UPSC Prelims 2014 · CSAT
Question 17: Reading Comprehension
According to the passage, how does the mitigation of greenhouse gases help us ?
- 1.Reduces expenditure on public health
- 2.Reduces dependence on livestock
- 3.Reduces energy requirements
- 4.Reduces rate of global climate change
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Besides helping avoid the worst climate impacts, the author says cutting emissions brings side gains: cleaner air and better health, more secure energy supplies, and more jobs. Better health fits lower public-health spending, avoiding the worst impacts fits a slower pace of climate change, and the key reads energy security as lower energy requirements. Reducing reliance on livestock is not claimed; only reducing livestock emissions through diet is.
- 1. Health benefits from cleaner air mean less spending on health.
- 2. The passage seeks lower livestock emissions through diet, not lower dependence on livestock.
- 3. The key reads the energy-security co-benefit as lower energy requirements.
- 4. Mitigation avoids the worst effects of climate change.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 2.
What you needed to know: The passage seeks lower livestock emissions through diet, not lower dependence on livestock.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: The key reads the energy-security co-benefit as lower energy requirements.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 4.
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) Dependence on livestock is not said to fall.
- (b) Right. Health benefits, energy gains and slower climate change are the benefits given.
- (c) Reduced dependence on livestock is not claimed, and the health benefit is left out.
- (d) Health and slower climate change are right, but the key also counts the energy benefit.
Worth knowing: Statement 3 stretches the passage's remark about higher energy security, so it is arguable; UPSC's key counts it as correct.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.