Read the passage and answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only. According to the civil laws of most countries, obedience is no longer the duty of a wife; every woman has the political right to vote, but these liberties remain theoretical as long as she does not have economic freedom. A woman supported by a man is not liberated from the male. It is through gainful employment that woman has travelled most of the distance that separated her from the male, and nothing else can guarantee her liberty in practice. I once heard a maidservant declare, while cleaning the stone floor of a hotel lobby, “I never asked anybody for anything; I succeeded all by myself.” She was as proud of her self-sufficiency as a Rockefeller, Ford or Birla. However, the mere combination of the right to vote and a job does not mean complete liberation: working, today, is not a liberty. A recent study of women workers in a car factory shows that they would prefer to stay in the home rather than work in the factory. The majority of women do not escape from the traditional feminine world. Their jobs at the factory do not relieve them of housekeeping burdens; they get from neither society nor their husbands, the assistance they need to become in concrete fact the equals of men.
Which of the following helps women most to achieve equality with men?
A job
Understanding the Passage on Women's Equality
The passage discusses various factors related to women's liberation and equality according to the author's perspective. It touches upon civil laws, political rights like voting, economic freedom, and the role of employment.
The core argument presented by the author is that while civil laws and voting rights exist, they are theoretical without economic freedom. The passage states, "these liberties remain theoretical as long as she does not have economic freedom."
The author explicitly identifies gainful employment as the primary driver of progress towards equality:
- The passage says, "It is through gainful employment that woman has travelled most of the distance that separated her from the male..."
- It further emphasizes the importance by stating, "...and nothing else can guarantee her liberty in practice."
This highlights that, in the author's view, a job or gainful employment is the most significant factor contributing to women achieving equality with men.
Let's look at the options provided in the context of the passage:
- The right to vote: The passage mentions this but says it remains theoretical without economic freedom. So, while important, it's not presented as the *most* helpful factor for achieving equality in practice.
- Civil liberties: Similar to the right to vote, the passage suggests these are also theoretical without economic freedom.
- A job: The passage strongly argues that gainful employment helps women travel "most of the distance" towards equality and guarantees liberty "in practice". This aligns directly with the author's main point.
- Wealthy husbands: The passage contradicts this idea by stating, "A woman supported by a man is not liberated from the male." This indicates that relying on a man's wealth does not lead to liberation or equality in the author's view.
Based on the author's explicit statements and the emphasis placed on it, gainful employment (or a job) is presented as the most effective means for women to achieve practical liberty and equality with men.
Conclusion on Achieving Equality
Analyzing the options against the key points made in the passage, the factor that the author claims helps women most to achieve equality with men is having a job, which provides economic freedom.
| Factor | Author's View in Passage |
|---|---|
| Civil Laws/Liberties | Theoretical without economic freedom |
| Right to Vote | Theoretical without economic freedom |
| Gainful Employment (A Job) | Helps travel "most of the distance"; guarantees liberty "in practice" |
| Supported by a Man (e.g., Wealthy Husband) | Not liberated from the male |
Therefore, according to the passage, a job is the most significant factor in helping women achieve practical equality with men.
Revision Table: Key Concepts from Passage
| Concept | Significance in Passage |
|---|---|
| Economic Freedom | Essential for civil liberties and political rights to be practical, not just theoretical. |
| Gainful Employment | The primary means to achieve economic freedom and travel towards equality; guarantees practical liberty. |
| Civil Laws/Political Rights | Necessary but insufficient for practical liberty and equality without economic freedom. |
| Support by Man | Does not lead to liberation according to the author. |
Additional Information: Women's Economic Empowerment
The passage strongly emphasizes the role of economic empowerment, specifically through employment, in achieving women's equality. This concept is a widely discussed topic in the study of gender equality and social development.
Key aspects related to women's economic empowerment include:
- Access to Resources: Ensuring women have access to financial resources, land, and other assets.
- Control over Income: Women having control over the money they earn.
- Participation in Economy: Enabling women to participate fully in the labor market and entrepreneurship.
- Decision-Making Power: Economic independence often translates into greater decision-making power within the household and community.
While employment is crucial, as highlighted in the passage, full equality often requires addressing other issues too, such as balancing work and family responsibilities, equal pay for equal work, and challenging traditional gender roles that limit opportunities. The passage itself acknowledges that a job alone doesn't guarantee complete liberation, particularly regarding domestic burdens.
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Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?
What are ice shelves?
What are icebergs?
When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.
The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________
