2018 CSAT, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · CSAT

Question 27: Reading Comprehension

Passage—1 · as printed by UPSC
Passage beginning “'Desertification' is a term used to…”Passage beginning “'Desertification' is a term used to…”

According to the passage, which of the following are the consequences of decline in forest cover?

  1. 1.Loss of topsoil
  2. 2.Loss of smaller rivers
  3. 3.Adverse effect on agricultural production
  4. 4.Declining of groundwater

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1, 2 and 3 only
b2, 3 and 4 only
c1 and 4 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The passage ties the loss of forest and tree cover to erosion that strips topsoil and nutrients, to the drying of underground springs and smaller rivers in the Himalaya, to river siltation and flooding that harm tea estates, and finally to lower food, fodder and fuelwood yields for rural communities. Each of the four listed consequences is stated or directly implied, so all four are correct.

  • 1. Erosive losses take away soil and nutrients.
  • 2. Smaller rivers in the Himalaya dry up with changes in forest cover.
  • 3. Tea and food, fodder and fuelwood yields fall.
  • 4. Underground springs dry up and mountain soils hold less moisture.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Erosive losses take away soil and nutrients.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: Smaller rivers in the Himalaya dry up with changes in forest cover.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 4 out.

    What you needed to know: Underground springs dry up and mountain soils hold less moisture.

Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.

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) Leaves out the declining groundwater, supported by the drying underground springs.
  • (b) Leaves out loss of topsoil, which erosion causes.
  • (c) Leaves out the loss of smaller rivers and the harm to farm output.
  • (d) Correct: all four consequences are given or implied.

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

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.