UPSC Prelims 2025 CSAT Paper II · Q4 of 78 Comprehension medium

Passage

If there is inequality in the pattern of population growth, there is greater inequality in food production and utilization. As societies become wealthier, their consumption of animal products increases. This means that a greater proportion of such basic foodstuff as grains and legumes that could feed humans directly is instead being converted into feed for poultry and large farm animals. Yet this conversion of plant-based food into animal food for humans is far from efficient. Only 16% of the calories fed to chickens are recovered by us when we eat them. This conversion rate goes down to five to seven per cent in large animals that are fed grain to add fat and some protein before slaughter.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made : I. The food manufacturing and processing industries in every country should align their objectives and processes in accordance with the changing needs of the societies. II. Wealthier societies tend to incur great loss of calories of food materials due to indirect utilization of their agricultural produce. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid ?

  1. (a) I only
  2. (b) II only ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) Both I and II
  4. (d) Neither I nor II

Why the answer is (b)

• Assumption II is valid because the passage explicitly states that as societies become wealthier, they consume more animal products, leading to an inefficient conversion of plant-based food into animal food.

• The text quantifies this inefficiency, noting that only 16% of calories fed to chickens are recovered and only 5-7% for large animals, confirming a 'great loss of calories' due to indirect utilization.

• Assumption I is invalid because the passage focuses on the biological and economic inefficiency of converting plant calories to animal calories, not on the operational objectives or processes of food manufacturing and processing industries.

• The passage does not discuss the need for industries to align with changing societal needs; it only describes the trend of increased animal product consumption in wealthier societies.

• Therefore, only Assumption II is supported by the text, making option (b) the correct answer.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) I only
Assumption I is not supported by the passage, which discusses caloric inefficiency in food conversion rather than industry alignment with societal needs.
(c) Both I and II
Assumption I is invalid as the passage does not address the objectives or processes of food manufacturing and processing industries.
(d) Neither I nor II
Assumption II is valid as the passage clearly links wealthier societies to significant caloric loss through inefficient animal product consumption.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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