Minimalist IAS
CSAT 2022 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2022 · Question 52 · Reading comprehension

With reference to the passage, which one of the following statements is correct?

Passage—2

If presents bring less thrill now that we are grown up, perhaps it is because we have too much already; or perhaps it is because we have lost the fullness of the joy of giving, and with it the fullness of the joy of receiving. Children’s fears are poignant, their miseries are acute, but they do not look too forward nor too far backward. Their joys are clear and complete, because they have not yet learnt always to add ‘but’ to every proposition. Perhaps we are too cautious, too anxious, too sceptical. Perhaps some of our cares would shrink if we thought less about them and entered with more single-minded enjoyment into the happiness that come our way.

CSAT 2022 · Q52

Reading comprehension Easy

With reference to the passage, which one of the following statements is correct?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) There can be more than one reason why adults feel less thrilled by presents.

The author offers two possible reasons with “perhaps… or perhaps”: we already have too much, or we have lost the fullness of the joy of giving. So there can be more than one reason why adults are less thrilled by presents.

  • ✗ (a) Too extreme: presents bring “less thrill”, not no thrill.
  • ✓ (b) “Perhaps it is because we have too much already; or perhaps it is because we have lost the fullness of the joy of giving” — two possible reasons.
  • ✗ (c) The author is tentative but does offer reasons; saying he does not know overstates his doubt.
  • ✗ (d) The passage speaks of the joy of giving and receiving presents, not of loving or being loved.

Remember · ‘Perhaps… or perhaps…’ signals more than one possible reason; options saying ‘impossible’ or ‘does not know’ overshoot.

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2022, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·

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