Inference and Main-Idea Comprehension Questions for UPSC CSE

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows. 'The assumption that economic growth invariably improves environmental quality in the long run — sometimes called the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis — rests on the idea that wealthier societies can afford to invest in cleaner technologies and stronger regulations. Critics, however, point out that this relationship has held for some local pollutants but not for global ones such as carbon dioxide. Moreover, the 'grow first, clean up later' logic has often led to irreversible environmental damage that no amount of wealth can subsequently repair.' Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the question: 'Democratic backsliding today occurs most often not through coups d'état or military takeovers, but through the gradual erosion of democratic norms from within. Elected leaders, once in power, begin to undermine institutions — courts, the press, electoral bodies — not through outright abolition but through subtle delegitimisation, selective enforcement, and the packing of institutions with loyalists. This process is often difficult to reverse because each individual step appears minor, even legal, while the cumulative effect is the dismantling of democratic checks and balances. Citizens frequently fail to recognise the danger until the system has been significantly hollowed out.' What is the central idea of the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows. 'The growth of cities in the developing world has often been described as a crisis, with overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and rising inequality cited as evidence. Yet this framing obscures an important truth: urbanisation, even when disorderly, has historically correlated with rising literacy, better access to healthcare, and improved economic mobility for millions who migrate from rural areas. The challenge, therefore, is not to halt urban growth but to manage it more equitably and sustainably.' Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the question: 'Across the world, cities are expanding at an unprecedented rate, driven by rural-to-urban migration and natural population growth. Urban areas now house more than half of the world's population, a figure projected to rise to two-thirds by 2050. This rapid urbanisation brings with it enormous challenges: strained infrastructure, housing shortages, increased pollution, and widening economic inequality between urban cores and their peripheries. However, cities also serve as engines of innovation, economic growth, and social mobility. The net effect on human welfare depends critically on whether urban governance can keep pace with demographic change.' Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

Read the following passage and answer the question: 'Language is not merely a tool for communication; it shapes thought itself. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, in its strong form, posits that language determines thought, meaning speakers of different languages perceive the world fundamentally differently. The weak form suggests language influences, but does not determine, cognition. While the strong version has largely been discredited by linguists, research does show that linguistic structures can affect how people perceive colour, spatial relationships, and time. Thus, learning a new language may subtly alter one's cognitive patterns.' What is the author's position regarding the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis as conveyed in the passage?