Direction (Q. Nos. 70-75) : Read the following passage to answer the question.
Ecosystems provide people with a variety of goods and services, food, clean water, clean air, flood control, soil stabilization, pollination, climate regulation, spiritual fulfilment and aesthetic enjoyment, to name just a few. Most of these benefits are either irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive. For example, potable freshwater can be provided by desalinating sea water, but only at great cost. The rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the earth’s ecosystem to meet their increased requirements of some of the goods and services, particularly food, freshwater, timber, fibre, and fuel. These modifications have contributed substantially to human well-being and economic development. The benefits have not been equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes. Moreover, short-term increases in some ecosystems’ goods and services have come at the cost of long-term degradation of others. For example, efforts to increase the production of food and fibre have decreased the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity.
Question from Odisha OCS Paper 2 2024
Solution/Explanation
70. According to the passage, which of the following can be taken as the main reason for the modification of earth’s system?
(A) Technology
(B) Increasing population
(C) Lack of an integrated approach
(D) All of the above
Correct Answer: (B) Increasing population
Explanation: The passage directly states that “the rapidly expanding human population has greatly modified the earth’s ecosystem to meet their increased requirements.” This clearly identifies population growth as the main driver of ecosystem modifications, not technology or lack of integrated approach.
71. Which of the following can be considered as the most suitable title for the passage?
(A) Modification of our ecosystem
(B) Our natural resources
(C) Harmful effect of increase in human population
(D) Human interference in our ecosystem
Correct Answer: (D) Human interference in our ecosystem
Explanation: The passage comprehensively discusses how humans have interfered with ecosystems – both the modifications made and their various consequences (positive and negative). While modification is discussed, the broader theme of human interference and its impacts makes (D) the most suitable title.
72. Expanding human population has an adverse effect on
(i) spiritual fulfilment
(ii) availability of potable freshwater
(iii) employment
(iv) biodiversity
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(A) (i), (ii), (iii) only
(B) (ii), (iii), (iv) only
(C) (ii) and (iv) only
(D) All of the above
Correct Answer: (C) (ii) and (iv) only
Explanation: From the passage, we can directly verify two adverse effects:
– Freshwater availability (ii) is mentioned when discussing how potable freshwater can only be artificially produced at great cost
– Biodiversity (iv) is explicitly mentioned as being negatively impacted by efforts to increase food and fiber production
The passage does not mention any impacts on employment (iii) or spiritual fulfillment (i).
73. The passage mentions that ‘some people have actually been harmed by these changes’. It indicates towards
(A) inequitable distribution of benefits
(B) decrease in the ability of some ecosystems to provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) Neither (A) nor (B)
Correct Answer: (C) Both (A) and (B)
Explanation: The passage supports both statements:
– It explicitly states “The benefits have not been equally distributed. Some people have actually been harmed by these changes” (supporting A)
– It also mentions that ecosystem changes have decreased abilities to “provide clean water, regulate flooding and support biodiversity” (supporting B)
Therefore, both factors contribute to the harm mentioned in the passage.
74. Which of the following is correct in the context of the passage?
(A) The rapid expansion of population has affected some people adversely
(B) Sufficient efforts have not been made to increase the production of food and fibre
(C) In short term, some people may be harmed, but in long term, everyone will benefit from modifications in earth’s ecosystem
(D) None of the above
Correct Answer: (A) The rapid expansion of population has affected some people adversely
Explanation: This answer is directly supported by the passage’s statement that benefits have not been equally distributed and some people have been harmed by the changes. Options (B) and (C) present conclusions not supported by the passage’s content, while (A) accurately reflects what’s stated.
75. With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:
(i) It is imperative to modify the earth’s ecosystem for the well-being of mankind.
(ii) Technology can never replace all the goods and services provided by ecosystems.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A) Only (i)
(B) Only (ii)
(C) Both (i) and (ii)
(D) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Correct Answer: (B) Only (ii)
Explanation: The passage states that most ecosystem benefits are “either irreplaceable or the technology necessary to replace them is prohibitively expensive,” supporting statement (ii). However, statement (i) is not supported by the passage – while it describes modifications that have occurred, it doesn’t suggest these modifications are imperative or necessary for human well-being. In fact, it points out both benefits and drawbacks of such modifications.
