UPSC Prelims 2018 · CSAT

Question 9: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “I am a scientist, privileged to…” — Passage—3 · as printed by UPSC

Which of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

aIt is the faith and not science that can finally solve all the problems of mankind.

bScience and faith can be mutually complementary if their proper domains are understood.

cThere are some very fundamental questions which cannot be answered by either science or faith.

dIn today's culture, scientific views are given more importance than spiritual views.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The author is a scientist who says science cannot answer certain deep questions, such as why anything exists, and that faith is a better route there. He also finds it odd that people widely assume scientific and spiritual views cannot go together. The inference is that the two can complement each other once each is used in its own domain. Be wary of options saying one finally solves everything.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Too strong; faith is said to help on some questions, not to solve all problems.
(b) Correct: each works in its own domain and the two are not incompatible.
(c) The author says faith offers a path on the questions science cannot answer.
(d) The passage notes a presumption of incompatibility, not that science is valued more.

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

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