UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 15: Reading Comprehension

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

Which one of the following statements constitutes the central theme of this passage ?

aCountries with greater economic prosperity are better equipped to deal with the consequences of climate change.

bAdaptation and mitigation should be integrated with development strategies.

cRapid economic growth should not be pursued by both developed and developing economies.

dSome countries resort to overexploitation of natural resources for the sake of rapid development.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage's thread is that climate adaptation and mitigation must be built into development strategy, so that development builds resilience, limits further warming and delivers better results. Everything else serves that argument: healthier, better-housed populations coping better, the room for lower-carbon growth in developing economies, and the Aral Sea and mangrove cases of harmful growth. Remember: the central theme is the idea the whole passage supports, not one detail or example.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong. A better-off population coping better is a supporting detail, not the main message.
(b) Right. Integrating adaptation and mitigation into development strategy is what the passage argues throughout.
(c) Wrong. The passage does not say rapid growth should not be pursued; it wants growth that is resilient.
(d) Wrong. Overexploitation is an example of harmful growth, not the central theme.

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.