The passage describes how, throughout the ages, the businessman has helped build great cities, provided luxuries, supported artists with patronage, and raised the standard of living of fellow citizens, and then states that in recent centuries the businessman has seeded the Industrial Revolution around the world. On the basis of this passage, which of the following statements about the businessman is best supported?

Introduction / Context:
This is a theme detection question related to the role of the businessman in society and history. The passage notes that businessmen have helped build cities, offered luxuries, given patronage to artists, and raised the standard of living of their fellow citizens. It further states that businessmen have seeded the Industrial Revolution around the globe. We must choose the statement that best summarises what the passage is trying to convey about the businessman, without adding unrelated claims or ignoring the primary emphasis.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Businessmen have historically helped build civilisation s great cities.
• They have provided people with luxuries and artists with patronage.
• They have helped raise the standard of living of fellow citizens.
• They have seeded the Industrial Revolution in many parts of the world.
• The passage talks about social and civilisational impact, not about personal lifestyle.

Concept / Approach:
In theme detection, we look for the option that captures the passage central thrust. The passage emphasises the businessman as an agent who contributes to cities, culture, standards of living, and technological transformation through the Industrial Revolution. Therefore the core idea is the businessman contribution to society and civilisation. Options that focus only on his personal comfort or treat him mainly as a beneficiary of industrialisation do not reflect the main message.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify verbs in the passage related to the businessman: helped build, provided, patronised, lifted, seeded. All of these indicate active contribution or initiative.Step 2: Examine option d. It states that the businessman has significantly contributed to the growth of civilisation. This directly frames the businessman as a contributor, matching the passage.Step 3: Examine option a. It focuses on luxurious life, which the passage does not mention at all. The passage is about benefits to others and to civilisation.Step 4: Examine option b. It treats the businessman as mainly a beneficiary of the Industrial Revolution, but the passage says that the businessman seeded that revolution, a creative and initiating role.Step 5: Examine option c. It limits the businessman to raising only his own standard of living, which contradicts the passage statement that he has lifted his fellow citizens.Step 6: Option e is wrong because one option clearly fits the passage.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we condense the passage into a single idea, it can be stated as: the businessman plays a central and positive role in building cities, supporting culture, improving living standards, and initiating industrial progress. Option d expresses this idea succinctly. Other options either misinterpret the businessman as a passive beneficiary or restrict the benefit to his personal life. The passage repeatedly emphasises actions directed toward society and civilisation, confirming that option d is best supported.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option a introduces comfort and luxury of the businessman, which are not discussed in the text.
• Option b reverses the direction of influence; the passage credits the businessman with seeding the Industrial Revolution rather than being only its beneficiary.
• Option c says he raises only his own standard of living, directly contradicting the line about lifting fellow citizens.
• Option e is wrong because option d clearly reflects the central idea.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students look for statements that sound socially critical or flattering and choose them without carefully checking if they match the text. Another pitfall is ignoring strong verbs like helped build or seeded, which clearly indicate active contribution. By focusing on the businessman effect on civilisation rather than on his personal life, we recognise that the relevant answer is about contribution, not lifestyle.

Final Answer:
The businessman has significantly contributed to the growth and development of civilisation.