UPSC Prelims 2016 · CSAT

Question 42: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Climate adaptation may be rendered ineffective…” — Passage-2 · as printed by UPSC

What is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage ?

aIt is difficult to pursue climate adaptation in the developing countries

bImproving food security is a far more complex issue than climate adaptation

cEvery developmental activity is directly or indirectly linked to climate adaptation

dClimate adaptation should be examined in tandem with other economic development options

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The passage says adaptation to climate change can fail if policies ignore other development concerns, and gives a food-security plan mixing climate-related and development measures. The inference is that adaptation should be planned together with development options. Option (c) overreaches by linking every developmental activity to adaptation, while (a) and (b) bring in difficulty or comparisons the passage never states.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The difficulty of adaptation in developing countries is not stated.
(b) No comparison of food security against adaptation is made.
(c) Overreach: not every development activity is claimed to be linked to adaptation.
(d) Right: policies work best when planned together with other development concerns.

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.