UPSC Prelims 2022 · CSAT
Question 23: Reading Comprehension
Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made :
- 1.Growing enough food for future generations will be a challenge.
- 2.Corporate farming is a viable option for food security in poor countries.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The passage notes that yields of staples have levelled off in some places, little unfarmed land remains, and a warmer world could rule out farming in some regions. From this, growing enough food for future generations will be a challenge (1). Corporate farming is never mentioned; the passage speaks of getting best practices and better roads and storage to smallholders, so assumption 2 is not supported.
- 1. Plateauing yields, scarce spare land and warming make future food supply a challenge.
- 2. Corporate farming is not discussed; the passage focuses on smallholders.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Plateauing yields, scarce spare land and warming make future food supply a challenge.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (c) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Corporate farming is not discussed; the passage focuses on smallholders.
Only (a) 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) Correct: the passage's worries about yield, land and climate support assumption 1 only.
- (b) Wrong: the passage does not mention corporate farming.
- (c) Wrong: assumption 2 has no basis in the passage.
- (d) Wrong: assumption 1 follows from the stated limits on yield and land.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.