UPSC Prelims 2022 · CSAT

Question 21: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “In some places in the world…” — Passage · as printed by UPSC

Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :

1.Development of agricultural technology is confined to developed countries.
2.Agricultural technology is not adapted in developing countries.

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).

The passage says much of the change in farm technology comes from rich farmers in the West and the Americas, and that some places are modifying Western methods to raise yields of tropical crops. Assumption 1 says development is confined to developed countries; the passage says much, not all, of it comes from there, so 'confined' is too strong. Assumption 2 says technology is not adapted in developing countries; the passage describes adaptation happening in some places. Neither is valid.

1. Overstates: much of the change, not all of it, comes from affluent Western farmers.
2. Contradicted: adaptation of Western techniques is described as happening in some places.

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: Overstates: much of the change, not all of it, comes from affluent Western farmers.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Contradicted: adaptation of Western techniques is described as happening in some places.

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) Invalid: the passage says much, not all, of the development is Western.
(b) Invalid: the passage notes Western techniques being adapted in some places.
(c) Invalid: both assumptions go against what the passage says.
(d) Correct: assumption 1 is too absolute and assumption 2 is contradicted.

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.