Reading Comprehension MCQs for UPSC Prelims

In our country, handlooms are equated with a culture that ensures a continuity of tradition. This idea has become part of the public policy-framing and provides a legitimate basis for the State to support the sector. But the notion of tradition as a single, linear entity is being strongly contested today. The narratives dominant in defining culture/tradition in a particular way are seen to have emerged as the identities and histories of large sections. The discounted and, at times, forcibly stifled identities are fighting for their rightful place in history. Against this backdrop, when we promote handloom as a traditional industry, it is not surprising that large sections of our population choose to ignore it. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage?

1. A We need to free the handloom industry from the limited narrative linked to preserving cultural heritage.
2. B Continued State support to the handloom industry ensures the preservation of some of our glorious art forms and old traditions.
3. C Household units of the handloom sector should be modernized and made an economically viable organized industry.
4. D Handloom products need to be converted to machine-made designer products so as to make them more popular.

Passage: Political theorists no doubt have to take history of injustice, for example, untouchability, seriously. The concept of historical injustice takes note of a variety of historical wrongs that continue into the present in some form or the other and tend to resist repair. Two reasons might account for resistance to repair. One, not only are the roots of injustice buried deep in history, injustice itself constitutes economic structures of exploitation, ideologies of discrimination and modes of representation. Two, the category of historical injustice generally extends across a number of wrongs such as economic deprivation, social discrimination and lack of recognition. This category is complex, not only because of the overlap between a number of wrongs, but because one or the other wrong, generally discrimination, tends to acquire partial autonomy from others. This is borne out by the history of repair in India. On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1. Removal of economic discrimination leads to removal of social discrimination. 2. Democratic polity is the best way to repair historical wrongs. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

1. A 1 only
2. B 2 only
3. C Both 1 and 2
4. D Neither 1 nor 2

Passage - 5 Although most of the Genetically Modified (GM) crops cultivated now are genetically engineered for a single trait, in future, crops genetically engineered for more than one trait will be the norm. Thus, biotechnology's role in agriculture and the regulation of the same cannot be understood solely in the context of the current generation of GM crops. Instead, there is a need to take a comprehensive look, taking into account various aspects, including socio-economic impacts, so that the potential of the technology can be harnessed while minimizing negative impacts. Given the importance of biotechnology in developing varieties that can help in climate change mitigation and adaptation, not using biotechnology as a part of the climate change action plan cannot be an option. Domestic regulation of biotechnology cannot be viewed in isolation of trade policy and obligations under various international treaties and conventions. Which one of the following statements best implies the crux of the passage?

1. A Precautionary principle is not given importance in current debate on developing GM crops.
2. B Biotechnology is not currently used in climate change mitigation and adaptation mechanisms.
3. C Biotechnology's role is not confined to the current priorities of developing GM crops.
4. D The negative impacts of biotechnology are not properly understood.

Passage: We generally talk about democracy but when it comes to any particular thing, we prefer a person belonging to our caste or community or religion. So long as we have this kind of temptation, our democracy will remain a phoney kind of democracy. We must be in a position to respect a man as a man and to extend opportunities for development to those who deserve them and not to those who happen to belong to our community or race. This fact of favouritism has been responsible for much discontent and ill-will in our country. Which one of the following statements best sums up the above passage?

1. A Our country has a lot of diversity with its many castes, communities and religions.
2. B True democracy could be established by providing equal opportunities to all.
3. C So far none of us have actually understood the meaning of democracy.
4. D It will never be possible for us to establish truly democratic governance in our country.

Sourcing food from non-agricultural lands (uncultivated systems such as forests, wetlands, pastures, etc) in addition to agricultural lands enables a systemic approach to food consumption. It allows rural and tribal communities to sustain themselves for the whole year and steer clear of natural disasters and season-induced shortfalls of agricultural food. Since the productivity of trees is often more resilient to adverse weather conditions than annual crops, forest foods often provide a safety net during periods of food shortages caused by crop failure; forest foods also make important contributions during seasonal crop production gaps. Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational message conveyed by the author of the passage?

1. A Food yielding trees should replace other trees in rural and tribal areas and community owned lands.
2. B Food security cannot be ensured in India with the present practice of conventional agriculture.
3. C Wastelands and degraded areas in India should be converted into agroforestry systems to help the poor.
4. D Agroecosystems should be developed in addition to or along with conventional agriculture.

Passage: A study conducted on the impacts of climate change over the Cauvery basin of Tamil Nadu using regional climate models showed an increasing trend for maximum and minimum temperatures, and a decrease in the number of rainy days. These climatic shifts will have an impact on the hydrological cycles in the region, lead to more run-off and less recharge, and affect the groundwater tables. Further, there has been an increase in the frequency of droughts in the State. This has driven farmers to increase dependency on groundwater resources to secure their crops. Question: Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage given above?

1. A Development of regional climate models helps in choosing climate-smart agricultural practices.
2. B Heavy dependence on groundwater resources can be reduced by adopting dry-land cropping systems.
3. C Climate changes increase the criticality of water resources while simultaneously threatening it.
4. D Climate changes cause the farmers to adopt unsustainable livelihoods and risky coping strategies.