Question

Difficulty: EasyInferential Comprehension and Deduction

Read the passage below carefully:

For centuries, the traditional weavers of Akwete, a historic community in Abia State, have produced distinctively patterned textiles using manual wooden handlooms. The intricate craft, characterized by complex supplementary-weft motifs, is passed down almost exclusively through matrilineal lines. Recently, a major commercial textile conglomerate offered to donate high-speed motorized looms to the local weavers' union. The company promised that automation would quintuple daily fabric production and significantly reduce physical labor. However, after reviewing the technical specifications, the master weavers unanimously declined the offer. They discovered that the mechanized looms were incapable of reproducing the variable tension and hand-inserted supplementary threads that give authentic Akwete cloth its unique tactile texture and cultural identity. Rather than industrializing their weaving process, the union decided to establish a heritage cooperative to secure micro-grants for expanding traditional apprenticeship training among young women in the community.

Based on the passage, what can be deduced about the master weavers' decision to reject the motorized looms?

  1. They prioritized preserving the authentic quality and cultural value of their craft over increased production quantity.Answer
  2. B
    They believed that operating the motorized looms would increase the physical strain on individual weavers.
  3. C
    They feared that accepting the machinery would force their community to relinquish political governance to the textile company.
  4. D
    They intended to restrict young women from learning the textile trade in order to reduce local competition.

Answer

The master weavers prioritized preserving the authentic quality and cultural value of their craft over increased production quantity.
The correct response logically synthesizes the facts in the passage: while the company promised a fivefold increase in production volume, the master weavers rejected the looms because automation could not replicate the hand-woven motifs that give the textile its unique texture and cultural identity. Choosing heritage and quality over sheer volume directly demonstrates that preserving craft authenticity was their primary concern.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the reason given for rejecting the motorized looms
The weavers found that the mechanized looms could not reproduce the variable tension and hand-inserted motifs essential to authentic Akwete cloth.
Understanding the technical limitation identified by the weavers reveals what aspect of their craft they were unwilling to compromise.
2
Evaluate the trade-off presented in the passage
The company promised higher output (quintupled production), but the weavers chose quality, texture, and cultural identity instead.
Comparing what was offered (mass quantity) against what was chosen (artistic/cultural integrity) yields the logical deduction.

Key Concept

Inferential Comprehension and Deduction
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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