Inferring the societal impact of rapid urbanization
Question
Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the above passage?
Options
Environmental sustainability is inimical to our objective of achieving a high rate of GDP growth.
Poverty eradication is not possible without a rapid economic growth and the consequent environmental degradation.
Maintaining high environmental standards is now a prerequisite for achieving a steady, sufficient and inclusive growth.
With large populations, rampant poverty and limited resources of today's world, environmental degradation cannot be prevented and inequalities are inevitable.
Explanation
The author asserts that resource-frugal strategies are essential to dodge an "economic dead end" and prevent an unequal future where prosperity is locked away by a tiny elite[cite: 2146, 2190]. This clearly positions resource efficiency and ecological mindfulness as absolute conditions to secure long-term, equitable economic progression[cite: 2146, 2190]. Option (c) captures this prerequisite relationship accurately. Options (a), (b), and (d) portray growth and conservation as a zero-sum conflict or claim inequality is unpreventable, running completely counter to the author's blueprint for structural reform.
Answer: (c).
Question details
Year
2024
Paper
CSAT
Question
Q63
Section
Reading Comprehension
Sub-topic
Society / Urbanization passage
Type
Factual single
Difficulty
Medium
Source hint
Passage-based comprehension
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