UPSC Prelims 2021 · CSAT

Question 23: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Policy makers and media have placed…” — Passage – 3 · as printed by UPSC

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Oil producing countries are one of the reasons for high food prices.
2.If there is a food crisis in the world in the near future, it will be in the emerging economies.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

a1 only

b2 only

cBoth 1 and 2

dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Two assumptions to test. Assumption 1: the passage lists high fuel prices among the blamed factors, not oil-producing countries as a cause, so this goes further than the text. Assumption 2: the passage says heavy demand in the most populous emerging economies could cause a food crisis; it does not say where a crisis would be felt. Both claims go beyond the passage, so neither is valid. Remember: do not confuse a cause (demand from certain countries) with the place the effect lands, and do not swap a factor (fuel prices) for a party (oil producers).

1. Fuel prices are one blamed factor, but oil-producing countries are not named as a cause.
2. Emerging economies are described as a source of demand that could trigger a crisis, not as where it would occur.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Fuel prices are one blamed factor, but oil-producing countries are not named as a cause.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Emerging economies are described as a source of demand that could trigger a crisis, not as where it would occur.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

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) Assumption 1 names oil producers as a cause; the passage mentions only fuel prices as one factor.
(b) Assumption 2 places a crisis in emerging economies; the passage names them as a source of demand, not as victims.
(c) Neither assumption is supported, so they cannot both be valid.
(d) Right: both assumptions go beyond what the passage says.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.