2016 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2016 · CSAT

Question 24: Reading Comprehension

Passage-1 · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “Biomass as fuel for power, heat,…”

With reference to the passage, following assumptions have been made :

  1. 1.Some climate-energy models suggest that the use of biomass as a fuel for power generation helps in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions
  2. 2.It is not possible to use biomass as a fuel for power generation without disrupting food and forest resources

Which of these assumptions is/are valid ?

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Assumption 1 is valid: the passage says biomass has high mitigation potential, and some climate models count on it, and on carbon capture with it, for cutting emissions. Assumption 2 is not: the passage gives a range of sustainable potential reachable without disrupting food and forests, so it does not say disruption is unavoidable. Remember: 'not possible' is an absolute claim, and absolutes rarely match a passage that talks in ranges.

  • 1. The passage credits biomass with mitigation potential and some models rely on it.
  • 2. A sustainable range without disruption to food and forests is given.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: The passage credits biomass with mitigation potential and some models rely on it.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: A sustainable range without disruption to food and forests is given.

Only (a) is left. This one needs every statement.

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) Right: models do count on biomass for emission cuts; disruption is not said to be unavoidable.
  • (b) Assumption 2 is an unsupported absolute.
  • (c) Assumption 2 is not valid, so both cannot hold.
  • (d) Assumption 1 is supported.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2016, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.