उपर्युक्त परिच्छेद से, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा सर्वाधिक निर्णायक और तार्किक निष्कर्ष (इंफेरेंस) निकाला जा सकता है?
Read this question in English
Which of the following is the most crucial and logical inference that can be made from the above passage?
(a) The Earth can meet only the basic needs of humans for food, clothing and shelter. · (b) The only way to meet environmental challenge is to limit human population. · (c) Reducing our consumerism is very much in our own interest. · (d) Knowledge of biological systems can only help us save this planet.
उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English
Answer: (c) हमारे लिए उपभोक्तावाद को कम करना अपने ही हित में है।
The passage makes aspirations the core environmental challenge: with frugal aspirations 'a lot more is possible' than if we treat the planet as a giant shopping mall. The inference is that curbing consumerism serves our own interest.
- ✗ (a) The passage asks for frugal aspirations, not that the Earth can meet only food, clothing and shelter.
- ✗ (b) The focus is on aspirations; population control is never offered, let alone as 'the only way'.
- ✓ (c) Frugal aspirations make 'a lot more' possible, while the 'giant shopping mall' view and 'fascination with glitter' must be left behind — less consumerism works in our favour.
- ✗ (d) Understanding the planet as a biological system is part of the message, but 'can only help' overstates it and misses the point about consumption.
Remember · In short passages, find the contrast the author draws (frugal versus shopping mall); the answer states it plainly, without 'only'.
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). ·