UPSC Prelims 2015 · CSAT

Question 21: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “The richer States have a responsibility to…” — Passage – 1 · as printed by UPSC

Which among the following is the most logical and rational assumption that can be made from the above passage ?

aThe richer States must lead in the production and adoption of renewable energy.

bThe poor States always have to depend on rich States for electricity.

cThe State Electricity Boards can improve their finances by undertaking clean energy projects.

dThe high economic disparity between the rich and poor States is the major cause of high carbon emissions in India.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

The passage says richer States, which got electricity early, grew faster and have high incomes, can bear more of the burden of going green: they can cut their own emissions, put up solar capacity and even help poor States finance clean energy. The assumption behind this is that capacity should lead responsibility, so richer States should lead in producing and adopting renewable energy. Electricity boards are described as loss-making and put off from renewables because these cost more, so they are not shown to gain from them. Words like 'always' and 'major cause' go beyond the passage.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: the passage places the duty to lead on richer States because they have the means.
(b) Wrong: 'always' is too strong; the passage only says rich States can help poor ones.
(c) Wrong: boards are put off from clean energy because it costs more, so gains are not shown.
(d) Wrong: no link between economic disparity and the cause of high emissions is made.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.