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General Comprehension (UPSC) (Part-VIII)

📆 April 8, 2025

Total Questions: 35

21. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: [2024-II]

1. The food distribution mechanism needs to be reimagined and made effective to reduce the loss and wastage of food.

2. Ensuring the reduction of wastage and loss of food is a social and moral responsibility of all citizens.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally. Food is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain, from initial agricultural production to final household consumption.

The increasing wastage also results in land degradation by about 45%, mainly due to deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices, and excessive groundwater extraction. The energy spent over wasted food results in about 3.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide production every year.

Decay also leads to harmful emissions of other gases in the atmosphere. Addressing the loss and wastage of food in all forms is critical to complete the cycle of food sufficiency and food sustainability.

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Assumption 1 is valid: The passage highlights that one-third of food produced is lost or wasted globally due to inefficiencies across the supply chain.

Addressing this issue would indeed require reimagining and enhancing the food distribution mechanism to minimize wastage.

Assumption 2 is invalid: The passage emphasizes that food loss and wastage lead to significant environmental impacts, including carbon dioxide production and degradation of land.

It implies that reducing food wastage is not just an economic or environmental issue but it does not necessarily imply is also a social and moral responsibility for all citizens.

Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.

22. Which of the following statements best reflects/reflect the most logical and rational inference/inferences that can be made from the passage? [2024-II]

1. Central banks cannot bring down inflation without budgetary backing.

2. The effects of monetary policy depend on the fiscal policies pursued by the government.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

As inflation rises, even governments previously committed to budget discipline are spending freely to help households. Higher interest rates announced by central banks are supposed to help produce modest fiscal austerity, because to maintain stable debts while paying more to borrow, governments must cut spending or raise taxes.

Without the fiscal backup, monetary policy eventually loses traction. Higher interest rates become inflationary, not disinflationary, because they simply lead governments to borrow more to pay rising debt-service costs. The risk of monetary unmooring is greater when public debt rises, because interest rates become more important to budget deficits.

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Statement 1 is apt because the passage suggests that central banks alone cannot effectively bring down inflation without support from fiscal policies.

Statement 2 is also correct because the passage emphasizes that the impact of monetary policy on inflation is intertwined with the fiscal policies pursued by governments. Higher interest rates are intended to promote fiscal austerity by encouraging responsible debt management.

Hence, option (c) is the correct answer, as both statements 1 and 2 accurately reflect the logical inferences drawn from the passage regarding the relationship between monetary policy, fiscal policy, and inflation control.

23. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: [2024-II]

1. Fiscal policies of governments are solely responsible for higher prices.

2. Higher prices do not affect the long-term government bonds.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?

As inflation rises, even governments previously committed to budget discipline are spending freely to help households. Higher interest rates announced by central banks are supposed to help produce modest fiscal austerity, because to maintain stable debts while paying more to borrow, governments must cut spending or raise taxes.

Without the fiscal backup, monetary policy eventually loses traction. Higher interest rates become inflationary, not disinflationary, because they simply lead governments to borrow more to pay rising debt-service costs. The risk of monetary unmooring is greater when public debt rises, because interest rates become more important to budget deficits.

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Assumption 1 is invalid because the passage does not attribute higher prices (inflation) solely to fiscal policies of governments. It acknowledges that fiscal policies, along with monetary policies like higher interest rates, play a role in managing inflationary pressures.

Therefore, assuming fiscal policies alone are responsible is an oversimplification of the factors influencing inflation.

Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage suggests that higher prices (inflation) do impact the management of long-term government bonds. It mentions that rising public debt increases the importance of interest rates in managing budget deficits, indicating a direct link between inflation and the costs associated with government bonds.

Hence, option (d), neither 1 nor 2, is the correct answer as both assumptions do not accurately reflect the insights provided in the passage.

24. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the above passage? [2024-II]

Unlike religion and science, poetry does not posit or expect any belief in absolute truths. Those forces or individuals who claim to have absolute truths in their grasp tend to turn dictatorial and tyrannical.

Truth usually does not admit any contradictions or imperfections. It is unitarian. It is, therefore, not of much use for poetry. Poetry abides by the plurality of life and existence. Perhaps poetry follows reality which is plural, anachronistic, full of contradictions.

Against the tyranny of truth, poetry remains a partisan of democratic reality. Against the arrogance of power, wealth and hierarchy, poetry proposes both humility and defiance.

Correct Answer: (a) It is the poetry, not science or religion, which recognizes and accepts imperfections in humans.
Solution:Option (a) is correct. This option accurately captures the essence of the passage. The passage emphasizes that poetry does not rely on absolute truths, which are often unitarian and intolerant of contradictions or imperfections.

Instead, poetry embraces the plurality of life and the existence of contradictions, thereby recognizing and accepting human imperfections.

25. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: [2024-II]

1. The author of the passage believes that flowers are creations of Nature's luxury.

2. The author of the passage does not believe in the usefulness of flowers except as things of beauty.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?

The flower was not invented to please us. It flaunted its petals and spread its perfume to attract an insect. The insect carries the pollen from flower to flower so that pollen is not carried away by wind and thus not wasted.

What we call a flower's beauty is merely a by-product and a human invention. The perfume is not there to please us, it pleases us because it is there and we have been conditioned to it.

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Assumption 1 is wrong because the passage does not imply that flowers are creations of Nature's luxury. Instead, it highlights that flowers have evolved to attract insects for the purpose of pollination.

This suggests that their beauty and fragrance are functional traits developed through natural selection to ensure reproductive success, not as a luxurious creation without purpose.

Assumption 2 is also wrong because the passage clearly states that the primary role of flowers is to attract insects, which aids in pollination and prevents pollen from being wasted.

This indicates that flowers have an essential biological function beyond their aesthetic appeal to humans. The author acknowledges the utilitarian aspect of flowers in the ecosystem, rather than viewing them solely as objects of beauty.

Hence, option (d) Neither 1 nor 2 is the correct answer.

26. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the above passage? [2024-II]

In a robust democracy, reality, howsoever inconvenient it may be, finds its expression both in the speech of political leaders and the other social forms of assertion.

The existence of the real has to be transparent, both through its circulation in and by the media as well as its argumentative articulation in deliberative democracy.

A normatively responsible media through its communication effect has the responsibility to circulate the content of reality without distortion.

Correct Answer: (a) Responsible media should not distort the real in an ideal democracy.
Solution:Option (a) is correct: This option best reflects the crux
of the passage. The passage emphasizes the importance of a normatively responsible media in a robust democracy, where reality must be transparently circulated and articulated without distortion.

The media's role in ensuring that the content of reality is communicated accurately and responsibly is central to the passage's message.

Option (b) is incorrect. This option suggests that fake news is inherent in an ideal democracy, which contradicts the passage's emphasis on the importance of accurately circulating reality.

The passage argues for responsible media that avoids distortion. not that fake news is an unavoidable part of democracy.

Option (c) is incorrect. While freedom of expression is an important aspect of democracy, the passage specifically focuses on the role of responsible media in ensuring that reality is communicated without distortion.

It does not argue against restrictions on freedom of expression, but rather for the ethical responsibility of media in conveying reality accurately.

Option (d) is incorrect. This option implies a focus on the inability to control irresponsible media and political leaders, which is not the main point of the passage.

The passage emphasizes the need for media responsibility in circulating reality, rather than addressing the control of irresponsibility within media and political leadership.

27. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and practical message implied by the passage? [2024-II]

Correct Answer: (d) Interconnected devices can be at security risk and home users may have privacy risk.
Solution:Option (a) is incorrect because the passage primarily focuses on the implications of gathering personal data and marketing strategies, rather than discussing increased capital expenditure in the manufacturing sector.

Option (b) is incorrect because while understanding consumer behavior can indeed stimulate economic growth, the passage does not explicitly discuss this as the central theme related to economic development. Instead, it focuses more on data collection and marketing implications.

Option (c) is incorrect because although interconnected devices may enhance comfort and quality of life for users, the passage does not emphasize this aspect as a central theme. It primarily discusses data gathering and corporate incentives related to consumer behavior.

Option (d) is the correct answer because the passage mentions the potential risks associated with interconnected devices, such as security risks and privacy concerns for home users.

It discusses how manufacturers and service providers may collect personal data without full consumer agreement, which can lead to these risks.

In conclusion, based on the passage provided, option (d) best reflects the implied message about the risks associated with interconnected home devices and the potential privacy and security concerns for users.

28. Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the above passage? [2024-II]

Green growth involves rethinking growth strategies with regard to the impacts on environmental sustainability and the environmental resources available to poor and vulnerable groups. In rethinking growth, we need to focus on the current reality of a resource-constrained world.

Resource intensive and, in particular energy intensive processes will need to make way for more efficient and resource frugal development strategies if we are to avoid an economic dead end or a world in which only a small elite is able to enjoy affluence in the midst of a sea of poverty.

Correct Answer: (c) Maintaining high environmental standards is now a prerequisite for achieving a steady, sufficient and inclusive growth.
Solution:Option (a) is incorrect because it wrongly suggests that environmental sustainability conflicts with achieving high GDP growth. However, the passage advocates for rethinking growth strategies to integrate environmental sustainability, not to oppose economic growth.

Option (b) is incorrect because it asserts that poverty eradication necessitates rapid economic growth even at the cost of environmental degradation. This contradicts the passage's emphasis on green growth, which seeks to achieve both poverty reduction and environmental sustainability simultaneously.

Option (c) is correct as it best reflects the crux of the passage. The passage discusses the importance of maintaining high environmental standards as a prerequisite for achieving sustainable, inclusive growth. It emphasizes the need to rethink growth strategies to ensure they are environmentally sustainable while addressing the needs of poor and vulnerable groups.

Option (d) is incorrect because it fatalistically argues that environmental degradation and inequalities are unavoidable due to current global conditions. However, the passage suggests the opposite, advocating for proactive measures like green growth to mitigate these issues.

Therefore, option (c) provides the most accurate reflection of the passage's central message.

29. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and practical suggestion implied by the passage? [2024-II]

When an international team of scientists pumped a carbon dioxide and water mix into underground basalt rocks, basic chemistry took over. The acidic mixture dissolved rocks' calcium and magnesium and formed limestone. Basically carbon dioxide is converted into stone, exclaimed the scientists.

Correct Answer: (c) Basalt rock can be made a good source of calcium and magnesium minerals by this method.
Solution:Option b aligns with the practical implication suggested by the passage. The passage discusses a method where carbon dioxide is pumped into underground basalt rocks, which leads to the formation of limestone through a chemical reaction.

This process effectively sequesters carbon dioxide underground in the form of stable limestone, thereby mitigating its release into the atmosphere and contributing to efforts in carbon sequestration.

Therefore, option (b) provides the most logical and practical suggestion implied by the passage, focusing on the method's potential application in carbon sequestration efforts.

30. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: [2024-II]

1. Giant icebergs have a bearing on primary productivity and food chains of the Southern Ocean.

2. Melting of giant icebergs can produce climate change effects and impact world fisheries.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?

Geographers analyzed 175 satellite images of ocean colour, which is an indicator of phytoplankton productivity at the ocean's surface, and found that giant icebergs are responsible for storing up to 20 percent of carbon in the Southern Ocean.

The researchers discovered that melting water from giant icebergs which contains iron and other nutrients, supports hitherto unexpectedly high levels of phytoplankton growth.

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Assumption 1 is valid. The passage states that giant icebergs store significant amounts of carbon in the Southern Ocean and release nutrients like iron through melting water, which supports high levels of phytoplankton growth.

Phytoplankton are essential in marine food chains, indicating that giant icebergs indeed have a bearing on primary productivity and food chains in the Southern Ocean. Assumption 2 is invalid.

The passage does not explicitly mention climate change effects resulting from melting giant icebergs, nor does it discuss impacts on world fisheries. While iceberg melting affects local ecosystems and carbon storage, the passage does not extend to global climate impacts or fisheries.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (a) 1 only.

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