UPSC Prelims 2024 · CSAT
Question 1: Reading Comprehension
Which of the following statements best reflect the most logical and rational inferences that can be made from the passage?
- 1.The current methods of food distribution are solely responsible for the loss and wastage of food.
- 2.Land productivity is adversely affected by the prevailing trend of food loss and wastage.
- 3.Reduction in the loss and wastage of food results in lesser carbon footprint.
- 4.Post-harvest technologies to prevent or reduce the loss and wastage of food are not available.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The passage links wasted food to land degradation (about 45 percent) and to billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the energy spent on it, so statements 2 and 3 follow. Statement 1 says distribution is the sole cause, but the passage speaks of losses at every stage from farm to household. Statement 4 says no post-harvest technology exists, which the passage never says. Remember: in inference questions, words like 'solely' or 'not available' usually sink a statement.
- 1. 'Solely' is too strong; the passage covers losses along the whole supply chain.
- 2. Wastage drives land degradation, which weakens the land's productive capacity.
- 3. The energy spent on wasted food produces carbon dioxide, so less wastage means less of it.
- 4. The passage says nothing about whether post-harvest technologies exist.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: 'Solely' is too strong; the passage covers losses along the whole supply chain.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 2, 3 or 4.
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) Wrong. It includes statement 1, which blames distribution alone; the passage says food is lost at every stage of the supply chain.
- (b) Right. Statement 2 (wastage degrades land) and statement 3 (less wastage means less carbon dioxide) are supported; statements 1 and 4 are not.
- (c) Wrong. It keeps statement 1 (sole cause) and statement 4 (no technologies) and drops statement 2, which the passage supports.
- (d) Wrong. It includes statements 1 and 4, both unsupported, and leaves out statement 3 on carbon emissions.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.