UPSC Prelims 2017 CSAT Paper II · Q61 of 79 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage—1 An air quality index (AQI) is a way to combine measurements of multiple air pollutants into a single number or rating. This index is ideally kept constantly updated and available in different places. The AQI is most useful when lots of pollution data are being gathered and when pollution levels are normally, but not always, low. In such cases, if pollution levels spike for a few days, the public can quickly take preventive action (like staying indoors) in response to an air quality warning. Unfortunately, that is not urban India. Pollution levels in many large Indian cities are so high that they remain well above any health or regulatory standard for large part of the year. If our index stays in the 'Red/Dangerous' region day after day, there is not much any one can do, other than getting used to ignoring it.

Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

  1. (a) Our governments are not responsible enough to keep our cities pollution free.
  2. (b) There is absolutely no need for air quality indices in our country.
  3. (c) Air quality index is not helpful to the residents of many of our large cities. ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) In every city, public awareness about pollution problems should increase.

Why the answer is (c)

• The passage states that the AQI is most useful when pollution levels are normally low, allowing the public to take preventive action during temporary spikes.

• It explicitly notes that in many large Indian cities, pollution levels remain well above health standards for a large part of the year.

• Consequently, the AQI stays in the 'Red/Dangerous' region day after day in these cities.

• The author argues that when the index is constantly in the danger zone, people get used to ignoring it, rendering it ineffective for guiding daily behavior.

• Therefore, the logical inference is that the AQI is not helpful to residents of these specific large cities where pollution is chronic rather than sporadic.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Our governments are not responsible enough to keep our cities pollution free.
The passage does not discuss government responsibility or blame, focusing instead on the utility of the index under high pollution conditions.
(b) There is absolutely no need for air quality indices in our country.
The passage argues the index is less useful in high-pollution cities but does not claim there is 'absolutely no need' for it in the country, as it remains useful in areas with lower baseline pollution.
(d) In every city, public awareness about pollution problems should increase.
The passage suggests that constant high readings lead to people ignoring the index, not that public awareness needs to increase, and this option is not a direct inference from the text's argument about the index's limitations.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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