Previous Year Questions 2022: Logical Reasoning | CLAT Past Year Papers (2008-2024) PDF Download

1. Students decide to attend college for several reasons. These reasons include career opportunities and financial stability, intellectual growth, a time for self-discovery, norms, obligations, and social opportunities. Outside demands in society, such as technology changes, and increased educational demands also drive the need for more students to attend college. the students then spend the next few years trying to discover a path and find their way so they can become successful. The transition to college presents students with many new challenges, including increased academic demands, less time with family members, interpersonal problems with roommates and romantic interests, and financial stress. Competitive academic work and uncertainty about future employment and professional career were also noted as sources of stress. the transition to college represents a process characterized by change, ambiguity, and adjustment across all of life’s domains. The transition towards independence and self-sufficiency has been characterized as ‘stress-arousing’ and ‘anxiety-provoking’ by many college students. Failure to accomplish and develop these characteristics of development and maintain independence may result in life dissatisfaction. Emerging adulthood has also been noted to augment college students’ vulnerability to stress. Many students experience their first symptoms of depression and anxiety during this time, but a growing problem is that college campuses do not have enough resources to help all of these students. it has been noted that 75% to 80% of college students are moderately stressed and 10% to 12% are severely stressed.

Q1: What according to you is the objective of the study of the present paragraph?
(a) To map the various stages of pressure points of adulthood in the process of education.
(b) To narrate the anti-family agenda in the current education system.
(c) To pinpoint the obstacles targeted against meritorious students.
(d) All of the above
Ans: (a) 
Sol: The passage furnishes information on the need for more students to attend college and how this transition presents students with many new challenges—characterized by change, ambiguity, and adjustment across all of life’s domains. Then, comes the stage of emerging adulthood, which has been noted to augment college students’ vulnerability to stress. Therefore, the objective of the present paragraph is to map the various stages of pressure points of adulthood in the process of education. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) is absurd and extreme, as it is untrue that the current education system unfolds a narrative of the anti-family agenda. It is merely stated that the transition to college is so exacting that it takes a toll on the time spent with family members. (c) can be easily rejected because there is no mention of targeting meritorious students. It is out of scope.

Q2: Which factors as per the author cause more stress amongst college students?
(a) Pressure from parents and society towards greater educational needs and increased competitive academic work.
(b) Failure to develop successful romantic interests, financial constraints and interpersonal issues with room-mates.
(c) Failure to adapt to the transition to college life and to adjust various life domains in tune with needs and requirements of college life.
(d) Inability to manage time constraints and the uncertainty pertaining to their future.
Ans: (c) 
Sol: The passage presents the transition to college as a phase with many new challenges—characterized by change, ambiguity, and adjustment across all of life’s domains. Competitive academic work and uncertainty about future employment and professional career are also noted as sources of stress. Since life towards independence results in life dissatisfaction, this aggravates anxiety and stress among college students. This confirms that the stress-causing factor lies in the failure to adapt to the transition to college life and to adjust various life domains in tune with the needs and requirements of college life. There is hardly any reference to pressure from parents and society; neither is the focus on increased competitive academic work. Hence, (a) is incorrect. The challenges to college transition do include interpersonal problems with roommates, romantic interests, and financial restraints, but these are not the primary factors responsible for stress. (d) is a close option owing to the mention of the uncertainty about the students’ future, but that also is not the predominant cause behind stress during the transition to college. This option refers to the inability to manage time constraints, which is irrelevant.

Q3: Which of the following fall closest to the underlying assumption in the present study?
(a) Problem-solving ability amongst college students is negatively associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
(b) Students lean towards unhealthy coping skills in order to try to lower the stress that they experience.
(c) Romantic interest is an antidote for stress amongst the students in the colleges.
(d) Stress is subjective for each student.
Ans: (a) 
Sol: Refer to the last sentence: "It has been noted that 75% to 80% of college students are moderately stressed and 10% to 12% are severely stressed." This affirms that stress is subjective for students—it may be moderate for some, while it may be severe for others. This answer can be zeroed in on even by the process of eliminating other options. (a) is nullified because problem-solving ability amongst college students is nowhere implied. (b) is unjustified because the reference to unhealthy coping skills is amiss in the passage. (c) can be eliminated because it is not implied that the cure for stress lies in forming romantic liaisons.

Q4: Suggest a suitable title for the paragraph from amongst the given titles:
(a) Triumph and turbulence of College education System
(b) Negative impact of College education System
(c) Negligence of Stress management by parents
(d) Unemployment and mental instability
Ans: (b)
Sol: The theme of the passage encompasses various stages of pressure points of adulthood in the process of education, and the challenges that accompany college education in the form of effects like depression and stress. These form the turbulence of college education. The triumphs of education are mentioned in the reasons behind college education like ‘career opportunities, financial stability, intellectual growth, a time for self-discovery, norms, obligations, and social opportunities.’ Therefore, the most appropriate title is ‘Triumphs and Turbulence of College Education System.’ (b) is undoubtedly genuine, but a title should comprehensively focus on the theme of the passage. In this option, the triumphs are missing. Hence, (b) is incorrect. (c) is incorrect since the aspect of stress management by parents is not focused on in the passage. (d) is incorrect because it is out of scope.

Q5: With reference to the above paragraph, which of the following offers the most plausible solutions as a coping up mechanism for college students?
(a) Individual students should approach counsellors for coping up with stress.
(b) Keeping in view that a large number of students are experiencing stress, colleges must take steps to reduce course curriculum and peer pressures.
(c) College authorities shall provide access to counselling and every student experiencing stress must engage in some form of coping mechanism to alleviate stress.
(d) The students must learn to differentiate between short-term and long-term stress.
Ans: (c) 
Sol: It has been noted that 75% to 80% of college students are moderately stressed, and 10% to 12% are severely stressed. Since many students experience depression and anxiety during emerging adulthood, the concern arises because ‘college campuses do not have enough resources to help all of these students.’ This implies that there is a shortage of counselling sessions for every student experiencing stress. This coping mechanism will help to alleviate stress. Hence, (c) is correct. Though the role of counsellors is asserted in (a), it is not appropriate because the onus of alleviating stress lies on the college, and not on the stressed students. Reducing course curriculum and tackling peer pressures will not serve as coping mechanisms for college students. They cannot be corroborated from the passage. The dissimilarity between short-term and long-term stress is irrelevant to the question.

2. Under the COViD-19 outbreak, universities and schools around the world had suspended face-to-face classes to prevent the rapid spread of the virus among students and staff. This sudden disruption to face-to-face education reshaped pedagogical practices and led to the rapid adoption of online teaching among universities. Subsequently, academics working at universities, at the frontline of those changes, faced enormous levels of pressure and disturbance to their professional roles and practices. For those without sufficient knowledge or experience for effective online teaching, this sudden transition was particularly challenging. in normal circumstances, designing an online course follows a systematic instructional design process with careful consideration of the unique characteristics of target learner groups and the chosen instructional medium. During the rapid adoption of online teaching in response to COVID-19, however, systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation were unavailable. instead, individual academics were given the challenge alone to teach online with a limited level of support and guidance from their school or university - the task was even more difficult in this situation where they were remotely working from home.

Q6: The objective behind the information furnished in the passage is:
(a) To examine the experiences faced by the teachers because of the sudden transition from offline to online mode of teaching due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
(b) To identify the differences between the online and offline mode of teaching.
(c) To reveal the side-effects of COVID-19.
(d) To understand the need to be able to cope up with crisis-like situations even in the educational sector.
Ans: (a)
Sol: For this question, one needs to consider the critical information furnished in the passage. This refers to lines like: "academics working at universities, at the frontline of those changes, faced enormous levels of pressure ...". In fact, for some teachers, "this sudden transition was particularly challenging." Since the "systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation were unavailable", teachers faced the challenge "to teach online with a limited level of support and guidance from their school and university." All these facts act as a testimony to the challenges faced by the teachers because of the sudden transition from offline to online mode of teaching due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) is incorrect as the passage is not about the difference between the online and offline modes of teaching. The passage highlights the plight of academics. (c) is too narrow, as the effects of Covid are elaborated only in the field of education. (d) may sound close for some, but one needs to understand that there is no need to interpret the message of the information in the passage. One needs to focus on the objective of the information which very successfully hints at the plight of academics during an unprecedented situation like Covid-19. Undoubtedly, the unavailability of training and course development are integral to the passage, but they only sum up to hint at the pathetic situation of the teachers.

Q7: Based on the ideas presented in the paragraph, it will not be possible to draw out useful recommendations for situations like the pandemic, unless:
(a) The factors required to contribute to quality education by online and offline modes are examined.
(b) Knowledge about the infrastructural availability in the schools or universities is crucial.
(c) The faculty is given adequate training and experience in providing online education is taken into consideration.
(d) A detailed analysis of the comparative performance in the online and offline modes is done.
Ans: (c)
Sol: For any useful recommendations for situations like the pandemic, according to the passage, systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation were unavailable. "Instead, individual academics were given the challenge alone to teach online with a limited level of support and guidance from their school or universities," which aggravated the difficulty level of teaching, as they were working remotely. This supports the conclusion that the faculty is in need of training and experience in providing online education. Hence, (c) is correct. (a) It hardly makes sense that the factors contributing to offline and online modes of education need to be investigated. (b) may be misinterpreted by a few students, because of the lack of systematic instructional designs or team-based support. But the problem is insufficient knowledge and experience for effective online teaching. There is hardly any reference to knowledge about the infrastructural availability in the schools or universities. (d) is ridiculous as it cannot be corroborated from the passage that a detailed analysis of the comparative performance in the online and offline mode will help.

Q8: What can be most conveniently inferred from the given paragraph?
(a) Whether online or face-to-face, university teaching activity is a genuinely complex task that involves multiple elements of interlinked activity systems.
(b) It has been more challenging for both individual academics and institutions to quickly adopt to online teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
(c) The object of the online teaching activity systems created a fundamental contradiction with the object of the previous teaching activity systems.
(d) All the above.
Ans: (d)
Sol: (a) is true and is evinced from the line stating that "designing an online course follows a systematic instructional design process with careful consideration of the unique characteristics of target learner groups and the chosen instructional medium." Even in online education, what is needed is "systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development." These all confirm that the university teaching activity is a genuinely complex task that involves multiple elements of interlinked activity systems. Hence, (d) is correct. Refer to the lines: "academics working at universities, at the frontline of those changes, faced enormous levels of pressure and disturbance to their professional roles and practices," "individual academics were given the challenge alone to teach online with a limited level of support and guidance from their school or university." They help corroborate that it has been more challenging for both individual academics and institutions to quickly adapt to online teaching during the Covid-19 Pandemic. (c) is true, when referred to the lines: "In normal circumstances, designing an online course follows a systematic instructional design process with careful consideration of the unique characteristics of target learner groups and the chosen instructional medium. During the rapid adaption of online teaching in response to Covid-19; however, systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation were unavailable." This exhibits the contradiction—the object of the online teaching activity systems created a fundamental contradiction with the object of the previous teaching activity systems.

Q9: What suitable policy decision should be devised by the administrators of the schools and the universities, in the light of the facts presented in the paragraph?
(a) There must be an insight into the complexity of online teaching and the need to work for the capacity building of the teachers during such extraordinary times, and there is a greater need to create a teacher community and foster collaborative teaching relationships among the members, even if it takes time.
(b) The faculty members must be oriented towards the lasting changes brought about to their roles and identities in teaching.
(c) It is time to develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges experienced by individual academics and the changes created by those academics.
(d) There is a need to develop infrastructure in schools and universities.
Ans: (a)
Sol: One needs to detect the problem emphasized in the passage. With the sudden transition to online mode of teaching, teachers faced a huge crisis, given the lack of training and exposure to the new method. Moreover, this phase was marked by unavailability of systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation and a limited level of support and guidance from their school or university. This calls for a prudent policy decision, which will focus on an insight into the complexity of online teaching and the need to work for the capacity building of the teachers during such extraordinary times, and there is a greater need to create a teacher community and foster collaborative teaching relationships among the members, even if it takes time. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) Cannot be justified from the passage, that faculty members must be oriented towards the lasting changes brought about to their roles and identities in teaching. (c) is absurd because the question emphasizes on recommending a policy for a sound facilitation of education by universities and academics. While (c) emphasizes on comprehensive understanding of the challenges experienced by individual academics and the changes created by those academics. This will hardly solve the problem. (d) Again brings up the school infrastructure as the problem, which is hardly discussed.

Q10: Which of the following points most closely supports the fact that the present education system lacks the structure to sustain effective teaching during and after the periods of lockdowns?
(a) There are inadequate applications and platforms for effective online teaching.
(b) Shift from offline to online was faced with resistance.
(c) The academia’s long-established roles and identities have been completely altered by the pandemic.
(d) The students are interested in online examinations and schools and universities are finding it difficult to shift to offline examination mode.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Refer closely to the lines: "In normal circumstances, designing an online course follows a systematic instructional design process with careful consideration of the unique characteristics of target learner groups and the chosen instructional medium. During the rapid adaption of online teaching in response to Covid-19; however, systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation were unavailable." (c) is directly supported by the facts in the passage. Systematic instructional design procedures and team-based support for course development and preparation were unavailable, which made it more difficult for teachers to transition to online teaching effectively. Hence, (c) is correct.

3. Biodiversity is being lost at a rate not seen since the last mass extinction. But the United Nations decade-old plan to slow down and eventually stop the decline of species and ecosystems by 2020 has failed. Most of the plan’s 20 targets - known as the Aichi biodiversity Targets - have not been met. The Aichi targets are part of an international agreement called the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and member states are now finalizing replacements for them. Currently referred to as the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), its draft was published in July 2021. it aims to slow down the rate of biodiversity loss by 2030. And by 2050, biodiversity will be “valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people’. The GBF is a comprehensive plan. But success will require systemic change across public policy. That is both a strength and a weakness. if systemic change can be implemented, it will lead to real change. But if it cannot, there’s no plan B. This has led some researchers to argue that one target or number should be prioritized and defined in a way that is clear to the public and to policy makers. it would be biodiversity’s equivalent of the 2°C climate target.

Q11: As per the passage, which of the following is a challenge for implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)?
(a) Unfulfillment of the pre-2020 global biodiversity targets
(b) Clarity of action plan for the society and government
(c) Threat of mass extinction
(d) Failure of plan to save ecosystems
Ans: (b)
Sol: The statement that the GBF is a comprehensive plan, with its strength and weakness, it can be successful only when systemic change is implemented. ‘But if it cannot, there’s no plan B.’ The area that needs to be looked into, as per the researchers, is: one target or number should be prioritised in such a way that it is clear to the public and to policy makers. This justifies the need for clarification of the action plan for society and government. Hence, (b) is correct. (a) Is inappropriate because the fulfillment of the pre-2020 global biodiversity targets does not pose a challenge for the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), since member states are finalising replacements for them to slow down the rate of biodiversity loss by 2030. (c) Is incorrect since the threat of mass extinction is given a passing reference. (d) Is nowhere mentioned in the passage. Hence, incorrect.

Q12: According to the passage, why do some researchers advocate that one biodiversity target be prioritized?
(a) Systemic policy change is difficult to implement
(b) Post-2020 global biodiversity Framework (GBF) is comprehensive
(c) Tie 2°C climate target needs to be prioritized
(d) Biodiversity needs to be valued, conserved, restored, and wisely used
Ans: (a) 
Sol: According to the passage, the GBF being a comprehensive plan, can be successful only when systemic changes are implemented. ‘But if it cannot, there’s no plan B.’ The area that needs to be looked into, as per the researchers, is: one target or number should be prioritised in such a way that it is clear to the public and to policy makers. This proves that policy changes are difficult to implement. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) Is a true statement that Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is comprehensive, but it acts as a premise to the argument, it nowhere justifies why some researchers advocate that one biodiversity target be prioritised. (c) Cannot be corroborated that 2 °C climate target needs to be prioritised. (d) Is inappropriate because the objective that biodiversity needs to be valued, conserved, restored, and wisely used is that of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF); it does not justify why some researchers advocate that one biodiversity target be prioritised.

Q13: Which of the following is correct expression of the author’s opinion as stated in the passage?
(a) Implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) allows no middle ground for success or failure.
(b) It is high time that countries re-evaluate the progress in achieving biodiversity targets.
(c) Biodiversity conservation should be prioritized over climate change at the global level.
(d) The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is the best way to prevent mass extinction.
Ans: (a) 
Sol: The reference to the claim that the GBF being a comprehensive plan can be successful only when systemic changes can be implemented. ‘But if it cannot, there’s no plan B’ makes way to the conclusion that the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) allows no middle ground for success or failure. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) Cannot be affirmed that it is high time that countries re-evaluate the progress in achieving biodiversity targets because member states are finalising replacements for the Aichi targets. (c) Is an exaggerated statement that biodiversity conservation should be prioritised over climate change at the global level. (d) Can be rejected on the ground that it is an extreme statement which is not corroborated by the writer. The usage of ‘the best way’ in the statement: ‘in post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is the best way to prevent mass extinction’ makes it unjustified.

Q14: Which of the following is the central theme of the above passage?
(a) The reason for failure of biodiversity conservation efforts at the global level
(b) The inter-relationship between biodiversity conservation and climate change
(c) The future of biodiversity conservation efforts at the global level
(d) The role of the United Nations in biodiversity conservation at the global level
Ans: (c) 
Sol: The theme is a central or underlying idea in the given comprehension passage. The view of the author would certainly lead you towards the theme detection. The passage starts with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework’s (GBF) aim to slow down the rate of biodiversity loss by 2030, where biodiversity will be “valued, conserved, restored, and wisely used...” The GBF plan, with certain systemic change, would be biodiversity’s equivalent of the 2°C climate target. Thus, the passage is all about the future of biodiversity conservation efforts at the global level. Hence, (c) is correct. (a) Is inappropriate because the passage holistically deals with the future of conservation of biodiversity, and not the reason for the failure of biodiversity conservation efforts at the global level. The mention of failure of the United Nations’ decade-old plan to slow down and eventually stop the decline of species and ecosystems is stated only at the start. Hence, it can be safely eliminated. (b) Is wrong as the passage nowhere deals with the inter-relationship between biodiversity conservation and climate change. (d) Is not correct because the role of the United Nations in biodiversity conservation at the global level is limited to a few lines. The author does not want the readers to be informed about the role of the United Nations in biodiversity conservation, but analyses the future of biodiversity conservation efforts at the global level.

Q15: Which of the following can be inferred from the above passage?
(a) The holistic nature of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a boon.
(b) The holistic nature of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a bane.
(c) The holistic nature of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) can be a boon or a bane.
(d) The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) includes the 2°C climate target.
Ans: (c)
Sol: This is a pretty straightforward question because the previous questions have already established that the GBF is a comprehensive plan; with its strength and weakness, it can be successful only when systemic changes can be implemented. ‘But if it cannot, there’s no plan B.’ Therefore, it can be inferred that the holistic nature of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) can be a boon or a bane. Hence, (c) is correct. Both (a) and (b) touch upon the extreme aspects—the holistic nature of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a boon or the holistic nature of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a bane. Hence, they are incorrect.

4. An unintended and unjust consequence of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 is its widespread persecution of teenage lovers. This law raised the age of consent from 16 to 18 years, while defining persons below 18 years as children. Consequently, when two 16-year-olds are romantically and sexually involved, but the girl’s family doesn’t approve the affair and files a police complaint, her consent has zero legal validity. And the consensual relationship morphs into a case of statutory rape. The Allahabad High Court has indicated how its “conscience” is concerned by such severe POCSO provisions being drawn by teenage lovers simply on the basis of family disapproval. The High Courts of Delhi, Madras and others have made similar observations in recent years and also pointed to amendments to the law that can help reduce its injustices. One suggestion that has gathered broad support is to push back both the cut-off for childhood and the age of consent to 16 years. Given that the NCRB data shows around half of POCSO cases falling in the 16-18 years age group, such an amendment is overdue. Minimizing the prosecution of consensual romances would also leave a logjammed system with more space to pursue actual sexual assault cases. The broader goal here is respecting the rights of adolescents and young adults. Their romantic and sexual autonomy needs greatly increased recognition in india. The assertion in (d) is nowhere implicit. The reference to the last statement—the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) would be biodiversity’s equivalent of the 2°C climate target—does not imply that the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) includes the 2°C climate target.

Q16: “Minimising the prosecution of consensual romances would also leave a logjammed system with more space to pursue actual sexual assault cases.” In the context of the statement, which of the following strengthens the author’s opinion?
(a) There are many unreported sexual assault cases.
(b) Speedy prosecution of sexual assault cases is desirable.
(c) Consensual romance, in some cases, can amount to sexual assault.
(d) Sexual assault and rape are different.
Ans: (b) 
Sol: The statement that minimising the prosecution of consensual romances would also leave a logjammed system with more space to pursue actual sexual assault cases implies that there has been an impending number of cases of actual sexual assault, which are still in the process of prosecution, and a speedy prosecution of sexual assault cases is desirable. Hence, (b) is correct. (a) Is incorrect because a logjammed system with more space to pursue actual sexual assault cases does not refer to unreported sexual assault cases. (c) Is absurd because the argument that consensual romance, in some cases, can amount to sexual assault, cannot be inferred from the question. (d) Does not make sense because the argument of assault and rape being different cannot be logically derived from the question.

Q17: What has the author conveyed regarding the prosecution of statutory rape in India?
(a) Statutory rape does not violate the romantic and sexual autonomy of young adults.
(b) Statutory rape must be met with stricter punishment.
(c) Statutory rape must be abolished.
(d) Statutory rape is a relic of Victorian morality.
Ans: (a) 
Sol: The passage states that a consensual relationship morphs into a case of statutory rape when two 16-year-olds are romantically and sexually involved, but the girl’s family doesn’t approve of the affair, and more so because the girl’s consent has zero legal validity. This confirms that statutory rape does not violate the romantic and sexual autonomy of young adults. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) Is incorrect to infer that the author believes that statutory rape must be met with stricter punishment, as he is averse to the idea that a consensual relationship between two 16-year-olds will get morphed into a case of statutory rape. (c) Is incorrect as it is an extreme opinion, which cannot be rationalised from the tone of the author. (d) Is out of scope.

Q18: As per the above passage, which of the following does not correctly represent the author’s view regarding the widespread persecution of teenage lovers under the POCSO Act?
(a) Teenagers have the right to love as much as adults.
(b) Police complaints of teenage lovers may lead to their harassment.
(c) Consent of minor girls does not have legal validity.
(d) Consent of minor girls has legal validity.
Ans: (d)
Sol: At the very beginning, the writer conveys an unintended and unjust consequence of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, is its widespread persecution of teenage lovers. This being, ‘when two 16-year-olds are romantically and sexually involved, but the girl’s family doesn’t approve of the affair, and more so because the girl’s consent has zero legal validity.’ This is because the age of consent has been increased from 16 years to 18 years.
Therefore, this nullifies the argument that consent of minor girls has legal validity. Hence, (d) is correct. (a) Is reverberated in the last line of the passage: ‘broader goal here is respecting the rights of adolescents and young adults. Their romantic and sexual autonomy needs greatly increased recognition in India.’ Thus, teenagers have the right to love as much as adults. (b) Is correctly interpreted from the argument that teenage lovers face persecution simply on the basis of family disapproval. This proves that police complaints of teenage lovers may lead to their harassment. (c) Is affirmed through the negation of option (d).

Q19: In the above passage, which of the following has concerned the “conscience” of the Allahabad High Court?
(a) Carelessness of teenage lovers.
(b) Threat to the safety of teenage lovers.
(c) Impact on mental health of teenage lovers.
(d) Harassment of teenage lovers by their families.
Ans: (d)
Sol: The answer to this question is more or less explicit. It is stated that the Allahabad High Court has indicated how its “conscience” is concerned by such severe POCSO provisions being drawn by teenage lovers simply on the basis of family disapproval. This proves that harassment of teenage lovers by their families has concerned the “conscience” of the Allahabad High Court. Hence, (d) is correct. (a) Is wrong as carelessness of teenage lovers cannot be elucidated from the passage. (b) Cannot be ascertained if there exists a threat to the safety of teenage lovers, which could have concerned the “conscience” of the Allahabad High Court. (c) Is out of the purview of the passage as the aspect of mental health of teenage lovers is not focused upon.

Q20: As per the above passage, which of the following is a major challenge in implementation of the POCSO Act?
(a) Speedy prosecution of cases.
(b) Respecting the rights of adolescents and young adults.
(c) Counselling of adolescents and young adults.
(d) Imposition of stringent punishment.
Ans: (b) 
Sol: According to the writer, ‘the broader goal here is respecting the rights of adolescents and young adults. Their romantic and sexual autonomy needs greatly increased recognition in India.’ Therefore, a major challenge in the implementation of the POCSO Act is respecting the rights of adolescents and young adults. (a) Cannot be correctly interpreted from the passage. (c) Is incorrect because the idea of counselling of adolescents and young adults is not implicit. (d) Is incorrect because imposition of stringent punishment has not been supported by the author.

5. A Madras High Court Judge’s suggestion to amend the Constitution of india mandating that every citizen also has a duty to laugh comes as a whiff of fresh air - something the country has been gasping for, of late. Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench has a remarkably refined sense of humour, but in quashing an FIR against a man arrested for an innocuous social media post, his insightful observations only highlight the idiocy and absurdity that surround the growth and normalisation of the offence-taking tribe. Written from the perspective of cartoonists and satirists, the judgment draws attention to how what ought to be a reasonable understanding of a situation is increasingly being influenced by impulses that border on the irrational and amount to an abuse of the legal process. The petitioner tried tongue-in-cheek wordplay while captioning photographs after a sight-seeing trip with family : ‘trip to Sirumalai for shooting practice’. For the police, it appeared as a threat to wage war, though the Judicial Magistrate refused remand. ‘Laugh at what?’ is a serious question, the Judge said, using the ‘holy cow’ as a metaphor, which varies from person to person, region to region. Being funny is one thing, the Judge righty states, and poking fun at another is different altogether. Those who have been at the receiving end for their attempt at humour can draw strength from the ruling, but then, a creative process facing combative opposition because of its very nature is anything but funny.

Q21: What is the central idea in the passage as conveyed by the author?
(a) People need to be sensitive towards others’ sensibilities.
(b) Humour is often used as a garb to offend others.
(c) There is an unwelcome decrease in people’s sense of humour.
(d) Judiciary should use humour to make judgments understandable to laypersons.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage is in view of the fact that the High Court Judge’s suggestion to amend the Constitution of India mandating that every citizen also has a duty to laugh; this is in perspective of ‘the growth and normalisation of the offence-taking tribe.’ This confirms the unwelcome decrease in people’s sense of humour. Even the judgment of Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai bench is from the perspective of cartoonists and satirists whose creative process is being stifled owing to the lack of a sense of humour. Hence, (c) is correct. The central theme is that of how people get offended due to lack of humour; it does not connote the need to be sensitive towards others’ sensibilities. Hence, (a) is incorrect. (b) Is an inappropriate argument in stating that humour is often used as a garb to offend others, as the motive of satirists and cartoonists is not to hurt the sentiments of others. It is just that people get offended when they do not get the element of humour. (d) Is incorrect because of the illogical assertion that judiciary should use humour to make judgments understandable to laypersons.

Q22: According to the given passage, which of the following statements is true?
(a) Social media often popularised insensitive and offensive posts.
(b) It should be a right of every person to poke fun at others.
(c) Creative expressions are bound to be offensive to some persons.
(d) Every humorous expression should be understood reasonably and rationally.
Ans: (d)
Sol: The writer of the passage attempts to convey his opinion on how people react to humorous expressions, observing that this is reflected in ‘the growth and normalisation of the offence-taking tribe.’ He supports the observation of Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai bench that being funny is one thing and poking fun at another is different altogether. This verdict comes as a rescue to those whose creative process involves humour. Therefore, it is true that every humorous expression should be understood reasonably and rationally. Hence, (d) is correct. (a) Is incorrect to assert that social media popularised insensitive and offensive posts. (b) Contradicts the verdict of Justice GR Swaminathan that being funny is one thing and poking fun at another is different altogether, implying that poking fun at the expense of others is not at all considered to be in good humour. (c) Is an inappropriate argument and cannot be justified from the given passage. Thus, it is not true that every expression is bound to be offensive to some persons.

Q23: According to the given passage, which of the following statements is not true?
(a) Each expression should be understood according to its context.
(b) The word ‘shooting’ used in a sentence is indicative of waging war.
(c) Legal process can be abused if the authorities act on their irrational impulses.
(d) The expression ‘holy cow’ bears different meanings for different people.
Ans: (b) 
Sol: (b) Is apparent from the quashing of FIR against a man for an innocuous social media post, where he captions “photographs after a sight-seeing trip with family: ‘Trip to Sirumalai for shooting practice’.” For the police, it appeared as a threat to wage war. It implies that police failed to understand the humour in the word ‘shooting’ and misinterpreted it as waging war. Thus, the statement that the word ‘shooting’ used in a sentence is indicative of waging war is not true. Hence, (b) is not true. On referring to the sentence: ‘...the Judge said, using the ‘holy cow’ as a metaphor, which varies from person to person, region to region’ affirms that each expression should be understood according to its context. Hence, (a) is true. The inference that legal process can be abused if the authorities act on their irrational impulses is justified in the line: ‘the judgment draws attention to how what ought to be a reasonable understanding of a situation is increasingly being influenced by impulses that border on the irrational and amount to an abuse of the legal process.’ Hence, (c) is correct. The argument that the expression ‘holy cow’ bears different meanings for different people is evinced when ‘the Judge said, using the ‘holy cow’ as a metaphor, which varies from person to person, region to region.’ Hence, (d) is correct.

Q24: As per the passage, which of the following approaches can reduce the increasing ‘idiocy and absurdity’ in responding to expressions made in jest?
(a) Apologising upon hurting another person’s sentiments.
(b) Avoiding the use of controversial words and expressions.
(c) Using humour as a means to mitigate conflict.
(d) Understanding the difference between being funny and poking fun at another person.
Ans: (d) 
Sol: It is to be noted that increasing idiocy and absurdity reflects ‘the growth and normalisation of the offence-taking tribe’ who has forgotten to interpret humour for the sake of it, instead takes it as an offence. This attitude can be rectified when, being funny is considered to be one thing, and poking fun at another to be a separate thing. Therefore, understanding the difference between being funny and poking fun at another person can reduce the increasing ‘idiocy and absurdity’ in responding to expressions made in jest. Hence, (d) is correct. The act of apologising upon hurting another person’s sentiments cannot reduce the increasing ‘idiocy and absurdity’ in responding to expressions made in jest. The use of ‘controversial words and expressions’ cannot be determined from the passage; moreover controversial is subjective and may vary from person to person, region to region. Using humour as a means to mitigate conflict cannot reduce the increasing ‘idiocy and absurdity’ in responding to expressions made in jest, more so because humour is often misinterpreted.

Q25: “Those who have been at the receiving end for their attempt at humour can draw strength from the ruling, but then, a creative process facing combative opposition because of its very nature is anything but funny.”
Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statement?
(a) Creativity and conflict go hand-in-hand.
(b) Creative freedom should not be curbed unreasonably.
(c) Creative expressions are strengthened due to challenges faced by their authors.
(d) Creativity often leads to conflict.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The verdict of Justice GR Swaminathan that being funny is one thing and poking fun at another is different altogether, implies that poking fun at the expense of others is not at all considered to be in good humour. But it is ironic that the creative process is facing opposition due to its inclusion of humour cannot be considered as humorous. Thus, it can be inferred that creative freedom should not be curbed unreasonably, to ensure the free flow of creativity. Hence, (b) is correct. The statement that creativity and conflict go hand-in-hand is generalised and cannot be ascertained from the given sentence. It is inappropriate to state that creative expressions are strengthened due to challenges faced by their authors. This is illogical. It is too generalised to conclude that creativity often leads to conflict.

6. Two recent developments have brought india’s reliance on fossil fuel into sharp focus. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the consequent surge in crude oil prices roiled the economy. Separately, the most recent iPCC report on climate highlighted the energy sector’s large contribution to global warming. Both these developments need to be located in the context of india’s pledge to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2070. Meeting this pledge requires an overhaul of both the logistics and electricity sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. T ransitioning to renewables in energy is an important part of the solution. Within renewables, solar energy has been lavished with policy support. However, it won’t be enough to meet the targets. Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, had written that i ndia can’t meet its net-zero commitment without nuclear power. He’s right. it’s an area where india was off to an early start, developed relatively high indigenous capabilities in relation to other sectors, but subsequently let the ball drop. Today, nuclear power contributes a mere 3% of the total electricity generated, and has a capacity of 6780 MW. After the early euphoria of the india-United States civil nuclear deal, progress has been disappointing. The deal did open the pathway to a stable supply of uranium ore from Kazakhstan and Canada. However, the design of the subsequent bill on civil liability for nuclear damage killed the prospect of participation of Western firms. India’s main partner today is Russia, which side stepped the bill through inter-government agreements.

Q26: What is the central idea in the passage as conveyed by the author?
(a) India needs to increase use of nuclear power.
(b) India needs to increase production of fossil fuels.
(c) India needs to enter into multilateral agreements addressing use of nuclear power.
(d) Nuclear energy is a renewable source of power.
Ans: (a)
Sol: The central theme of the passage revolves around the attainment of India’s pledge to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and for that both the logistics and electricity sectors ought to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and shift to renewable energy. Since it is not enough to meet the targets of renewables with only solar energy, an alternative source like nuclear energy needs to be championed. Therefore, the idea that is being conveyed is that India needs to increase use of nuclear power. Hence, (a) is correct. (b) Is incorrect as in order to attain India’s pledge to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2070, a country needs to minimize its reliance on fossil fuels. Therefore, the statement that India needs to increase the production of fossil fuels is contradictory. (c) Is a close option because it asserts the importance of nuclear power, but is a red herring. It emphasises on the need of India entering into multilateral agreements, but one of the pacts with the US has been disappointing. So, this cannot be the central idea of the passage. It cannot be confirmed from the passage that nuclear energy is a renewable source of power. Hence, (d) is incorrect.

Q27: According to the author, which of the following measures will not help India achieve its pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2070?
(a) Logistical changes
(b) Changes in electricity sector
(c) Reduction in use of solar power
(d) Increase in use of nuclear power
Ans: (c)
Sol: The attainment of the pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2070 mandates the reduction in the use of fossil fuels and shifting to renewables/ solar power. Therefore, by dint of this logic, any form of reduction in solar power will not help India achieve its pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2070. Hence, (c) is correct. Since meeting the pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2070 requires an overhaul of both the logistics and electricity sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, it is evident that changes in the electricity sector and logistical changes will help India achieve its pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2070. Even an increase in use of nuclear power will help to ease out the overdependence on solar energy and contribute to the pledge of net zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Q28: According to the author, which of the following is not the effect of India’s reliance on fossil fuels?
(a) Global warming
(b) Increase in crude oil prices
(c) Relations with Middle East
(d) Less reliance on renewable sources of power
Ans: (c)
Sol: It is absurd to claim that relations with the Middle East will be impacted with the effect of India’s reliance on fossil fuels. There is no reference to the Middle East. Hence, (c) is correct. One of the major effects of India’s reliance on fossil fuels is the energy sector’s large contribution to global warming. Thus, (a) can be eliminated. One of the consequences of India’s reliance on fossil fuel was reflected in the consequent surge in crude oil prices. Thus, (b) is an effect of India’s reliance on fossil fuels. If there is a continuous reliance on fossil fuels, then the transition to renewables will be less, as a result the reliance on renewable sources of power will be curbed. Hence, (d) is eliminated.

Q29: According to the author, which of the following is the effect of the India-United States civil nuclear deal?
(a) Export-import target with United States
(b) Removal of bottlenecks for self-reliance in power generation
(c) Nuclear Defence Pact with Kazakhstan
(d) Self-reliance in Solar Power
Ans: (b)
Sol: Refer to the statement: ‘The India-United States civil nuclear deal did open the pathway to a stable supply of uranium ore from Kazakhstan and Canada.’ This confirms that bottlenecks for self-reliance in power generation were removed once India had a stable supply of uranium ore from Kazakhstan and Canada. (a) Is incorrect because there is no reference to export-import targets with the United States. (c) Is eliminated because there is no reference to the Nuclear Defence Pact. The effect of the India-United States civil nuclear deal is that it opens the pathway to a stable supply of uranium ore from Kazakhstan and Canada. Thus, (d) is incorrect since it refers to solar energy, not uranium ore.

Q30: According to the author, Western firms lost the opportunity of doing business in the nuclear production in India because:
(a) They had to pay hefty penalties for delay in supply
(b) They do not find nuclear power profitable
(c) They do not agree with India’s place of nuclear plants
(d) They failed to circumvent internal laws by other bilateral instruments
Ans: (d)
Sol: Refer to the sentence: ‘The design of the subsequent bill on civil liability for nuclear damage killed the prospect of participation of Western firms.’ This makes it clear that Western firms failed to circumvent internal laws (bill on civil liability for nuclear damage) by any mutual involvement from both sides. (a) Can be ruled out because it refers to an over generalization that trade ties failed; it is too generalized a statement. (b) Is incorrect, as it does not confirm any influence of any law on the relations between both countries. (c) Is incorrect because the passage refers to bilateral disputes but does not state the exact reason. Hence, (d) is correct.