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CSAT 2018 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2018 · Question 33 · Reading comprehension

The author of the passage holds the view that

Passage—4

Some people believe that leadership is a quality which you have at birth or not at all. This theory is false, for the art of leadership can be acquired and can indeed be taught. This discovery is made in time of war and the results achieved can surprise even the instructors. Faced with the alternatives of going left or right, every soldier soon grasps that a prompt decision either way is better than an endless discussion. A firm choice of direction has an even chance of being right while to do nothing will be almost certainly wrong.

CSAT 2018 · Q33

Reading comprehension Easy

The author of the passage holds the view that

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) leadership can be acquired as well as taught

The author rejects the idea that leadership is inborn and states that 'the art of leadership can be acquired and can indeed be taught'. Option (b) is that view.

  • ✗ (a) The discovery 'is made in time of war', but war is where it is noticed, not the only way leadership can be taught.
  • ✓ (b) Stated almost word for word: leadership 'can be acquired and can indeed be taught'.
  • ✗ (c) The results 'can surprise even the instructors', but the passage says nothing about how many people acquire leadership; the option reads numbers into 'surprise'.
  • ✗ (d) Contradicts the passage, which is confident that leadership can be taught.

Remember · 'Holds the view' questions reward the stated thesis; avoid options that add 'only' or read numbers into vague words.

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). ·

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