UPSC Prelims 2022 · CSAT

Question 52: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “If presents bring less thrill now…” — Passage—2 · as printed by UPSC

With reference to the passage, which one of the following statements is correct?

aIt is not possible for adults to feel thrilled by presents.

bThere can be more than one reason why adults feel less thrilled by presents.

cThe author does not know why adults feel less thrilled by presents.

dAdults have less capacity to feel the joy of loving or being loved.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The passage offers more than one possible reason why presents thrill grown-ups less: they already have a great deal, or they no longer give wholeheartedly and so no longer receive wholeheartedly. It also suggests that adults are overly wary, worried and doubting. So several reasons are possible. It does not say adults cannot be thrilled, and its tentative reasons are suggestions, not a settled claim about reduced capacity.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong: the passage says presents bring less thrill, not that adults cannot be thrilled at all.
(b) Correct: it offers several possible reasons.
(c) Wrong: the author offers explanations, even if tentatively.
(d) Wrong: the loss of joy is offered as one possibility among others, not as fact.

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.