Comprehension

Charkha
What I object to, is the craze for machinery as such. The craze is for what they call labour-saving machinery. Men go on ”saving labour”, till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation. I want to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind, but for all; I want the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in the hands of all. YOUNG INDIA, 13 NOVEMBER 1924 Khaddar does not seek to destroy all machinery but it does regulate its use and check its weedy growth. It uses machinery for the service of the poorest in their own cottages. The wheel is itself an exquisite piece of machinery. YOUNG INDIA, 17 MARCH 1927

Question: 1

Who is the author of the passage?

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Associate key publications with nationalist leaders. \textit{Young India} and \textit{Harijan} are two of Mahatma Gandhi's most famous journals.
Updated On: Feb 16, 2026
  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Subhash Chander Bose
  • Vallabhbhai Patel
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Objective Identification:
The task is to determine the author of the given texts concerning machinery and khaddar, with "YOUNG INDIA" as the specified source.

Step 2: Elaboration:
Mahatma Gandhi published *Young India*, an English weekly, from 1919 to 1931. The passage's philosophical underpinnings—a critique of excessive mechanization, a focus on universal well-being over that of a select group, opposition to wealth accumulation, and endorsement of the spinning wheel (*charkha*) as a suitable mechanism for the impoverished—are fundamental to Gandhian economic principles.

Step 3: Conclusion:
Mahatma Gandhi is identified as the author of the passage.
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Question: 2

What is the writer opposing in the passage?

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In Gandhian philosophy, the distinction between being against "machinery" and being against the "craze for machinery" is crucial. Gandhi was not anti-technology but was against technology that displaced labor and concentrated wealth.
Updated On: Feb 16, 2026
  • Quest for modernisation
  • Setting up of factories
  • Changing trends in modern times
  • Mindless craze for machinery
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept Identification: The objective is to pinpoint the specific subject of the author's critique in the initial paragraph. Step 2: Elaboration: The passage's opening sentence unequivocally states: "What I object to, is the craze for machinery as such." The author clarifies that the issue lies not with machinery inherently, but with its uncritical, fervent adoption ("craze"), which precipitates adverse societal outcomes such as job losses. The subsequent passage corroborates this by asserting that Khaddar does not advocate for "destroying all machinery" but rather aims to "regulate its use." This establishes a direct opposition to a "mindless craze" as opposed to modernization or industrial complexes broadly. Step 3: Conclusion: The author's objection is to the unthinking obsession with machinery.
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Question: 3

What does the writer mean by 'saving labour'?

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Pay attention to quotation marks in a text. They can indicate that the author is using a term ironically or quoting a common phrase to critique its usual meaning.
Updated On: Feb 16, 2026
  • Saving the lives of humans
  • Saving humans from hard labour
  • Employing machines instead of human beings
  • Giving honor to human labour
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Grasping the Core Idea:
The inquiry focuses on the author's perspective of the term "saving labour" as presented in the provided text.
Step 2: In-Depth Analysis:
The author's use of quotation marks around "saving labour" signals a critical stance. The subsequent statement, "Men go on 'saving labour', till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation," elaborates on this critique. This indicates that, within this passage, "saving labour" refers to the substitution of human labor with machinery, resulting in job displacement. The term does not imply enhancing the ease of work for current employees but rather eradicating the necessity of their labor.
Step 3: Conclusive Response:
The author interprets "saving labour" as the implementation of machines in place of human workers.
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Question: 4

What fear is expressed in this paragraph?

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Look for the negative outcomes the author describes. The text directly links the "craze for machinery" to the outcome of people being "without work."
Updated On: Feb 16, 2026
  • Men will start loving machinery
  • Machines will replace human labor and thousands will go unemployed
  • Machines will rule the world
  • Machine labour will get respect
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Grasping the Core Idea:
The inquiry necessitates identifying the precise apprehension or adverse outcome the author emphasizes.
Step 2: In-depth Elucidation:
The text unequivocally articulates the author's concern: "...until thousands are rendered jobless and cast onto the streets to perish from hunger." This directly asserts that the "fascination with machinery" will result in widespread unemployment due to the displacement of human workers by machines. This aligns perfectly with option (2).
Step 3: Conclusive Response:
The articulated fear is that mechanical advancements will supersede human labor, leading to mass unemployment for thousands.
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Question: 5

What are the views of the writer about the role of machines and the concentration of wealth?

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Look for sentences that express a desire or a goal of the author. The repeated use of "I want..." highlights the author's core principles and vision for a just society.
Updated On: Feb 16, 2026
  • Industrialisation should not result in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few elites
  • Humans should get employment and not machines
  • Machines should not be employed to replace humans
  • Time and labor should be saved
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept Identification:
Determine the author's stance on how industrialization affects wealth distribution.
Step 2: Elaboration:
The author states, "I want to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind, but for all; I want the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in the hands of all." This directly opposes economic models where industrial advancements benefit only a select few, leading to wealth disparity. The author promotes a system of broad wealth distribution. Option (1) accurately reflects this perspective.
Step 3: Conclusion:
The author believes industrialization should not lead to wealth concentration among a select group.
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