UPSC Prelims 2015 · CSAT

Question 27: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Individuals, groups and leaders who promote…” — Passage – 7 · as printed by UPSC

With reference to the above passage, consider the following statements :

1.In developing countries, a strong institutional framework is the only requirement for human development and policy options.
2.Human development and economic growth are not always positively inter-related.
3.Focusing only on human development should be the goal of economic growth.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a1 only

b2 and 3 only

c2 only

d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The passage notes that those promoting human development work under institutional, structural and political constraints, that focusing only on economic growth is problematic, and that unbalanced growth often brings environmental and distributional harm, as China shows. Statement 2 follows: growth and human development do not always move together. Statement 1 is wrong: institutions are described as constraints, and 'only requirement' is not claimed. Statement 3 is wrong: the passage asks for balance, not a sole focus on human development.

1. Institutions are described as constraints on policy options; a strong framework is never called the only requirement.
2. Growth is described as uncertain and can come with harm, so it does not always improve human development.
3. The passage urges balanced approaches, not human development as the only goal.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Institutions are described as constraints on policy options; a strong framework is never called the only requirement.
Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 3.
What you needed to know: The passage urges balanced approaches, not human development as the only goal.

Only (c) 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) Wrong: statement 1 claims a strong framework is the only requirement, which is not said.
(b) Wrong: statement 3 asks for a sole focus on human development, but balance is urged.
(c) Right: only statement 2 follows from the passage.
(d) Wrong: statements 1 and 3 are not supported.

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

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

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