Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Comprehension - (Narrative / Factual)

Question:

The third great defect of our civilization is that it does not know what to do with its knowledge. Science has given us powers fit for the gods, yet we use them like mall children. For example, we do not know how to manage our machines. Machines were made to be man's servants; yet he has grown to dependent on them that they are in a fair way to become his masters. Already most men spend most of their lives looking after and waiting upon machines. And the machines are very stern masters. They must be fed with coal, and gives petrol to drink, and oil to wash with, and they must be kept at the right temperature. And if they do not get their meals when they expect them, they grow sulky and refuse to work, or burst with rage, and blow up, and spread rain and destruction all round them. So we have to wait upon them very attentively and do all that we can to keep them in a good temper. Already we find it difficult either to work or play without the machines, and the time may come when they will rule us altogether, just as we rule the animals.

What should be the expected behavior to keep machines in good temper?

Options:

Leave them alone

Let them work on their own

Allow them human company

Wait upon them attentively

Correct Answer:

Wait upon them attentively

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (4) → Wait upon them attentively

The passage suggests that machines require careful attention and maintenance, much like attending to their needs. It uses language that anthropomorphizes machines, describing them as having tempers and needing to be kept in a good mood. Therefore, waiting upon them attentively is presented as a way to ensure they function properly and do not lead to negative consequences.