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Considering the alarming importance of CSAT in UPSC CSE Prelims exam and with enormous requests we received recently, InsightsIAS has started Daily CSAT Test to ensure students practice CSAT Questions on a daily basis. Regular Practice would help one overcome the fear of CSAT too.
We are naming this initiative as Insta– DART – Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test. We hope you will be able to use DART to hit bull’s eye in CSAT paper and comfortably score 100+ even in the most difficult question paper that UPSC can give you in CSP-2021. Your peace of mind after every step of this exam is very important for us.
Looking forward to your enthusiastic participation (both in sending us questions and solving them on daily basis on this portal).
Wish you all the best ! 🙂
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Question 1 of 5
1. Question
Passage-1
Biomass as fuel for power, heat, and transport has the highest mitigation potential of all renewable sources. It comes from agriculture and forest residues as well as from energy crop. The biggest challenge in using biomass residues is a long-term reliable supply delivered to the power plant at reasonable costs; the key problems are logistical constraints and the costs of fuel collection. Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices. Biomass production is also sensitive to the physical impacts of a changing climate.
Projections of the future role of biomass are probably overestimated, given the limits to the sustainable biomass supply, unless breakthrough technologies substantially increase productivity. Climate-energy models project that biomass use could increase nearly four-fold to around 150-200 exajoules, almost a quarter of world primary energy in 2050. However the maximum sustainable technical potential of biomass resources (both residues and energy crops) without disruption of food and forest resources ranges from 80-170 exajoules a year by 2050, and only part of this is realistically and economically feasible. In addition, some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative emissions and to buy some time during the first half of the century.
Some liquid biofuels such as corn-based ethanol, mainly for transport, may aggravate rather than ameliorate carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis. Second generation biofuels, based on ligno-cellulosic feedstocks such as straw, bagasse, grass and wood – hold the promise of sustainable production that is high-yielding and emit low levels of greenhouse gases, but these are still in the R & D stage.
What is/are the present constraint/constraints in using biomass as fuel for power generation?
- Lack of sustainable supply of biomass
- Biomass production competes with food production
- Bio-energy may not always be low carbon on a life-cycle basis
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct: The following line “The biggest challenge in using biomass residues is a long-term reliable supply” in the passage clearly tells us that reliable supply is a challenge.
Statement 2 is correct: The passage tells us that “Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production”.
Statement 3 is correct: The passage tells that “Some liquid ……, may aggravate rather than ameliorate carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis”
Incorrect
Answer: D
Statement 1 is correct: The following line “The biggest challenge in using biomass residues is a long-term reliable supply” in the passage clearly tells us that reliable supply is a challenge.
Statement 2 is correct: The passage tells us that “Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production”.
Statement 3 is correct: The passage tells that “Some liquid ……, may aggravate rather than ameliorate carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis”
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Question 2 of 5
2. Question
Passage-1
Biomass as fuel for power, heat, and transport has the highest mitigation potential of all renewable sources. It comes from agriculture and forest residues as well as from energy crop. The biggest challenge in using biomass residues is a long-term reliable supply delivered to the power plant at reasonable costs; the key problems are logistical constraints and the costs of fuel collection. Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices. Biomass production is also sensitive to the physical impacts of a changing climate.
Projections of the future role of biomass are probably overestimated, given the limits to the sustainable biomass supply, unless breakthrough technologies substantially increase productivity. Climate-energy models project that biomass use could increase nearly four-fold to around 150-200 exajoules, almost a quarter of world primary energy in 2050. However the maximum sustainable technical potential of biomass resources (both residues and energy crops) without disruption of food and forest resources ranges from 80-170 exajoules a year by 2050, and only part of this is realistically and economically feasible. In addition, some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative emissions and to buy some time during the first half of the century.
Some liquid biofuels such as corn-based ethanol, mainly for transport, may aggravate rather than ameliorate carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis. Second generation biofuels, based on ligno-cellulosic feedstocks such as straw, bagasse, grass and wood – hold the promise of sustainable production that is high-yielding and emit low levels of greenhouse gases, but these are still in the R & D stage.
Which of the following can lead to food security problem ?
- Using agricultural and forest residues as feedstock for power generation
- Using biomass for carbon capture and storage
- Promoting the cultivation of energy crops
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Correct
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect: In the above passage there is no mention of forest and agricultural residues threatening food security.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The passage calls carbon capture as an unproven technology, therefore it cannot lead to food security problem.
Statement 3 is correct: The following line “Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices” clearly tells us that energy crops can lead to food security problem. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Incorrect
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect: In the above passage there is no mention of forest and agricultural residues threatening food security.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The passage calls carbon capture as an unproven technology, therefore it cannot lead to food security problem.
Statement 3 is correct: The following line “Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices” clearly tells us that energy crops can lead to food security problem. Hence statement 3 is correct.
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Question 3 of 5
3. Question
Passage-1
Biomass as fuel for power, heat, and transport has the highest mitigation potential of all renewable sources. It comes from agriculture and forest residues as well as from energy crop. The biggest challenge in using biomass residues is a long-term reliable supply delivered to the power plant at reasonable costs; the key problems are logistical constraints and the costs of fuel collection. Energy crops, if not managed properly, compete with food production and may have undesirable impacts on food prices. Biomass production is also sensitive to the physical impacts of a changing climate.
Projections of the future role of biomass are probably overestimated, given the limits to the sustainable biomass supply, unless breakthrough technologies substantially increase productivity. Climate-energy models project that biomass use could increase nearly four-fold to around 150-200 exajoules, almost a quarter of world primary energy in 2050. However the maximum sustainable technical potential of biomass resources (both residues and energy crops) without disruption of food and forest resources ranges from 80-170 exajoules a year by 2050, and only part of this is realistically and economically feasible. In addition, some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative emissions and to buy some time during the first half of the century.
Some liquid biofuels such as corn-based ethanol, mainly for transport, may aggravate rather than ameliorate carbon emissions on a life-cycle basis. Second generation biofuels, based on ligno-cellulosic feedstocks such as straw, bagasse, grass and wood – hold the promise of sustainable production that is high-yielding and emit low levels of greenhouse gases, but these are still in the R & D stage.
With reference to the passage, following assumptions have been made :
- Some climate-energy models suggest that the use of biomass as a fuel for power generation helps in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
- It is not possible to use biomass as a fuel for power generation without disrupting food and forest resources.
Which of these assumptions is/are valid?
Correct
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct: The following line “In addition, some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative emissions” clearly tells us that there are models which assume that biomass can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The passage tells us that “Second generation……….. hold the promise of sustainable production” thus assuming a sustainable future through biomass without disrupting food and forest resources. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Incorrect
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct: The following line “In addition, some climate models rely on biomass-based carbon capture and storage, an unproven technology, to achieve negative emissions” clearly tells us that there are models which assume that biomass can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The passage tells us that “Second generation……….. hold the promise of sustainable production” thus assuming a sustainable future through biomass without disrupting food and forest resources. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
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Question 4 of 5
4. Question
Understanding of the role of biodiversity in the hydrological cycle enables better policy making. The term biodiversity refers to the variety of plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems in which they occur. Water and biodiversity are interdependent. In reality, the hydrological cycle decides how biodiversity functions. In turn, vegetation and soil drive the movement of water. Every glass of water we drink has, at least in part, passed through fish, trees, bacteria, soil and other organisms. Passing through these ecosystems, it is cleansed and made fit for consumption. The supply of water is a critical service that the environment provides.
Which among the following is the most critical inference that can be made from the above passage?
Correct
Answer: A
In the above passage the line “Understanding of the role of biodiversity in the hydrological cycle enables better policy making.” tells us the importance of biodiversity in water cycle. The line “Passing through these ecosystems, it is cleansed and made fit for consumption” tells us how biodiversity helps in recycling water. Thus option (a) is the correct interference.
Incorrect
Answer: A
In the above passage the line “Understanding of the role of biodiversity in the hydrological cycle enables better policy making.” tells us the importance of biodiversity in water cycle. The line “Passing through these ecosystems, it is cleansed and made fit for consumption” tells us how biodiversity helps in recycling water. Thus option (a) is the correct interference.
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Question 5 of 5
5. Question
As we look to 2050, when we will need to feed two billion more people, the question of which diet is best has taken on new urgency. The foods we choose to eat in the coming decades will have dramatic ramifications for the planet. Simply put, a diet that revolves around meat and dairy, a way of eating that is on the rise throughout the developing world, will take a greater toll on the world’s resources than one that revolves around unrefined grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
What is the critical message conveyed by the above passage?
Correct
Answer: A
In the above passage the line “……..will take a greater toll on the world’s resources than one that revolves around…..” clearly states that the foods sourced from animals put a greater burden on our natural resources. Hence option (a) is correct.
Option (b) and (c) is incorrect: The passage is about the impact of our diet on our resources not on our health.
Option (d) is incorrect: The passage clearly tells us that diet based on grain, fruits, and vegetables is best.
Incorrect
Answer: A
In the above passage the line “……..will take a greater toll on the world’s resources than one that revolves around…..” clearly states that the foods sourced from animals put a greater burden on our natural resources. Hence option (a) is correct.
Option (b) and (c) is incorrect: The passage is about the impact of our diet on our resources not on our health.
Option (d) is incorrect: The passage clearly tells us that diet based on grain, fruits, and vegetables is best.
