UPSC Prelims 2021 · CSAT

Question 61: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “Can a democracy avoid being a…” — Passage – 1 · as printed by UPSC

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

1.Modern democracies rely on the market forces to enable them to be welfare states.
2.Markets ensure sufficient economic growth necessary for democracies to be effective.
3.Government programmes are needed for those left behind in economic growth.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

a1 and 3 only

b3 only

c2 and 3 only

d1, 2 and 3

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Test each assumption. The passage says welfare cannot be left wholly to markets: markets reward skill and purchasing power rather than giving each person an equal say, they lift many but leave some behind who lack the skills or means, and capitalism periodically throws up unemployment. That supports 3: government programmes are needed for those the market leaves out. It does not say democracies rely on markets to become welfare states (1), nor that markets provide the growth democracies need (2); both go beyond the text. Remember: an assumption is valid only if the passage's reasoning needs it.

1. The passage argues welfare cannot rest wholly on markets, not that democracies rely on them for it.
2. Whether markets give the growth democracies need is not discussed.
3. Some people never gain the skills markets demand, so public programmes must reach them.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: The passage argues welfare cannot rest wholly on markets, not that democracies rely on them for it.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Whether markets give the growth democracies need is not discussed.

Only (b) 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) 1 is not stated; the passage argues that welfare cannot be left entirely to markets.
(b) Right: only 3 follows, since the passage shows markets leave some people behind.
(c) 2 is not claimed; the passage speaks of what markets cannot do.
(d) 1 and 2 go beyond the passage; only 3 is valid.

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.