CSAT 2017 (E) - arihantbooks.com · CSAT INSTRUCTIONS SOLVED PAPER 2017. Passage 2 There has been a significant trend worldwide towards regionalism in government, resulting in a widespread

Directions (Q. Nos. 1-8) Read the following seven passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage 1Disruption of traditional institutions, identifications and loyalties is likely to lead to ambivalent situations. It is possiblethat some people may renew their identification with traditional groups whereas others align themselves with new groups and symbols emergent from processes of political development. In addition, political development tends to foster groupawareness of a variety of class, tribe, region, clan, language, religion, occupation and others.

1. Which one of the following is the best explanation of the above passage?

(a) Political development is not a unilinear process for it involves both growth and decay

(b) Traditional societies succeed in resisting positive aspects of political development

(c) It is impossible for traditional societies to break away from lingering loyalties

(d) Sustenance of traditional loyalties is conducive to political development

î (a) Ac cord ing to the pas sage no po lit i cal de vel op ment evolves in a steady and con sis tent way. It in volves both growth and de cay. Anypo lit i cal de vel op ment gives peo ple an op por tu nity to ei ther show their loy al ties to wards it or break away from their loy al ties and joinother po lit i cal groups. Here op tion (a) only is cor rect as other options appear irrelevant here.

Civil Services Aptitude Test

PAPER 2CSAT

INSTRUCTIONS

SOLVED PAPER 2017

Passage 2 There has been a significant trend worldwide towardsregionalism in government, resulting in a widespreadtransfer of powers downwards towards regions andcommunities since 1990s. This process, which involvesthe creation of new political entities and bodies at asub-national level and an increase in their content andpowers, is known as devolution. Devolution has beencharacterised as being made up of threefactors—political legitimacy, decentralisation ofauthority and decentralisation of resources. Politicallegitimacy here means a mass demand from below forthe decentralisation process, which is able to create apolitical force for it to take place. In many cases,decentralisation is initiated by the upper tier ofgovernment without sufficient political mobilisation forit at the grassroots level, and in such cases thedecentralisation process often does not fulfil itsobjectives.

2. Which among the following is the most logical,rational and critical inference that can be madefrom the above passage?

(a) Emergence of powerful mass leaders is essential tocreate sub-national political entities and thussuccessful devolution decentralisation

(b) The upper tier of government should imposedevolution and decentralisation on the regionalcommunities by law or otherwise

(c) Devolution, to be successful, requires a democracy in which there is free expression of the will of thepeople at lower level and their active participation atthe grassroots level

(d) For devolution to take place, a strong feeling ofregionalism in the masses is essential

î (c) The pas sage deals with a sig nif i cant trend all over theworld af ter 1990s in which pow ers, rights andre spon si bil i ties are trans ferred to the lo cal au thor i ties orre gions by the central gov ern ment. It is termed asde vo lu tion and it is a form of ad min is tra tivede cen tral isa tion. De vo lu tion to be suc cess ful needs anatmosphere where peo ple are free to ex press theiropin ions and are will ing to ac tively par tic i pate in run ningthe ad min is tra tion. Imposing ‘De vo lu tion’ through lawcannot make it suc cess ful. Here op tion (c) gives us themost log i cal, ra tio nal and crit i cal in fer ence of the pas sage, other op tions (a), (b) and (d) are not fully relevant incontext of the passage.

Passage 3 We live in digital times. The digital is not justsomething we use strategically and specifically to do afew tasks. Our very perception of who we are, how weconnect to the world around us, and the ways in whichwe define our domains of life, labour and language are

hugely structured by the digital technologies. The digital is everywhere and, like air, invisible. We live withindigital systems, we live with intimate gadgets, weinteract through digital media, and the very presence and imagination of the digital has dramaticallyrestructured our lives. The digital, far from being atool, is a condition and context that defines theshapes and boundaries of our understanding of theself, the society, and the structure of governance.

3. Which among the following is the most logical andessential message conveyed by the above passage?

(a) All problems of governance can be solved by using

digital technologies

(b) Speaking of digital technologies is speaking of our

life and living

(c) Our creativity and imagination cannot be expressed

without digital media

(d) Use of digital systems is imperative for the existence

of mankind in future

î (b) The pas sage speaks about how we live in an era ofdig i ta li sa tion which is a process of converting informationinto a dig i tal for mat. To day, most of our ac tiv i ties arein te grated through dig i tal tech nol o gies. Dig i ta li sa tion hascom pletely taken over our lives and no one can imag ineliv ing with out it. Our daily life has be come less de pend entand de void of hu man in ter ac tion with the help of dig i taltech nol ogy. Hence op tion (b) is the most log i cal andessential message conveyed by this passage. Otheroptions are not relevant here as option (a) talks aboutsolving of problems. Option (c) deals about some uses ofdigitalisation and option (d) only talks about its usefulnessfor our existence in future. So, option (b) is the mostrelevant one as it says that speaking of digitaltechnologies is speaking of our lives and living.

Passage 4 The IMF has pointed out that the fast growingeconomies of Asia face the risk of falling into`middle-income trap’. It means that average incomes inthese countries, which till now have been growingrapidly, will stop growing beyond a point—a point thatis well short of incomes in the developed West. TheIMF identifies a number of causes of middle-incometrap—none of which is surprising— from infrastructureto weak institutions, to less macroeconomic conditions.overall cause, says IMF, is growth of productivity.

4. Which among the following is the most logical,rational and critical inference that can be madefrom the above passage?

(a) Once a country reaches middle-income stage, it runsthe risk of falling productivity which leads to stagnant incomes

4 Cracking the CSAT Pa per 2

(b) Falling into middle-income trap is a generalcharacteristic of fast growing economies

(c) There is no hope at all for emerging Asianeconomies to sustain the growth momentum

(d) As regards growth of productivity, theperformance of Asian economies is notsatisfactory

î (b) As per the passage, the IMF has pointed out thatemerging Asian economies are potentially susceptibleto the ‘Middle Income Trap’ a phenomenon where byeconomies fail to graduate into the ranks of advancedeconomies. IMF is of the view that ASEAN countrieslack in growth of productivity as they are quiteweak. Here option (d) is most logical and criticalinference.

Passage 5 An innovative India will be inclusive as well astechnologically advanced, improving the lives of allIndians. Innovation and R&D can mitigate increases in social inequality and relieve the pressures createdby rapid urbanisation. The growing divergence inproductivity between agriculture andknowledge-intensive manufacturing and servicesthreatens to increase income inequality. Byencouraging India’s R&D labs and universities tofocus on the needs of poor people and by improving the ability of informal firms to absorb knowledge, an innovation and research agenda can counter thiseffect. Inclusive innovation can lower the costs ofgoods and services and create income-earningopportunities for the poor people.

5. Which among the following is the most logicaland rational assumption that can be made fromthe above passage?

(a) Innovation and R&D is the only way to reducerural to urban migration

(b) Every rapidly growing country needs to minimisethe divergence between productivity inagricultural and other sectors

(c) Inclusive innovation and R&D can help create anegalitarian society

(d) Rapid urbanisation takes place only when acountry’s economic growth is rapid

î (c) The given passage deals with the potential relevanceof inclusive innovation which is the means by whichnew goods and services are developed for and by thepoor. Poor people’s innovative skill is constrained byinsufficiently developed skills, inadequate publicservices and an inability to access markets and assets on fair terms. Through innovations and R&D, we cancertainly do much more for these poor and removedisparity between the rich and the poor. Main focuswill be that different types of stakeholders will bebrought together to address issues of mutual concern

and interest with specific focus on the marginalised poor.

Option (c) is the most logical and rational assumption that can be made from the given passage.

Passage 6 Climate change is likely to expose a large number of people to increasing environmental risks forcing them to migrate.The international community is yet to recognise this newcategory of migrants. There is no consensus on thedefinition and status of climate refugees owing to thedistinct meaning the term refugees carry under international laws. There are still gaps in understanding how climatechange will work as the root cause of migration. Even ifthere is recognition of climate refugees, who is going toprovide protection? More emphasis has been given tointernational migration due to climate change. But there isa need to recognise the migration of such people within the countries also so that their problems can be addressedproperly.

6. Which of the following is the most rational inferencefrom the above passage?

(a) The world will not be able to cope with large-scalemigration of climate refugees

(b) We must find the ways and means to stop further climate change

(c) Climate change will be the most important reason for the migration of people in the future

(d) Relation between climate change and migration is not yet properly understood

î (d) The passage deals with people’s migration to other placesdue to climate changes. It is still not clear to internationalcommunity how climatic changes work as the root cause ofmigration of people. Climate and environmental changes areinterrelated just as environmental degradation and disastercan cause migration. Movement of people can also entailsignificant effects in surrounding ecosystem. A crucial insightis that by impoverishing rural population and worsening theirincome perspectives, long-term warming affects migration indifferent ways. But all this is still not clear to internationalcommunity. Option (d) here is the correct answer as relationbetween climatic change and migration is not yet properlyunderstood. So, other options are not relevant here.

Passage 7 Many farmers use synthetic pesticides to kill infestinginsects. The consumption of pesticides in some of thedeveloped countries is touching 3000 grams/hectare.Unfortunately, there are reports that these compoundspossess inherent toxicities that endanger the health of thefarm operators, consumers and the environment. Syntheticpesticides are generally persistent in environment. Enteringin food chain they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance. Their indiscriminate use has resultedin development of resistance among insects to insecticides,

Solved Paper • 2017 5

upsetting of balance in nature and resurgence of treated populations. Natural pest control using the botanicalpesticides is safer to the user and the environmentbecause they break down into harmless compoundswithin hours or days in the presence of sunlight. Plantswith pesticidal properties have been in nature formillions of years without any ill or adverse effects onthe ecosystem. They are easily decomposed by manymicrobes common in most soils. They help in themaintenance of biological diversity of predators and the reduction of environmental contamination and humanhealth hazards. Botanical pesticides formulated fromplants are biodegradable and their use in cropprotection is a practical sustainable alternative.

7. On the basis of the above passage, the followingassumptions have been made :

1. Synthetic pesticides should never be used

in modern agriculture.

2. One of the aims of sustainable agriculture is

to ensure minimal ecological imbalance.

3. Botanical pesticides are more effective as

compared to synthetic pesticides.

Which of the assumptions given above is/arecorrect?

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

8. Which of the following statements is/ are correctregarding biopesticides?

1. They are not hazardous to human health.

2. They are persistent in environment.

3. They are essential to maintain the

biodiversity of any ecosystem.

Select the correct answer using the code givenbelow.

(a) 1 only(b) 1 and 2 only(c) 1 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3

î Exp. In the passage, there is discussion about the harmfuleffects of synthetic pesticides and usefulness of botanical pesticides. Synthetic pesticides are harmful to farmers,consumers and environment. They are responsible forcausing ecological imbalance. On the contrary, naturalpest control using botanical pesticides is safer for cropsas well as to the environment and it is a practicalsustainable alternative.

7. (b) Option (b) is the relevant assumption here as one ofthe aims of sustainable agriculture should be to ensurethat minimum ecological imbalance takes place.Synthetic pesticides should be avoided as by entering infood chain, they destroy the microbial diversity and cause ecological imbalance.

8. (a) Regarding biopesticides option (1) provides thecorrect statement. It says that botanical pesticides are nothazardous to human health as they help in themaintenance of biological diversity and the reduction ofenvironmental contamination.

9. Certain 3-digit numbers have the followingcharacteristics :

1. All the three digits are different.

2. The number is divisible by 7.

3. The number on reversing the digits is also

divisible by 7.

How many such 3-digit numbers are there?

(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 8

î (b) There are four numbers, i.e. 168, 861, 952, 259.

10. Examine the following statements :

1. All colours are pleasant.

2. Some colours are pleasant.

3. No colour is pleasant.

4. Some colours are not pleasant.

Given that statement 4 is true, what can bedefinitely concluded?

(a) 1 and 2 are true. (b) 3 is true.(c) 2 is false. (d) 1 is false.

î (d) Given that some colours are not pleasant clearly means

that all colours are pleasant cannot be true. Hence,

statement (1) is definitely false.

11. How many numbers are there between 99 and 1000 such that the digit 8 occupies the units place?

(a) 64 (b) 80 (c) 90 (d) 104

î (c) Between 99 and 1000 all numbers are 3-digit numbers.

Hundreds place can be occupied by any 9 numbers from 1 to 9.

Tens place can be occupied by any 10 numbers from0 to 9.

∴ Required numbers = 9 10 90× =

12. If for a sample data

Mean < Median < Mode, then the distribution is

(a) symmetric

(b) skewed to the right

(c) neither symmetric nor skewed

(d) skewed to the left

î (d) If mean < median < mode, then the distribution is skewedto the left.

13. The age of Mr. X last year was the square of anumber and it would be the cube of a number next


year. What is the least number of years he mustwait for his age to become the cube of a numberagain?

(a) 42 (b) 38 (c) 25 (d) 16

î (b) Let the present age of Mr. X be x yr. Then, according toquestion,

( )x y− =1 2

and ( )x z+ =1 3

i.e. y z2 31 1+ = −⇒ z y3 2 2− =By hit and trial method, z = 3 and y = 5

∴ Present age of Mr. X y= + =2 1 26

Now, next cube after 27 is 64. Hence, Mr. X have to wait 64 26 38− = years for his age to become cube of anumber again.

14. P works thrice as fast as Q, whereas P and Qtogether can work four times as fast as R. If P, Qand R together work on a job, in what ratio shouldthey share the earnings?

(a) 3 : 1 : 1 (b) 3 : 2 : 4 (c) 4 : 3 : 4 (d) 3 : 1 : 4

î (a) Given, P Q= 3 and P Q R+ = 4

⇒ 3 4Q Q R+ = ⇒ Q R=∴ Ratio of share = P Q R: : = 3 Q Q Q: :

= 3 : 1 : 1

15. Consider the following relationships amongmembers of a family of six persons A, B, C, D, Eand F :

1. The number of males equals that of females.

2. A and E are sons of F.

3. D is the mother of two, one boy and one

girl.

4. B is the son of A.

5. There is only one married couple in the

family at present.

Which one of the following inferences can bedrawn from the above?

(a) A, B and C are all females.(b) A is the husband of D.(c) E and F are children of D.(d) D is the daughter of F.

î (b) As per given information, we have

Clearly, A is the husband of D.

16. A bag contains 20 balls. 8 balls are green, 7 arewhite and 5 are red. What is the minimum number of balls that must be picked up from the bagblindfolded (without replacing any of it) to beassured of picking at least one ball of each colour?

(a) 17 (b) 16(c) 13 (d) 11

î (b) After picking 8 green balls and 7 white balls, i.e. 15 balls,the next 16th ball must be red. So, we have atleast oneball of each colour.

17. If 2 boys and 2 girls are to be arranged in a row so that the girls are not next to each other, how many possible arrangements are there?

(a) 3 (b) 6 (c) 12 (d) 24

î (c) Total possible arrangements = 4! = 24

Total possible arrangements when two girls sit together = 3! × 2! = 12

∴ Required arrangements = 24 – 12 = 12

18. The outer surface of a 4 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm cube is painted completely in red. It is sliced parallel tothe faces to yield sixty four 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cmsmall cubes. How many small cubes do not havepainted faces?

(a) 8 (b) 16 (c) 24 (d) 36

î (a) Total number of unpainted cubes

= − = − = =( ) ( )n 2 4 2 2 83 3 3 [here n = 4]

19. Consider the following

A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H are standing in a rowfacing North.

B is not neighbour of G.

F is to the immediate right of G and neighbourof E.

G is not at the extreme end.

A is sixth to the left of E.

H is sixth to the right of C.

Which one of the following is correct in respect ofthe above?

(a) C is to the immediate left of A.

(b) D is immediate neighbour of B and F.

(c) G is to the immediate right of D.

(d) A and E are at the extreme ends.

î (c) As per given information, correct order is

Clearly, G is to the immediate right of D.

20. In a certain code, ‘256’ means ‘red colour chalk’,‘589’ means ‘green colour flower’ and ‘254’ means‘white colour chalk’. The digit in the code thatindicates ‘white’ is

(a) 2 (b) 4


rErACouplesD

Daughter Son

sC

sF

rB

SonSon A C B D G F E H

(c) 5 (d) 8

î (b) 256 – red colour chalk

589 – green colour flower

254 – white colour chalk

Here, 5 → Colour

2 → Chalk

∴ 4 → White

Directions (Q.No. 21-27) Read the followingseven passages and answer the items that followthe passages. Your answers to these items shouldbe based on the passages only.

Passage 1An Air Quality Index (AQI) is a way to combinemeasurements of multiple air pollutants into asingle number or rating. This index is ideally keptconstantly updated and available in different places. The AQI is most useful when lots of pollutiondata are being gathered and when pollution levelsare normally, but not always, low. In such cases, ifpollution levels spike for a few days, the public can quickly take preventive action (like staying indoors) in response to an air quality warning.Unfortunately, that is not urban India. Pollutionlevels in many large Indian cities are so high thatthey remain well above any health or regulatorystandard for large part of the year. If our indexstays in the Red/Dangerous’ region day after day,there is not much any one can do, other thangetting used to ignoring it.

21. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made fromthe above passage?

(a) Our governments are not responsible enough to keep our cities pollution free

(b) There is absolutely no need for air qualityindices in our country

(c) Air Quality Index is not helpful to the residentsof many of our large cities

(d) In every city, public awareness about pollutionproblems should increase

î (c) The passage is about the pollution level in Indian

cities and usefulness of Air Quality Index (AQI). AQI

is a numerical scale used for reporting day to day air

quality with regard to human health and the

environment. The AQI can be useful if pollution level

remains normal or low most of the time. With the

help of AQI, people can take preventive measures, if

pollution levels rise for few days. But in most of

Indian cities pollution levels are so high constantly

that AQI will always stay in dangerous position (red)

so people have to ignore it most of the time and get

used to come out of their houses and move around

in highly polluted environment option (c) is the most

logical and rational inference here. In Indian cities Air Quality

Index is not helpful to the residents as pollution level remains

very high most of the time. Option (a) here has not been

discussed in the passage, option (b) is irrelevant and option (d)

remains undiscussed in the passage.

Passage 2Productive jobs are vital for growth and a good job is thebest form of inclusion. More than half of our populationdepends on agriculture, but the experience of other countriessuggests that the number of people dependent on agriculturewill have to shrink if per capita incomes in agriculture are togo up substantially. While industry is creating jobs, too many such jobs are low-productivity non-contractual jobs in theunorganised sector, offering low incomes, little protection,and no benefits. Service jobs are relatively of highproductivity, but employment growth in services has beenslow in recent years.

22. Which among the following is the most logical andrational inference that can be made from the abovepassage?

(a) We must create conditions for the faster growth of highlyproductive service jobs to ensure employment growth andinclusion

(b) We must shift the farm workers to the highly productivemanufacturing and service sectors to ensure the economicgrowth and inclusion

(c) We must create conditions for the faster growth ofproductive jobs outside of agriculture even whileimproving the productivity of agriculture

(d) We must emphasise the cultivation of high-yielding hybridvarieties and genetically modified crops to increase the per capita income in agriculture

î (a) The passage deals with the importance of productive jobs toboost a country’s economy. A productive job results inproducing goods and services that have monetary or exchangevalue. Generating employment without growth should not be apolicy prescription. The most logical and rational inference thatcan be made from the above passage is option (a); we mustcreate conditions for the faster growth of highly productiveservice jobs to ensure employment growth and inclusion. Option (b), (c) and (d) are not relevant here.

Passage 3A landscape-scale approach to land use can encourage greaterbiodiversity outside protected areas. During hurricane ‘Mitch’ in 1998, farms using ecoagricultural practices suffered 58 percent, 70 per cent and 99 per cent less damage in Honduras,Nicaragua and Guatemala, respectively, than farms usingconventional techniques. In Costa Rica, vegetative windbreaks and fencerows boosted farmers’ income from pasture andcoffee while also increasing bird diversity. Bee pollination ismore effective when agricultural fields are closer to natural or seminatural habitat, a finding that matters because 87 percent of the world’s 107 leading crops depend on animal


pollinators. In Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Colombiasilvopastoral systems that integrate trees withpastureland are improving the sustainability of cattleproduction, and diversifying and increasing farmers’income.

23. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

(a) Agricultural practices that enhance biodiversity canoften increase farm output and reduce thevulnerability to disasters

(b) All the countries of the world should be encouragedto replace ecoagriculture with conventionalagriculture

(c) Ecoagriculture should be permitted in protected areas without destroying the biodiversity there

(d) The yield of food crops will be very high ifecoagricultural practices are adopted to cultivatethem

î (a) The passage mentions about landscape-scale approachand its benefits. There are strong links between thelandscape-scale approach and ‘ecosystem’ approachwhich encourage an integrated approach to landmanagement. We must pursue such matters thatminimise risks and maximise opportunities for people, fornature and for the economy. This would also involvestepping outside traditional disciplines and comfortzones.

Here option (a) provides the most logical and rationalinference from the passage as it states that agriculturalpractices that enhance bio-diversity can often increasefarm output and reduce the vulnerability to disasters.Options (b) (c) and (d) are irrelevant here.

Passage 4The medium term challenge for Indian manufacturingis to move from lower to higher tech sectors, fromlower to higher value-added sectors, and from lower tohigher productivity sectors. Medium tech industries areprimarily capital intensive and resource processing; andhigh tech industries are mainly capital and technologyintensive. In order to push the share of manufacturingin overall GDP to the projected 25 per cent, Indianmanufacturing needs to capture the global market insectors showing a rising trend in demand. These sectors are largely high technology and capital intensive.

24. Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?

(a) India’s GDP displays high value-added and highproductivity levels in medium tech and resourceprocessing industries

(b) Promotion of capital and technology intensivemanufacturing is not possible in India

(c) India should push up the public investments andencourage the private investments in research anddevelopment, technology upgradation and skilldevelopment

(d) India has already gained a great share in globalmarkets in sectors showing a rising trend in demand

î (a) The passage is about challenges for Indian manufacturing

sector which need to move from lower to high tech sectors

and from lower to higher productive sector. To push the

share of manufacturing in overall projected GDP of 25%.

India needs a high technology industrial capability to create

high value jobs, sustain growth, protect its national security

and build a vibrant society. Indian manufacturing needs to

capture global markets showing a rising trend in demand.

Building a world class and globally competitive high

technology industry is, no doubt a huge task, but India has

most of the ingredients for success. Some vision and

commitment with imagination is the needed.

Option (a) here provides the most logical and rational

inference. Option (b) is false, option (c) is not discussed

here and option (d) is irrelevant.

Passage 5Over the last decade, Indian agriculture has becomemore robust with record production of foodgrains andoilseeds. Increased procurement, consequently, has added huge stacks of food grains in the granaries. India is oneof the world’s top producers of rice, wheat, milk, fruitsand vegetables. India is still home to a quarter of allundernourished people in the world. On an average,almost half of the total expenditure of nearly half of thehouseholds is on food.

25. Which among the following is the most logicalcorollary to the above passage?

(a) Increasing the efficiency of farm-to-fork value chain isnecessary to reduce the poverty and malnutrition

(b) Increasing the agricultural productivity willautomatically eliminate the poverty and malnutritionin India

(c) India’s agricultural productivity is already great and itis not necessary to increase it further

(d) Allocation of more funds for social welfare andpoverty alleviation programmes will ultimatelyeliminate the poverty and malnutrition in India

î (a) The passage deals about two contrasting situations or

paradox of plenty prevalent in India. On the one hand there

has been record production in foodgrains increasing huge

stacks of foodgrains in granaries. On the other hand, India

is full of undernourished people totalling almost a quarter

of all undernourished people in the world. The most logical

corollary to the given passage is option (a). It is a fact that

India’s Public Distribution System needs a revamping

which may increase the efficiency of farm to fork value

chain. It is necessary to reduce the poverty and

malnutrition of people of India. The amount of wheat or rice


distributed to the poor needs to get larger, the system

needs to be rid of loopholes where food does not reach the

needy and gets exchanged for money in between. Option

(b) is incorrect, option (c) and (d) are not relevant.

Passage 6The States are like pearls and the Centre is the threadwhich turns them into a necklace; if the thread snaps,the pearls are scattered.

26. Which one of the following views corroborates theabove statement?

(a) A strong Centre and strong States make the federationstrong

(b) A strong Centre is a binding force for nationalintegrity

(c) A strong Centre is a hindrance to State autonomy

(d) State autonomy is a prerequisite for a federation

î (b) The author wants to convey through the passage that astrong Centre is the foundation or a binding force keepingall States together in harmony. The federal structure of thenation shows that Centre is the supreme power whichhelps, supports and coordinates the States, whilerespecting their culture and traditions. The strong Centreacts as a binding force which facilitates the exchange ofideas and promote national integrity. The statement of thepassage is corroborated by statement (b). A strong Centreis a binding force for national integrity.

Passage 7Really I think that the poorest he that is in England hasa life to live, as the greatest he, and therefore truly, Ithink it is clear that every man that is to live under agovernment ought first by his own consent to puthimself under the government, and I do think that thepoorest man in England is not at all bound in a strictsense to that government that he has not had a voice toput himself under.

27. The above statement argues for

(a) distribution of wealth equally to all

(b) rule according to the consent ofthe governed

(c) rule of the poor

(d) expropriation of the rich

î (b) The passage deals with the idea that consent of everyonebeing ruled or governed is very essential for a goodgovernance. The poor and the rich alike should have aright to choose the people who will form the government ina particular country. Here, option (b) is the correct answeras this statement argues in the best possible manner thatrule in a state should be according to the consent of thegoverned. Other options are not relevant here.

28. The average rainfall in a city for the first four dayswas recorded to be 0.40 inch. The rainfall on the

last two days was in the ratio of 4 : 3. Theaverage of six days was 0.50 inch. What was therainfall on the fifth day?

(a) 0.60 inch (b) 0.70 inch(c) 0.80 inch (d) 0.90 inch

î (c) Average rainfall in first four days = 0.40 inch

Average rainfall in six days = 0.50 inch

Let the rainfall on last two days be 4x and 3x, respectively.

Then, 0 504 0 40 4 3

6.

.= × + +x x

⇒ 0 5016 7

6.

.= + x

⇒ 3 = 1.6 + 7x

⇒ 7x = 3 – 1.6 = 1.4

∴ x = 0 2.

Hence, rainfall on the fifth day = 4 4 0 2x = × . = 0.80 inch

Directions (Q.Nos. 29-31) Consider the giveninformation and answer the three items that follow.

A, B, C, D, E, F and G are Lecturers fromdifferent cities—Hyderabad, Delhi, Shillong,Kanpur, Chennai, Mumbai and Srinagar (notnecessarily in the same order) who participated ina conference. Each one of them is specialised in adifferent subject, viz., Economics, Commerce,History, Sociology, Geography, Mathematics andStatistics (not necessarily in the same order).Further

1. Lecturer from Kanpur is specialised inGeography.

2. Lecturer D is from Shillong.

3. Lecturer C from Delhi is specialised inSociology.

4. Lecturer B is specialised in neither Historynor Mathematics.

5. Lecturer A who is specialised in Economicsdoes not belong to Hyderabad.

6. Lecturer F who is specialised in Commercebelongs to Srinagar.

7. Lecturer G who is specialised in Statisticsbelongs to Chennai.

29. Who is specialised in Geography?

(a) B

(b) D

(c) E

(d) Cannot be determined as data are inadequate

30. To which city does the Lecturer specialised inEconomics belong?

(a) Hyderabad

(b) Mumbai

(c) Neither Hyderabad nor Mumbai



31. Who of the followig belongs to Hyderabad?

(a) B

(b) E

(c) Neither B nor E


î Answers (29-31)

Lecturer City Subjects

A Mumbai Economics

B Kanpur Geography

C Delhi Sociology

D Shillong History / Mathematics

E Hyderabad History / Mathematics

F Srinagar Commerce

G Chennai Statistics

29. (a) B is specialised in Geography.

30. (b) Lecturer specialised in Economics belongs to Mumbai.

31. (b) E belongs to Hyderabad.

32. In a school, there are five teachers A, B, C, Dand E. A and B teach Hindi and English. C and B teach English and Geography. D and A teachMathematics and Hindi. E and B teach Historyand French. Who teaches maximum number ofsubjects?

(a) A (b) B (c) D (d) E

î (b) A→ Hindi, English, Mathematics.

B→ Hindi, English, Geography, History, French.

C→ English, Geography.

D→ Mathematics, Hindi.

E→ History, French.

∴ B teaches maximum number of subjects.

33. A 2-digit number is reversed. The larger of thetwo numbers is divided by the smaller one. What is the largest possible remainder?

(a) 95 (b) 27 (c) 36 (d) 45

î (d) Consider the numbers 19,29,39,49 and 59. Reverse thenumbers and find the largest possible remainder whichcomes out to be 45 using number 49.

Note – We have taken these numbers because after 59the remainder starts decreasing as number getsincreasing.

34. The monthly incomes of X and Y are in the ratio of 4 : 3 and their monthly expenses are in theratio of 3 : 2. However, each saves ` 6000 permonth. What is their total monthly income?

(a) ̀ 28000 (b) ̀ 42000 (c) ̀ 56000 (d) ̀ 84000

î (b) Let the monthly incomes of X and Y be 4x and 3x,respectively and the monthly expenses be 3y and 2y,respectively.

As per question,

4 3 6000x y− =and 3 2 6000x y− ===> 4 3 3 2x y x y− = −==> x y=∴ x = 6000

Hence, total monthly income = ̀7 7 6000x = ×` = ̀42000

35. Two walls and a ceiling of a room meet at rightangles at a point P. A fly is in the air 1 m from onewall, 8 m from the other wall and 9 m from thepoint P. How many meters is the fly from theceiling?

(a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 12 (d) 15

î (a)

Here, PB = +8 12 2

= + =64 1 65 m

Now, OB PB= −92 2

==> OB = −81 65

= =16 4 m

Directions (Q.Nos. 36-38) Consider the giveninformation and answer the three items that follow.

Eight railway stations A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H areconnected either by two-way passages or one-waypassages. One-way passages are from C to A, E to G, B to F, D to H, G to C, E to C and H to G. Two-waypassages are between A and E, G and B, F and D,and E and D.

36. While travelling from C to H, which one of thefollowing stations must be passed through?

(a) G (b) E (c) B (d) F

î (b) While travelling from C to H, the path followed is C A E D H→ → → →

∴ Station E must be necessarily passed through.

37. In how many different ways can a train travel from F to A without passing through any station more thanonce?


P

B

O

1 m9 m

8 mO

P

E G C A

H

D F B

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4

î (a) Possible path are

F D H G C A→ → → → →F D E G C A→ → → → →F D E C A→ → → →F D E A→ → → →C

∴ Four different ways are possible for a train to travel from F to A.

38. If the route between G and C is closed, which one ofthe following stations need not be passed through whiletravelling from H to C?

(a) E (b) D (c) A (d) B

î (c) While traveilling from H to C, the path followed is H G B F D E C→ → → → → →∴ Station A need not be required.

39. There are certain 2-digit numbers. The differencebetween the number and the one obtained on reversingit is always 27. How many such maximum 2-digitnumbers are there?

(a) 3 (b) 4(c) 5 (d) None of these

î (d) Let the numbers be of the form 10x y+ .

Then, 10 10 9 9x y y x x y+ − + = −( ) = −9( )x y

Now, difference is 27 when x y− = 3.

So, required numbers are 14, 25, 36, 47, 58, 69, 41, 52, 63, 74,85 and 96.

40. What is the total number of digits printed, if a bookcontaining 150 pages is to be numbered from 1 to 150?

(a) 262 (b) 342 (c) 360 (d) 450

î (b) Digits from 1 to 9 = 9

Digit from 10 to 99 = 180

Digits from 100 to 150 = 153

∴ Total number of digits = 9 + 180 + 153 = 342

Directions (Q.Nos. 41-47) Read the following sevenpassages and answer the items that follow the passages.Your answers to these items should be based on thepassages only.

Passage 1We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any of ustill we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the peopleof India what destiny intends them to be. We are citizens ofa great country, on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, to whatever religionwe may belong, are equally the children of India with equalrights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encouragecommunalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can begreat whose people are narrow in thought or action.

41. The challenge the author of the above passage throws to the public is to achieve

(a) a high standard of living, progress and privileges

(b) equal privileges, fulfilment of destiny and political tolerance

(c) spirit of adventure and economic parity

(d) hardwork, brotherhood and national unity

î (d) It is the Nehru’s speech on the eve of India’sIndependence. The author talks about the hardworkall Indians need to do in order to enjoy the privileges which freedom from servitude may offer. The authorof this passage lays importance of tolerance inreligion and to avoid communalism or narrowmindedness for achieving the desired goal ofnational unity. Here option (d) is the mostappropriate answer.

Passage 2“The individual, according to Rousseau, puts hisperson and all his power in common under thesupreme direction of the General Will and in ourcorporate capacity we receive each member as anindivisible part of the whole.”

42. In the light of the above passage, the nature of General Will is best described as

(a) the sum total of the private wills of theindividuals

(b) what is articulated by the electedrepresentatives of the individuals

(c) the collective good as distinct from private wills of the individuals

(d) the material interests of the community

î (a) The passage deals with Jean Jacques Rousseau’sphilosophy about General Will, a political theory.This General Will is a collectively held ‘will’ that aimsat the common good or common interest. According to the author, all people are capable of taking themoral standpoint of aiming at the common good.Thus, in an ideal states laws express the GeneralWill. Here in the light of the given passage, thenature of General Will is best described as option (a) the sum total of the private wills of the individuals.Other options are not relevant here.

Passage 3In a democratic state, where a high degree ofpolitical maturity of the people obtains, theconflict between the will of the sovereignlaw-making body and the organised will of thepeople seldom occurs.

43. What does the above passage imply?

(a) In a democracy, force is the main phenomenonin the actual exercise of sovereignty.

(b) In a mature democracy, force to a great extentis the main phenomenon in the actual exerciseof sovereignty.

(c) In a mature democracy, use of force isirrelevant in the actual exercise of sovereignty.


(d) In a mature democracy, force is narrowed down to amarginal phenomenon in the actual exercise ofsovereignty.

î (d) According to the passage, in a democratic set up ofreputation there is no conflict between the common will ofthe people and the will of ruling law making agency. As the representatives of government are chosen by the common will of the people, the laws made for the benefit of thecountry are generally not opposed by general public. Here option (d) correctly implies the inherent meaning of thepassage. It says that in a mature democracy, force isnarrowed down to a marginal phenomenon is the actualexercise of sovereignty.

Passage 4A successful democracy depends upon widespreadinterest and participation in politics, in which voting isan essential part. To deliberately refrain from takingsuch an interest, and from voting, is a kind of impliedanarchy; it is to refuse one’s political responsibility while enjoying the benefits of a free political society.

44. This passage relates to

(a) duty to vote(b) right to vote(c) freedom to vote(d) right to participate in politics

î (a) The passage is about the duties of a citizen in ademocracy. Alongwith privileges, citizens in a democracyalso have responsibilities. Every role is precious and works as a deciding factor in selecting the right candidate for the country. If we want our government to be responsible andaccountable then everyone must vote dutifully.

It gives us a chance to voice our opinion. It is the sacredduty of everyone to understand how important andinvaluable their vote is which will help shape the future ofthe country. Here option (a) ‘Duty to Vote’ is the correctanswer.

Passage 5In a free country, the man who reaches the position ofleader is usually one of outstanding character andability. Moreover, it is usually possible to foresee that he will reach such a position, since early in life one can seehis qualities of character. But this is not always true inthe case of a dictator; often he reaches his position ofpower through chance, very often through the unhappystate of his country.

45. The passage seems to suggest that

(a) a leader foresees his future position

(b) a leader is chosen only by a free country

(c) a leader must see that his country is free from despair

(d) despair in a country sometimes leads to dictatorship

î (d) The passage discusses the circumstances whichsometimes make a person turn into dictator. For example,a despair in a country sometimes leads to dictatorship.

A leader shows his qualities right from childhood and onecan predict that such a person will be a leader one day but such predication cannot be made about the dictator.

Here option (d) is the correct answer which says thatdespair in a country sometimes leads to dictatorship.Other options are not correct here.

Passage 6The greatest blessing that technological progress has instore for mankind is not, of course, an accumulation ofmaterial possessions. The amount of these that can beeffectively enjoyed by one individual in one lifetime isnot great. But there is not the same narrow limit to thepossibilities of the enjoyment of leisure. The gift ofleisure may be abused by people who have had noexperience of making use of it. Yet the creative use ofleisure by a minority in societies has been themainspring of all human progress beyond the primitivelevel.

46. With reference to the above passage, the followingassumptions have been made :

1. People always see the leisure time as a gift

and use it for acquiring more material

possessions.

2. Use of leisure by some people to produce

new and original things has been the chief

source of human progress.

Which of these assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

î (b) Technology has gifted human beings with enough

materialistic possessions. Moreover it has made our life

easy by providing enough leisure time. But very few

people are able to use this leisure time creatively and for

the betterment of human society. Here assumption (2)

only is valid which states that use of leisure by some

people to produce new and original things has been the

cheif source of human progress.

Passage 7There is more than a modicum of truth in the assertion that “a working knowledge of ancient history isnecessary to the intelligent interpretation of currentevents”. But the sage who uttered these words ofwisdom might well have added something on thebenefits of studying particularly the famous battles ofhistory for the lessons they contain for those of us wholead or aspire to leadership. Such a study will revealcertain qualities and attributes which enabled thewinners to win—and certain deficiencies which caused


the losers to lose. And the student will see that the samepattern recurs consistently, again and again, throughout the centuries.

47. With reference to the above passage, the followingassumptions have been made :

1. A study of the famous battles of history would

help us understand the modern warfare.

2. Studying the history is essential for anyone

who aspires to be a leader.

Which of these assumptions is/are valid?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

î (b) The passage deals with utility of historical events forprospective leaders in understanding current events. Timemay change but human nature remains the same with somequalities and some weakness. The account of battles anddiscussion helps leaders to understand the character ofparticular conflicts, informs ideas of how armed conflict islikely to evolve and helps leaders to understand theinteractions between military, political and social factors thatinfluence the situation in war. The study of battles is meant toeducate the mind of the future commanders or leaders. Herefrom the given assumptions, only (b) is the correct answer. Itsays that studying the history is essential for anyone whoaspires to be a leader.

48. Suppose the average weight of 9 persons is 50 kg. The average weight of the first 5 persons is 45 kg,whereas the average weight of the last 5 persons is 55 kg. Then the weight of the 5th person will be

(a) 45 kg (b) 47.5 kg(c) 50 kg (d) 52.5 kg

î (c) Total weight of 9 persons = 50×9

= 450 kg

Total weight of first 5 persons = 45×5

= 225 kg

Total weight of last 4 persons = (450 − 225)

= 225 kg

Total weight of last 5 persons = 55 × 5

= 275 kg

Hence, weight of the 5th person = (275 − 225)

= 50 kg

49. In a group of six women, there are four tennis players, four postgraduates in Sociology, one postgraduate inCommerce and three bank employees. Vimala andKamla are the bank employees while Amala andKomala are unemployed. Komala. and Nirmala areamong the tennis players. Amala, Kamla, Komala andNirmala are postgraduates in Sociology of whom twoare bank employees. If Shyamala is a postgraduate inCommerce, who among the following is both a tennisplayer and a bank employee?

(a) Amala (b) Komala (c) Nirmala (d) Shyamala

î (c)

BankEmploye

e

PostGraduate

inSociolog

y

PostGraduate

inCommerce

TennisPlayer

Unemployed

Vimala P

Kamla P P

Amala P P

Komala P P P

Nirmala P P P

Shyamala P

Nirmala is both a tennis player and a bank employee.

50. P = (40% of A) + (65% of B) and Q = (50% of A)+ (50% of B), where A is greater than B.

In this context, which of the followingstatements is correct?

(a) P is greater than Q.

(b) Q is greater than P.

(c) P is equal to Q.

(d) None of the above can be concluded withcertainty.

î (d) Let A = 100, B = 50, then

P = 40% of 100 + 65% of 50

= × + ×40

100100

65

10050

= 40 + 32.5 = 72.5

Q = 50% of 100 + 50% of 50

= × + ×50

100100

50

10050

= + =50 25 75

Here, P Q<Again,

Let A = 101, B = 100, then

P = 40% of 101 + 65% of 100

= × + ×40

100101

65

100100

= 40.4 + 65

= 105.4

Q = 50% of 101 + 50% of 100

= 50

100101

50

100100× + ×

= 50.5 + 50

= 100.5

Here, P Q>Therefore, none of the relation can be concluded withcertainity.

51. A watch loses 2 min in every 24 hr whileanother watch gains 2 min in every 24 hr. At aparticular instant, the two watches showed an


identical time. Which of the following statementsis correct if 24 hr clock is followed?

(a) The two watches show the identical time again on

completion of 30 days.

(b) The two watches show the identical time again on


(c) The two watches show the identical time again on


(d) None of the above statements is correct.

î (d) Time difference = 4 min in 1 day.

The two clock shows identical time when the time

difference is 24 hr, i.e. 1440 min. So, the clocks will show

identical time again after 1440

4360= days.

52. In a city, 12% of households earn less than ̀30000 per year, 6% households earn more than `

200000 per year, 22% households earn more than ̀100000 per year and 990 house-holds earn

between ̀30000 and ̀100000 per year. Howmany households earn between ̀100000 and ̀200000 per year?

(a) 250 (b) 240(c) 230 (d) 225

î (b) 6% of household’s income > ̀200000

22% of household’s income > ̀100000

Therefore, (22 – 6) = 16% of households’s income is

between ̀100000 to ̀200000.

So,

12% + 990 + 16% + 6% = 100%

⇒ 990 = (100 – 34)%

⇒ 990 = 66%

Hence, 16% = 990

6616×

= 240

∴ 240 households earn between ̀100000 and ̀200000.

53. A clock strikes once at 1 o’clock, twice at 2o’clock and thrice at 3 o’clock, and so on. If ittakes 12 seconds to strike at 5 o’clock, what is the time taken by it to strike at 10 o’clock

(a) 20 sec (b) 24 sec(c) 28 sec (d) 30 sec

î (b) At 5 O' clock, clock strikes 5 times in 12 sec.

⇒ Time taken for 1 strike = 12

5 sec

At 10 O' clock, clock strikes 10 times.

Therefore, total time taken by clock to strike

10 times = 12

510× sec = 24 sec

54. Consider the given statement and the twoconclusions that follow:

Statement : Morning walk is good for health.

Conclusions :

1. All healthy people go for morning walk.

2. Morning walk is essential for maintaininggood health.

What is/are the valid conclusion/conclusions?

(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2(d) Neither 1 nor 2

î (d) From the given statement, one cannot conclude thatthe morning walk is essential for maintaining good health or all healthy people go for morning walk. As, one canmaintain his/her health by doing some other exercise or byjoining gym, etc. Hence, neither 1 nor 2 are the validconclusions.

55. There are thirteen 2-digit consecutive odd numbers.If 39 is the mean of the first five such numbers,then what is the mean of all the thirteen numbers?

(a) 47 (b) 49(c) 51 (d) 45

î (a) Let the thirteen consecutive odd numbers be x x x, ,+ +2 4, … up 13 terms.

According to the question,x x x x x+ + + + + + + + =2 4 6 8

539

⇒ 5 20 39 5x + = ×⇒ 5 195 20x = −⇒ 5 175x =⇒ x = 35

Hence, the numbers are 35, 37, 39, …, upto 13 terms

∴ Mean of 13 terms = Sum of 13 Terms

13

=× + −13

22 35 13 1 2

13

[ ( ) ] [Q given terms form an AP]

= + = =1

270 24

94

247[ ]

56. Six boys A, B, C, D, E and F play a game of cards.Each has a pack of 10 cards. F borrows 2 cards from A and gives away 5 to C who in turn gives 3 to Bwhile B gives 6 to D who passes on 1 to E. Thenthe number of cards possessed by D and E is equalto the number of cards possessed by

(a) A, B and C (b) B, C and F(c) A, B and F (d) A, C and F

î (b) According to the question,

Number of cards

A → 10 – 2 = 8

B → 10 + 3 – 6 = 7

C → 10 + 5 – 3 = 12

D → 10 + 6 – 1 = 15

E → 10 + 1 = 11

F → 10 + 2 – 5 = 7

Sum of cards possessed by D and E = 15 + 11 = 26

From the given options,


Cards possessed by B, C and F = 7 + 12 + 7 = 26 which is

equal to number cards possessed by D and E.

57. There is a milk sample with 50% water init. If 1/3rd of this milk is added to equalamount of pure milk, then water in thenew mixture will fall down to :

(a) 25% (b) 30%(c) 35% (d) 40%

î (a) Suppose in 1 L of milk sample, 50% (or 1

2 part) is

water and 50% (or 1/2 part) is milk

According to the question,1

3 L of mixture +

1

3 L of pure milk =

2

3 L of new

sample.

Water in new sample =1

3

1

2

1

6× = L

Therefore, percentage of water in new sample

= ×

1

62

3

100 = 25%

Hence, water in the new sample will fall downfrom 50% to 25%.

58. There are 4 horizontal and 4 vertical lines,parallel and equidistant to one another on a board. What is the maximum number ofrectangles and squares that can be formed?

(a) 16 (b) 24

(c) 36 (d) 42

î (c) Total number of squares = 9 + 4 + 1 = 14

Total number of rectangles = 12 + 6 + 4 = 22

Hence, maximum number of squares andrectangles that can be formed = 14 + 22 = 36

59. A freight train left Delhi for Mumbai at anaverage speed of 40 km/hr. Two hourslater, an express train left Delhi forMumbai, following the freight train on aparallel track at an average speed of60 km/hr. How far from Delhi would theexpress train meet the freight train?

(a) 480 km (b) 260 km(c) 240 km (d) 120 km

î (c) Let the distance covered by freight and expresstrain be ‘x’ km in time ‘t ’ hrs and ‘t − 2’ hr,respectively.

According to the questions,

40 60 2× = × −t t( )

⇒ 40 60 120t t= −⇒ 20 120t =⇒ t = 6 hr

∴ Required distance = 60 (6 – 2)

= 60 × 4 = 240 km

60. In a test, Randhir obtained more marks than the totalmarks obtained by Kunal and Debu. The total marksobtained by Kunal and Shankar are more than those ofRandhir. Sonal obtained more marks than Shankar. Nehaobtained more marks than Randhir. Who amongst themobtained highest marks?

(a) Randhir (b) Neha

(c) Sonal (d) Data are inadequate

î (d) As per given information, we have

Randhir > Kunal + Debu

Randhir < Kunal + Shankar

Sonal > Shankar

Neha > Randhir

Data are inadequate to answer the question.

Directions (Q.Nos. 61-68) Read the following eight passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answersto these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage 1What climate change will undeniably do is cause or amplifyevents that hasten the reduction of resources. Competition overthese diminishing resources would ensue in the form of politicalor even violent conflict. Resource-based conflicts have rarelybeen overt and are thus difficult to isolate. Instead they take onveneers that appear more politically palatable. Conflicts overresources like water are often cloaked in the guise of identity orideology.

61. What does the above passage imply?

(a) Resource-based conflicts are always politically motivated.

(b) There are no political solutions to resolve environmental and

resource-based conflicts.

(c) Environmental issues contribute to resource stresses and

political conflict.

(d) Political conflict based on identity or ideology cannot be

resolved.

î (c) Experts believe that climatic changes will shape development

trajectories in coming decades. Depletion in resources might result

in migration, food security, urbanisation and economic condition at

national and global level. Climatic changes can lead to political

conflicts.

For example, impacts of water and energy scarcity first hand

in conflict zones, or when population migrate to urban areas

and ability of those areas to provide services get affected.

So, we conclude that option (c) is the correct answer.

Environmental issues contribute to resource stresses and

political conflict.


Passage 2The man who is perpetually hesitating which of the twothings he will do first, will do neither. The man whoresolves, but suffers his resolution to be changed by thefirst counter-suggestion of a friend— who fluctuates fromopinion to opinion and veers from plan to plan—cannever accomplish anything. He will at best be stationaryand probably retrograde in all. It is only the man who first consults wisely, then resolves firmly and then executes hispurpose with inflexible perseverance, undismayed by thosepetty difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit—that canadvance to eminence in any line.

62. The keynote that seems to be emerging from thepassage is that

(a) we should first consult wisely and then resolve firmly

(b) we should reject suggestions of friends and remainunchanged

(c) we should always remain broad-minded

(d) we should be resolute and achievement-oriented

î (a) The passage deals about the importance of firm resolution.Before reaching on any decision, it is better to take opinion of experienced and wise people. Once the decision has beentaken, one should try to pursue it with full dedication andfirmness. Wavering of mind, thoughts or decision taking canreduce chances of succeeding in life. Here option (a)appears to be the keynote emerging from the passage.Option (b) is not there in the passage, option (c) and (d) arenot relevant here.

Passage 3During the summer in the Arctic ocean, sea ice has beenmelting earlier and faster, and the winter freeze has beencoming later. In the last three decades, the extent ofsummer ice has declined by about 30 per cent. Thelengthening period of summer melt threatens to undermine the whole Arctic food web, atop which stand polar bears.

63. Which among the following is the most crucialmessage conveyed by the above passage?

(a) Climate change has caused Arctic summer to be short

but temperature to be high.

(b) Polar bears can be shifted to South Pole to ensure their

survival.

(c) Without the presence of polar bears, the food chains in

Arctic region will disappear.

(d) Climate change poses a threat to the survival of polar

bears.

î (d) The passage reflects upon the repercussions of climaticchange or global warming. Its effect has been felt in Arcticregion also where tenure of winter freeze has lessened andmelting of summer ice has extended to a longer duration.There are warning to the world that due to climatic changelives of polar bears (who survive in Arctic region) are indanger. Option (d) here is the correct answer which says that

climatic change poses a threat to survival of polarbears.

Passage 4Why do people prefer open defecation and not wanttoilets or, if they have them, only use themsometimes. Recent research has shown two criticalelements : ideas of purity and pollution, and notwanting pits or septic tanks to fill because they haveto be emptied. These are the issues that nobodywants to talk about, but if we want to eradicate thepractice of open defecation, they have to beconfronted and dealt properly.

64. Which among the following is the most crucialmessage conveyed by the above passage?

(a) The ideas of purity and pollution are sodeep-rooted that they cannot be removed from the minds of the people.

(b) People have to perceive toilet use andpit-emptying as clean and not polluting.

(c) People cannot change their old habits.

(d) People have neither civic sense nor sense ofprivacy.

î (b) Recent researches about problem of open defecationand non-utilisation of existing toilets throw light on twoissues

(i) Ideas of people about purity and pollution

(ii) Unwillingness to empty the pits

These problems have to be discussed with people stillinvolved in open defecation. People have to beeducated about the health hazards of open defecationand using of toilets and pit employing lead tocleanliness not pollution. Option (b) here is the correctanswer.

Passage 5In the last two decades, the world’s Gross DomesticProduct (GDP) has increased by 50 per cent, whereas inclusive wealth has increased by a mere 6 per cent.In recent decades, GDP-driven economicperformance has only harmed inclusive wealth likehuman capital; and natural capital like forests, landand water. While the world’s human capital whichstands at 57 per cent of total inclusive wealth grewby only 8 per cent, the natural capital which is 23per cent of total inclusive wealth declined by 30 percent worldwide in the last two decades.

65. Which of the following is the most crucialinference from the above passage?

(a) More emphasis should be laid on the development of natural capital.

(b) The growth driven by GDP only is neitherdesirable nor sustainable.


(c) The economic performance of the countries of theworld is not satisfactory.

(d) The world needs more human capital under thepresent circumstances.

î (b) The passage deals with the idea that GDP is not the realmeasure of a country’s economic growth. Gauging aneconomy by its GDP is like judging a company by itsquarterly profits without ever reviewing at its balancesheet. A country’s biggest asset is their people. Growthof human capital has been slow and natural capital hasdeclined 80 per cent. So, we can say that the growthdriven by GDP only is neither desirable nor sustainable.Option (b) is correct here. An inclusive approach tocalculating wealth opens the spectrum of how wemeasure success.

Passage 6By 2020, when the global economy is expected to runshort of 56 million young people, India, with its youth surplus of 47 million, could fill the gap. It is in thiscontext that labour reforms are often cited as the wayto unlock double-digit growth in India. In 2014,India’s labour force was estimated to be about 40 percent of the population, but 93 per cent of this forcewas in unorganised sector. Over the last decade, theCompound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) ofemployment has slowed to 0.5 per cent, with about 14 million jobs created during last year when the labourforce increased by about 15 million.

66. Which of the following is the most rationalinference from the above passage?

(a) India must control its population growth so as toreduce its unemployment rate.

(b) Labour reforms are required in India to makeoptimum use of its vast labour force productively.

(c) India is poised to achieve the double-digit growthvery soon.

(d) India is capable of supplying the skilled youngpeople to other countries.

î (b) The passage is about India’s young population which by2020 will be a surplus of 47 million working people. Buteconomic growth requires not just a large workingpopulation but people who are trained and skilled to work in different industries. We need to use our technologicalskills and replace our age old system with innovation toreduce the resource burden and increase the skills ofincreased youth population. If proper attention is paid tochannelise this surplus youth population. India canachieve double digit growth. Here, option (b) is thecorrect answer.

Passage 7The very first lesson that should be taught to us whenwe are old enough to understand it is that complete

freedom from the obligation to work is unnatural, andought to be illegal, as we can escape our share of theburden of work only by throwing it on someone else’sshoulders. Nature ordains that the human race shallperish of famine if it stops working. We cannotescape from this tyranny. The question we have to settleis how much leisure we can afford to allow ourselves.

67. The main idea of the passage is that

(a) it is essential for human beings to work

(b) there should be a balance between work and leisure

(c) working is a tyranny which we have to face

(d) human’s understanding of the nature of work isessential.

î (b) The passage reflects about how important it is for everyoneto work. Nobody should shirk from his /her duty otherwisethere will be double burden on others. It is the rule of nature that an idle society soon perishes. Human civilisation existsbecause people love to work and put our energies to proper use. But we must be cautious about maintaining a properbalance between work and leisure as inspite of busyschedule of work, everyone must find some time to relaxand spend with family and loved ones. Here option (b) isthe correct answer. There should be a balance betweenwork and leisure.

Passage 8There is no harm in cultivating habits so long as they are not injurious. Indeed, most of us are little more thanbundle of habits. Take away our habits and the residuum would hardly be worth bothering about. We could notget on without them. They simplify the mechanism oflife. They enable us to do a multitude of thingsautomatically, which, if we had to give fresh and originalthought to them each time, would make existence animpossible confusion.

68. The author suggests that habits

(a) tend to make our lives difficult

(b) add precision to our lives

(c) make it easier for us to live

(d) tend to mechanise our lives

î (c) The passage reflects upon our actions which inadvertentlybecome our habits. Our life mechanism revolves around abundle of habits which make our routine interesting andworth living. For example, going for a walk, doing yoga orexercises, reading a newspaper, all these actions happeninadvertently as part of our routine. Repeated actionswithout any premeditated effects make our life easy to live.

Hence option (c) is the correct answer where the authorsuggests that habits make it easier for us to live.

Directions (Q.Nos. 69-70) Consider the giveninformation and answer the two items that follow.

No supporters of ‘party X’, who knew Z and supportedhis campaign strategy, agreed for the alliance with ‘partyY’; but some of them had friends in ‘party Y’.


69. With reference to the above information, which oneamong the following statements must be true?

(a) Some supporters of ‘party Y’ did not agree for thealliance with the ‘party X’.

(b) There is at least one supporter of ‘party Y’ who knewsome supporters of ‘party X’ as a friend.

(c) No supporters of ‘party X’ supported Z’s campaignstrategy.

(d) No supporters of ‘party X’ knew Z.

î (a) The passage implies that the supporters of ‘party X’, whoknew Z and supported his campaign strategy did not formalliance with party Y. Also, party Y has some friends inparty X.

70. With reference to the above information, considerthe following statements

1. Some supporters of ‘party X’ knew Z.

2. Some supporters of ‘party X’, who opposedZ’s campaign strategy, knew Z.

3. No supporters of ‘party X’ supported Z ‘scampaign strategy.

Which of the statements is/are not correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

î (b) As per given information it is clear that some supporters ofparty X supported Z’s campaign strategy and knew Z. So,statement (2) and (3) are wrong.

71. If second and fourth Saturdays and all the Sundaysare taken as only holidays for an office, what wouldbe the minimum number of possible working days of any month of any year?

(a) 23 (b) 22(c) 21 (d) 20

î (b) February is the month in which there are minimum numberof working days, i.e. 28 days,

There will be maximum four Sundays and two Saturdays offi.e. 6 days.

∴ Minimum number of working days = 28 – 6 = 22 days

72. If there is a policy that 1/3rd of a population of acommunity has migrated every year from one placeto some other place, what is the leftover populationof that community after the sixth year, if there isno further growth in the population during thisperiod?

(a) 16/243rd part of the population

(b) 32/243rd part of the population

(c) 32/729th part of the population

(d) 64/729th part of the population

î (d) Leftover population after 6 yr

= −

11

3

6

Part of population

=

2

3

6

Part of population

= 64

729

th Part of population

73. Four tests—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics andBiology are to be conducted on four consecutivedays, not necessarily in the same order. ThePhysics test is held before the test which isconducted after Biology. Chemistry is conductedexactly after two tests are held. Which is the lasttest held?

(a) Physics

(b) Biology

(c) Mathematics

(d) Chemistry

î (c) According to the question, the order in which tests heldis as follows :

Biology

Physics

Chemistry

Mathematics

Hence, the last test held is Mathematics.

74. The sum of income of A and B is more than thatof C and D taken together. The sum of income ofA and C is the same as that of B and D takentogether. Moreover, A earns half as much as thesum of the income of B and D. Whose income isthe highest?

(a) A (b) B(c) C (d) D

î (b) Income of (A + B) > Income of (C +D) [given]

Income of (A + C) = Income of (B + D) [given]

A B D

2 2A B D= + ⇒ = +

Similarly, C B D

2 2C B D= + ⇒ = +

Therefore, 2A 2C B D= = +⇒ A C=And, A B C D+ > +⇒ B > D [Q A C= ]

Hence, B's income is the highest.

75. Consider the following :

Statement : Good voice is a natural gift but onehas to keep practising to improve and excel wellin the field of music.

Conclusions :

I. Natural gifts need nurturing and care.

II. Even though one’s voice is not good, onecan keep practising.

Which one of the following is correctin respect of the above statement and conclusions?

(a) Only conclusion I follows from the statement


(b) Only conclusion II follows from the statement

(c) Either conclusion I or conclusion II follows from thestatement

(d) Neither conclusion I nor conclusion II follows fromthe statement

î (d) Neither conclusion I nor conclusion II follows from thestatement. As in the statement, it is given that oneneeds practise to improve and excel will in the field ofmusic. But, if someone is not interested in field of music,then he / she does not require any nurturing and care ofnatural gifts.

Thus, both the conclusions do not follow.

76. There are three pillars X, Y and Z of differentheights. Three spiders A, B and C start to climb on these pillars simultaneously. In one chance, Aclimbs on X by 6 cm but slips down 1 cm. Bclimbs on Y by 7 cm but slips down 3 cm. Cclimbs on Z by 6.5 cm but slips down 2 cm. Ifeach of them requires 40 chances to reach the topof the pillars, what is the height of the shortestpillar?(a) 161 cm (b) 163 cm(c) 182 cm (d) 210 cm

î (b)

Spider A climbs 5 cm on the pillar X in each chance. Thus, spider A climbs the whole pillar in 39 + 1 chance

⇒ Total height of the pillar X = 5 × 39 + 6

= 195 + 6 = 201 cm

Similarly, height of the pillar Y = 39 (7– 3) + 7

= 39 × 4 + 7

= 163 cm

Similarly, height of the pillar Z = 39 (6.5 – 2) + 6.5

= (39 × 4.5) + 6.5

= 182 cm

Hence, height of the shortest pillar (Y) = 163 cm

77. “Rights are certain advantageous conditions ofsocial well-being indispensable to the truedevelopment of the citizen.”

In the light of this statement, which one ofthe following is the correct understanding of rights?

(a) Rights aim at individual good only.

(b) Rights aim at social good only.

(c) Rights aim at both individual and social good.(d) Rights aim at individual good devoid of social

well-being.

î (d) Rights focus on a freedom, protection, status, orbenefit for the right holders. The duties associatedwith human rights often require actions involvingrespect, protection, facilitation and provision for socialgood.

78. 15 students failed in a class of 52. After removingthe names of failed students, a merit order list hasbeen prepared in which the position of Ramesh is22nd from the top. What is his position from thebottom?(a) 18th (b) 17th

(c) 16th (d) 15th

î (c) Total number of students having names in the merit list= 52 – 15 = 37

Ramesh position from top in the list = 22nd

Ramesh position from bottom = (37 − 22) + 1

= 16th

79. Consider the following :

A + B means A is the son of B.

A – B means A is the wife of B.

What does the expression P + R – Q mean?

(a) Q is the son of P.

(b) Q is the wife of P.

(c) Q is the father of P.

(d) None of the above

î (c) P R P+ → is the son of R.

R Q R− → is the wife of Q.

Hence, Q is the father of P.

80. Gopal bought a cell phone and sold it to Ram at10% profit. Then, Ram wanted to sell it back toGopal at 10% loss. What will be Gopal’s position ifhe agreed?

(a) Neither loss nor gain (b) Loss 1%(c) Gain 1% (d) Gain 0.5%

î (c) Let CP of cellphone be ̀100.

Then, SP for Ram = 100 110

1001

10

100+

−

= 100110

100

90

100× ×

= ̀99

Therefore, required gain = 100 99

100100

− × = 1%


1 cm

6 cm

X

YZ

A B C

7 cm 6.5 cm

3 cm 2 cm

22nd from top

th16 from bottom

37 students

Top

rQCouplesR

Son

rP

Father

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CSAT 2017 (E) - arihantbooks.com · CSAT INSTRUCTIONS SOLVED PAPER 2017. Passage 2 There has been a significant trend worldwide towards regionalism in government, resulting in a widespread