UPSC Prelims 2022 · CSAT

Question 11: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning ““In simple matters like shoe-making, we…” — Passage—1 · as printed by UPSC

Which one of the following statements best reflects the message of the author of the passage?

aWe assume that in a democracy, any politician is qualified to administer a State.

bPoliticians should be selected from those trained in administration.

cWe need to devise a method of barring incompetence from public office.

dAs voters select their administrators, the eligibility of politicians to administer a State cannot be questioned.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The author contrasts how carefully we pick a shoemaker or a physician, where we insist on training and competence, with how casually we assume that anyone who can win votes can run the whole State. The message is that we should look for the wisest and best to guide it, which means we need some way of keeping the unqualified out of office. The other options either state the very assumption being criticised or add details the author does not give, such as training in administration.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) This is the assumption the author criticises, not the message.
(b) Too specific: the author wants the wisest and best, not only those trained in administration.
(c) Correct: the author wants a way to keep incompetent people out of public office.
(d) Opposite: the author questions whether vote-getters are fit to administer.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.