UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2012 - General Studies Paper II (CSAT) — question paper

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UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2012 - General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

Paper #3261 · 2012 · General Studies Paper II (CSAT) · 80 reviewed questions · Showing 1–40 of 80

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2012 General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A: 80 questions with 79 final-key answer dispositions and concise KSLC explanations. Reading-comprehension answers are based on the accompanying passages. Original questions and applicable copyright belong to UPSC and the respective rights holders. KSLC explanations are independent educational commentary; KSLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by UPSC. Official source: https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers/archives 1 question(s) have explained discrepancies between the printed wording and final-key disposition; their official answers are disclosed, but KSLC automatic scoring is withheld. These were not officially dropped. 7 item(s) accept alternative answers; all accepted choices are explained, but these items are excluded from single-answer automatic scoring.

Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following questions on the basis of the passage. Education, without a doubt, has an important functional, instrumental and utilitarian dimension. This is revealed when one asks questions such as ‘what is the purpose of education?’ The answers, too often, are ‘to acquire qualifications for employment/upward mobility’, ‘wider/higher (in terms of income) opportunities’, and ‘to meet the needs for trained human power in diverse fields for national development’. But in its deepest sense education is not instrumentalist. That is to say, it is not to be justified outside of itself because it leads to the acquisition of formal skills or of certain desired psychological-social attributes. It must be respected in itself. Education is thus not a commodity to be acquired or possessed and then used, but a process of inestimable importance to individuals and society, although it can and does have enormous use-value. Education then is a process of expansion and conversion, not in the sense of converting or turning students into doctors or engineers, but the widening and turning out of the mind—the creation, sustenance and development of self-critical awareness and independence of thought. It is an inner process of moral-intellectual development.

What do you understand by the ‘instrumentalist’ view of education?
1. Education is functional and utilitarian in its purposes.
2. Education is meant to fulfil human needs.
3. The purpose of education is to train the human intellect.
4. Education is meant to achieve moral development.
Reading passage

According to the passage, education must be respected in itself because
1. it helps to acquire qualifications for employment.
2. it helps in upward mobility and acquiring social status.
3. it is an inner process of moral and intellectual development.
4. All the (a), (b) and (c) given above are correct in this context.
Reading passage

Education is a process in which
1. students are converted into trained professionals.
2. opportunities for higher income are generated.
3. individuals develop self-critical awareness and independence of thought.
4. qualifications for upward mobility are acquired.
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following questions on the basis of the passage. Chemical pesticides lose their role in sustainable agriculture if the pests evolve resistance. The evolution of pesticide resistance is simply natural selection in action. It is almost certain to occur when vast numbers of a genetically variable population are killed. One or a few individuals may be unusually resistant (perhaps because they possess an enzyme that can detoxify the pesticide). If the pesticide is applied repeatedly, each successive generation of the pest will contain a larger proportion of resistant individuals. Pests typically have a high intrinsic rate of reproduction, and so a few individuals in one generation may give rise to hundreds or thousands in the next, and resistance spreads very rapidly in a population. This problem was often ignored in the past, even though the first case of DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) resistance was reported as early as 1946. There is exponential increase in the numbers of invertebrates that have evolved resistance and in the number of pesticides against which resistance has evolved. Resistance has been recorded in every family of arthropod pests (including dipterans such as mosquitoes and house flies, as well as beetles, moths, wasps, fleas, lice and mites) as well as in weeds and plant pathogens. Take the Alabama leafworm, a moth pest of cotton, as an example. It has developed resistance in one or more regions of the world to aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, lindane and toxaphene. If chemical pesticides brought nothing but problems—if their use was intrinsically and acutely unsustainable—then they would already have fallen out of widespread use. This has not happened. Instead their rate of production has increased rapidly. The ratio of cost to benefit for the individual agricultural producer has remained in favour of pesticide use. In the USA, insecticides have been estimated to benefit the agricultural products to the tune of around $6 for every $1 spent. Moreover, in many poorer countries, the prospect of imminent mass starvation, or of an epidemic disease, are so frightening that the social and health costs of using pesticides have to be ignored. In general the use of pesticides is justified by objective measures such as ‘lives saved’, ‘economic efficiency of food production’ and ‘total food produced’. In these very fundamental senses, their use may be described as sustainable. In practice, sustainability depends on continually developing new pesticides that keep at least one step ahead of the pests—pesticides that are less persistent, biodegradable and more accurately targeted at the pests.

“The evolution of pesticide resistance is natural selection in action.” What does it actually imply?
1. It is very natural for many organisms to have pesticide resistance.
2. Pesticide resistance among organisms is a universal phenomenon.
3. Some individuals in any given population show resistance after the application of pesticides.
4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct.
Reading passage

With reference to the passage, consider the following statements: 1. Use of chemical pesticides has become imperative in all the poor countries of the world. 2. Chemical pesticides should not have any role in sustainable agriculture. 3. One pest can develop resistance to many pesticides. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

Though the problems associated with the use of chemical pesticides are known for a long time, their widespread use has not waned. Why?
1. Alternatives to chemical pesticides do not exist at all.
2. New pesticides are not invented at all.
3. Pesticides are biodegradable.
4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct.
Reading passage

How do pesticides act as agents for the selection of resistant individuals in any pest population? 1. It is possible that in a pest population the individuals will behave differently due to their genetic makeup. 2. Pests do possess the ability to detoxify the pesticides. 3. Evolution of pesticide resistance is equally distributed in pest population. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

Why is the use of chemical pesticides generally justified by giving the examples of poor and developing countries? 1. Developed countries can afford to do away with use of pesticides by adapting to organic farming, but it is imperative for poor and developing countries to use chemical pesticides. 2. In poor and developing countries, the pesticide addresses the problem of epidemic diseases of crops and eases the food problem. 3. The social and health costs of pesticide use are generally ignored in poor and developing countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

What does the passage imply?
1. Alternative options to chemical pesticides should be promoted.
2. Too much use of chemicals is not good for the ecosystem.
3. There is no scope for the improvement of pesticides and making their use sustainable.
4. Both the statements (a) and (b) above are correct.
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following questions on the basis of the passage. Today’s developing economies use much less energy per capita than developed countries such as the United States did at similar incomes, showing the potential for lower-carbon growth. Adaptation and mitigation need to be integrated into a climate-smart development strategy that increases resilience, reduces the threat of further global warming, and improves development outcomes. Adaptation and mitigation measures can advance development, and prosperity can raise incomes and foster better institutions. A healthier population living in better-built houses and with access to bank loans and social security is better equipped to deal with a changing climate and its consequences. Advancing robust, resilient development policies that promote adaptation is needed today because changes in the climate, already begun, will increase even in the short term. The spread of economic prosperity has always been intertwined with adaptation to changing ecological conditions. But as growth has altered the environment and as environmental change has accelerated, sustaining growth and adaptability demands greater capacity to understand our environment, generate new adaptive technologies and practices, and diffuse them widely. As economic historians have explained, much of humankind’s creative potential has been directed at adapting to the changing world. But adaptation cannot cope with all the impacts related to climate change, especially as larger changes unfold in the long term. Countries cannot grow out of harm’s way fast enough to match the changing climate. And some growth strategies, whether driven by the government or the market, can also add to vulnerability—particularly if they overexploit natural resources. Under the Soviet development plan, irrigated cotton cultivation expanded in water-stressed Central Asia and led to the near disappearance of the Aral Sea, threatening the livelihoods of fishermen, herders and farmers. And clearing mangroves—the natural coastal buffers against storm surges—to make way for intensive farming or housing development increases the physical vulnerability of coastal settlements, whether in Guinea or in Louisiana.

Which of the following conditions of growth can add to vulnerability? 1. When the growth occurs due to excessive exploitation of mineral resources and forests. 2. When the growth brings about a change in humankind’s creative potential. 3. When the growth is envisaged only for providing houses and social security to the people. 4. When the growth occurs due to emphasis on farming only. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reading passage

What does low-carbon growth imply in the present context? 1. More emphasis on the use of renewable sources of energy. 2. Less emphasis on manufacturing sector and more emphasis on agriculture sector. 3. Switching over from monoculture practices to mixed farming. 4. Less demand for goods and services. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. None of the above implies low-carbon growth
Reading passage

Which of the following conditions is/are necessary for sustainable economic growth? 1. Spreading of economic prosperity more. 2. Popularising/spreading of adaptive technologies widely. 3. Investing on research in adaptation and mitigation technologies. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

Which of the following inferences can be made from the passage? 1. Rainfed crops should not be cultivated in irrigated areas. 2. Farming under water-deficient areas should not be a part of development strategy. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reading passage

Consider the following assumptions: 1. Sustainable economic growth demands the use of creative potential of man. 2. Intensive agriculture can lead to ecological backlash. 3. Spread of economic prosperity can adversely affect the ecology and environment. With reference to the passage, which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

Which one of the following statements constitutes the central theme of this passage?
1. Countries with greater economic prosperity are better equipped to deal with the consequences of climate change.
2. Adaptation and mitigation should be integrated with development strategies.
3. Rapid economic growth should not be pursued by both developed and developing economies.
4. Some countries resort to overexploitation of natural resources for the sake of rapid development.
Consider the following statements: 1. All artists are whimsical. 2. Some artists are drug addicts. 3. Frustrated people are prone to become drug addicts. From the above three statements it may be concluded that
1. Artists are frustrated.
2. Some drug addicts are whimsical.
3. All frustrated people are drug addicts.
4. Whimsical people are generally frustrated.
Examine the following statements: 1. Either A and B are of the same age or A is elder than B. 2. Either C and D are of the same age or D is elder than C. 3. B is older than C. Which one of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
1. A is elder than B
2. B and D are of the same age
3. D is older than C
4. A is older than C
Examine the following statements: 1. Only those who have a pair of binoculars can become the members of the birdwatcher’s club. 2. Some members of the birdwatcher’s club have cameras. 3. Those members who have cameras can take part in photo-contests. Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statements?
1. All those who have a pair of binoculars are members of the birdwatcher’s club.
2. All members of the birdwatcher’s club have a pair of binoculars.
3. All those who take part in photo-contests are members of the birdwatcher’s club.
4. No conclusion can be drawn.
During the last summer vacation, Ankit went to a summer camp where he took part in hiking, swimming and boating. This summer, he is looking forward to a music camp where he hopes to sing, dance and learn to play the guitar. Which conclusion logically follows from this information?
1. Ankit’s parents want him to play the guitar.
2. Ankit prefers music to outdoor activities.
3. Ankit goes to some type of camp every summer.
4. Ankit likes to sing and dance.
Three persons A, B and C wore shirts of black, blue and orange colours and pants of green, yellow and orange colours, not necessarily in those orders. No person wore shirt and pants of the same colour. A did not wear a black shirt. B did not wear a blue shirt. C did not wear an orange shirt. A did not wear green pants. B wore orange pants. What were the colours of the pants and shirt worn by C, respectively?
1. Orange and black
2. Green and blue
3. Yellow and blue
4. Yellow and black
A TV channel started ten new shows in January—5 sitcoms, 3 dramas and 2 news magazines. By April, only seven of the new shows were still on, five of them being sitcoms. Which conclusion logically follows?
1. Only one news magazine show is still on.
2. Only one of the drama shows is still on.
3. At least one discontinued show was a drama.
4. Viewers prefer sitcoms over drama.
Four men are waiting at Delhi airport for a Mumbai flight. Two are doctors and two businessmen. Two speak Gujarati and two Tamil. No two of the same profession speak the same language. Two are Muslims and two Christians. No two of the same religion are of the same profession, nor do they speak the same language. The Tamil-speaking doctor is a Christian. Consider: 1. The Christian businessman speaks Gujarati. 2. The Gujarati-speaking doctor is a Muslim. Which is/are correct conclusions?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Consider: “Though quite expensive, television is not a luxury item, as one can learn many things through television.” Which is a valid inference?
1. All expensive things are regarded as luxury.
2. All essential things for learning are not luxury.
3. Television is essential for learning.
4. Television is not a luxury item.
Mr. Kumar drives to work at an average speed of 48 km per hour. The time taken to cover the first 60% of the distance is 10 minutes more than the time taken to cover the remaining distance. How far is his office?
1. 30 km
2. 40 km
3. 45 km
4. 48 km
Gita is prettier than Sita but not as pretty as Rita. Then,
1. Sita is not as pretty as Gita.
2. Sita is prettier than Rita.
3. Rita is not as pretty as Gita.
4. Gita is prettier than Rita.
Given that: 1. A is the brother of B. 2. C is the father of A. 3. D is the brother of E. 4. E is the daughter of B. Then, the uncle of D is
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. E
Examine: 1. Rama scored more than Rani. 2. Rani scored less than Ratna. 3. Ratna scored more than Rama. 4. Padma scored more than Rama but less than Ratna. Who scored the highest?
1. Rama
2. Padma
3. Rani
4. Ratna
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following questions on the basis of the passage. Invasions of exotic species into new geographic areas sometimes occur naturally and without human agency. However, human actions have increased this trickle to a flood. Human-caused introductions may occur either accidentally as a consequence of human transport, or intentionally but illegally to serve some private purpose or legitimately to procure some hoped-for public benefit by bringing a pest under control, producing new agricultural products or providing novel recreational opportunities. Many introduced species are assimilated into communities without much obvious effect. However, some have been responsible for dramatic changes to native species and natural communities. For example, the accidental introduction of the brown tree snake Boiga irregularis into Guam, an island in the Pacific, has through nest predation reduced 10 endemic forest bird species to the point of extinction. One of the major reasons for the world’s great biodiversity is the occurrence of centres of endemism so that similar habitats in different parts of the world are occupied by different groups of species that happen to have evolved there. If every species naturally had access to everywhere on the globe, we might expect a relatively small number of successful species to become dominant in each biome. The extent to which this homogenization can happen naturally is restricted by the limited powers of dispersal of most species in the face of the physical barriers that exist to dispersal. By virtue of the transport opportunities offered by humans, these barriers have been breached by an ever-increasing number of exotic species. The effects of introductions have been to convert a hugely diverse range of local community compositions into something much more homogeneous. It would be wrong, however, to conclude that introducing species to a region will inevitably cause a decline in species richness there. For example, there are numerous species of plants, invertebrates and vertebrates found in continental Europe but absent from the British Isles (many because they have so far failed to recolonize after the last glaciations). Their introduction would be likely to augment British biodiversity. The significant detrimental effect noted above arises where aggressive species provide a novel challenge to endemic biotas ill-equipped to deal with them.

With reference to the passage, which statement is correct?
1. Introduction of exotic species into new geographical areas always leads to reduced biodiversity.
2. Exotic species introduced by man into new areas have always greatly altered the native ecosystems.
3. Man is the only reason to convert a hugely diverse range of local community compositions into more homogeneous ones.
4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) is correct in this context.
Reading passage

Why does man introduce exotic species into new geographical areas? 1. To breed exotic species with local varieties. 2. To increase agricultural productivity. 3. For beautification and landscaping. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

How is homogenization prevented under natural conditions?
1. Evolution of groups of species specific to local habitats.
2. Presence of oceans and mountain ranges.
3. Strong adaptation of groups of species to local physical and climatic conditions.
4. All the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above are correct in this context.
Reading passage

How have the human activities influenced biodiversity? 1. By smuggling live organisms. 2. By building highways. 3. By making ecosystems sensitive so that new species are not allowed. 4. By ensuring that new species do not have major impact on local species. Which statements are correct?
1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. 2 and 4
Reading passage

What can be the impact of invasion of exotic species on an ecosystem? 1. Erosion of endemic species. 2. Change in the species composition of the community of the ecosystem. Select the correct answer.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following questions on the basis of the passage. Most champions of democracy have been rather reticent in suggesting that democracy would itself promote development and enhancement of social welfare—they have tended to see them as good but distinctly separate and largely independent goals. The detractors of democracy, on the other hand, seemed to have been quite willing to express their diagnosis of what they see as serious tensions between democracy and development. The theorists of the practical split—‘Make up your mind: do you want democracy, or instead, do you want development?’—often came, at least to start with, from East Asian countries, and their voice grew in influence as several of these countries were immensely successful—through the 1970s and 1980s and even later—in promoting economic growth without pursuing democracy. To deal with these issues we have to pay particular attention to both the content of what can be called development and to the interpretation of democracy (in particular to the respective roles of voting and of public reasoning). The assessment of development cannot be divorced from the lives that people can lead and the real freedom that they enjoy. Development can scarcely be seen merely in terms of enhancement of inanimate objects of convenience, such as a rise in the GNP (or in personal incomes), or industrialization—important as they may be as means to the real ends. Their value must depend on what they do to the lives and freedom of the people involved, which must be central to the idea of development. If development is understood in a broader way, with a focus on human lives, then it becomes immediately clear that the relation between development and democracy has to be seen partly in terms of their constitutive connection, rather than only through their external links. Even though the question has often been asked whether political freedom is ‘conducive to development’, we must not miss the crucial recognition that political liberties and democratic rights are among the constituent components of development. Their relevance for development does not have to be established indirectly through their contribution to the growth of GNP.

According to the passage, why is a serious tension perceived between democracy and development by the detractors of democracy?
1. Democracy and development are distinct and separate goals.
2. Economic growth can be promoted successfully without pursuing a democratic system of governance.
3. Non-democratic regimes deliver economic growth faster and far more successfully than democratic ones.
4. All the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above are correct in this context.
Reading passage

According to the passage, what should be the ultimate assessment/aim/view of development?
1. Rise in the per capita income and industrial growth rates.
2. Improvement in the Human Development Index and GNP.
3. Rise in the savings and consumption trends.
4. Extent of real freedom that citizens enjoy.
Reading passage

What does a “constitutive” connection between democracy and development imply?
1. The relation between them has to be seen through external links.
2. Political and civil rights only can lead to economic development.
3. Political liberties and democratic rights are essential elements of development.
4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context.
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following questions on the basis of the passage. The need for Competition Law becomes more evident when foreign direct investment (FDI) is liberalised. The impact of FDI is not always pro-competitive. Very often FDI takes the form of a foreign corporation acquiring a domestic enterprise or establishing a joint venture with one. By making such an acquisition the foreign investor may substantially lessen competition and gain a dominant position in the relevant market, thus charging higher prices. Another scenario is where the affiliates of two separate multinational companies (MNCs) have been established in competition with one another in a particular developing economy, following the liberalisation of FDI. Subsequently, the parent companies overseas merge. With the affiliates no longer remaining independent, competition in the host country may be virtually eliminated and the prices of the products may be artificially inflated. Most of these adverse consequences of mergers and acquisitions by MNCs can be avoided if an effective competition law is in place. Also, an economy that has implemented an effective competition law is in a better position to attract FDI than one that has not. This is not just because most MNCs are expected to be accustomed to the operation of such a law in their home countries and know how to deal with such concerns but also that MNCs expect competition authorities to ensure a level playing field between domestic and foreign firms.

With reference to the passage, consider: 1. It is desirable that the impact of Foreign Direct Investment should be pro-competitive. 2. The entry of foreign investors invariably leads to the inflated prices in domestic markets. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reading passage

According to the passage, how does a foreign investor dominate the relevant domestic market? 1. Multinational companies get accustomed to domestic laws. 2. Foreign companies establish joint ventures with domestic companies. 3. Affiliates in a particular market/sector lose their independence as their parent companies overseas merge. 4. Foreign companies lower the cost of their products as compared to that of products of domestic companies. Which statements are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reading passage

What is the inference from this passage?
1. Foreign investors and multinational companies always dominate the domestic market.
2. It is not in the best interests of the domestic economy to allow mergers of companies.
3. With competition law, it is easy to ensure a level playing field between domestic and foreign firms.
4. For countries with open economy, Foreign Direct Investment is essential for growth.
Examine: 1. I watch TV only if I am bored. 2. I am never bored when I have my brother’s company. 3. Whenever I go to the theatre I take my brother along. Which conclusion is valid?
1. If I am bored, I watch TV.
2. If I am bored, I seek my brother’s company.
3. If I am not with my brother, then I watch TV.
4. If I am not bored, I do not watch TV.
Only six roads A, B, C, P, Q and R connect a military camp to the rest of the country. Only one out of A, P and R is open at any one time. If B is closed, so is Q. Only one of A and B is open during storms. P is closed during floods. Which statement is correct?
1. Under normal conditions only three roads are open.
2. During storms at least one road is open.
3. During floods only three roads are open.
4. During calamities all roads are closed.

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