UPSC Prelims 2013 · CSAT
Question 59: Reading Comprehension
What is the purpose of maintaining the continuity of forested landscapes and corridors ?
- 1.Preservation of biodiversity.
- 2.Management of mineral resources.
- 3.Grant of forest lands for human activities.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The passage says that continuity of forested landscapes and corridors matters because breaking it threatens extinction-prone species, so the purpose is to preserve biodiversity (statement 1). Managing mineral resources and granting forest land for human activity are the very intrusions that fragment forests, so they are the threat, not the purpose of keeping forests continuous. Only statement 1 holds.
- 1. Continuity of forests and corridors protects extinction-prone species.
- 2. Mining is a cause of fragmentation, not a purpose of continuity.
- 3. Grants of forest land to mining aggravate the threat.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: Mining is a cause of fragmentation, not a purpose of continuity.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 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) Right. Continuity protects species, so it preserves biodiversity.
- (b) Wrong. Mineral management is not a purpose of continuity.
- (c) Wrong. Both mining and granting forest land cause fragmentation.
- (d) Wrong. Statements 2 and 3 describe the threats, not the purpose.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.