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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 10
1. Question
Water is the elixir of life as it is a vital resource for the sustenance of human beings and, in fact, all life forms on the Earth. The presence of water makes the Earth a unique planet. Three-fourths of the planet comprise of water. However, 97 per cent of this water is in the form of oceans and seas, and is hence unfit for consumption. Of the remaining 3 per cent, 2 per cent is locked in polar ice caps and glaciers. This puts into perspective the amount of fresh water that is available for human needs. Scientists and experts who study the distribution of water on the planet estimate that the quantity of fresh water available on the Earth is the same as it was 2000 years ago when human population was only 3 per cent of the current population. Nearly half a billion people disseminated across 31 countries are currently facing water crisis. This number is expected to increase five-fold by 2025, which will be 35 per cent of the projected population. Recognizing the alarming issue of global water crisis, the United Nations declared the time period from 2004 to 2015 as the International Decade of Water for Life and 22nd March as the International Water Day.
Water being such an immensely valuable natural resource and a basic need for the sustenance of life, it is linked to a range of issues pertaining to its unequal access and distribution in society, sustainable development, gender inequity, marginalization, and social discrimination. Thus, water often becomes a source of conflict.
In the present scenario, therefore, it is important that children be sensitized about the issue of water scarcity and the concept and practice of water conservation from their early years of education, which in turn provides scope for reflection on our life connections and interdependence. The primary school stage is a good time to initiate the sensitization process by encouraging children to look around, observe, and reflect on the various issues pertaining to water and water consumption. (336 words)
Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
Correct
Answer: A
Justification:
The passage shows how increase in population puts pressure on fresh water sources and has led to scarcity of water in many parts of the world. In order to reduce conflicts over water, conservation must be practiced as much as possible. Hence, A.
Incorrect
Answer: A
Justification:
The passage shows how increase in population puts pressure on fresh water sources and has led to scarcity of water in many parts of the world. In order to reduce conflicts over water, conservation must be practiced as much as possible. Hence, A.
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Question 2 of 10
2. Question
Although water is a renewable resource, factors like rapid population growth and industrialization are leading to water scarcity which in turn is leading to water crisis. Realizing the need to sensitize people and take affirmative actions in water conservation, the United Nations declared 2004-2014 as the International Decade of Water.
As you deduced from the data presented about available sources of water, groundwater is the most important and largest source of usable water. Rainwater and water from other sources such as rivers and ponds seep through the soil into the ground through the process of percolation. This water forms a large pool of water known as water table and is used by plants, animals, and humans. Plants absorb the water through their roots, and humans draw the water by digging wells, borings, sump wells, and hand pumps. The groundwater is recharged through rains.
Over the years, there has been depletion in groundwater level due to factors like population growth, industrialization, and increased agricultural requirements. Climate changes are also resulting in deficit rain fall as a result of which the groundwater level is not being replenished sufficiently. Moreover, construction of tar roads and pavements is not allowing rainwater to seep into the ground, resulting in depletion of the water table. Large-scale construction – especially that of multi-storeyed buildings – not only disturbs the water table, it also draws up huge quantities of water to facilitate the construction. Although rains are a major source of water for agriculture, modern agricultural and irrigation methods depend on bore wells and tube wells which draw out large amounts of water from the ground. Deforestation and reduction in the number of trees and vegetation prevent rainwater from seeping into the ground. All these human activities are leading to depletion in the level of groundwater, which is leading to water scarcity and water crisis.
Non-judicious use of water is one of the major factors leading to water scarcity. A realistic understanding of water consumption would help in charting measures for water conservation. People can conduct a water audit in their neighbourhood, i.e., identify the amount of water consumed for various activities by conducting a survey.
Conservation of water entails responsibility of the individual as well as the community. As rain is the ultimate source of water on the Earth, conservation of water also entails storage and conservation of rainwater. As discussed in the previous section, stepwells were used in the past to conserve and store rainwater for subsequent use. This traditional method of collecting water has been discontinued with time due to factors like population rise, air pollution, and unsystematic disposal of garbage. However, some villages and districts in India have now taken the initiative of reviving the existing stepwells or constructing new stepwells. (455 words)
Which of the given assumptions based on the passage are most logical and rational?
Correct
Answer: D
Justification:
The passage shows how scarcity of groundwater is leading to unavailability of water and how human actions are exacerbating the problem. Rainwater harvesting and afforestation can combat some of the problems that have been created due to human impact and growing population. Also, not just governments but communities and individuals have to be mindful of their water consumption. Hence, D.
Incorrect
Answer: D
Justification:
The passage shows how scarcity of groundwater is leading to unavailability of water and how human actions are exacerbating the problem. Rainwater harvesting and afforestation can combat some of the problems that have been created due to human impact and growing population. Also, not just governments but communities and individuals have to be mindful of their water consumption. Hence, D.
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Question 3 of 10
3. Question
Rainwater harvesting is a useful method of conservation and reuse of rainwater. It is a simple and effective strategy of gathering water and storing it for use in the future. It also helps in recharging groundwater. It involves collection of rainwater from roofs and using the collected water for domestic and agricultural purposes. In many places, the collected water is redirected to a deep pit or reservoir with percolation. This helps in the replenishing of groundwater. The collected water can be used for various purposes. It can be used for domestic chores, gardening, feeding livestock, and even for drinking with proper treatment of the water.
The following are some advantages of rainwater harvesting:
- It is environment friendly.
- It reduces the demand on groundwater.
- It helps conserve and replenish valuable groundwater.
- It reduces local flooding and drainage problems.
- It serves as a reliable source of water for domestic and agricultural uses.
- It reduces soil erosion.
Governmental and non-governmental organizations today are encouraging rainwater harvesting. Tamil Nadu has made rainwater harvesting compulsory for every household and within five years it has seen a 50 per cent increase in the groundwater level. Other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala are also following it now. (201 words)
Which of the following is the most rational assumption that can be made from the passage?
Correct
Answer: B
Justification:
The passage gives the example of how Tamil Nadu has made rainwater harvesting compulsory for every household and within five years it has seen a 50 per cent increase in the groundwater level. Other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala are also following it now. This shows that government mandates encouraging rainwater harvesting can have a tangible impact on groundwater levels.
Incorrect
Answer: B
Justification:
The passage gives the example of how Tamil Nadu has made rainwater harvesting compulsory for every household and within five years it has seen a 50 per cent increase in the groundwater level. Other states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala are also following it now. This shows that government mandates encouraging rainwater harvesting can have a tangible impact on groundwater levels.
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Question 4 of 10
4. Question
One of the major contributing factors for water scarcity is water pollution. Water pollution not only makes water unfit for consumption but also poses great threat to the lives of aquatic plants and animals. Water is polluted due to unrestrained discharge of untreated pollutants, i.e., discharge of harmful substances into water bodies. Lakes and rivers in many parts of the world, and especially in India, have been severely damaged by agricultural and industrial wastes and sewage. Discharge of industrial wastes into water bodies is an alarming cause of water pollution in India. Water bodies are often treated as dumping grounds for waste materials.
Apart from these large-scale activities, individual activities like bathing, washing clothes, cleaning animals, throwing household garbage, and offering flowers and other objects for religious ceremonies are also majorly contributing to water pollution. Agriculture-related non-biodegradable residues like fertilizers and pesticides are discharged into water bodies and cause pollution. Harmful chemicals present in medicines, cosmetics, and cleansing products used at home are also responsible for water pollution. In earlier days, personal activities like bathing and cleaning in water bodies did not pose much of a problem as the microorganisms present in the water used to purify the water by decomposing the biodegradable wastes. However, now with tremendous growth in population and unrestrained discharge of harmful chemicals in water bodies, self-cleansing is no longer possible for water bodies. Hence, it is important to sensitize the learners to how both individual and collective actions are leading to water pollution.
Water can be contaminated by the following agents:
- Pathogens: disease-causing organisms that include bacteria, amoebas, and viruses, as well as the eggs and larvae of parasitic worms
- Harmful chemicals from human activities: industrial wastes pesticides, fertilizers, among others
- Chemicals and minerals from the natural environment: arsenic, common salt, and fluorides, among others
Some non-harmful contaminants may influence the taste, smell, colour, or temperature of water, and make it unfit for consumption.
Water from the surface sources is often contaminated by microbes whereas groundwater is normally safer, but even groundwater can be contaminated by harmful chemicals from human activities or from the natural environment. Rainwater collected from a rooftop rainwater harvesting system or with small catchment dams is relatively safe, provided that the first spell of rain during the rainy season is not collected.
The amount of water to be treated should also be assessed. This can be estimated by assuming that each person will need a minimum of 20–50 litres of water a day for drinking, cooking, laundry, and personal hygiene. Communities should be consulted when choosing a particular water-treatment system and should be made aware of the costs to be incurred in the installation and maintenance of the system. The community members should also be made aware of the behavioural and/or cultural changes that are necessary for effective operation of the system. Communities may also need to be educated about protecting water sources from animals or human contamination. It should be emphasized that the positive effects of a water-treatment system could be jeopardized if the water is not drawn, stored, and transported carefully and hygienically.
Various activities like drawing posters, storytelling, and theatre performances can be employed to create awareness of and sensitize the learners to the issue of water pollution. Some of the aspects of this issue which need to be emphasized are:
- Not dumping garbage in water bodies
- Not throwing greasy food items and oil in drains as they clog the drains
- Not throwing chemicals, paint, and other harmful substances in water (584 words)
Which of the following is closest to the meaning of the passage?
Correct
Answer: B
Justification:
The title and contents of the passage show how water pollution comes from many sources. Contaminated water can be purified and reused but this is a difficult process and requires awareness. Hence, B is closest to the meaning of the passage.
Incorrect
Answer: B
Justification:
The title and contents of the passage show how water pollution comes from many sources. Contaminated water can be purified and reused but this is a difficult process and requires awareness. Hence, B is closest to the meaning of the passage.
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Question 5 of 10
5. Question
Wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks, and general cleaning activities goes down the drain and into a pipe which is connected to a larger sewer pipe under streets and roads. The larger pipe joins another larger pipe that leads to the treatment centre. The treatment of the waste is usually done in the following stages:
Screening: It is the first stage in the treatment process. It removes large objects such as plastics, broken bottles, sanitary items, face wipes, and rags that may block the equipment.
Primary treatment: In this stage, organic solid waste (human and animal waste) is separated from the wastewater. The water is then put into large settlement tanks for the solids to sink to the bottom. The rest of the water then moves to the stage of secondary treatment.
Secondary treatment: In this stage, water is put in large tanks for aeration. Air is pumped into the water to encourage bacteria to break down the tiny bits of sludge.
Final treatment: In this stage, the partially treated water is passed through a settlement tank. Here, more sludge formed at the bottom of the tank from the bacterial action is scrapped and collected for treatment. The water at this stage is almost free from harmful substances and is allowed to flow over a wall where it is filtered through a bed of sand to remove any additional particles. The filtered water is then released into rivers.
Household water-treatment methodologies/systems include boiling, filtration, and domestic chlorination. (247 words)
Which of the following views corroborates the above passage?
Correct
Answer: B
Justification:
The passage shows the process of wastewater treatment through different stages until the water is cleaned and released into rivers. Hence, B.
Incorrect
Answer: B
Justification:
The passage shows the process of wastewater treatment through different stages until the water is cleaned and released into rivers. Hence, B.
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Question 6 of 10
6. Question
Directions :(6-10Q) Study the following pie chart carefully and answer the questions given beside.
The following chart shows the distribution of students in different streams in a college and the number of students who passed from this college.
Total students = 3600
Passed students = 2160
Find the ratio between the number of students in arts and number of students who passed in arts.
Correct
» Explain it
Correct Option: B) 5:3
Number of students in arts = 10% × 3600 = 10 × 36
Number of students passed in arts = 10% × 2160 = 1 × 216
Reqd. ratio = 10 × (36/216) = 5 : 3
Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Incorrect
» Explain it
Correct Option: B) 5:3
Number of students in arts = 10% × 3600 = 10 × 36
Number of students passed in arts = 10% × 2160 = 1 × 216
Reqd. ratio = 10 × (36/216) = 5 : 3
Hence, option B is the correct answer.
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Question 7 of 10
7. Question
What percentage of students in engineering stream passed?
Correct
» Explain it
Correct Option: C) 46.66%
The ratio of the total number of students to the number of students passed
= 3600/2160
= 5 : 3
Number of students in engineering = 45 × 5
Number of students passed in engineering = 35 × 3
Reqd. % = 35 × 3 × (100/45 × 5)
= 46.66%
Hence, option C is the correct answer.
Incorrect
» Explain it
Correct Option: C) 46.66%
The ratio of the total number of students to the number of students passed
= 3600/2160
= 5 : 3
Number of students in engineering = 45 × 5
Number of students passed in engineering = 35 × 3
Reqd. % = 35 × 3 × (100/45 × 5)
= 46.66%
Hence, option C is the correct answer.
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Question 8 of 10
8. Question
If 800 more students joined the college in new stream Journalism and increasing the number of passed students by 33.33%, the find the percentage of students failed in college.
Correct
» Explain it
Correct Option: D) 34.54%
Total appeared students = 3600 + 800 = 4400
Passed students
= 2160 (1 + 1/3) = 2160 × (4/3) = 2880
Failed students = 4400 – 2880 = 1520
Reqd. % = 1520 × (100/4400) = 34.54%
Hence, option D is the correct answer.
Incorrect
» Explain it
Correct Option: D) 34.54%
Total appeared students = 3600 + 800 = 4400
Passed students
= 2160 (1 + 1/3) = 2160 × (4/3) = 2880
Failed students = 4400 – 2880 = 1520
Reqd. % = 1520 × (100/4400) = 34.54%
Hence, option D is the correct answer.
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Question 9 of 10
9. Question
If next year, 1152 students joined the college and thereby increasing the number of passed students by 10%, then find the percentage of students passed in the college next year.
Correct
» Explain it
Correct Option: A) 50%
Total appeared students = 3600 + 1152 = 4752
Total passed students = 2160 + 216 = 2376
Reqd. % = 2376 × (100/4752) = 50%
Hence, option A is the correct answer.
Incorrect
» Explain it
Correct Option: A) 50%
Total appeared students = 3600 + 1152 = 4752
Total passed students = 2160 + 216 = 2376
Reqd. % = 2376 × (100/4752) = 50%
Hence, option A is the correct answer.
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Question 10 of 10
10. Question
Find the average of the number of students passed in MBA, Medical and Commerce streams.
Correct
» Explain it
Correct Option: D) 396
Passed students in MBA = 5% × 2160
Passed students in Medicine = 20% × 2160
Passed students in Commerce = 30% × 2160
Reqd. average = {5 + 20 + 30}% × (2160/3)
=396
Hence, option D is correct.
Incorrect
» Explain it
Correct Option: D) 396
Passed students in MBA = 5% × 2160
Passed students in Medicine = 20% × 2160
Passed students in Commerce = 30% × 2160
Reqd. average = {5 + 20 + 30}% × (2160/3)
=396
Hence, option D is correct.