(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

Model Questions for UPSC PRE CSAT PAPER SET - 24

Passage: Instruction for question- read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Your answers to the questions should be based on the passage only.

The goal of keeping planet warming in check has moved further out of reach, the U.N. said in the latest of a flurry of reports pointing to looming disaster ahead of talks in Qatar. Country pledges for cutting climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions could see global average temperatures rise by three to five degrees Celsius this century, said a U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
The targeted limit is an increase of two degrees Celsius on pre-industrial levels. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reported a record increase of earth-warming gases in the atmosphere, while the World Bank warned of the planet-wide devastation a rise of four degrees Celsius wound cause.
UNEP said swift action could still see the world get back on track, but it would mean increasing pledges and slashing emissions by 14 per cent to about 44 billion tonnes in 2020 from an estimated 50.1 billion tonnes per year now. Scientists say global temperatures have already risen by about 0.8 degrees Celsius on average. More than 190 countries will meet for two weeks in Qatar seeking to draft a work programme leading to a new, global climate deal to be signed by 2015 and enter into force by 2020.
They will also seek to put in place a follow-up phase for the Kyoto Protocol which binds rich nations to greenhouse gas emission cuts but runs out on December 31, 2012. UNEP said the concentration of warming gases like carbon dioxide has increase by about 20 per cent since 2000, picking up after a slump during the economic downturn of 2008-9. Barring swift action, emissions were likely to reach 58 gigatonnes in 2020.

1. With reference to the passage consider the following statements

1. The rise in average temperature this century could be one to three degrees celsius more than the targeted limit at the current rate of climate altering greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Concentration of warming gases like Carbon dioxide needs to be checked if the targeted limit of average temperature rise is to be achieved on pre-industrial levels.

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

2. A slump in CO2 emissions during the economic downturn of 2008-09 resulted in

1. 20% increase in carbon dioxide concentration as compared to 2000 estimates.
2. an increase in global temperatures by about 0.8 degrees celcius on average.

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) None of these

Passage: Instruction for question- read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Your answers to the questions should be based on the passage only.

Although genetic mutations in bacteria and viruses can lead to epidemics, some epidemics are caused by bacteria and viruses that have undergone no significant genetic change. In analyzing the latter, scientists have discovered the importance of social and ecological factors to epidemics. Poliomyelitis, for example, emerged as an epidemic in the United States in the twentieth century; by then, modern sanitation was able to delay exposure to polio until adolescence or adulthood, at which time polio infection produced paralysis. Previously, infection had occurred during infancy, when it typically provided lifelong immunity without paralysis. Thus, the hygiene that helped prevent typhoid epidemics indirectly fostered a paralytic polio epidemic.
Another example is Lyme disease, which is caused by bacteria that are transmitted by deer ticks. It occurred only sporadically during the late nineteenth century but has recently become prevalent in parts of the United States, largely due to an increase in the deer population that occurred simultaneously with the growth of the suburbs and increased outdoor recreational activities in the deer’s habitat. Similarly, an outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever became an epidemic in Asia in the 1950’s because of ecological changes that caused Aides-aegypti, the mosquito that transmits the dengue virus, to proliferate. The stage is now set in the United States for a dengue epidemic because of the inadvertent introduction and wide dissemination of another mosquito, Aedes albopictus.

3. The passage suggests that a lack of modern sanitation would make which of the following most likely to occur?

(a) An outbreak of Lyme disease
(b) An outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever
(c) An epidemic of typhoid
(d) An epidemic of paralytic polio among infants

4. According to the passage, the outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the 1950’s occurred for which of the following reasons?

(a) The mosquito Aedes aegypti was newly introduced into Asia.
(b) The mosquito Aedes aegypti became more numerous.
(c) The mosquito Aedes albopictus became infected with the dengue virus.
(d) Individuals who would normally acquire immunity to the dengue virus as infants ever not infected until later in life.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that Lyme disease has become prevalent in parts of the United States because of which of the following?

(a) The inadvertent introduction of Lyme disease bacteria to the United States.
(b) The inability of modern sanitation methods to eradicate Lyme disease bacteria.
(c) A genetic mutation in Lyme disease bacteria that makes them more virulent.
(d) An increase in the number of humans who encounter deer ticks.

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6. Which of the following can most reasonably be concluded about the mosquito Aedes albopictus on the basis of information given in the passage?

(a) It is native to the United States.
(b) It can proliferate only in Asia.
(c) It transmits the dengue virus.
(d) It caused an epidemic of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the 1950’s.

7. Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

(a) A paradox is stated, discussed and left unresolved.
(b) Two opposing explanations are presented, argued, and reconciled.
(c) A theory is proposed and is then followed by descriptions of three experiments that support the theory.
(d) A generalization is stated and is then followed by three instances that support the generalization.

8. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author’s assertion about the cause of the Lyme disease outbreak in the United States?

(a) The deer population was smaller in the late nineteenth century than in the mid-twentieth century.
(b) Interest in outdoor recreation began to grow in the late nineteenth century.
(c) In recent years the suburbs have stopped growing.
(d) Outdoor recreation enthusiasts routinely take measures to protect themselves against Lyme disease.

Passage: Instruction for question- read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Your answers to the questions should be based on the passage only.

In 1959, the government of Egypt was working on a plan to build a dam on the River Nile. It was called the Aswan Dam, and it was intended to generate electricity and allow the river water to be used for agriculture. There was one big problem with the plan, though. The dam would flood a nearby valley that contained ancient Egyptian treasures, including two enormous stone temples. It can be difficult for governments to choose culture and history over economics. However, if countries always made decisions like this, the majority of the world’s ancient sites would end up being destroyed. Luckily, UNESCO stepped in. They formed a committee, that tried to convince Egypt to protect its ancient treasures. With support from many countries, they were finally successful. The huge temples were carefully removed from their original site and moved to a safe location so that the dam could be built. UNESCO is an agency of the United Nations. The United Nations is a partnership between countries from all over the world. They are joined to help promote world peace, enforce human rights, and help countries develop. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that is concerned with science and culture.
After their success in saving the temples in Egypt, UNESCO went on to save more sites around the world. They protected lagoons in Venice, ruins in Pakistan, and temples in Indonesia. With industrialization changing the world rapidly, there were many sites that needed to be saved. Eventually, UNESCO formed the World Heritage Organization to protect important natural and historic sites wherever it was necessary. By now, the World Heritage Organization has protected hundreds of sites ranging from beautiful natural islands to buildings in large cities to ancient ruins. If you’re able to visit any of the many protected sites, you’ll agree it was worth it.

9. Why did UNESCO get involved in Egypt

(a) Egypt was planning to build a dam that would harm ancient temples.
(b) Egypt was planning to build a valley for agriculture and electricity.
(c) Egypt was planning to create a dam right on top of an ancient temple.
(d) When the dam flooded a valley, several treasures were discovered.

10. What is meant by the line ‘It can be difficult for governments to choose Culture and History over Economics’?

(a) Most governments prefer to sell their treasures.
(b) Money sometimes seems more important than all other things.
(c) Governments are never able to consider two things at once.
(d) Governments usually don’t know anything about their culture.