UPSC Prelims 2022 CSAT Paper II · Q3 of 78 Comprehension medium

Passage

Unless the forces and tendencies which are responsible for destroying the country's environment are checked in the near future and afforestation of denuded areas is taken up on a massive scale, the harshness of the climatic conditions and soil erosion by wind and water will increase to such an extent that agriculture, which is the mainstay of our people, will gradually become impossible. The desert countries of the world and our own desert areas in Rajasthan are a grim reminder of the consequences of large-scale deforestation. Pockets of desert-like landscape are now appearing in other parts of the

According to the passage given above, deforestation and denudation will ultimately lead to which of the following? 1. Depletion of soil resource 2. Shortage of land for the common man 3. Lack of water for cultivation Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Why the answer is (c)

• The passage warns that unchecked environmental destruction and lack of afforestation will increase harsh climatic conditions and soil erosion by wind and water.

• Soil erosion by wind and water directly means the loss or depletion of the soil resource, so statement 1 follows.

• The reference to desert countries and Rajasthan as reminders of large-scale deforestation shows that denudation creates desert-like conditions.

• Desert-like conditions reduce moisture and make agriculture impossible, which corresponds to lack of water for cultivation, so statement 3 follows.

• The passage does not say deforestation reduces the amount of land available to the common man, so statement 2 does not follow.

• Therefore only 1 and 3 are supported, making option (c) correct.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) 1 and 2 only
Option (a) is wrong because it includes statement 2, which the passage does not support as a consequence of deforestation and denudation.
(b) 2 and 3 only
Option (b) is wrong because it includes statement 2 and omits statement 1, while the passage explicitly mentions soil erosion by wind and water.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Option (d) is wrong because it includes statement 2, which is not stated in the passage as a result of deforestation and denudation.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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