Read the passage about health and work and answer the question: According to the passage, what should a healthy man be chiefly concerned with?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: his work which good health makes possible

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This comprehension question asks you to identify the proper focus of a healthy man according to the author. The passage criticises people who concentrate on health talk instead of using their health for productive activity. You must choose the option that best reflects what a healthy person should do with his good health.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The passage says that health really means to enable a person to do his work and do it well.
  • It explicitly states that "A healthy man should not be wasting time talking about health."
  • It adds that he "should be using health for work."
  • The question asks: "A healthy man should be concerned with" followed by four possible concerns.


Concept / Approach:
The central idea is that health is a tool to achieve effective work. Therefore, the healthy person should focus on the work that his good health allows him to do, rather than endlessly thinking or talking about health itself. The correct option should therefore mention his work as the main focus, with a clear link to the enabling role of health.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the statement about how a healthy man should use his condition: "he should be using health for work." Step 2: Interpret this as meaning that work is the main concern, while health is a supporting factor. Step 3: Look for an option that emphasises work enabled by health, not health as the main subject. Step 4: Option A states "his work which good health makes possible," exactly capturing this relationship. Step 5: Choose option A as the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
Examine option C: "his health which makes work possible." Although it recognises that health enables work, it still places health at the centre of concern, while the passage argues that work should be the main concern. Option B, "looking after his health," clearly contradicts the warning against wasting time talking about health. Option D directly opposes the author's advice. These comparisons confirm that option A aligns best with the passage.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • looking after his health: While basic self care is important in real life, the passage criticises excessive focus on health and does not recommend it as the primary concern.
  • his health which makes work possible: This option subtly shifts the focus back to health itself, whereas the author wants work to be central and health to be a supporting condition.
  • talking about health: The passage explicitly says that a healthy man should not waste time talking about health.


Common Pitfalls:
A typical mistake is to reason from everyday common sense instead of strictly following the passage. Many test takers think "of course a healthy man should be concerned with his health," and therefore choose that option. However, comprehension questions reward close reading of the author's attitude, not general truth. Carefully distinguishing between health as a tool and work as the true aim is crucial here.


Final Answer:
According to the passage, a healthy man should be concerned with his work which good health makes possible.

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