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SSC Selection Post 2024 PYQ — Question 25

SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level - 25 June 2024 - Shift 2 • English • Q25

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Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

A significant reduction in farm fires this winter in both Punjab and Haryana is heartening news for policymakers and agriculture scientists at the forefront of combating the scourge. North India’s citizens had slightly better winter air as well. Farm fires are down by 30% and 48% over last year in Punjab and Haryana respectively. The key then is to sustain these gains next year and the year after – to ensure that the practice of paddy stubble burning, which is nothing less than social malpractice, is eradicated.

What is obvious this time is a concerted attempt by Punjab and Haryana officials to deter farmers from setting yield on fire. The anti-farm-reforms agitation and the Punjab elections had turned the fightback against stubble burning into a nonstarter, the last two years. Both insitu straw management through super-seeders, which plough the straw back into the soil, and ex-situ baling of the straw for sale to biogas plants, industries with captive power plants, fodder suppliers, were heavily promoted this year. Super-seeder machines gaining popularity over the previous generation happy-seeders is a promising development. Innovations that make these machines better and faster and more fuel-efficient can win over the holdout farmers too. ICAR’s bio-decomposer appeared to not find much favour, given the short window between Kharif harvest and Rabi sowing this year, but it’s just as promising.

There is a political dimension as well. AAP government in Punjab and BJP helming Centre and Haryana have their own policies. Centre’s commission for Air Quality Management, in which the affected NCR states are stakeholders, has also released ample funds. For even bigger environmental challenges, for example, weaning off coal, there is a lesson - a mix of technology, government-backed incentives and funds, garnished by a sense of political responsibility, can make a difference to even seemingly intractable problems.

Which of the following options best summarises the given passage?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2, i.e., A mix of technology, government funds, and a sense of political responsibility helps solve difficult problems.

 

Concept: A summary captures the main idea of the entire passage, not just a specific detail.
Explanation: The passage discusses how the reduction in farm fires was achieved through a combined effort involving technology (super-seeders, bio-decomposers), government initiatives, political cooperation, and funding. This conclusion is then extended to suggest that this model could help tackle other big environmental challenges, like moving away from coal.
Elimination:

Option 1 is too narrow (focuses only on political coordination).

Option 3 is factually incorrect (political aspects were discussed).

Option 4 is exaggerated and incorrect (difficulties were reduced but not to zero).
Final Sentence: The best summary of the passage is: A mix of technology, government funds and a sense of political responsibility helps solve difficult problems.
Conclusion: Correct summary that reflects the passage’s main message.