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CSAT 2022 paper

UPSC CSE CSAT 2022 · Question 71 · Reading comprehension

The author’s assumption about scientific research is that

Directions for the following 3 (three) items: Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage—1

To encourage research is one of the functions of a university. Contemporary universities have encouraged research, not only in those cases where research is necessary, but on all sorts of entirely unprofitable subjects as well. Scientific research is probably never completely valueless. However silly and insignificant it may seem, however mechanical and unintelligent the labours of the researchers, there is always a chance that the results may be of value to the investigator of talent, who can use the facts collected for him by uninspired but industrious researchers as the basis of some fruitful generalization. But where research is not original, but consists in the mere rearrangement of existing materials, where its object is not scientific but literary or historical, then there is a risk of the whole business becoming merely futile.

CSAT 2022 · Q71

Reading comprehension Easy

The author’s assumption about scientific research is that

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) it is never without some value

The author writes that “Scientific research is probably never completely valueless” — there is always a chance of some value. The assumption is that it is never without some value, not that it is always very valuable.

  • ✗ (a) The author says the results may be of value to an investigator of talent; “never very valuable” is not what he assumes.
  • ✗ (b) The passage does not grade research as sometimes very valuable; its claim is only about some value.
  • ✓ (c) “Probably never completely valueless” means never without some value.
  • ✗ (d) Too strong: the author admits research may seem “silly and insignificant” and claims only some value.

Remember · Match the strength of the passage’s claim: ‘never completely valueless’ is not ‘always very valuable’.

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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