Comprehension (B)
It is no use arguing whether any of this is correct or proper. Rationally it is silly. That's our system, however, and we should hot only keep it in mind, we should teach our children how it works. It is perfectly well to want to grow to be a cowboy or nurse. Kids should know, however, that quiet apart from earning potential, the cattle breeder is much more respected than the hire hand.The doctor gets a lot more respect and privilege than the nurse.
I think some anthropologists ought to study our uncatalogued system of awarding respect and deference to each other based on job we hold. Where does a vice-president-product planning fit in? Is that better than vice- president-sales in public consciousness, or unconsciousness? Writers earn diddly dot, but I suspect they are held in higher esteem than wealthy rock musician-that is if everybody older than 40 gets to vote.
How do we decide which jobs have great value and, therefore, the job holders are wonderful people? Why is someone who builds shopping centre called an entrepreneur while someone who builds freeways is called a contractor? I have no answer to any of this, but we might think about the phenomenon the next time we are tempted to fawn over some stranger because we find out he happened to be a judge, or next time we catch ourselves discount the personal worth of the garbage collector.
Questions:
i. What is the main idea of the passage, and can you provide a title for each paragraph?
ii. Explain the meaning of "diddly dot" and "fawn over" as used in the passage.
iii. Analyze the author's perspective on the system of awarding respect based on one's job. Provide examples from the passage to support your analysis.
iv. Identify a theme discussed in the passage and explain how it is presented.
v. Consider the application of the author's ideas in real life, how might understanding the uncatalogued system of awarding respect influence individuals' perceptions of different professions?
vi. Share your perspective on why certain jobs are deemed more valuable than others, as discussed in the passage. Support your view with examples from the text.
