DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS

Passage-1 implementing adaptation plans. The scale and magnitude of

I must say that, beyond occasionally exposing me to laughter, the financial support required by developing countries to
my constitutional shyness has been of no disadvantage enhance their domestic mitigation and adaptation actions are
whatever. In fact I can see that, on the contrary, it has been a matter of intense debate in the multilateral negotiations
all to my advantage. My hesitancy in speech, which was once under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
an annoyance, is now a pleasure. Its greatest benefit has Change (UNFCCC). The Convention squarely puts the
been that it has taught me the economy of words. I have responsibility for provision of financial support on the
naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts. And I developed countries, taking into account their contribution to
can now give myself the certificate that a thoughtless word the stock of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere.
hardly ever escapes my tongue or pen. I do not recollect ever Given the magnitude of the task and the funds required,
having had to regret anything in my speech or writing. I have domestic finances are likely to fall short of the current and
thus been spared many a mishap and waste of time. projected needs of the developing countries. Global funding
Experience has taught me that silence is part of the spiritual through the multilateral mechanism of the Convention will
discipline of a votary of truth. Proneness to exaggerate, to enhance their domestic capacity to finance the mitigation
suppress or modify the truth, wittingly or unwittingly, is a efforts.
natural weakness of man, and silence is necessary in order to 3. According to the passage, which of the following is/are a
surmount it. A man of few words will rarely be thoughtless in matter of intense debate in the multilateral negotiations
his speech; he will measure every word. We find so many under UNFCCC regarding the role of developing countries in
people impatient to talk. There is no chairman of a meeting climate change? [2015]
who is not pestered with notes for permission to speak. And 1. The scale and size of required financial support.
whenever the permission is given the speaker generally 2. The crop loss due to climate change in the developing
exceeds the time-limit, asks for more time, and keeps on countries.
talking without permission. All this talking can hardly be said 3. To enhance the mitigation and adaptation actions in the
to be of any benefit to the world. It is so much waste of time. developing countries.
My shyness has been in reality my shield and buckler. It has Select the correct answer using the code given below:
allowed me to grow. It has helped me in my discernment of (a) 1 only
truth. (b) 2 and 3 only
1. The author says that a thoughtless word hardly ever (c) 1 and 3 only
escapes his tongue or pen. Which one of the following is not (d) 1, 2 and 3
a valid reason for this?[2015]
(a) He has no intention to waste his time. 4. In this passage, the Convention puts the responsibility for
(b) He believes in the economy of words. the provision of financial support on the developed
(c) He believes in restraining his thoughts. countries because of - [2015]
(d) He has hesitancy in his speech. 1. their higher level of per capita incomes.
2. their large quantum of GDP.
2. The most appropriate reason for the author to be spared 3. their large contribution to the stock of GHGs in the
many a mishap is that[2015] atmosphere
(a) he hardly utters or writes a thoughtless word. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(b) he is a man of immense patience. (a) I only
(c) he believes that he is a spiritual person. (b) 1 and 2 only
(d) he is a votary of truth. (c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Passage-2
Climate change is a complex policy issue with major Passage-3
implications in terms of finance. All actions to address climate Accountability, or the lack of it, in governance generally, and
change ultimately involve costs. Funding is vital for countries civil services, in particular, is a major factor underlying the
like India to design and implement adaptation and mitigation deficiencies in governance and public administration.
plans and projects. Lack of funding is a large impediment to Designing an effective framework for accountability has been
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
a key element of the reform agenda. A fundamental issue is (a) 1 only
whether civil services should be accountable to the political (b) 2 and 3 only
executive of the day or to society at large. In other words, (c) 1 and 4 only
how should internal and external accountability be reconciled (d) 2, 3 and 4
1? Internal accountability is sought to be achieved by internal
performance monitoring, official supervision by bodies like 6. According to the passage, which one of the following is
the Central Vigilance Commission and Comptroller and not a means of enhancing internal accountability of civil
Auditor General, and judicial review of executive decisions. services? [2016]
Articles 311 and 312 of the Indian Constitution provide job (a) Better job security and safeguards
security and safeguards to the civil services, especially the All (b) Supervision by Central Vigilance Commission
India Services. The framers of the Constitution had envisaged (c) Judicial review of executive decisions
that provision of these safeguards would result in a civil (d) Seeking accountability through enhanced participation by
service that is not totally subservient to the political executive people in decision making process
but will have the strength to function in larger public interest.
The need to balance internal and external accountability is Passage-4
thus built into the Constitution. The issue is where to draw Biomass as fuel for power, heat, and transport has the
the line. Over the years, the emphasis seems to have tilted in highest mitigation potential of all renewable sources. It
favour of greater internal accountability of the civil services comes from agriculture and forest residues as well as from
to the political leaders of the day who in turn are expected to energy crops. The biggest challenge in using biomass residues
be externally accountable to the society at large through the is a long-term reliable supply delivered to the power plant at
election process. This system for seeking accountability to reasonable costs; the key problems are logistical constraints
society has not worked out, and has led to several adverse and the costs of fuel collection. Energy crops, if not managed
consequences for governance. properly, compete with food production and may have
Some special measures can be considered for improving undesirable impacts on food prices. Biomass production is
accountability in civil services. Provisions of articles 311 and also sensitive to the physical impacts of a changing climate.
312 should be reviewed and laws and regulations framed to Projections of the future role of biomass are probably
ensure external accountability of civil services. The proposed overestimated, given the limits to the sustainable biomass
Civil Services Bill seeks to address some of these supply, unless breakthrough technologies substantially
requirements. The respective roles of professional civil increase productivity. Climate-energy models project that
services and the political executive should be defined so that biomass use could increase nearly four-fold to around 150-
professional managerial functions and management of civil 200 exajoules, almost a quarter of world primary energy in
services are depoliticized. For this purpose, effective 2050. However the maximum sustainable technical potential
statutory civil service boards should be created at the centre of biomass resources (both residues and energy crops)
and in the states. Decentralization and devolution of without disruption of food and forest resources ranges from
authority to bring government and decision making closer to 80-170 exajoules a year by 2050, and only part of this is
the people also helps to enhance accountability. realistically and economically feasible. In addition, some
5. According to the passage, which of the following climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and
factor/factors led to the adverse consequences for storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative
governance/public administration?[2016] emissions and to buy some time during the first half of the
1. Inability of civil services to strike a balance between century. Some liquid biofuels such as corn-based ethanol,
internal and external accountabilities mainly for transport, may aggravate rather than ameliorate
2. Lack of sufficient professional training to the officers of All carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis. Second generation
India Services biofuels, based on ligno-cellulosic feedstocks-such as straw,
3. Lack of proper service benefits in civil services bagasse, grass and wood- hold the promise of sustainable
4. Lack of Constitutional provisions to define the respective production that is high-yielding and emit low levels of
roles of professional civil services vis-a-vis political executive greenhouse gases, but these are still in the R & D stage.
in this context. 7. What is/are the present constraint/constraints in using
Select the correct answer using the code given below: biomass as fuel for power generation?[2016]
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
1. Lack of sustainable supply of biomass an inescapable prerequisite for warding off hunger and
2. Biomass production competes with food production starvation. However, global availability of adequate supply
3. Bio-energy may not always be low carbon on a life-cycle does not necessarily mean that food would automatically
basis move from countries of surplus to countries of deficit if the
Select the correct answer using the code given below: latter lack in purchasing power. The uneven distribution of
(a) 1 and 2 only hunger, starvation, under- or malnourishment, etc., at the
(b) 3 only world-level, thus owes itself to the presence of empty-pocket
(c) 2 and 3 only hungry mouths, overwhelmingly confined to the
(d) 1, 2 and 3 underdeveloped economies. Inasmuch as 'a two-square meal'
is of elemental significance to basic human existence, the
8. Which of the following can lead to food security issue of worldwide supply of food has been gaining
problem?[2016] significance, in recent times, both because the quantum and
1. Using agricultural and forest residues as feedstock for the composition of demand has been undergoing big
power generation changes, and because, in recent years, the capabilities of
2. Using biomass for carbon capture and storage individual countries to generate uninterrupted chain of food
3. Promoting the cultivation of energy crops supplies have come under strain. Food production, marketing
Select the correct answer using the code given below: and prices, especially price-affordability by the poor in the
(a) 1 and 2 only developing world, have become global issues that need global
(b) 3 only thinking and global solutions.
(c) 2 and 3 only 10. According to the above passage, which of the following
(d) 1, 2 and 3 are the fundamental solutions for the world food security
problem?[2016]
9. In the context of using biomass, which of the following 1. Setting up more agro-based industries
is/are the characteristic/ characteristics of the sustainable 2. Improving the price affordability by the poor
production of biofuel?[2016] 3. Regulating the conditions of marketing
1. Biomass as a fuel for power generation could meet all the 4. Providing food subsidy to one and all
primary energy requirements of the world by 2050. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
2. Biomass as a fuel for power generation does not (a) 1 and 2 only
necessarily disrupt food and forest resources. (b) 2 and 3 only
3. Biomass as a fuel for power generation could help in (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
achieving negative emissions, given certain nascent (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
technologies.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: 11. According to the above passage, the biggest challenge to
(a) 1 and 2 only world agriculture is:[2016]
(b) 3 only (a) to find sufficient land for agriculture and to expand food
(c) 2 and 3 only processing industries
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) to eradicate hunger in underdeveloped countries
Passage-5 (c) to achieve a balance between the production of food and
Historically, the biggest challenge to world agriculture has non-food items
been to achieve a balance between demand for and supply of (d) to achieve a balance between demand for and supply of
food. At the level of individual countries, the demand-supply food
balance can be a critical policy issue for a closed economy,
especially if it is a populous economy and its domestic 12. According to the above passage, which of the following
agriculture is not growing sufficiently enough to ensure food helps/help in reducing hunger and starvation in the
supplies, on an enduring basis; it is not so much and not developing economies?[2016]
always, of a constraint for an open, and growing economy, 1. Balancing demand and supply of food
which has adequate exchange surpluses to buy food abroad. 2. Increasing imports of food
For the world as a whole, supply-demand balance is always 3. Increasing purchasing power of the poor
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
4. Changing the food consumption patterns and practices. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Passage-7
13. The issue of worldwide supply of food has gained Though I have discarded much of past tradition and custom,
importance mainly because of:[2016] and am anxious that India should rid herself of all shackles
1. overgrowth of the population worldwide. that bind and contain her and divide her people, and
2. sharp decline in the area of food production. suppress vast numbers of them, and prevent the free
3. limitation in the capabilities for sustained supply of food. development of the body and the spirit though I seek all this,
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: yet I do not wish to cut myself off from that past completely. I
(a) 1 and 2 only am proud of that great inheritance that has been and is, ours
(b) 3 only and I am conscious that I too, like all of us, am a link in that
(c) 2 and 3 only unbroken chain which goes back to the dawn of history in the
(d) 1, 2 and 3 immemorial past of India.
15. The author wants India to rid herself of certain past
Passage-6 bonds because- [2018]
Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. (a) he is not able to see the relevance of the past
The consumption of pesticides in some of the developed (b) there is not much to be proud of
countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, (c) he is not interested in the history of India
there are reports that these compounds possess inherent (d) they obstruct her physical and spiritual growth
toxicities that endanger the health of the farm operators,
consumers and the environment. Synthetic pesticides are Passage-8
generally persistent in environment. Entering in food chain It is no longer enough for us to talk about providing for
they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological universal access to education. Making available schooling
imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in facilities is an essential prerequisite, but is insufficient to
development of resistance among insects to insecticides, ensure that all children attend school and participate in the
upsetting of balance in nature and resurgence of treated learning process. The school may be there, but children may
populations. Natural pest control using the botanical not attend or they may drop out after a few months. Through
pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because school and social mapping, we must address the entire gamut
they break down into harmless compounds within hours or of social, economic, cultural and indeed linguistic and
days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticidal pedagogic issues. Factors that prevent children from weaker
properties have been in nature for millions of years without sections and disadvantaged groups, as also girls, from
any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily regularly attending and complementing elementary
decomposed by many microbes common in most soils. They education. The focus must be on the poorest and most
help in the maintenance of biological diversity of predators vulnerable since these groups are the most disempowered
and the reduction of environmental contamination and and at the greatest risk of violation or denial of their right to
human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from education.
plants are biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a The right to education goes beyond free and compulsory
practical sustainable alternative. education to include quality education for all. Quality is an
14. Which of the following statements is/are correct integral part of the right to education. If the education
regarding bio-pesticides? [2017] process lacks quality, children are being denied their right.
1. They are not hazardous to human health. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act
2. They are persistent in environment. lays down that the curriculum should provide for learning
3. They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any through activities, exploration and discovery. This places an
ecosystem. obligation on us to change our perception of children as
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
passive receivers of knowledge, and to move beyond the hydrology and related soil and nutrient losses. The
convention of using textbooks as the basis of examinations. consequences of deforestation invariably arise out of site
The teaching-learning process must become stress-free; and a degradation through erosive losses. Tropical Asia, Africa and
massive programme for curricular reform should be initiated South America have the highest levels of erosion. The already
to provide for a child-friendly learning system, that is more high rates for the tropics are increasing at an alarming rate
relevant and empowering. Teacher accountability systems (e.g., through the major river systems-Ganga and
and processes must ensure that children are learning, and Brahmaputra, in the Indian context), due to deforestation and
that their right to learn in a child-friendly environment is not ill-suited land management practices subsequent to forest
violated. Testing and assessment systems must be clearing. In the mountain context, the declining moisture
reexamined and redesigned to ensure that these do not force retention of the mountain soils, drying up of the underground
children to struggle between school and tuition centres, and springs and smaller rivers in the Himalayan region could be
bypass childhood. attributed to drastic changes in the forest cover. An indirect
16. According to the passage, which of the following is/are consequence is drastic alteration in the upland-lowland
of paramount importance under the Right to interaction, mediated through water. The current concern
Education?[2018] the tea planter of Assam has is about the damage to tea
1. Sending of children to school by all parents plantations due to frequent inundation along the flood-plains
2. Provision of adequate physical infrastructure in schools of Brahmaputra, and the damage to tea plantation and the
3. Curricular reform for developing child-friendly learning consequent loss in tea productivity is due to rising level of the
system river bottom because of siltation and the changing course of
Select the correct answer using the code given below. the river system. The ultimate consequences of site
(a) 1 only desertification are soil degradation, alteration in available
(b) 1 and 2 only water and its quality, and the consequent decline in food,
(c) 3 only fodder and fuel- wood yields essential for the economic well-
(d) None of the above being of rural communities.
18. According to the passage, which of the following are the
17. According to the passage, which one of the following is consequences of decline in forest cover? [2018]
critical in bringing quality in education?[2018] 1. Loss of topsoil
(a) Ensuring regular attendance of children as well as teachers 2. Loss of smaller rivers
in school 3. Adverse effect on production of agriculture
(b) Giving pecuniary benefits to teachers to motivate them 4. Declining of groundwater
(c) Understanding the socio-cultural background of children Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(d) Inculcating learning through activities and discovery (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
Passage-9 (c) 1 and 4 only
'Desertification' is a term used to explain a process of decline (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
in the biological productivity of an ecosystem, leading to total
loss of productivity. While this phenomenon is often linked to Passage-10
the arid, semi-arid and sub-humid ecosystems, even in the A diversity of natural assets will be needed to cope with
humid tropics, the impact could be most dramatic. climate change and ensure productive agriculture, forestry,
Impoverishment of human-impacted terrestrial ecosystems and fisheries. For example, crop varieties are needed that
may exhibit itself in a variety of ways: accelerated erosion as perform well under drought, heat, and enhanced CO2. But
in the mountain regions of the country, salinization of land as the private-sector and farmer-led process of choosing crops
in the semi-arid and arid 'green revolution' areas of the favours homogeneity adapted to past or current conditions,
country, e.g., Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, and site not varieties capable of producing consistently high yields in
quality decline-a common phenomenon due to general warmer, wetter, or drier conditions. Accelerated breeding
decline in tree cover and monotonous monoculture of programmes are needed to conserve a wider pool of genetic
rice/wheat across the Indian plains. A major consequence of resources of existing crops, breeds, and their wild relatives.
deforestation is that it relates to adverse alterations in the Relatively intact ecosystems, such as forested catchments,
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
mangroves, wetlands, can buffer the impacts of climate Passage-12
change. Under a changing climate, these ecosystems are The main threat to maintaining progress in human
themselves at risk, and management approaches will need to development comes from the increasingly evident
be more proactive and adaptive. Connection between natural unsustainability of production and consumption patterns.
areas, such as migration corridors, may be needed to Current production models rely heavily on fossil fuels. We
facilitate species movements to keep up with the change in now know that this is unsustainable because the resources
climate. are finite. The close link between economic growth and
19. With reference to the above passage, which of the greenhouse gas emissions needs to be severed for human
following would assist us in coping with the climate development to become truly sustainable. Some developed
change?[2018] countries have begun to alleviate the worst effects by
1. Conservation of natural water sources expanding recycling and investing in public transport and
2. Conservation of wider gene pool infra- structure. But most developing countries are hampered
3. Existing practices of crop management by the high costs and low availability of clean energy sources.
4. Migration corridors Developed countries need to support developing countries'
Select the correct answer using the code given below. transition to sustainable human development.
(a) 1,2 and 3 only 21. Unsustainability in production pattern is due to which of
(b) 1,2 and 4 only the following?[2022]
(c) 3 and 4 only 1. Heavy dependence on fossil fuels
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 2. Limited availability of resources
3. Expansion of recycling
Passage-11 Select the correct answer using the code given below.
At the heart of agroecology is the idea that agroecosystems (a) 1 and 2 only
should mimic the biodiversity levels and functioning of (b) 2 only
natural ecosystems. Such agricultural mimics, like their (c) 1 and 3 only
natural models, can be productive, pest-resistant, nutrient (d) 1, 2 and 3
conserving, and resilient to shocks and stresses. In
ecosystems there is no 'waste', nutrients are recycled 22. Consider the following statements:[2022]
indefinitely. Agroecology aims at closing nutrient loops, ie., Developed countries can support developing countries'
returning all nutrients that come out of the soil back to the transition to sustainable human development by -
soil such as through application of farmyard manure. It also 1. making clean energy sources available at low cost.
harnesses natural processes to control pests and build soil 2. providing loans for improving their public transport at
fertility i.e. through intercropping. Agroecological practices nominal interest rates.
include integrating trees with livestock and crops. 3. encouraging them to change their production and
20. Consider the following:[2021] consumption patterns.
1. Cover crops Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. Fertigation (a) 1 only
3. Hydroponics (b) 1 and 2 only
4. Mixed farming (c) 2 and 3 only
5. Polyculture (d) 1, 2 and 3
6. Vertical farming
Which of the above farming practices can be compatible with Passage-13
agroecology, as implied by the passage? Unless the forces and tendencies which are responsible for
(a) 1, 4 and 5 only destroying the country's environment are checked in the near
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only future and afforestation of denuded areas is taken up on a
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 6 only massive scale, the harshness of the climatic conditions and
(d) 4 and 6 only 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
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
world and our own desert areas in Rajasthan are a grim Passage-15
reminder of the consequences of large-scale deforestation. Natural selection cannot anticipate future environments on
Pockets of desert-like landscape are now appearing in other the earth. Therefore, the set of existing organisms can never
parts of the country including the Sutlej-Ganga Plains and the be fully prepared for environmental catastrophes that await
Deccan Plateau. Where only a few decades back there used life. An outcome of this is the extinction of those species
to be lush green forests with perennial streams and springs, which cannot overcome environmental adversity. This failure
there is only brown earth, bare of vegetation, without any to survive, in modern terms, can be attributed to the
water in the streams and springs except in the rainy season. genomes which are unable to withstand geological vagaries
23. According to the passage given above, deforestation and or biological mishaps (infections, diseases and so on). In
denudation will ultimately lead to which of the following? biological evolution on the earth, extinction of species has
[2022] been a major feature. The earth may presently have up to ten
1. Depletion of soil resource million species, yet more than 90% of species that have ever
2. Shortage of land for the common man lived on the earth are now extinct. Once again, the creationist
3. Lack of water for cultivation doctrines fail to satisfactorily address why a divine creator
Select the correct answer using the code given below. will firstly bother to create millions of species and then allow
(a) 1 and 2 only them to perish. The Darwinian explanation for extinct life is
(b) 2 and 3 only once again simple, elegant and at once convincing-organisms
(c) 1 and 3 only go extinct as a function of environmental or biological
(d) 1, 2 and 3 assaults for which their inheritance deems them ill-equipped.
Passage-14 Therefore, the so-called Darwinian theory of evolution is not
The poverty line is quite unsatisfactory when it comes to a theory at all. Evolution happens-this is a fact. The
grasping the extent of poverty in India. It is not only because mechanism of evolution (Darwin proposed natural selection)
of its extremely narrow definition of who is poor and the is amply supported by scientific data. Indeed, to date no
debatable methodology used to count the poor, but also single zoological, botanical, geological, paleontological,
because of a more fundamental assumption underlying it. It genetic or physical evidence has refuted, either of the central
exclusively relies on the notion of poverty as insufficient two main Darwinian ideas. If religion is not taken into
income or insufficient purchasing power. One can better consideration, Darwinian laws are acceptable just like the
categorize it by calling it income poverty. If poverty is laws proposed by Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and Einstein-
ultimately about deprivations affecting human well-being, sets of natural laws that explain natural phenomena in the
then income poverty is only one aspect of it. Poverty of a life, universe.
in our view, lies not merely in the impoverished state in 25. According to the passage, natural selection cannot
which the person actually lives, but also in the lack of real anticipate future environments on the earth as- [2022]
opportunity given by social constraints as well as personal 1. species not fully prepared to face the environmental
circumstances to choose other types of living. Even the changes that await them will face extinction.
relevance of low incomes, meagre possessions, and other 2. all the existing species would get extinct as their genomes
aspects of what are standardly seen as economic poverty will not withstand biological mishaps.
relate ultimately to the role in curtailing capabilities, i.e., their 3. inability of the genome to withstand environmental
role in severely restricting the choices people have to lead changes would result in extinction.
variable and valued lives. 4. extinction of species is a common feature.
24. Why is income poverty only one measure of counting Select the correct answer using the code given below.
the 'poor'?[2022] (a) 1, 2 and 3
(a) It talks of only one kind of deprivation ignoring all others. (b) 2, 3 and 4
(b) Other deprivations in a human life have nothing to do (c) 1, 3 and 4
with lack of purchasing power. (d) 1, 2 and 4
(c) Income poverty is not a permanent condition; it changes
from time to time. Passage-16
(d) Income poverty restricts human choices only at a point of The demographic dividend, which has begun in India and is
time. expected to last another few decades, is a great window of
 DETAILS BASED QUESTIONS
opportunity. The demographic dividend is basically a swelling Passage-18
in the working age population, which conversely means that Only with long experience and opening of his wares on many
the relative ratio of very young and very old will, for a while, a beach where his language is not spoken, will the merchant
be on the decline. From the experience of Ireland and China, come to know the worth of what he carries, and what is
we know that this can be a source of energy and an engine of parochial and what is universal in his choice. Such delicate
economic growth. The demographic dividend tends to raise a goods as justice, love and honour, courtesy, and indeed all
nation's savings rate since in any nation; it is the working age the things we care for, are valid everywhere but they are
population that is the main saver. And since the savings rate variously moulded and often differently handled, and
is an important driver of growth, this should help elevate our sometimes nearly unrecognisable, if you meet them in a
growth rate. However, the benefits of demographic dividend foreign land, and the art of learning fundamental common
depend on the quality of the working age population. And values is perhaps the greatest gain of travel to those who
this implies bringing back the importance of education, wish to live at ease among their fellows.
acquisition of skills and human capital. 28. When we meet other people while we travel, we learn
26. Which of the following would invariably happen in a to differentiate between - [2024]
country, when the demographic dividend has begun to (a) imagination and understanding
operate?[2022] (b) communities and nationalities
1. The number of illiterate people will decrease. (c) local values and universal values
2. The ratio of very old and very young will decrease for a (d) friends and foes
while.
3. Population growth rate will quickly stabilize.
Select the correct answer using the code
given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Passage-17
We take it for granted now that science has a social
responsibility. The idea would not have occurred to Newton
or Galileo. They thought of science as an account of the world
as it is, and the only responsibility that they acknowledged
was to tell the truth. The idea that science is a social
enterprise is modern, and it begins at the industrial
revolution. We are surprised that we cannot trace a social
sense further back, because we nurse the illusion that the
industrial revolution ended a golden age.
27. Which one of the following statements best reflects the
thinking of the author about the science? [2024]
(a) Science must value commitment of the scientists.
(b) Science is a product of civilized society and must be used
for the promotion of scientific awareness in people.
(c) Industrial revolution was made possible by the
advancements in science.
(d) Science must pursue truth but be responsible for social
welfare.