Q. Medieval merchants risked the hazards of the Silk Road to reach the markets of China; Portuguese caravels in the 15th century sailed beyond the bounds of the known world, searching less for knowledge than for gold and spices.
Historically, the driver for opening frontiers has always been the search for resources. Science and curiosity are weaker drivers. The only way to open up space, whether the space of solar system or interstellar space is to create an economic engine and that engine is resource extraction.
Q 1. Which one of the following statements best sums up the passage given above?
(a) Wealth generation is the primary motive for any human endeavour.
(b) Space, whether space in solar system or interstellar space, will govern our future economy.
(c) Human beings are motivated to explore new frontiers principally by economic considerations.
(d) Wealth generation is based on the risk-behaviour of some men.
Question from UPSC Prelims 2021 CSAT Paper
Explanation :
Q1: Correct Answer – (c) Human beings are motivated to explore new frontiers principally by economic considerations.
Explanation – The statement that best sums up the passage given above is © Human beings are motivated to explore new frontiers principally by economic considerations. The passage describes how historically, the search for resources has been the primary driver for opening frontiers and exploring new territories. It mentions how medieval merchants risked the hazards of the Silk Road to reach the markets of China and how Portuguese caravels sailed beyond known boundaries in search of gold and spices. The passage also states that science and curiosity are weaker drivers compared to the search for resources and that creating an economic engine through resource extraction is the only way to open up space.
Therefore, based on the information given in the passage, option © Human beings are motivated to explore new frontiers principally by economic considerations best sums up its main idea.