UPSC Prelims 2014 · CSAT
Question 29: Reading Comprehension
With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made :
- 1.To maintain natural ecosystems, exploitation of natural resources should be completely avoided.
- 2.Not only anthropogenic but also natural reasons can adversely affect ecosystems.
- 3.Loss of endemic diversity leads to the extinction of ecosystems.
Which of the above assumptions is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The author sees the Himalayan ecosystem as fragile because of its geology as well as human pressure, with climate change possibly adding to both. So harm can come from natural and human causes, which supports assumption 2. The author never calls for ending resource use altogether, so assumption 1 is too extreme. Loss of endemic diversity is tied to losing species, habitats and services, not to whole ecosystems going extinct, so assumption 3 goes too far.
- 1. Total avoidance of exploitation is not stated; the passage only notes the stress it causes.
- 2. Geological causes are named alongside human pressure.
- 3. Loss of endemics is tied to loss of species, habitats and services, not extinction of the whole ecosystem.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 1.
What you needed to know: Total avoidance of exploitation is not stated; the passage only notes the stress it causes.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: Loss of endemics is tied to loss of species, habitats and services, not extinction of the whole ecosystem.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
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) Assumption 1 is extreme and unsupported.
- (b) Right. Only the natural-plus-human causes assumption is supported.
- (c) Assumption 3 goes beyond the passage.
- (d) Assumption 3 goes beyond the passage, and assumption 2 is supported.
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.