UPSC Prelims 2015 · CSAT

Question 3: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Many people in India feel that if…” — Passage – 3 · as printed by UPSC

With reference to the above passage, which of the following is the most valid assumption ?

aBuilding of weapons systems by us has instigated our neighbours to wage wars against us.

bThe greater spending on weapon-building by us would lessen the possibility of armed conflict with our neighbours.

cIt is necessary to have state of the art weapons systems for national security.

dMany people in India believe that we are wasting our resources on weapon-building.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The author dismisses those who want lower arms spending as a route to peace, calling them victims of war or makers of false arguments. That dismissal makes sense only if the author assumes that arms-building keeps neighbours from attacking, so spending more would lessen the chance of conflict. Option (b) states exactly that hidden premise. The view that cuts bring peace is reported in the passage as what others hold, so it is a stated fact, not an assumption. Nothing is said about how advanced the weapons must be, or about our arms provoking neighbours. An assumption is the unstated link the conclusion needs.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: this is close to the claim the author rejects, not something the author takes for granted.
(b) Right: rejecting cuts in arms spending only works if arms-building is assumed to lower the chance of conflict.
(c) Wrong: the passage never says how advanced the weapons must be or ties security to technology.
(d) Wrong: the passage says many want cuts for peace, not that they call spending a waste of resources; this adds a new idea.

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.