Voluntary simplicity is not to be confused with poverty, which is involuntary, degrading and debilitating. Neither does it mean that people must live on a farm or reject progress or technology or do without what is necessary for their comfort and welfare. For example, we need food and shelter but we don't necessarily need to eat steak and lobster or to live in a palace. In today's world, most of us need a computer and an internet connection for work and school, but at home we don't need a computer in every room - and we don't need to spend our time endlessly surfing the internet.
To practice voluntary simplicity, one must differentiate between what one wants (psychological desires) and what one needs (basic requirements of life), and seek a healthy balance that is compatible with both. In a consumer society where advertising bombards us with the message that without this, that and the other product we are unsuccessful, undesirable and unimportant. Being clear on what you really need and resisting what you don't can be an ongoing struggle.
The beauty of voluntary simplicity is that it is a philosophy, and not a dogma. How one goes about it depends on an individual's character, cultural background and climate. Although there is no single right way to practice voluntary simplicity, there are some general guidelines that one can apply to one's individual circumstances:
To practice voluntary simplicity, the person must know how to balance the
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → wants and needs
To practise voluntary simplicity, one must "differentiate between what one wants (psychological desires) and what one needs (basic requirements of life), and seek a healthy balance" between the two.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: money and good — Incorrect. Not mentioned: the passage says nothing about balancing money against anything.
Option 3: look and dress — Incorrect. Not mentioned: the passage says nothing about appearance or clothing.
Option 4: house and room — Incorrect. Wrong focus: a palace and "every room" appear only as examples of excess; the balance is between wants and needs, not between places.