Reading Comprehension (11-20) | CSAT Preparation - UPSC PDF Download

Directions: Read the following passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage - 11
Changing values in Western society indicate that the context of human experience is changing into a more spiritual quest for wholeness, meaning, identity, and happiness. Hence, we appear to be in the midst of a transition period to a more spiritual and holistic era. This new era is characterised by a calling to find a balance between - and ultimately an integration of - science and spirituality into a greater whole. As a result, there is a need to redefine the purpose of businesses: Profit can no longer be the only purpose. Future organisations must be both morally and socially responsible and profitable. This in turn affects the leadership role and tasks. Indeed, the philosophical foundations of 21st-century leadership tasks are found in several contemporary spiritual leadership theories.

Q1: Which of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage?
(a) Values in Western society treat science and spirituality as the two sides of the same coin.
(b) Materialism is a thing of the past, and it is time for compassionate capitalism.
(c) In the future, science, spirituality, profits and moral leadership will be integral parts of compassionate capitalism.
(d) With a rise in spiritual quest by people, the end of consumerism is near, not only for people but also businesses.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Option (a) is incorrect: Refer to the lines “Changing values in Western society indicate that the context of human experience is changing into a more spiritual quest for wholeness, … and ultimately an integration of - science and spirituality into a greater whole.” It means that with changing values, spirituality is getting more attention now. However, to conclude that values in Western society treat science and spirituality as part of the same coin is not correct. Also, this answer option does not talk about business side of things.
Option (b) is incorrect: Refer to the line “Future organisations must be both morally and socially responsible and profitable (materialism).” It shows that materialism and compassion or spirituality need to go hand in hand in future. It would be incorrect to say that materialism is a thing of the past. So, this option is not the best crux of the passage.
Option (c) is correct: Refer to the lines “This new era is characterised by a calling to find a balance between - … science and spirituality into a greater whole. As a result, there is a need to redefine the purpose of businesses: Profit can no longer be the only purpose. Future organisations must be both morally and socially responsible and profitable … found in several contemporary spiritual leadership theories.” In the future compassionate capitalism will include science, spirituality, profits and moral leadership. Hence, this option best reflects the crux of the passage.
Option (d) is incorrect: The context of consumerism is not a part of the passage. Also, the line “As a result, there is a need to redefine the purpose of businesses: Profit can no longer be the only purpose. Future organisations must be both morally and socially responsible and profitable” validates that spirituality and profits (consumerism) could go together. Hence, the given option is not correct as per the passage.

Passage - 12
Generally, vocation and career are used interchangeably. Vocational education might be classified as teaching procedural knowledge. This may be contrasted with declarative knowledge, as used in education in a usually broader scientific field, which might concentrate on theory and abstract conceptual knowledge, characteristic of tertiary education. Vocational education can be at the secondary or post-secondary level and can interact with the apprenticeship system. Increasingly, vocational education can be recognised in terms of recognition of prior learning and partial academic credit towards tertiary education (e.g., at a university) as credit; however, it is rarely considered in its form to fall under the traditional definition of higher education. Up until the end of the twentieth century, vocational education focused on specific trades such as automobile mechanics or welding and was therefore associated with the activities of lower social classes. Therefore, it attracted a level of stigma. Vocational education is related to the age-old apprenticeship system of learning.

Q1: Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Skills developed through vocational training can address the unemployment caused due to skills mismatch.
2. Offering vocational education in higher education could help address the stigma attached to it.
Which of the above assumptions is/are invalid?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Sol: Assumption 1 is invalid: The context of unemployment is not discussed in the passage. The passage focuses mostly on the importance, challenges and timelines of vocation as a discipline. Hence, this assumption is beyond the scope of the passage and is not correct.
Assumption 2 is also invalid: The given assumption is not correct because the passage merely mentions the reason for the stigma attached to it, that too in the past tense – “Up until the end of the twentieth century, vocational education focused on specific trades such as automobile mechanics or welding and was therefore associated with the activities of lower social classes.” We do not know whether it still holds true or not. Also, the relevance of vocational education in higher education is suggested to be limited (“…however, it is rarely considered in its form to fall under the traditional definition of higher education”). The passage nowhere hints that the inclusion of vocational education in higher education can solve the stigma attached to it. So, as per the passage, this assumption is not correct.

Passage - 13
Although the science of sustainable land management has been gaining support, the socio-economic context often makes implementation difficult. Sustainable land practices need to be financially viable for farmers. Antierosion measures have a median cost of Rs.50000 per hectare, a considerable investment for a farmer. Governments and banks must help farmers get access to credit and support in implementing erosion prevention. This is not only a good deal for the farmer but for the whole community. The cost of erosion prevention is far lower than the price of land restoration and rehabilitation, which one source estimated to be around Rs.1,20,000–Rs.1,60,000 per hectare. Another source found it could reach Rs.12,00,000 per hectare. The key to managing and reducing soil erosion is to rehabilitate already-damaged land, stop further degradation and put erosion-preventative measures at the core of land management policy. In this way, we can help prevent hunger and mitigate the climate crisis.

Q1: Which of the following is/are the most rational and logical inference/inferences that can be made from the passage?
1. More than increasing crop production, farmers should focus on the prevention of soil erosion.
2. Considering the high costs of land restoration, governments should offer loans and subsidies to the farmers.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Sol: Inference 1 is incorrect: The passage does not cover the context of crop production, and there is no comparison of crop production made with prevention of soil erosion. The focus of the passage is on sustainable land management. Hence, this inference is not correct and is beyond the scope of the passage.
Inference 2 is incorrect: The given inference is not correct because the passage in line “Governments and banks must help farmers get access to credit and support in implementing erosion prevention”, mentions that governments should support farmers to access credit for erosion prevention and not for restoration as given in the option statement. Also, the author categorically says that the cost of erosion prevention is far lower than the cost of land restoration and rehabilitation, So, the emphasis is on prevention.

Q2: With reference to the passage, which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) High cost of prevention of soil erosion calls for more research in this area for cost reduction sake.
(b) Dealing with hunger and climate crisis not only needs land conservation, but also enhanced crop yields.
(c) The government should formulate a insurance policy to support farmers in their land management.
(d) Erosion prevention should be valued over land restoration for sustainable land management.
Ans: (d)
Sol: Option (a) is incorrect: The context of more research to reduce cost is not a part of the passage. Therefore, this option is beyond the scope of the passage and is not correct.
Option (b) is incorrect: The context of crop production and its importance in dealing with the climate crisis and hunger is not mentioned in the passage. Hence, this option is not correct.
Option (c) is incorrect: The line “Governments and banks must help farmers get access to credit and support in implementing erosion prevention” mentions that governments and banks should support farmers. However, the option mentions insurance policy by the government, which is not correct as per the passage.
Option (d) is correct: It is based on the following line from the passage - “The cost of erosion prevention is far lower than the price of land restoration and rehabilitation, which one source estimated to be around Rs.1,20,000–Rs.1,60,000 per hectare.” So, as per the passage, it would be correct to say that erosion prevention should be valued more than restoration/rehabilitation. Hence, this option is correct, as per the passage.

Passage - 14
Migration is a development challenge. About 184 million people—2.3 percent of the world’s population— live outside of their country of nationality. Almost half of them are in low- and middle-income countries. But what lies ahead? As the world struggles to cope with global economic imbalances, diverging demographic trends, and climate change, migration will become a necessity in the decades to come for countries at all levels of income. If managed well, migration can be a force for prosperity and can help achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. World Development Report (WDR) 2023 proposes an integrated framework to maximize the development impacts of cross-border movements on both destination and origin countries and on migrants and refugees themselves. The framework it offers, drawn from labor economics and international law, rests on a “match and motive” matrix that focuses on two factors: how closely migrants’ skills and attributes match the needs of destination countries and what motives underlie their movements. This approach enables policy makers to distinguish between different types of movements and to design migration policies for each. International cooperation will be critical to the effective management of migration. The report’s framework, the Match and Motive Matrix, draws from labor economics and international law to identify priority policies for four types of movements based on who moves and under what circumstances. Where a migrant fits in the Match and Motive Matrix depends in part on their human capital and personal characteristics and, in part, on the policies of the destination countries. Over time, the challenge is to enhance migration outcomes by strengthening the match of all migrants’ skills and attributes with their destinations.

Q1: Which of the following statements can be inferred from the above passage?
1. The World Development Report (WDR) aims to enhance the development impact on both legally and illegally admitted immigrants.
2. For countries of all income levels, migration will become necessary in the ensuing decades.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b)
Sol: Statement 1 is not correct: To maximize the development effects of cross-border movements on the migrants and refugees the World Development Report (WDR) 2023 offers an integrated framework. The passage says, “World Development Report (WDR) 2023 proposes an integrated framework to maximize the development impacts of cross-border movements on both destination and origin countries and on migrants and refugees themselves”. It can be clearly inferred that WDR seeks to enhance the impact of development on both migrants and refugees. However, we cannot infer the stand of the report on illegal immigrants. It’s a grey area. Hence, it is not a correct statement.
Statement 2 is correct: It is mentioned in the passage, “As the world struggles to cope with global economic imbalances, diverging demographic trends, and climate change, migration will become a necessity in the decades to come for countries at all levels of income”. So, irrespective of the income levels of the countries, migration will become a necessity. Hence, it is a correct statement.

Passage - 15
Millions of visitors from across the globe throng the beach town of Puri in Odisha to take part in the annual Rath Yatra (car festival) of Lord Jagannath, which this year began on June 20. According to Hindu mythology, the Lord along with his siblings — elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra — embarks on a nine-day annual sojourn to his birthplace. The idols are taken to the Gundicha Temple, where they stay till the ‘Bahuda Yatra’ (returning car festival), scheduled on June 28 this time. The Rath Yatra takes place on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi (bright fortnight) every year to commemorate the journey of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings from their abode —the 12th century Jagannath Temple, to the Gundicha Temple, believed to be their aunt’s home. Goddess Ardhasini, also known as Mausima, is believed to be the deities’ aunt. The deities board three huge decorated chariots following the Pahandi ritual (ceremonial procession), before marching for around 3 km to the Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees pull the chariots on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) of Puri town. The three chariots — Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, the Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra, and the Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath, have their own colours, height, diameter, wooden horses, guardian deities and even charioteers. They are made from the wood of locally available trees. Over 150 carpenters, labourers, woodcarvers, artists, and painters work for around 12 hours a day from Akshaya Tritiya onwards, nearly two months before the much-awaited event, to shape the chariots.

Q1: With reference to the above passage, consider the following statements.
1. Jagannath Puri Temple is not a World Heritage Site.
2. The colour and the dimension of the three chariots is changed every year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Sol: Statement 1 is not correct: The passage nowhere mentions that Jagannath Puri Temple is a World Heritage Site or not. The passage mostly focuses on the ritual aspects of the temple with special emphasis on Rath Yatra. Hence, it is not a correct statement.
Statement 2 is not correct: The passage mentions three chariots “Taladhwaja Rath for Lord Balabhadra, the Darpadalan Rath for Goddess Subhadra, and the Nandighosa Rath for Lord Jagannath “. It is not mentioned in the passage that the colour and dimension of these chariots is changed every year. Hence, it is not a correct statement.

Q2: Which of the following best captures the significance of Rath Yatra?
(a) It commemorates the reincarnation of Vishnu as Lord Jaganath.
(b) It celebrates Lord Jagannath's voyage with his two siblings.
(c) It cherishes the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana.
(d) It celebrates the victory of Pandavas in Mahabharata.
Ans: (b)
Sol: Option (a) is not correct: Lord Jagannath is regarded as a manifestation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu. He actually possesses all of Lord Vishnu's avatars' characteristics. But the passage does not mention that Rath Yatra celebrates the reincarnation of Vishnu as Lord Jagannath. Hence, it is not a correct option.
Option (b) is correct: The passage clearly mentions, “The Rath Yatra takes place on the second day of the Odia month of Ashadha Shukla Tithi (bright fortnight) every year to commemorate the journey of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings from their abode —the 12th century Jagannath Temple, to the Gundicha Temple, believed to be their aunt’s home”. It implies that the significance of Rath Yatra is in the celebration of Lord Jagannath's voyage with his two siblings. Hence, it is a correct option.
Option (c) is not correct: The passage does not mention any incident related to Lord Ram. Hence, it is not a correct option.
Option (d) is not correct: No incident of Mahabharata or Pandavas is mentioned in the passage. Hence, it is not a correct option.

Passage - 16
On Monday, the government withdrew The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019 from the Lok Sabha, ending a 20-year effort to build a new regulatory framework for the use of DNA fingerprinting technology in the criminal justice system. The Bill, introduced in Parliament multiple times, faced opposition on grounds of the accuracy of DNA technology, potential threats to individual privacy, and the possibility of abuse. The Bill had three primary objectives. First, it sought to set up a DNA profiling board as the regulatory body, one of the functions of which would be to provide accreditation to laboratories authorised to carry out DNA sample tests. The Bill also provided for the creation of databases — DNA Data Banks — for storing DNA information collected from convicts and accused. This database could be indexed and searched for matching samples from crime scenes. And third, it sought to facilitate collection of DNA samples from the convicts and accused. The primary objections were on grounds of privacy, utility and possibility of misuse. DNA information can be very intrusive, revealing not just identification traits but also many other features that can be liable for misuse. Critics pushed for the inclusion of as many safeguards into the Bill as was possible. Several rounds of discussions, with Members of Parliament, legal experts, law enforcement professionals, activists, and civil society were held. A number of changes were made in the original draft. But it was not acceptable to all. In recent years, apprehensions were raised about the possibility of this law being used for racial profiling. It was even argued that the police could not be trusted to seek DNA tests in their investigations. The Parliamentary Standing Committee had objected to the setting up of DNA banks in every state, and suggested that one national DNA bank was sufficient.

Q1: Which of the following are the objections against the DNA Technology Bill?
1. Breach of Privacy
2. Profiling on the basis of race
3. Distrust on police
4. Virus attacks on database
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) All 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)
Sol: Option 1 is correct: The passage clearly mentions, “The primary objections were on grounds of privacy, utility and possibility of misuse”. This implies that breach of privacy along with possible misuse and utilization of the DNA Technology bill is among the primary objections against it. Hence, it is a correct option.
Option 2 is correct: Concerns have been raised regarding the potential for racial profiling in the application of this law. It is mentioned in the passage - “In recent years, apprehensions were raised about the possibility of this law being used for racial profiling”. Hence, it is a correct option.
Option 3 is correct: Yet another objection was that the police couldn't be relied upon to request DNA samples for their investigation. The passage says, “It was even argued that the police could not be trusted to seek DNA tests in their investigations”. Hence, it is a correct option.
Option 4 is not correct: The passage nowhere mentions anything about virus attack on the DNA database. Hence, it is not a correct option.

Q2: With reference to the above passage, consider the following statements.
1. The legislation aims to create a regulating authority.
2. To save the criminals' DNA information, a database will be made.
3. DNA information will be linked with the Aadhaar card of every individual.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (a)
Sol: Statement 1 is correct: The passage clearly says, “The Bill had three primary objectives. First, it sought to set up a DNA profiling board as the regulatory body, one of the functions of which would be to provide accreditation to laboratories authorized to carry out DNA sample tests”. This implies that the creation of regulatory authority is proposed. Hence, it is a correct statement.
Statement 2 is correct: The passage clearly says, “The Bill also provided for the creation of databases — DNA Data Banks — for storing DNA information collected from convicts and accused”. Hence, it is a correct statement.
Statement 3 is not correct: It is not mentioned in the passage that DNA information will be connected to each person's Aadhaar card.  Hence, it is not a correct statement.

Passage - 17
There are reports that some of the antibiotics sold in the market are fed to poultry and other livestock as growth promoters. Overusing these substances can create superbugs, pathogens that are resistant to multiple drugs and could be passed along humans. Mindful of that, some farming companies have stopped using the drugs to make chickens gain weight faster. Since Denmark banned antibiotic growth promoters in the 1990s, the major pork exporters says it is producing more pigs – and the animals get fewer diseases.  (UPSC CSAT 2021)

Q1: Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage given above?
(a) People should avoid consuming the products of animal farming.
(b) Foods of animal origin should be replaced with foods of plant origin.
(c) Using antibiotics on animals should be banned.
(d) Antibiotics should only be used to treat diseases.
Ans: (d)
Sol: Option (a) is incorrect Passage suggests nothing about what and what not to be consumed by the people.
Option (b) is incorrect Passage nowhere talks about replacing animal origin foods with plant origin foods. It merely reflects the side effects of using antibiotics for other purposes than treating disease.
Option (c) is incorrect Passage nowhere talks about banning antibiotics on animals. It only mentions the trend of minimizing the use of antibiotics on animals given their ill effects on human health.
Option (d) is correct Passage mentions the ill effects of antibiotics as growth promoters and how some farming companies and also, Denmark -a major pork exporter, banned antibiotic growth promoters but not its use as a drug to treat diseases.

Passage - 18
Policy makers and media have placed the blame for skyrocketing food prices on a variety of factors, including high fuel prices, bad weather in key food producing countries, and the diversion of land to non-food production. Increased emphasis, however, has been placed on a surge in demand for food from the most populous emerging economies. It seems highly probable that mass consumption in these countries could be well poised to create a food crisis.  (UPSC CSAT 2021)

Q1: With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Oil producing countries are one of the reasons for high food prices.
2. If there is a food crisis in the world in the near future, it will be in the emerging economies.
Which of the above statements is/are valid?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (d)
Sol: Statement 1 is incorrect: As the passage only mentions that high fuel prices are leading to increasing food prices, it nowhere explicitly mentions oil-producing countries being one of the reasons for high fuel prices.
Statement 2 is incorrect: As the passage mentions that food crisis will be caused due to emerging economies' tendency of mass consumption. However, the passage only mentions emerging economies as a causative agent rather than resultant aspect. And it cannot be derived the passage that the food crisis will occur in Emerging economies. The given option is more suitable for inference of the passage rather than assumption. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Passage - 19
Fig trees (genus Ficus) are considered sacred in India, East Asia and Africa and are common in agricultural and urban landscapes where other large trees are absent. In natural forests, fig trees provide food for wildlife when other resources are scarce and support a high density and diversity of frugivores (fruit-eating animals). If frugivorous birds and bats continue to visit to fig trees located in sites with high human disturbances, sacred fig trees may promote frugivore abundance. Under favourable microclimate, plenty of seedlings of other tree species would grow around fig trees.  (UPSC CSAT 2021)

Q1: On the basis of the passage given above, the following assumption have been made:
1. Fig trees can often be keystone species in natural forests.
2. Fig trees can grow where other large woody species cannot grow.
3. Sacred trees can have a role in biodiversity conservation.
4. Fig trees have a role in the seed dispersal of other tree species.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Ans: (d)
Sol: Option (a) is incorrect: The passage mentions fig trees providing food for wildlife species and supporting a density and diversity of frugivores where resources are scarce and absent. That is essentially what a keystone species signifies for an ecosystem. However, the passage is devoid of any affirmative mention of large 'woody' species giving way for the growth of fig trees in their absence. Hence, statement 2 particularly of woody species can't be inferred/ established from the passage.
Option (b) is incorrect: The passage mentions biodiversity prevailing around fig trees in the form of frugivores, bats, animals, and humans living in co-existence. Hence, the third statement holds as a valid assumption. However, it is not the only valid assumption.
Option (c) is incorrect: The passage mentions that plenty of seedlings of other tree species are found to grow around fig trees due to the visit of frugivorous birds and bats. Hence, under favorable microclimatic conditions, it can be directly inferred that fig trees can have a role in the seed dispersal of the same. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
Option (d) is correct: Based on the above deductions, this is the most appropriate answer.

Passage - 20
At the heart of agroecology is the idea that agroecosystems should mimic the biodiversity levels and functioning of natural ecosystems. Such agricultural mimics, like their natural models, can be productive, pest-resistant, nutrient conserving, and resilient to shocks and stresses. In ecosystems there is no ‘waste’, nutrients are recycled indefinitely. Agroecology aims at closing nutrient loops, i.e., returning all nutrients that come out of the soil back to the soil such as through application of farmyard manure. It also harnesses natural processes to control pests and build soil fertility i.e., through intercropping. Agroecological practices include integrating trees with livestock and crops.  (UPSC CSAT 2021)

Q1: Consider the following:
1. Cover crops
2. Fertigation
3. Hydroponics
4. Mixed farming
5. Polyculture
6. Vertical farming
Which of the above farming practices can be compatible with agroecology, as implied by the passage?
(a) 1, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 6 only
(d) 4 and 6 only
Ans: (a)
Sol: Option (a) is correct: The passage mentions that the farming practices compatible with agroecology include the integration of trees with livestock and crops. This boils down to practices of Cover cropping, Mixed farming, and Polyculture.
Option (b) is incorrect: The farming practices of Fertigation and Hydroponics are artificial methods and are not compatible with agroecological systems mentioned in the passage. Hence, these can be eliminated.
Option (c) is incorrect: Applying based on the above argument, this option can be eliminated too.
Option (d) is incorrect: The passage mentions agroecology aiming at closing nutrient loops which means returning nutrients that come out of soil back to the soil. Vertical farming akin to hydroponics is soil-less farming and hence not compatible with agroecology.