Read the following passage and answer the given questions. ‘A great mass’ of something means a great amount. When the new method of manufacturing articles in great numbers was introduced, a new name was wanted for it and ‘Mass production’ was the one that came into use. In what ways does mass production differ from the older methods of manufacture? Formerly a craftsman, or skilled workman, often made the whole of an article himself by hand. He put into his work all his skill, all his experience. He was proud of the fruits of his labour. His reputation, his standing among his fellows, depended on his skill and on his character. He would have been ashamed if any serious fault had appeared in his work. He was envied and admired by fellow-craftsmen whose skill was not equal to his own. Articles made in this way could not be mass-produced. Each article differed slightly from the others; in every one there was something of the maker’s individuality. The finished article was sold at a high price, the price representing the time and the skill of the craftsman who had made it. Many such articles, made long ago with loving care, possess a quality and a beauty that mass-produced goods cannot equal. The wonderful pottery of ancient China, the lovely carpets of Persia, the engraved sword of Damascus, the silver-ware of the Middle Ages _ all these things show the individual craftsmanship of their long-dead makers. These articles were made for the rich and for those who were moderately well off. The poorer classes could not hope to possess works of art. Their household utensils, their clothes and their farm tools were roughly and cheaply made, though very practical in serving the purposes for which they were designed. [Mass Production by G. C. Thornley]
a) How did the term ‘mass production’ come into use?
b) Why are handmade articles dearer than mass-produced goods?
c) Enumerate the qualities of a craftsman in older times.
d) Give a suitable title to the passage.
Solution
Answer-01 (a)
The term ‘mass production’ came into use when a new method of manufacturing articles in large numbers was introduced. The new name was needed to describe this method, and ‘mass production’ was the one that was used.
Answer-01 (b)
Handmade articles were more expensive than mass-produced goods because each article was made by a skilled craftsman who put all their skill, experience, and pride into their work. The reputation and standing of the craftsman among their peers depended on their skill and character, and they would have been ashamed if any serious fault appeared in their work. Each handmade article was unique, with the individuality of the maker visible in the finished product. This individual craftsmanship was valued and the articles were sold at a high price, which reflected the time and skill invested in the creation process. In contrast, mass-produced goods did not have the same level of individual attention or the same level of craftsmanship, and as a result, they were not sold at the same high price.
Answer-01 (c)
As described in the passage, a craftsman in older times possessed the following qualities:
Answer-01 (d)
Suitable title— The Art of Craftsmanship: A Comparison of Handmade Articles and Mass-Produced Goods