UPSC CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION
PRELIMS 2020 SPECIAL
CSAT
PAPER - II
ENGLISH
www.civilstap.com
CSAT | ENGLISH COMPREHENSIONS
Passage-1
Climate change is likely to expose a large number of people to increasing environmental risks forcing them to
migrate. The international community is yet to recognize this new category of migrants. There is no consensus on
the definition and status of climate refugees owing to the distinct meaning the term refugees carry under
international laws. There are still gaps in understanding how climate change will work as the root cause of
migration. Even if there is recognition of climate refugees, who is going to provide protection? More emphasis has
been given to international migration due to climate change. But there is a need to recognize the migration of such
people within the countries also so that their problems can be addressed properly.
Q. Which of the following is the most rational inference from the above passage?
a. The world will not be able to cope with large-scale migration of climate refugees.
b. We must find the ways and means to stop further climate change.
c. Climate change will be the most important reason for the migration of people in the future.
d. Relation between climate change and migration is not yet properly understood.
CSAT | ENGLISH COMPREHENSIONS
Passage-2
An air quality index (AQI) is a way to combine measurements of multiple air pollutants into a single number or
rating. This index is ideally kept constantly updated and available in different places. The AQI is most useful when
lots of pollution data are being gathered and when pollution levels are normally, but not always, low. In such cases,
if pollution levels spike for a few days, the public can quickly take preventive action (like staying indoors) in response
to an air quality warning. Unfortunately, that is not urban India. Pollution levels in many large Indian cities are so
high that they remain well above any health or regulatory standard for large part of the year. If our index stays in the
Red/Dangerous region day after day, there is not much any one can do, other than getting used to ignoring it.
Q. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
a. Our governments are not responsible enough to keep our cities pollution free.
b. There is absolutely no need for air quality indices in our country.
c. Air quality index is not helpful to the residents of many of our large cities.
d. In every city, public awareness about pollution problems should increase.
CSAT | ENGLISH COMPREHENSIONS
Passage-3
Productive jobs are vital for growth and a good job is the best form of inclusion. More than half of our population
depends on agriculture, but the experience of other countries suggests that the number of people dependent on
agriculture will have to shrink if per capita incomes in agriculture are to go up substantially. While industry is
creating jobs, too many such jobs are low- productivity non-contractual jobs in the unorganized sector, offering low
incomes, little protection, and no benefits. Service jobs are relatively of high productivity, but employment growth in
services has been slow in recent years.
Q. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
a. We must create conditions for the faster growth of highly productive service jobs to ensure employment growth
and inclusion.
b. We must shift the farm workers to the highly productive manufacturing and service sectors to ensure the
economic growth and inclusion.
c. We must create conditions for the faster growth of productive jobs outside of agriculture even while improving
the productivity of agriculture.
d. We must emphasize the cultivation of high-yielding hybrid varieties and genetically modified crops to increase the
per capita income in agriculture.
CSAT | ENGLISH COMPREHENSIONS
Passage-4
Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infesting insects. The consumption of pesticides in some of the
developed countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare. Unfortunately, there are reports that these compounds
possess inherent toxicities that endanger the health of the farm operators, consumers and the environment.
Synthetic pesticides are generally persistent in environment. Entering in food chain they destroy the microbial
diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resulted in development of resistance among
insects to insecticides, upsetting of balance in nature and resurgence of treated populations. Natural pest control
using the botanical pesticides is safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless
compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plants with pesticide properties have been in nature for
millions of years without any ill or adverse effects on the ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by many microbes
common in most soils. They help in the maintenance of biological diversity of predators and the reduction of
environmental contamination and human health hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated from plants are
biodegradable and their use in crop protection is a practical sustainable alternative.
CSAT | ENGLISH COMPREHENSIONS
Q. On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Synthetic pesticides should never be used in modern agriculture.
2. One of the aims of sustainable agriculture is to ensure minimal ecological imbalance.
3. Botanical pesticides are more effective as compared to synthetic pesticides.
Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Q. Which of the following statements is/ are correct regarding bio-pesticides?
1. They are not hazardous to human health.
2. They are persistent in environment.
3. They are essential to maintain the biodiversity of any ecosystem.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a. 1 only
b. 1 and 2 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
OUR PHONE NUMBER : +91-8146207241
THANK YOU
Visit Our Website
www.civilstap.com
