Which among the following is the most logical corollary to the above passage ?
- (a) Mass nesting in all species of birds is essential to ensure complete survival of their offspring.
- (b) Only birds have the capacity to develop social behaviour and thus can do mass nesting to raise their chicks in safety.
- (c) Social behaviour in some species of birds increases the odds of survival in an unsafe world. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) All species of birds set up crèches for their chicks to teach them social behaviour and loyalty.
Why the answer is (c)
• The passage describes flamingos as social and loyal, engaging in group activities like mating dances and forming crèches for chick protection.
• It highlights that both parents leave to find food while chicks are gathered for safety, implying a collective strategy for survival.
• This specific example of social behavior in flamingos suggests that such traits help protect offspring in the wild.
• Therefore, the most logical corollary is that social behavior in some bird species enhances survival chances in an unsafe environment.
• Option (c) correctly generalizes this specific observation without overextending to all birds or claiming exclusivity to birds.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Mass nesting in all species of birds is essential to ensure complete survival of their…
- The passage only discusses flamingos, so it does not support the claim that mass nesting is essential for the complete survival of offspring in all bird species.
- (b) Only birds have the capacity to develop social behaviour and thus can do mass nesting to…
- The passage does not state that only birds have social behavior, nor does it claim that mass nesting is the exclusive method for raising chicks safely.
- (d) All species of birds set up crèches for their chicks to teach them social behaviour and…
- The passage states that flamingos gather chicks for protection, not to teach them social behavior, and it does not claim that all bird species set up crèches.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.