Passage

Passage – 3 Policy makers and media have placed the blame for skyrocketing food prices on a variety of factors, including high fuel prices, bad weather in key food producing countries, and the diversion of land to non-food production. Increased emphasis, however, has been placed on a surge in demand for food from the most populous emerging economies. It seems highly probable that mass consumption in these countries could be well poised to create a food crisis.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Oil producing countries are one of the reasons for high food prices. 2. If there is a food crisis in the world in the near future, it will be in the emerging economies. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• Assumption 1 is not valid: the passage lists 'high fuel prices' as one factor blamed for food prices; it does not blame oil-producing countries.

• Assumption 2 is not valid: the passage says mass consumption in the most populous emerging economies could create a food crisis; it does not say the crisis would be confined to, or occur in, those economies.

• Neither assumption follows from the passage, so option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 only: Assumption 1 is invalid because the passage cites 'high fuel prices' as a factor, not 'oil producing countries' specifically.
(b) 2 only: Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage suggests emerging economies contribute to a global crisis, not that the crisis will be located only in those economies.
(c) Both 1 and 2: Both assumptions are invalid for the reasons stated in options (a) and (b).

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.