CSAT 2024

Paragraph:

By the time children reach class 8, the bulk of them tend to be in the age range of 13 years to 15 years.

But in our country, about a quarter of all children in class 8 struggle with reading simple texts and more than half are still unable to do basic arithmetic operations like division. Every year about 25 million young boys and girls from elementary school move into the life that lies for them beyond compulsory schooling. They cannot enter the workforce at least in the organized sector till they are 18. For many families, these children are the first from their families ever to get this far in school. Parents and children expect that such ‘graduates’ from school will go on to high school and college. Hardly anyone wants to go back to agriculture. On the other hand, abilities in terms of academic competencies are far lower than they should be even based on curricular expectations of class 8.

Q1. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. For effective school education, parents have a greater role than the governments.
2. School curriculum that conforms to today’s requirements and is uniform for the entire country may address the issues brought out.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea conveyed by the passage?
a) Total eradication of poverty in the country will resolve the issue of under-performance of our school-children.
b) Monetary incentives to parents and teachers is a strategy to improve the children’s academic performance.
c) Public policy should ensure that competencies and achievements of young people are aligned with their expectations.
d) India is not going to take advantage of the demographic dividend unless some school pass-outs go back to agriculture.
Correct answer: c) Public policy should ensure that competencies and achievements of young people are aligned with their expectations.

Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT

Explanation : 

Q1: Analysis of Assumptions

Let’s examine if the passage supports either assumption:

1. “Parents have a greater role than governments”
– The passage only mentions parents in the context of their expectations
– No comparison is made between parental and governmental roles
– This assumption cannot be derived from the passage

2. “Uniform curriculum may address the issues”
– The passage discusses problems with reading and arithmetic abilities
– It doesn’t suggest or imply that curriculum uniformity would solve these issues
– This assumption cannot be derived from the passage

Therefore, answer (d) “Neither 1 nor 2” is correct since neither assumption can be validated from the passage.

Q2: Central Idea

Key points from the passage:
– Students have poor academic competencies
– They have expectations of higher education
– There’s a gap between their abilities and expectations
– They can’t enter workforce until 18
– Most don’t want to return to agriculture

Looking at the options:
a) Poverty is not mentioned as a factor
b) Monetary incentives aren’t discussed
c) The passage highlights the mismatch between competencies and expectations
d) Agricultural focus isn’t presented as a solution

Option (c) best captures the central theme – there’s a need to align students’ actual competencies with their future expectations through public policy, as evidenced by the discussion of the gap between current abilities and future aspirations.

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