1
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language

A global analysis of nitrogen use efficiency a measure of the amount of nitrogen a plant takes in to grow versus what is left behind as pollution says that using too much fertilizers will lead to increased pollution of waterways and the air. Currently, the global average for nitrogen use efficiency is approximately 0.4, meaning 40 per cent of the total nitrogen added to cropland goes into the harvested crop while 60 per cent is lost to the environment, says a study. More than half of the world's population is nourished by food grown with fertilizers containing synthetic nitrogen, which is needed to produce high crop yields. Plants take the nitrogen they need to grow, and the excess is left in the ground, water and air. This results in significant emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse and ozone depleting gas, and other forms of nitrogen pollution, including eutrophication of lakes and rivers and contamination of river water.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and crucial message implied by the passage?

A
An enhanced efficiency of use of nitrogen is imperative for both food production and environment.
B
Production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers cannot be stopped as it will adversely affect global food security.
C
Alternatives to crops that require excess of nitrogen should be identified and cultivated.
D
Conventional agriculture using synthetic fertilizers should be replaced with agroforestry, agroecosystems and organic farming.
2
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language

Along with sustainable lifestyles, climate justice is regarded as a significant principle in environmental parlance. Both the principles have bearings on political and economic choices of the nation. So far, in our climate change summits or compacts, both the principles have eluded consensus among nations. Justice, in the judicial sense, is well defined. However, in the context of climate change, it has scientific as well as socio-political connotations. The crucial question in the next few years will be how resources, technologies and regulations are used to support the victims of climate change. Justice in climate is not confined to actions relating to mitigation, but includes the wider notion of support for adaptation to climate change and compensation for loss and damage.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the passage?

A
Climate justice should be ingrained in detail in the rules of all the new climate compacts/agreements.
B
Environmental resources are unevenly distributed and exploited across the globe.
C
There is an impending issue of dealing with a huge number of climate change victims/climate refugees.
D
Climate change in all its connotations is mostly due to developed countries and therefore their share of burden should be more.
3
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language

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?

A
Food yielding trees should replace other trees in rural and tribal areas and community owned lands.
B
Food security cannot be ensured in India with the present practice of conventional agriculture.
C
Wastelands and degraded areas in India should be converted into agroforestry systems to help the poor.
D
Agroecosystems should be developed in addition to or along with conventional agriculture.
4
UPSC Civil Service Prelims Paper II 2023 (CSAT)
MCQ (Single Correct Answer)
+2.5
-0.833
Change Language

While awareness on use/misuse and abuse of antibiotics is common knowledge, as is the impact of dosing poultry with antibiotics, the environmental impact of antibiotics-manufacturing companies not treating their waste has scarcely been discussed at any length or seriousness thus far. Pollution from antibiotics factories is fuelling the rise of drug-resistant infections. The occurrence of drug-resistant bacteria surrounding the pharma manufacturing plants is well known.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and practical message conveyed by the passage?

A
It is necessary to put proper effluent treatment protocols in place.
B
It is necessary to promote environmental awareness among people.
C
Spread of drug-resistant bacteria cannot be done away with, as it is inherent in modern medical care.
D
Pharma-manufacturing companies should be set up in remote rural areas, away from crowded towns and cities.
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