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Question

Read the passage and answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only.

In its simple form, science has helped man to protect himself from Nature and to overcome natural obstacles to movement. But with the advance of science, a situation has arisen in which Nature need to be protected from man. He has used Nature’s own gifts, not only of metal but even the human brain, to attack Nature. Forests are being destroyed not only to satisfy the need but to provide luxuries. The evil effects of deforestation are already making themselves clearly felt in climatic changes and soil erosion. Man has at last begun to learn that he has to protect if he wants Nature to protect him.

Forests are being destroyed in order to ________

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2017 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (05-Feb-2017)
The correct answer is

Provide necessities as well as needless comforts and pleasures

Understanding Forest Destruction Based on the Passage

The question asks us to identify the reason why forests are being destroyed, according to the provided passage. We need to carefully read the passage and find the sentence that discusses the destruction of forests.

Let's look at the relevant part of the passage:

"Forests are being destroyed not only to satisfy the need but to provide luxuries."

This sentence directly answers the question. It states two reasons for forest destruction:

  1. To satisfy the need
  2. To provide luxuries

Now let's examine the given options in light of this statement.

  • Option 1: Provide land for agriculture - The passage does not mention agriculture as a reason. While it might be a real-world reason, we must stick only to the information given in the passage.
  • Option 2: Provide wood for fuel - This could potentially be covered under "satisfy the need," but the passage specifically includes "luxuries" as well. This option is only partially correct based on the passage's full statement.
  • Option 3: Kill dangerous animals - The passage does not mention killing animals as a reason for deforestation.
  • Option 4: Provide necessities as well as needless comforts and pleasures - This option uses different words but conveys the same meaning as the passage's statement. "Necessities" aligns with "satisfy the need," and "needless comforts and pleasures" aligns with "provide luxuries." This option encompasses both reasons mentioned in the passage.

Therefore, based solely on the content of the passage, the destruction of forests is motivated by both fulfilling basic needs (necessities) and providing non-essential items or experiences (needless comforts and pleasures, or luxuries).

Revision Table: Analyzing Options vs. Passage

Option Matches Passage? Explanation based on Passage
Provide land for agriculture No Not mentioned in the passage.
Provide wood for fuel Partially Could be part of "need", but passage also includes "luxuries".
Kill dangerous animals No Not mentioned in the passage.
Provide necessities as well as needless comforts and pleasures Yes Directly aligns with "satisfy the need but to provide luxuries".

Additional Information on Deforestation Reasons

While the passage simplifies the reasons for deforestation, in reality, the causes are complex and varied. Some common drivers globally include:

  • Expansion of agriculture (cattle ranching, soy, palm oil)
  • Logging for timber, paper, and fuel
  • Infrastructure development (roads, dams, mining)
  • Urban expansion
  • Wildfires (often human-caused)

The passage's point about "luxuries" highlights that consumption patterns in wealthier nations can drive deforestation in other parts of the world to produce goods like exotic woods, certain foods, or products derived from resources found in forests.

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Similar Questions

  1. What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?

  2. What are ice shelves?

  3. What are icebergs?

  4. When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.

  5. The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________

  6. Nature now needs to be protected from man because _____________

  7. The evil effect of destroying Nature instead of using it is seen in _________

  8. Climatic changes and soil erosion are results of _____________

  9. Which of the following helps women most to achieve equality with men?

  10. Why does the writer talk about the maidservant in the hotel lobby?


Important Questions from Reading Comprehension

  1. What is the meaning of ‘intrigued’?

  2. What are ice shelves?

  3. What are icebergs?

  4. When the iceberg turns upside down, it appears ________.

  5. The use of science in its simple form has helped man to ____________

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