imbalance
= a lack of equality or proportion between two or more things
Mark noticed an imbalance in his work-life schedule.
The imbalance in his coffee intake affected his sleep.
Susan felt an imbalance in her study and social life.
The imbalance in her daily routine affected her mood.
Some synonyms and antonyms for "imbalance":
Synonyms:
Disproportion
Inequality
Disparity
Distortion
Antonyms:
Balance
Equality
Harmony
Stability
Question:
What does "imbalance" mean?
A) Equal distribution
B) Lack of balance
C) Perfect harmony
D) Stable condition
The Robot Waiters
Mark noticed an imbalance in his work-life schedule. He was so busy thinking about money that he forgot to eat, sleep, or even smile. One sunny Tuesday, he decided to fix this serious problem by visiting his own restaurant for a relaxing two-hour lunch break.
While slowly eating his expensive salad, he started calculating. "If I replace my human waiters with AI robots, I will save a huge fortune!" he thought excitedly.
Just then, Susan, a curious university student, walked by. She saw Mark talking to himself and sat down. "What are you doing?" she asked. Mark explained his brilliant robot plan. Susan nodded and said, "Interesting idea, but robots can be very weird."
One month later, the robots arrived. They carried plates perfectly, but they never stopped talking. Mark was checking the kitchen when he heard one robot shout, "Manchester United beautifully beat Ipswich. Excellent!"
Another robot immediately replied, "They are not good enough! You should love Real Madrid. They have Mourinho!"
Susan, who was visiting that day, saw the scene with Mark. Mark covered his ears in frustration. "They're just too loud. It's not McDonald's!" he cried.
Susan thought for a moment and smiled. "Just mute them!" she said.
Mark quickly pressed the mute buttons. The restaurant became beautifully silent. The robots still worked hard, but they finally stopped arguing about football. In the end, this smart investment made Mark save lots of money every month. He even had time to relax—and finally took Chloe out for a quiet, human-served dinner.
Questions
1. In the story, what does "imbalance" mean when Mark notices "an imbalance in his work-life schedule"?
A) A perfect equality between work and rest.
B) A successful business plan.
C) A robot that serves food quickly.
D) A lack of equality or proportion between two or more things.
2. Which situation from the story best shows an "imbalance"?
A) Mark worked all day but forgot to eat, sleep, or smile.
B) The robots carried plates perfectly and talked about football.
C) Susan visited the restaurant and gave Mark good advice.
D) Mark saved lots of money every month after buying the robots.