A fact that draws our attention is that, according to his position in life, an…
2025
A fact that draws our attention is that, according to his position in life, an extravagant man is either admired or loathed. A successful business man does nothing to increase his popularity by being prudent with his money. A person who is wealthy is expected to lead a luxurious life and to be lavish with his hospitality. If he is not so, he is considered mean, and his reputation in business may even suffer in consequence. The paradox remains that he had not been careful with his money in the first place; he would never have achieved his present wealth.
Among the low income group, a different set of values exists. The young clerk, who makes his wife a present of a new dress when he has not paid his house rent, is condemned as extravagant. Carefulness with money to the point of meanness is applauded as a virtue.
Nothing in his life is considered more worthy than paying his bills. The ideal wife for such a man separates her housekeeping money into joyless little piles – so much for rent, for food, for the children’s shoes, she is able to face the milkman with equanimity every, month satisfied with her economizing ways , and never knows the guilt of buying something she can’t really afford .As for myself, I fall neither of these categories. If I have money to spare I can be extravagant, but when, as is usually the case, I am hard up and then I am the meanest man imaginable.
According to the passage the person, who is a successful businessman and wealthy.
- A.
Is expected to have lavish lifestyle
- B.
Should not bother about popularity.
- C.
Is more popular if he appears to be wasting away his time.
- D.
Must be extravagant before achieving success.
Attempted by 13 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Answer: Is expected to have lavish lifestyle
Explanation: The passage explicitly states the expectation for a wealthy successful businessman.
A person who is wealthy is expected to lead a luxurious life and to be lavish with his hospitality.
This sentence directly supports the correct answer: wealthy successful businessmen are expected to live lavishly and be generous in hospitality.
The choice stating that a businessman "Should not bother about popularity." is incorrect because the passage only says being prudent does not increase popularity; it does not say he should not care about popularity.
The choice claiming he "Is more popular if he appears to be wasting away his time." is unsupported; the passage does not link popularity to wasting time.
The choice asserting he "Must be extravagant before achieving success." is incorrect; the passage notes a paradox that some wealthy people were not careful with money earlier, but it does not state extravagance is a necessary condition for success.