2012 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 51: Reading Comprehension

Passage – 1 · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “The poor especially in market economies,…”

Agricultural collectivities such as group based farming can provide the rural poor

  1. 1.empowerment.
  2. 2.increased agricultural productivity.
  3. 3.safeguard against exploitative markets.
  4. 4.surplus production of agricultural commodities.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1, 2, 3 and 4
b1, 2 and 3 only
c2 and 4 only
d1, 3 and 4 only

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage says collectivities give the poor room to act in economic, social and political life and a louder voice, which is empowerment (statement 1). It also presents them as protection against free-market individualism (statement 3), and says a group approach to farming offers scope for poverty alleviation and for raising agricultural productivity (statement 2). Statement 4, surplus production, is never claimed: the passage speaks of productivity and well-being, not of a surplus of commodities. So the answer is 1, 2 and 3.

  • 1. Collectivities give the poor more space and voice, which is empowerment.
  • 2. A group approach to farming is argued to enhance agricultural productivity.
  • 3. Collectivities are presented as protection for the poor against free-market individualism.
  • 4. Surplus production of commodities is not mentioned as a benefit.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.

    What you needed to know: Surplus production of commodities is not mentioned as a benefit.

Only (b) 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) Wrong. Statement 4 is not claimed by the passage.
  • (b) Right. Empowerment, productivity and protection against markets are all stated.
  • (c) Wrong. It leaves out empowerment and protection, and includes surplus production.
  • (d) Wrong. It drops productivity and includes the unsupported surplus production.

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.