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:
Choose the correct option given below to complete the sentence:
"In a consumer society we are made to feel unsuccessful, undesirable and unimportant by
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → catchy advertisements
The passage speaks of "a consumer society where advertising bombards us with the message that without this, that and the other product we are unsuccessful, undesirable and unimportant." It is advertising that makes us feel this way.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: products in the market — Incorrect. Wrong cause: the products are what the advertisements push; the feeling of being unsuccessful comes from the message about them, not from the products themselves.
Option 2: social media friends — Incorrect. Not mentioned: the passage says nothing about social media or friends here.
Option 4: our finances — Incorrect. Wrong cause: money is not given as the reason for these feelings.