UPSC Prelims 2024 · CSAT

Question 44: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “When a child reaches adolescence, there…” — Passage—2 · as printed by UPSC

Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage?

aParents in general may not be of much help when children are on their way to becoming adults.

bWhen children reach adolescence, involvement of parents in their lives is unnecessary.

cModern-day nuclear families are not capable of bringing up children properly.

dIn modern societies, adolescents tend to be stubborn, disobedient and careless.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

The passage describes adolescents who think they can manage their own lives and parents whose protective concern is mixed with a wish for control; parents treat the moral problems of the young as their own domain and state views so dogmatically that the young do not confide in them and go their own way in secret. The central idea: parents are not much help at this stage. Option (a) says this without exaggerating.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right. Adolescents do not confide in dogmatic parents, so parents help little.
(b) Wrong. 'Unnecessary' is too strong; the passage describes a conflict, not that involvement is unneeded.
(c) Wrong. Nuclear families are not mentioned.
(d) Wrong. Stubborn, disobedient and careless is a judgement the passage does not make.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.