necessary laboring hours. It is already possible to imagine a society in which the majority of the population, that is to say, its laborers, will have almost as much leisure as in earlier times was enjoyed by the aristocracy. When one recalls how aristocracies in the past actually behaved, the prospect is not cheerful. Indeed, the problem of dealing with boredom may be even more difficult for such a future mass society than it was for aristocracies. The latter, for example, ritualized their time； there was a season to shoot grouse, a season to spend in town, etc. The masses are more likely to replace an unchanging ritual by fashion which changes as often as possible in the economic interest of certain people. Again, the masses cannot go in for hunting, for very soon there would be no animals left to hunt. For other aristocratic amusements like gambling, dueling, and warfare, it may be only too easy to find equivalents in dangerous driving, drug-taking, and senseless acts of violence. Workers seldom commit acts of violence, because they can put their aggression into their work, be it physical like the work of a smith, or mental like the work of a scientist or an artist. The role of aggression in mental work is aptly expressed by the phrase “getting one’s teeth into a problem”.
51. According to the passage, the writer believes the majority of the population
A. are unhappy with what they do. B. will get bigger in their number in the future.
C. agree with him on his classification. D. are in the fortunate position of being workers.
52. According to the passage, technology and division of labour have done all of the following EXCEPT
A. increasing the joy of the paid occupations.
B. making skill and special strength unnecessary in work.
C. causing jobs to be dull labour.
D. decreasing working hours
53. What can be inferred from the passage about special strength and skill?
A. Special strength and skill must be abandoned if people want to enjoy their work.
B. Special strength and skill are necessary for people to find their work enjoyable.
C. Special strength or skill causes work to be boring
D. Special strength or skill reduces the number of necessary labouring hours.
54. According to the passage aristocracy dealt with boredom by
A. enjoying more leisure. B. working with labourers.
C. demanding difficult work for the masses. D. ritualizing their time.
55. Which of the following is one of the amusements of the masses?
A. Hunting B. Gambling
C. Foolish acts of violence D. Doing scientific research
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