Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 35. It is an undeniable fact that a woman's place was once in the home. In the past, women were merely required to fulfill the role of mother and housewife. Today, this situation has changed tremendously. If a woman possesses the attributes and qualities of her male counterpart, she will definitely be given equal opportunities in the career world ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 35.

It is an undeniable fact that a woman's place was once in the home. In the past, women were merely required to fulfill the role of mother and housewife. Today, this situation has changed tremendously. If a woman possesses the attributes and qualities of her male counterpart, she will definitely be given equal opportunities in the career world without much bias. Therefore, women began to make the scene and, eventually, there was a steady flow of women leaving their homes. A certain vacuum or emptiness was thus created in the households. No more could the husbands turn to their wives after a hard day's work. Society marveled at the ability of women, but it also suffered at the realization of the important role that women play in their homes. Should women be allowed to work after marriage then? The answer is undoubtedly positive although this issue is highly debatable in terms of the nature of the professions involved. If a woman pursues her career but is at the same time able to care for her home and children, one simply cannot find any reason why she should not be allowed to do so.

A woman's influence is greatly needed in the home, on the children. What a child needs most is his mother's care because how the child is molded depends greatly on her. It is a real pity that women who leave their homes solely in search of a career seldom give a thought to this. The children, being helpless and dependent creatures, may have nobody to turn to at home, except servants or relatives. With the mother's back only after a hard day's toil, the children surely do not get much attention.

Whether a woman should continue to work after marriage would depend on the nature of her profession. It is a waste of resources if women, after seeking higher education, immediately abandon their careers after matrimony. A woman's effort can also contribute to the well-being and development of society. In the Malaysian context, a teacher is only required to work a five-day week with term holidays every now and then. Moreover, she is in school for only half of the day. The other half of the day can be devoted to her home. A teacher, besides educating the society, can fulfill the role of both mother and housewife. There are many other careers like those of nurses, clerks and typists where women can fulfill the double role.

Nevertheless, there are many professions which would not be advisable for women to indulge in after marriage. A public relations officer spends almost three-quarters of her time in her career. She has heavy tasks to shoulder which might require her to entertain others till odd hours at night. Women who venture into the business world should think twice before plunging into it. It would be beyond their means to fulfill two demanding roles at the same time.

As it is, a woman's most important responsibility still lies in her home. Without her around in the house, one just cannot bear to think of the consequences. Unless and until she can fulfill the basic role of a housewife and mother, she should not make a career her sole responsibility.

The word “this” in paragraph 2 refers to______.