The author’s assumption about scientific research is that
ait is never very valuable
bit is sometimes very valuable
cit is never without some value
dit is always very valuable
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The author holds that scientific research is hardly ever entirely worthless: even routine or trivial-looking studies may yield facts that a capable researcher later puts to use. So the assumption is that research is never without some value. It is not 'never valuable', not merely 'sometimes' valuable, and the passage stops short of saying it is always very valuable.
Why each option is right or wrong
(a) Wrong: it contradicts the author's view that research always has some chance of value.
(b) Wrong: the author allows that value is always possible, not just sometimes.
(c) Correct: research is never completely valueless.
(d) Wrong: too strong; the author speaks of some value being possible, not of high value always.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
