Which of the following is the most crucial and logical inference that can be made from the above passage?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Reducing our consumerism is very much in our own interest.
The passage makes aspirations the core environmental challenge: with frugal aspirations 'a lot more is possible' than if we treat the planet as a giant shopping mall. The inference is that curbing consumerism serves our own interest.
- ✗ (a) The passage asks for frugal aspirations, not that the Earth can meet only food, clothing and shelter.
- ✗ (b) The focus is on aspirations; population control is never offered, let alone as 'the only way'.
- ✓ (c) Frugal aspirations make 'a lot more' possible, while the 'giant shopping mall' view and 'fascination with glitter' must be left behind — less consumerism works in our favour.
- ✗ (d) Understanding the planet as a biological system is part of the message, but 'can only help' overstates it and misses the point about consumption.
Remember · In short passages, find the contrast the author draws (frugal versus shopping mall); the answer states it plainly, without 'only'.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2018, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·