Directions: Carefully read the given passage and answer the question that follow. You are required to select your answer solely based on the contents of the passage and the opinion of the author only.
People by and large are concerned with and pursue self-interest. They are unlikely to be motivated to use renewable resources in a prudent and sustainable fashion. They are unlikely to be motivated under the following conditions: if their resource catchments are vast, so that degradation of any particular portion affects them very little; or if they have open before them possibilities of substitution as any one resource element is depleted; or if their control over the resource base is tenuous, so that others may, at any time, deplete a resource they value, even if they use it in a restrained fashion. Indeed, exhaustive use is highly likely when any one of these three conditions obtains. It is only when people perceive their resource catchments as limited, possibilities of substitution of exhausted resource elements as not readily feasible, and their own control over the resource base as secure, will they be motivated to use the resources in a prudent fashion. People, rooted in a locality, and retaining control over their resource base are most likely to fulfil all three prerequisites for sustainable resource use; and therefore to behave in ways conducive to the conservation of biodiversity within their localities.
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently? 1. They feel that others may overuse the resource 2. It is possible to substitute the resource 3. Abundance of the resource availability Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1, 2 and 3
Understanding Barriers to Prudent Resource Use
The passage discusses the reasons why people might not be motivated to use resources in a careful or prudent way, focusing on the idea that people are primarily driven by self-interest. The author outlines specific conditions under which this lack of motivation is likely to occur.
According to the passage, people are unlikely to be motivated to use renewable resources prudently and sustainably if certain conditions are met. Let's examine these conditions as described by the author:
- Vast Resource Catchments: If the area from which resources are drawn is very large, degradation in one small part of that area affects individuals very little. This implies that the resource seems abundant or inexhaustible to the individual.
- Possibilities of Substitution: If people can easily switch to a different resource when one resource becomes scarce or depleted, they have less incentive to conserve the original resource.
- Tenuous Control over Resource Base: If individuals feel that their control over the resource is insecure, and others might deplete it regardless of their own restrained use, they are more likely to exploit the resource themselves before others do. This is a fear that others might overuse the resource, making their own conservation efforts futile.
The passage explicitly states that "exhaustive use is highly likely when any one of these three conditions obtains." Prudent use is motivated "only when people perceive their resource catchments as limited, possibilities of substitution of exhausted resource elements as not readily feasible, and their own control over the resource base as secure."
Analyzing the Given Options based on the Passage
Now let's look at the options provided in the question and compare them to the conditions mentioned in the passage:
- They feel that others may overuse the resource: This directly aligns with the third condition described in the passage – the fear that others may deplete the resource due to tenuous control over the resource base.
- It is possible to substitute the resource: This directly aligns with the second condition mentioned in the passage – the availability of substitution possibilities for depleted resource elements.
- Abundance of the resource availability: This relates to the first condition described in the passage – having vast resource catchments implies that the resource appears abundant, making individual conservation efforts seem unnecessary or having minimal impact.
The passage states that people are *unlikely* to be motivated for prudent use if *any one* of these three conditions exists. The options provided cover all three conditions described by the author as reasons for a lack of motivation towards prudent resource use.
Therefore, based solely on the content and opinion presented in the passage, all three listed reasons contribute to people not being motivated to use a resource prudently.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the passage, the author provides three main reasons why people might not be motivated to use resources prudently:
- A perception of abundance (vast catchments).
- The availability of substitutes.
- A lack of secure control, leading to the fear that others will overuse the resource.
All three options listed in the question correspond directly to these conditions discussed in the passage.
| Passage Condition for Lack of Prudent Use Motivation | Corresponding Option in Question |
|---|---|
| Resource catchments are vast (perception of abundance). | 3. Abundance of the resource availability. |
| Possibilities of substitution are open. | 2. It is possible to substitute the resource. |
| Control over resource base is tenuous (others may deplete). | 1. They feel that others may overuse the resource. |
Since the passage indicates that any of these conditions makes prudent use unlikely, and all three options match these conditions, all three are valid reasons according to the writer.
Revision Table: Key Concepts for Prudent Resource Use
| Concept | Explanation from Passage | Impact on Prudent Use Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Self-interest | Primary driver of human behavior. | Often leads away from prudent use unless specific conditions are met. |
| Vast Catchments / Abundance | Resource degradation in one area affects individual little. | Decreases motivation for prudent use. |
| Resource Substitution | Ability to switch resources easily. | Decreases motivation for prudent use of the original resource. |
| Tenuous Control / Fear of Overuse by Others | Others may deplete the resource regardless of individual restraint. | Decreases motivation for individual prudent use; may encourage exhaustive use. |
| Limited Catchments | Degradation in one area affects individual significantly. | Increases motivation for prudent use. |
| Difficult Substitution | Hard to switch resources when one is depleted. | Increases motivation for prudent use. |
| Secure Control | Individuals have confidence in their ability to manage the resource base. | Increases motivation for prudent use and biodiversity conservation. |
Additional Information: Motivation for Sustainable Resource Use
The passage highlights that motivation for sustainable resource use is not inherent but depends on specific circumstances that align with self-interest. When individuals feel a direct connection to the resource, believe their actions matter, and are confident that their conservation efforts will not be undermined by others, they are more likely to engage in prudent behavior. This is particularly true for people who are deeply rooted in a locality and have established control over their local resource base. Such conditions foster a perception of limited resources, limited substitution possibilities, and secure control, which are the prerequisites for sustainable resource use described by the author.
The passage implies that external factors and institutional arrangements (or lack thereof) that influence the perceived abundance of resources, the ease of substitution, and the security of control are critical in determining whether people will be motivated to use resources prudently and contribute to conservation.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
Which one of the following does not belong to the biotic community?
