Read the following passage and answer the items that follow the passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only. Passage-2 If the social inequality is the most acutely felt social problem in India, insecurity, more than poverty, is the most acutely felt economic problem. Besides those below the official poverty line, even those just over the poverty line are subject to multiple economic insecurities of various kinds (due to wealth and/or health risks, market fluctuations, job-related uncertainties). Many Government policies are actually intended towards mitigating these insecurities.
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
I. People above the poverty line also are prone to suffer from anxiety about economic insecurity.
II. Eradication of poverty can result in peace and social equality in the country.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
I only
Analyzing Assumptions from the Passage on Economic Problems
The passage discusses social inequality as a social problem and economic insecurity as an economic problem. It highlights that economic insecurity affects not only those below the poverty line but also those just above it. The passage also mentions that government policies aim to reduce these insecurities. We need to evaluate the validity of the given assumptions based *only* on the information presented in this specific passage.
Evaluating Assumption I: Economic Insecurity Above the Poverty Line
Assumption I states:
- People above the poverty line also are prone to suffer from anxiety about economic insecurity.
Let's look at the passage again. It says, "Besides those below the official poverty line, even those just over the poverty line are subject to multiple economic insecurities of various kinds (due to wealth and/or health risks, market fluctuations, job-related uncertainties)."
This sentence directly supports Assumption I. The passage explicitly mentions that individuals just above the poverty line experience economic insecurities. Feeling insecurity naturally leads to anxiety about their economic situation.
Therefore, based on the passage, Assumption I is valid.
Evaluating Assumption II: Poverty Eradication and Social Outcomes
Assumption II states:
- Eradication of poverty can result in peace and social equality in the country.
Now, let's examine the passage for information related to this assumption. The passage identifies social inequality as the most acutely felt *social* problem and economic insecurity as the most acutely felt *economic* problem. It distinguishes between these two issues.
The passage mentions government policies aimed at mitigating economic insecurities, but it does not state any relationship between the eradication of poverty (or even economic insecurity) and the achievement of peace or social equality. The passage does not suggest that solving the economic problem (poverty/insecurity) will automatically solve the social problem (inequality) or bring peace.
Therefore, based *solely* on the information provided in this passage, there is no evidence to support Assumption II. The passage does not make this claim or imply it.
Conclusion on Assumption Validity
Based on our analysis of the passage:
- Assumption I is supported by the passage.
- Assumption II is not supported by the passage.
Thus, only Assumption I is valid according to the given text.
| Assumption | Supported by Passage? | Reasoning from Passage |
|---|---|---|
| I. People above the poverty line also face economic insecurity. | Yes | Passage states "even those just over the poverty line are subject to multiple economic insecurities". |
| II. Eradicating poverty results in peace and social equality. | No | Passage does not link poverty eradication to peace or social equality. It discusses social inequality and economic insecurity separately. |
Revision Table: Understanding Passage-Based Questions
| Concept | Importance in Passage Questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Crucial to understand the author's exact statements and scope. |
| Assumption Evaluation | Must determine if the assumption is explicitly stated or logically follows *only* from the given text, not outside knowledge. |
| Staying within Scope | Answers must be based strictly on the passage, ignoring personal opinions or general knowledge. |
| Identifying Explicit Statements | Pinpointing sentences that directly support or contradict an assumption is key. |
Additional Information: Economic Insecurity and Social Inequality
The passage highlights two distinct but potentially related issues:
- Social Inequality: Presented as a major social problem. This refers to disparities in wealth, income, education, health outcomes, social status, etc., within a population.
- Economic Insecurity: Presented as a major economic problem, possibly more acutely felt than poverty itself. This refers to the vulnerability of individuals or households to events that can negatively impact their economic well-being, such as job loss, illness, market downturns, or unexpected expenses. The passage notes this affects people across income levels, even above the poverty line.
Government policies often aim to build safety nets and provide support systems (like health insurance, unemployment benefits, social welfare programs) to mitigate the impact of these insecurities, as mentioned in the passage.
While poverty eradication is a goal related to economic well-being, the passage does not claim it is a direct solution to social inequality or a guaranteed path to peace. These are complex societal issues with multiple interacting factors.
Similar Questions
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Important Questions from Miscellaneous Topics
Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
I. No country needs to depend on ecosystems to boost national income.
II. Resource-rich countries need to share their resources with those of scant resources so as to prevent the degradation of ecosystems.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the passage?
With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
I. Path-dependent green investments will eventually most likely benefit growth as well as public finances in a country like India.
II. If other green technologies follow the same pattern as that of solar energy, there will most likely be an easy green transition.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?Three prime numbers p, q and r, each less than 20, are such that p − q = q − r. How many distinct possible values can we get for (p + q + r)?
