Passage Based Questions for Critical Reasoning - 3 | Logical Reasoning for CLAT PDF Download

Read the passage given below and answer the questions:

India’s push for renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, aims to meet rising energy demands while reducing carbon emissions. By 2024, renewable sources accounted for 20% of India’s energy mix, with solar installations growing by 15% annually. Government subsidies and international funding have lowered costs, making solar panels accessible to rural households. A 2024 report notes that 10 million homes now use solar energy, reducing reliance on coal by 12%. Proponents argue that renewables ensure energy security, create jobs, and combat climate change, with solar projects employing 500,000 workers last year.

Challenges remain, including high initial costs for large-scale projects and inconsistent power supply due to weather dependency. Critics argue that over-investment in renewables diverts funds from immediate energy needs, like upgrading coal plants for urban areas. They point out that 30% of rural solar systems fail within five years due to poor maintenance. Supporters counter that long-term savings from renewables outweigh initial costs, and maintenance issues can be resolved through training programs. The intermittency problem, they argue, can be mitigated by hybrid systems combining solar, wind, and battery storage. The debate focuses on whether India can scale renewables sustainably while addressing short-term energy demands and infrastructural gaps.

1. What is a key benefit of renewable energy adoption mentioned in the passage?
(A) Job creation and climate change mitigation
(B) Complete replacement of coal-based energy
(C) Elimination of all maintenance challenges
(D) Immediate energy supply for urban areas

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2. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the critics’ argument against over-investment in renewables?
(A) Coal plants are more reliable than solar systems during monsoons.
(B) Renewable projects have reduced energy costs by 25% in rural areas.
(C) Large-scale solar projects require significant land acquisition.
(D) Battery storage systems are currently expensive.

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3. According to the passage, what is a major challenge for renewable energy adoption?
(A) Lack of government subsidies for solar panels
(B) High initial costs and weather-dependent supply
(C) Insufficient job opportunities in solar projects
(D) Over-reliance on coal-based energy

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4. The passage suggests that supporters of renewable energy primarily advocate for:
(A) Abandoning coal plants entirely
(B) Long-term savings and infrastructural solutions
(C) Prioritizing urban energy needs over rural
(D) Limiting international funding for renewables

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5. Which of the following best addresses the issue of intermittent renewable energy supply?
(A) Increasing coal plant investments
(B) Reducing solar panel installations
(C) Implementing hybrid systems with battery storage
(D) Eliminating rural solar programs

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