UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 10: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Today’s developing economies use much less…” — Passage – 3 · as printed by UPSC

Which of the following conditions of growth can add to vulnerability ?

1.When the growth occurs due to excessive exploitation of mineral resources and forests.
2.When the growth brings about a change in humankind’s creative potential.
3.When the growth is envisaged only for providing houses and social security to the people.
4.When the growth occurs due to emphasis on farming only.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1 only

b2, 3 and 4 only

c1 and 4 only

d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

The passage warns that certain growth strategies, whether led by the state or the market, can leave people more exposed, especially when natural resources are overused. Its examples are irrigated cotton in water-stressed Central Asia, which shrank the Aral Sea, and mangrove clearing for intensive farming or housing, which exposes coasts to storm surges. Only statement 1 names that cause. Statement 2 is about creativity going into adaptation, statement 3 treats houses and social security as helping, and statement 4 makes a farming-only claim the passage never makes.

1. Overexploiting minerals and forests is the stated route by which growth adds to vulnerability.
2. Human creative potential is described as directed at adapting, not as a source of vulnerability.
3. Better houses and social security are presented as aiding resilience, not causing vulnerability.
4. The passage faults overexploitation, not an emphasis on farming only.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.
What you needed to know: The passage faults overexploitation, not an emphasis on farming only.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 2 or 3.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right. Only overexploitation of natural resources is named as adding to vulnerability.
(b) Wrong. It drops statement 1 and includes three statements the passage does not support.
(c) Wrong. Statement 4 is not backed by the passage.
(d) Wrong. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are not supported.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.