Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (a) Computers are not completely safe.

Explanation – The passage discusses how computers are increasingly dealing with the real world of physical objects and vulnerable human bodies. It mentions that the arrival of the “Internet of Things” will see computers embedded into everything from road signs to insulin pumps. However, there is little evidence that these gadgets will be any more trustworthy than their desktop counterparts. The passage gives examples of hackers taking remote control of internet-connected cars and pacemakers.

Based on this information, the most critical inference that can be made from the passage is that (a) Computers are not completely safe. This option reflects the main concern raised in the passage about the trustworthiness and safety of computers embedded in physical objects.

Option (b) Companies producing the software do not take cyber security seriously is not supported by information in the passage. Option © Stringent data security laws are needed may be a possible solution to address computer safety concerns but it is not an inference that can be made from the given information. Option (d) The present trend of communication technologies will affect our lives in future is a general statement that does not reflect a critical inference from the given information.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (a) 1, 4 and 5 only

Explanation – Based on the information given in the passage, farming practices 1 (cover crops), 4 (mixed farming), and 5 (polyculture) can be compatible with agroecology. The passage mentions that agroecology aims to mimic the biodiversity levels and functioning of natural ecosystems and to close nutrient loops by returning all nutrients that come out of the soil back to the soil. It also mentions intercropping and integrating trees with livestock and crops as examples of agroecological practices. Cover crops can help build soil fertility and prevent erosion, mixed farming involves integrating crops with livestock, and polyculture involves growing multiple crops in the same area. All these practices can contribute to increasing biodiversity levels and closing nutrient loops in agroecosystems. So the correct answer is (a) 1, 4 and 5 only.

Fertigation (option 2) is a method of applying fertilizers through irrigation systems. While it can help improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce fertilizer runoff, it does not necessarily involve closing nutrient loops or mimicking natural ecosystems.

Hydroponics (option 3) is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in water. While it can help conserve water and nutrients, it does not involve returning nutrients to the soil or mimicking natural ecosystems.

Vertical farming (option 6) involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers using artificial lighting and climate control. While it can help increase crop yields in urban areas with limited space, it does not necessarily involve closing nutrient loops or mimicking natural ecosystems.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation – Based on the information given in the passage, assumptions 1, 3 and 4 are valid. The passage states that fig trees provide food for wildlife when other resources are scarce and support a high density and diversity of frugivores. This suggests that fig trees can often be keystone species in natural forests (assumption 1). The passage also mentions that sacred fig trees may promote frugivore abundance and that under favorable microclimate, plenty of seedlings of other tree species would grow around fig trees. This suggests that sacred trees can have a role in biodiversity conservation (assumption 3) and that fig trees have a role in the seed dispersal of other tree species (assumption 4). However, the passage does not provide any information to support assumption 2. So the correct answer is (d) 1, 3 and 4 only.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation – The correct answer is (d) Neither 1 nor 2. The passage states that rising GDP creates employment and investment opportunities and allows households, communities, and governments to set aside funds for the production of things that make for a good life. However, it does not state that rising GDP is essential for a country to be a developed country or that it guarantees a reasonable distribution of income to all households. These are assumptions that are not supported by the information given in the passage.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation – The passage describes various factors that have been blamed for the increase in food prices, including high fuel prices, bad weather in key food producing countries, and the diversion of land to non-food production. It also mentions that increased emphasis has been placed on a surge in demand for food from the most populous emerging economies and that mass consumption in these countries could potentially create a food crisis.

Based on this information provided in the passage, neither assumption 1 nor assumption 2 is valid. Assumption 1 states that “Oil producing countries are one of the reasons for high food prices,” but the passage only mentions high fuel prices as a factor and does not specifically mention oil producing countries. Assumption 2 states that “If there is a food crisis in the world in the near future, it will be in the emerging economies,” but while the passage does mention that mass consumption in emerging economies could potentially create a food crisis, it does not state that this will necessarily happen or that it will only happen in emerging economies.

Therefore, statement (d) “Neither 1 nor 2” is correct.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (d) Antibiotics should only be used to treat diseases.

Explanation – The passage describes the issue of antibiotics being used as growth promoters in poultry and other livestock. It mentions that overusing these substances can create superbugs that are resistant to multiple drugs and could be passed along to humans. The passage also mentions that some farming companies have stopped using antibiotics to make chickens gain weight faster and that Denmark has banned antibiotic growth promoters in the 1990s, resulting in more pigs being produced and fewer diseases among the animals.

Based on this information provided in the passage, statement (d) “Antibiotics should only be used to treat diseases” best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage. This statement acknowledges the potential negative consequences of overusing antibiotics as growth promoters while also recognizing that antibiotics can still play an important role in treating diseases.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (a) India’s energy decision-making process is ever more complex and interconnected.

Explanation – The passage describes the challenges that India faces in energy and climate policy-making. These challenges include sputtering fossil fuel production capability, limited access to electricity and modern cooking fuel for the poorest, rising fuel imports in an unstable global energy context, continued electricity pricing and governance challenges leading to its costly deficits or surplus supply, and growing environmental contestation around land, water and air. However, the passage also mentions some positive developments such as growing energy efficiency programmes; integrated urbanisation and transport policy discussions; inroads to enhancing energy access and security; and hold renewable energy initiatives.

Based on this information provided in the passage, statement (a) “India’s energy decision-making process is ever more complex and interconnected” best reflects the critical message conveyed by the passage. This statement acknowledges the multiple challenges that India faces in its energy decision-making process while also recognizing that there are positive developments taking place.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (b) Any form of government tends to deteriorate by excess of its basic principle.

Explanation – The statement that best reflects the crux of the passage given above is (b) “Any form of government tends to deteriorate by excess of its basic principle.” The passage describes how different forms of government – aristocratic, oligarchic and democratic – can ruin themselves by taking their basic principles to an extreme. For example, democracy can ruin itself “by excess of democracy” when people are not properly equipped by education to select the best rulers and the wisest courses. So the correct answer would be (b) Any form of government tends to deteriorate by excess of its basic principle.

Option (a) states that “Human societies experiment with different forms of governments.” While the passage does mention different forms of government – aristocratic, oligarchic and democratic – it does not explicitly state that human societies experiment with them.

Option © states that “Education of all citizens ensures a perfect, functional and sustainable democracy.” The passage does mention that democracy can become disastrous when people are not properly equipped by education to select the best rulers and the wisest courses. However, it does not state that education of all citizens ensures a perfect, functional and sustainable democracy.

Option (d) states that “Having a government is a necessary evil because tyranny is inherent in any form of government.” The passage does mention that democracy can become tyrannical or autocratic when people are not properly equipped by education to select the best rulers and the wisest courses. However, it does not state that having a government is a necessary evil because tyranny is inherent in any form of government.

So based on the information given in the passage, option (b) “Any form of government tends to deteriorate by excess of its basic principle” best reflects the crux of the passage while options (a), ©, and (d) are not explicitly supported by the text.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (c) 1 and 4 only

Explanation – According to the passage, assumptions 1 and 4 are valid. The passage states that “Inequality violates a basic democratic norm: the equal standing of citizens” and that “Right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary.” This supports assumption 1 that equality is a prerequisite for people to participate in society from a position of confidence and assumption 4 that right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary. So the correct answer would be c) 1 and 4 only.

Assumption 2 states that “Occurrence of inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy.” While the passage does mention that “Inequality violates a basic democratic norm: the equal standing of citizens,” it does not explicitly state that inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy. Therefore, assumption 2 may or may not be valid based on the information given in the passage.

Assumption 3 states that “Equal standing of all citizens is an idea that cannot actually be realized even in a democracy.” The passage does not provide any information to support this assumption. In fact, it suggests that equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary, implying that it is an achievable goal.

So based on the information given in the passage, assumptions 1 and 4 are valid while assumptions 2 and 3 are not explicitly supported by the text.

Explanation : 

Q1: Correct Answer – (c) That dominion is the best which pursues the aim of unity and has laws for good citizenship.

Explanation – The most logical and rational inference that can be made from the passage above is option c) : “That dominion is the best which pursues the aim of unity and has laws for good citizenship.” This is because the passage argues that sedition, wars, and contempt or breach of laws are more likely to occur in a dominion with a bad state rather than due to the wickedness of its subjects. The passage also suggests that men must be made fit for citizenship through proper laws and pursuit of unity.