  The direct action of the will is not enough to reform a man
Read this line in the second paragraph

A man's reformation oftener depends upon the indirect, than upon the direct action of the will.

So it is available in the passage and is  Incorrect

D.  Physics can in an indirect manner be linked to the level of moral degradation in a society

Read  lines 3-4  in the second paragraph it is available there so cross it off  Incorrect

E.  Man can in general be prevented from indulging in immoral acts by providing him another pursuit to channelize his energies on
This is also available in the passage in the form of an example of  The drunkard , so cross it too it is  Incorrect

Answer: B

Hope it helps

kunalbean · Answer

For question 3: 
With regard to our working people, in the ordinary sense of the term ‘working’, the study of Physics would, I imagine, be profitable, not only as a means of intellectual culture, but also as a moral influence to woo them from pursuits which now degrade them.

This can be interpreted as Physics induces people to go for greater pursuits. Whereas, option D is stated as Physics provides an indirect link towards the degradation of the society but as per the passage it should it improves and morally influences people to try new things.

Sarvam · Answer

For Question 1

To determine the correct answer, let's analyze how the author builds the argument across the passage:

Opening Thesis: The passage begins by asserting that "the study of Physics is profitable to all," setting the overall scope for the entire text.

Paragraph 1: The author focuses on a specific group—Members of Parliament—explaining why knowledge of physics is valuable to them when legislating and making informed decisions on scientific matters.

Paragraph 2: The author broadens the scope to "working people," explaining how the study of physics benefits them intellectually and serves as a positive moral influence to resist degradation/temptation.

Option Evaluation:

A is incorrect: The author never mentions making physics a compulsory national requirement.

B is incorrect: While moral influence among working people is discussed in paragraph 2, this is only one supporting detail, not the primary purpose of the whole passage.

C is correct: The passage starts with the main claim that physics benefits everyone, then uses the examples of lawmakers (Paragraph 1) and working class citizens (Paragraph 2) to illustrate this point.

D is incorrect: The author questions why lawmakers are ignorant of physics, but does not explicitly propose a mandatory prerequisite rule for office.

E is incorrect: Temptation avoidance for working men is a narrow detail from Paragraph 2, not the overarching thesis.

Your choice of C is correct.

As an instrument of intellectual culture, the study of Physics is prof

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As an instrument of intellectual culture, the study of Physics is prof

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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