UPSC Prelims 2013 · CSAT

Question 2: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “The subject of democracy has become severely…” — Passage – 1 · as printed by UPSC

With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Many of the non-Western countries are unable to have democracy because they take democracy to be a specialized cultural product of the West.
2.Western countries are always trying to impose democracy on non-Western countries.

Which of the above is/are valid assumption/assumptions ?

a1 only

b2 only

cBoth 1 and 2

dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Neither claim is supported. Statement 1 turns a warning into a fact: the author cautions that treating democracy as a Western cultural product makes us misread the history of participation, but never says non-Western countries fail to have democracy for that reason. Statement 2 relies on 'always': the passage only describes a debate in which some want to impose democracy and others oppose imposing it. In CSAT assumption questions, absolute words such as always, never and only are the usual trap.

1. The passage warns against a Western-only view but does not say it stops non-Western countries from having democracy.
2. 'Always' is too strong; the passage only describes a debate over imposition.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The passage warns against a Western-only view but does not say it stops non-Western countries from having democracy.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: 'Always' is too strong; the passage only describes a debate over imposition.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

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. The passage warns against the Western-only view; it never says countries lack democracy because of it.
(b) Wrong. 'Always' overreaches; the passage speaks of a debate between supporters and opponents of imposition.
(c) Wrong, as neither statement is supported.
(d) Right. Neither statement is backed 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 2013, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.