UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT
Question 8: Reading Comprehension
Why is the use of chemical pesticides generally justified by giving the examples of poor and developing countries ?
- 1.Developed countries can afford to do away with use of pesticides by adapting to organic farming, but it is imperative for poor and developing countries to use chemical pesticides.
- 2.In poor and developing countries, the pesticide addresses the problem of epidemic diseases of crops and eases the food problem.
- 3.The social and health costs of pesticide use are generally ignored in poor and developing countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The passage justifies pesticides in poorer countries by the threat of mass starvation or epidemic disease, which is alarming enough for the health and social costs to be overlooked. That matches statement 2 only. Statement 1 brings in a contrast with developed countries and organic farming that the passage never makes. Statement 3 describes costs being overlooked, which is a result of that justification rather than the reason for it. Remember: pick only what the passage supports, not what merely sounds plausible.
- 1. The passage draws no comparison with developed countries or organic farming.
- 2. Fear of famine and epidemics is the stated reason for tolerating pesticide use in poorer countries.
- 3. It describes costs being set aside under pressure, not the reason use is justified; 'generally ignored' also overstates it.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The passage draws no comparison with developed countries or organic farming.
Only (c) 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. Statement 1 is an unsupported comparison with developed countries and organic farming.
- (b) Wrong. Statement 1 is not in the passage.
- (c) Right. Only statement 2 gives the passage's reason: avoiding starvation and epidemics.
- (d) Wrong. Statements 1 and 3 do not state the justification.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.