Why does a VFR aircraft flying en route at a VFR 500’ level above 5000’ need to monitor ATC?
Umm - for useful things e.g. to get a SIS, hear Hazard Alerts and other broadcasts relating to operational information and activation of Restricted Areas, hear position reports from IFR climbing/descending who may conflict, hear themselves being given by ATC as possible traffic to IFR, high likelihood of getting an immediate response from an ATC responsible for the area in the event of an emergency etc.