UPSC Prelims 2015 CSAT Paper II · Q44 of 74 Comprehension easy

Passage

We generally talk about democracy but when it comes to any particular thing, we prefer a belonging to our caste or community or religion. So long as we have this kind of temptation, our democracy will remain a phoney kind of democracy. We must be in a position to respect a man as a man and to extend opportunities for development to those who deserve them and not to those who happen to belong to our community or race. This fact of favouritism has been responsible for much discontent and ill-will in our country.

Which one of the following statements best sums up the above passage ?

  1. (a) Our country has a lot of diversity with its many castes, communities and religions.
  2. (b) True democracy could be established by providing equal opportunities to all. ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) So far none of us have actually understood the meaning of democracy.
  4. (d) It will never be possible for us to establish truly democratic governance in our country.

Why the answer is (b)

• The passage argues that current democracy is 'phoney' because people favor their own caste, community, or religion over merit.

• It explicitly states that we must respect individuals as humans and extend opportunities for development to those who deserve them, not just those in our group.

• The core message is that eliminating this favoritism and providing equal, merit-based opportunities is necessary for genuine democracy.

• Therefore, the statement that true democracy is established by providing equal opportunities to all best summarizes the author's argument.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Our country has a lot of diversity with its many castes, communities and religions.
The passage mentions diversity only to explain the source of bias, not to celebrate or describe the country's diversity as the main point.
(c) So far none of us have actually understood the meaning of democracy.
The author criticizes specific behaviors (favoritism) rather than claiming that no one has ever understood the meaning of democracy.
(d) It will never be possible for us to establish truly democratic governance in our country.
The passage is prescriptive and hopeful, stating what 'must' be done, rather than pessimistic about the impossibility of establishing democratic governance.

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.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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