UPSC Prelims 2019 · CSAT
Question 5: Reading Comprehension
On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :
- 1.Economic power is the only reason for the existence of inequality in a society.
- 2.Inequality of different kinds, income, wealth, etc. reinforces power.
- 3.Economic power can be analysed more through its effects than by direct empirical methods.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Valid assumptions must follow from the passage. It says economic power is invisible and cannot be measured directly, yet its effects show up in every sphere and tilt visible variables, so power is understood through its effects: assumption 3. Assumption 1 fails on the word 'only': power is described as the force that structures inequality, not as its sole cause. Assumption 2 reverses the direction: power drives inequality, not the other way round.
- 1. Power is described as what structures inequality, but never as its only reason.
- 2. The passage has power driving inequality, not inequality reinforcing power.
- 3. Power cannot be measured directly, but its effects are seen widely, so it is understood through them.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Power is described as what structures inequality, but never as its only reason.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 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) Wrong: 'only' is unsupported, and the causal direction in 2 is reversed.
- (b) Right: only 3 follows, since invisible power is read from its visible effects.
- (c) Wrong: 1 overstates by using 'only'.
- (d) Wrong: 1 and 2 are not supported.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.