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UPSC Prelims 2025 CSAT, question 41

Topic: Reading comprehension

Directions · Q41 to Q44

Directions for the following 4 (four) items :
Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

Passage · Q41 to Q42

Over the next 30 years, many countries are promising to move to net-zero carbon, implying that household emissions will have to be cut to close to nothing. A leading climate scientist reckons that, at best, half the reduction might be achieved through demand-side measures, such as behavioural changes by individuals and households. And even that would require companies and governments to provide more incentives to change through supply-side investments to make low-carbon options cheaper and more widely available.

Q41

Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea conveyed by the passage ?

  1. (a) Moving to net-zero carbon is possible only by the reduction in household emissions.
  2. (b) Low-carbon behaviour in people can be brought about by incentivising them.Correct answer
  3. (c) Cheaper goods and services can be made available to people by using low-carbon technologies.
  4. (d) Manufacturing industries that use low-carbon technologies should be provided with subsidies.

Solution.

Answer: (b) Low-carbon behaviour in people can be brought about by incentivising them.

  1. The passage states that achieving up to half of net-zero emission cuts through household behavioural changes would require companies and governments to provide more incentives through supply-side investments that make low-carbon options cheaper and more accessible.
  2. Option (b) accurately reflects this central link between incentives and low-carbon behaviour.