2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 60: Environment and Ecology

The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

aWidespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.
bFears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.
cLarge scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.
dMankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

The sixth mass extinction refers to the current, human-driven loss of species at rates far above the natural background rate, caused by over-exploitation of resources, habitat loss and fragmentation, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and climate change. The five earlier mass extinctions, the last about 66 million years ago, were caused by natural events; this one is anthropogenic. Monoculture, GM crops and meteorite fears are only partial or unrelated pieces of the picture.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Too narrow: it covers only farming practices.
  • (b) Describes a natural event, not the sixth extinction as discussed.
  • (c) Too narrow: it covers only GM crops.
  • (d) Right: the broad human-driven loss of species and habitats.

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 I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.