Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical, rational and pragmatic message conveyed by the passage?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Circular economy can be beneficial for sustainable growth.
The passage builds a case for recovering materials from old batteries and putting them into new ones, because raw materials are being used up fast, are costly and are hard to source. The measured, practical message is that such circular use of resources can support sustainable growth.
- ✗ (a) 'Not possible without' is extreme, and a 'green economy' is not the passage's subject; the author says reuse 'makes sense', not that it is indispensable.
- ✗ (b) 'Every sector … immediately' goes far beyond the passage, which uses only the example of vehicle batteries.
- ✓ (c) Rising raw-material use, reuse below 9%, pricey and hard-to-get battery minerals and risky supply chains lead the author to say 'Reusing materials makes sense' and to propose recycling batteries into new ones — the circular idea, presented as sensible for sustained growth.
- ✗ (d) 'The only option … for their survival' is too strong; the passage calls reuse sensible, not a matter of survival.
Remember · 'Pragmatic' answers are measured: prefer 'can be beneficial' over 'not possible without', 'every sector immediately' or 'only option'.
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper II (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·