Question

Which of the following options,if true,BEST makes the author’s assertion on pointless jobs erroneous?

• A. Workers who carry out pointless jobs are more loyal to the organization than others.
• B. Pointless jobs add less value to the organization than the jobs of those who are making or fixing things.
• C. Pointless jobs decrease the efficiency of the organization since they replace those who are making,fixing and moving things.
• D. Organizations with a higher number of pointless jobs are more profitable than those with less.
• E. Even though the rate of increase in pointless jobs is higher, their absolute number on an average is lower than that of meaningful jobs.
• A. The ruling class abhors leisure so much that they encourage organizations to create unwanted jobs.
• B. Keeping people employed for longer hours serves the plans of the ruling class.
• C. Work as a moral right is the design of the ruling class to cut down on leisure.
• D. For political reasons, profit-making firms sometimes indulge in non-profitable decisions.
• J. Pointless jobs are here to stay, regardless of whether they are necessary or not.
• A. Organizations that create more jobs are rewarded by the government for protecting political values.
• B. Work is a moral value in itself.
• C. People unwilling to submit to an intense work discipline deserve nothing.
• D. Keynes predicted that a happy and productive workforce is a force for the good.
• O. Peace and order in society require humans to be engaged in some activity most of the time, regardless of its meaninglessness.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The passage discusses the contradictory nature of pointless jobs in a capitalist system, where efficiency and profit-seeking should ideally eliminate unnecessary roles. The author suggests that pointless jobs exist to keep people occupied, rather than for economic reasons.

To determine which option makes the author's assertion on pointless jobs erroneous, we need to identify a scenario where pointless jobs contribute positively to the intended outcomes of a capitalist organization.

Let's analyze the options:

1. Workers who carry out pointless jobs are more loyal to the organization than others.
   This option suggests loyalty but does not address profitability or efficiency, which are key in capitalism.
2. Pointless jobs add less value to the organization than the jobs of those who are making or fixing things.
   This aligns with the author's point that pointless jobs contribute less.
3. Pointless jobs decrease the efficiency of the organization since they replace those who are making, fixing, and moving things.
   This supports the author's view that pointless jobs are detrimental.
4. Organizations with a higher number of pointless jobs are more profitable than those with less.
   This option implies that pointless jobs lead to increased profits, contradicting the author's assertion that they are purely for the sake of keeping people busy without economic benefit.
5. Even though the rate of increase in pointless jobs is higher, their absolute number on average is lower than that of meaningful jobs.
   This option does not refute the claim about the nature of pointless jobs.

The correct answer is the fourth option: Organizations with a higher number of pointless jobs are more profitable than those with less.
This statement directly contradicts the author's assertion by suggesting a positive economic outcome as a result of these jobs, which challenges the notion that they exist merely for keeping people occupied without contributing economically.

Answer 2

To solve the problem of identifying which statement can be best inferred from the passage, we must analyze the passage and the provided options.

1. The passage discusses the phenomenon of creating "pointless jobs" in capitalist systems, as opposed to a scenario expected in socialist economies where jobs are intentionally manufactured for employment rights.

2. The passage highlights the contradiction between economic theory and practice, stating that despite market competition, pointless jobs are created, which seems inefficient. 

3. The key argument presented is that this practice is not explained by economics but by political and moral considerations. Specifically, it suggests the ruling class finds it beneficial for people to remain employed with little meaningful work to prevent a happy and free populace.

4. An important inference is that there is a deliberate design by the ruling class to maintain control over the working hours of the population through the creation of meaningless work, thus serving their broader plans.

Given these insights, the option that states "Keeping people employed for longer hours serves the plans of the ruling class." aligns best with the inference from the passage, as it directly ties the observed phenomenon to the intentions of the ruling class.

Answer 3

The passage presents the paradox of job creation in a capitalist society, where economic logic suggests businesses wouldn't employ unnecessary workers. However, despite downsizing, there's an inexplicable increase in redundant roles. The passage suggests the answer lies not in economics but in moral and political reasoning.
Key points from the passage include:

• The unnecessary creation of jobs parallels inefficient socialist practices, contradicting capitalist profit-driven motives.
• The ruling class finds a competent, idle population threatening, preferring to keep people occupied, even with meaningless tasks.
• There's a moral implication that work is an inherent value, making those who reject work discipline unworthy.

The correct answer is: Peace and order in society require humans to be engaged in some activity most of the time, regardless of its meaninglessness. This aligns with the passage's conclusion that societal stability is maintained by keeping people occupied, irrespective of the utility of the work, due to perceived moral and political needs.