1. According to the passage, the 'technological advance' mentioned in line 8 made it possible for many people in nineteenth-century America to
Answer: D
replace an expensive service with a low-cost product
The technological advance in paper production allowed many people in nineteenth-century America to replace expensive laundry services with affordable disposable products. This innovation made it practical for individuals, especially single men, to purchase inexpensive shirt parts that could be easily discarded instead of relying on costly and unreliable laundry services.
A) have more leisure time than they had previously had
This option is incorrect because the passage does not mention leisure time as a result of the technological advance. Instead, it focuses on how disposable products replaced the need for expensive laundry services, not on any increase in free time.
B) earn higher wages than they had previously been able to do
This option is also incorrect as the passage does not discuss wage increases. The focus is on the convenience and affordability of disposable clothing parts rather than any economic benefits related to wages.
C) purchase products from faraway places for the first time
This option is incorrect because the passage does not address the purchasing of products from distant locations. It specifically highlights the local impact of disposable clothing made possible by advancements in paper production.
D) replace an expensive service with a low-cost product
This option is correct as it directly aligns with the passage's explanation of how technological advancements in paper production allowed individuals to opt for low-cost disposable shirt parts instead of relying on expensive laundry services.
E) afford to travel widely in search of new job opportunities
This option is incorrect as there is no mention in the passage regarding travel or job opportunities. The text strictly discusses the impact of disposable culture on clothing and laundry services.
Conclusion
The correct answer, D, is supported by the passage's emphasis on how advances in technology made disposable clothing economically viable, thus allowing individuals to forgo costly laundry services. All other options fail to connect to the core theme of the passage, which centers on the replacement of expensive services with affordable alternatives as a direct consequence of technological progress.