On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Large scale soil erosion is a major reason for widespread food insecurity in the world. 2. Soil erosion is mainly anthropogenic. 3. Sustainable management of soils helps in combating climate change. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (b)
• Assumption 1 is invalid because the passage states soil is where food grows and erosion is alarming for food producers, but it does not explicitly claim that erosion is a 'major reason' for 'widespread food insecurity' globally.
• Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage describes soil as a living resource that can vanish in minutes but does not attribute the cause of erosion to human activity (anthropogenic factors).
• Assumption 3 is valid because the passage explicitly states that soil traps huge quantities of carbon dioxide as organic carbon, preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere.
• Therefore, only Assumption 3 is directly supported by the text, making option (b) the correct answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- This option incorrectly includes Assumption 1, which is not explicitly stated in the passage, and Assumption 2, which lacks textual support regarding anthropogenic causes.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- This option incorrectly includes Assumption 2, as the passage does not state that soil erosion is mainly caused by human activities.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- This option incorrectly includes Assumptions 1 and 2, neither of which is explicitly supported by the specific statements in the passage.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.