Comprehension: It is difficult to reconcile the ideas of different schools of…
2025
Comprehension:
It is difficult to reconcile the ideas of different schools of thought on the question of education. Some people maintain that pupils of school should concentrate on a narrow range of subjects which will benefit them directly in their subsequent careers. Others contend that they should study a wide range of subjects so that they not only have the specialized knowledge necessary for their chosen careers but also sound general knowledge about the world they will have to work and live in. Supporters of the first theory state that the greatest contributions to civilization are made by those who are expert in their trade or profession. Those on the other side say that, unless they have a broad general education, the experts will be too narrow in their outlook to have sympathy with their fellows or a proper sense of responsibility towards humanity as a whole.
Supporters of the first theory would not agree with:
- A.
experts have contributed most to the progress in the modern world
- B.
students should study a few subjects that will help them in their profession
- C.
people with broad general education have not contributed much to civilization
- D.
students should not undertake any specialized work
Attempted by 1 students.
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Correct answer: D
Concept: In a passage-based “would (not) agree” question, resolve each option by testing it against the specific stance the passage assigns to that group — the group agrees with any restatement or logical extension of its stated position, and disagrees only with a statement that runs against that position.
Application: The passage assigns the first theory's supporters two explicit beliefs: pupils should concentrate on a narrow range of subjects that benefit their careers directly, and experts make the greatest contribution to civilization. Checking each option against these two beliefs: crediting experts with the most progress restates the second belief; recommending a few career-relevant subjects restates the first belief; and the claim that broadly-educated people have contributed little goes beyond what the passage actually states, so it cannot be confirmed either way from the text. Only the claim that students should not undertake any specialized work runs directly against the first belief — it calls for abandoning specialization altogether, the exact opposite of what the first theory recommends, so it is the one statement the passage clearly shows supporters would reject.
Cross-check: Re-reading the passage confirms the first theory is built entirely around specialization and expert contribution; a group defined by valuing specialization cannot simultaneously endorse doing away with specialized work, confirming its supporters would not agree with that statement.