Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In the last fifty years, the idea of women empowerment has gone through a sea change, from a welfare-oriented approach to an equity approach. It has been understood as the process by which the powerless gain greater control over the circumstances of their lives. In practice, however, empowerment includes control over both resources and ideology. It leads to a growing intrinsic capability, greater self-confidence and an inner transformation of one’s consciousness that enables one to overcome external barriers. This view stresses two significant aspects. First, it is a power to achieve desired goals, not a power over others. Secondly, the idea of empowerment applies more to those who are powerless, irrespective of their gender, class and caste. Though the concept of empowerment is not specific to women, it is unique in that it cuts across all classes and castes and also works within families and households. Women empowerment is also defined as a change in the context of a woman’s life which increases her capacity to lead a fulfilling human life. It is reflected both in external qualities such as health, mobility, education, awareness, status in the family, participation in decision making and material security, and in internal qualities such as self-awareness and self-confidence.
The phrase sea change, as used in the passage, means
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → a complete and deep transformation
A sea change is a very big change that alters something completely.
- The passage says the idea of women empowerment has gone through a sea change, “from a welfare-oriented approach to an equity approach”.
- A welfare approach gives help to the needy. An equity approach works for fairness and equal chances.
- The whole way of thinking changed, so the change was deep and complete. Example: After the new principal came, there was a sea change in the school’s results.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: a slow shift that is hard to notice — Incorrect. Opposite meaning: A sea change is large and easy to see. The move from welfare to equity was a change in the whole idea.
Option 3: a change forced on people from outside — Incorrect. Wrong meaning: The phrase tells how big a change is, not who caused it. The passage does not say the change was forced on anyone.
Option 4: a short-lived change that may be reversed — Incorrect. Wrong meaning: Short-lived means lasting only a short time. The phrase tells how complete a change is. It does not mean a change that soon ends or goes back.