UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 5: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Chemical pesticides lose their role in…” — Passage – 2 · as printed by UPSC

With reference to the passage, consider the following statements :

1.Use of chemical pesticides has become imperative in all the poor countries of the world.
2.Chemical pesticides should not have any role in sustainable agriculture.
3.One pest can develop resistance to many pesticides.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 and 2 only

b3 only

c1 and 3 only

d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Statements 1 and 2 go against the passage. It says that in many poorer countries the dread of famine or epidemics leads people to overlook what pesticides cost society and health; many is not all. It also calls pesticide use sustainable in a basic sense, provided newer pesticides that break down more readily and aim more precisely keep being developed, so it does not bar them. Statement 3 is standard biology: one pest population can evolve resistance to several chemicals, though the passage itself is silent on it. Watch for absolute wording.

1. The passage speaks of many poorer countries ignoring costs out of fear of famine, not of all of them finding pesticides imperative.
2. It calls pesticide use sustainable in a basic sense if better pesticides keep coming, so they are not ruled out.
3. Multiple resistance in a single pest is established biology, though the passage does not state it.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The passage speaks of many poorer countries ignoring costs out of fear of famine, not of all of them finding pesticides imperative.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 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) Wrong. Both statements go beyond the passage: it does not say all poor countries, nor that pesticides should have no role.
(b) Right. Only statement 3 holds: one pest can become resistant to many pesticides.
(c) Wrong. Statement 1 overstates the passage by making pesticide use imperative in all poor countries.
(d) Wrong. Statements 1 and 2 are not supported by the passage.

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.