UPSC Prelims 2023 CSAT Paper II · Q12 of 77 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage - 2 Environmental problems cause health problems. Substantial changes in lifestyle can reduce environmental or health problems, but this idea appears almost impossible to adopt. With environmental problems, individual efforts can be perceived as having a negligible effect and therefore lead to inertia. With health, on the other hand, individual choices can make the difference between life and death, literally. And yet, barring a few, there seems to be the same collective lethargy towards making their choices.

Which one of the following statements best implies the most rational assumption that can be made from the passage ?

  1. (a) We are likely to spend more money on cure than prevention. ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) It is the job of the government to solve our environmental and public health problems.
  3. (c) Health can be protected even if environmental problems go on unattended.
  4. (d) Loss of traditional lifestyle and the influence of western values led to some unhealthy ways of living.

Why the answer is (a)

• The passage states that substantial lifestyle changes to reduce environmental or health problems are 'almost impossible to adopt' due to collective lethargy and perceived negligible individual impact.

• It highlights that while individual health choices can determine life or death, people still exhibit inertia in making these preventive choices.

• This inertia implies that individuals are not taking proactive steps to prevent health issues through lifestyle changes.

• Consequently, the most rational assumption is that people will rely on treatment after illness occurs rather than investing in prevention.

• Therefore, the statement that we are likely to spend more money on cure than prevention logically follows from the described lack of preventive action.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) It is the job of the government to solve our environmental and public health problems.
The passage attributes the problem to individual inertia and collective lethargy, not to a lack of government responsibility or action.
(c) Health can be protected even if environmental problems go on unattended.
The passage explicitly links environmental problems to health problems, implying that unattended environmental issues will negatively impact health.
(d) Loss of traditional lifestyle and the influence of western values led to some unhealthy…
The passage does not mention traditional lifestyles, western values, or their influence on living habits as causes of the problem.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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