UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 52: Reading Comprehension

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

What does the author imply by “gender impact” ?

aWomen are doubtful participants in cooperatives.

bFamily cooperatives may not include women.

cWomen benefiting from group farming.

dWomen’s role in transition economies is highly restrictive.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The author admits it is unclear how family cooperatives in transition economies affect women, but points to farming groups run only by women in India as holding real promise of helping them. So gender impact refers to how far women gain, or do not gain, from group farming. That is option (c). The author does not say that women are doubtful participants, that family cooperatives exclude women, or that women's role in transition economies is highly restricted.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong. The passage does not call women doubtful participants; what is uncertain is the effect on them.
(b) Wrong. It does not say family cooperatives leave women out.
(c) Right. Gender impact means the effect on women, and the passage points to women benefiting from group farming.
(d) Wrong. Nothing is said about women's role being highly restricted.

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.