Which of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message given by the passage?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Preserving crop genetic diversity is an insurance against the effects of climate change.
Monoculture is risky because a single disease or pest can wipe out large parts of food production, and climate change magnifies that risk. Keeping crop genetic diversity spreads the risk — an insurance against climate effects.
- ✓ (a) The opposite of monoculture is diversity; since 'A single disease or pest can wipe out swathes' of production and climate change magnifies the risk, preserving genetic diversity is the logical safeguard.
- ✗ (b) Contradicts the opening warning that 'Monoculture carries great risks'.
- ✗ (c) Genetically modified crops are not mentioned, and 'only' is extreme.
- ✗ (d) Asia and North America are examples of climate effects; the passage does not rank them as the worst sufferers.
Remember · When a passage warns against a practice, its crucial message is often the opposite as a safeguard — here, diversity against monoculture.
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). ·