Test Index

UPSC CDS I 2024 English Paper

Question : 36 of 120

Marks: +1, -0

Directions: In this section, each item consists of six sentences. The first and sixth sentences are marked as S1 and S6. The four sentences between S1 and S6 have been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R and S. This is followed by four options, each suggesting a sequence of sentences. Identify the most appropriate option and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

S1: Cotton is one of the most important cash crops in India, and it makes India an important global player in cotton production.

S6: To support the cotton industry, the Government of India regularly announces Minimum Support Price (MSP) for two basic staple groups, viz., medium staple and long staple cotton.

P: Cotton sustains the livelihood of an estimated 508 million cotton farmers and 40-50 million people engaged in related activities such as cotton processing and trade.

Q: India's contribution to cotton production comes from around 126 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation which is around 38 per cent of the world area.

R: The country accounts for around 25 per cent of the total global fibre production.

S: In the raw material consumption basket of the Indian textile industry, the proportion of cotton is around 60 per cent.

The correct sequence should be

PQRS
SRPQ
QSRP
RQSP

Validate

Solution:

Concept:

The sentences must be arranged in a logical flow from general facts about India’s cotton production to its impact on livelihoods, consumption, and government support.

Explanation:

S1 introduces cotton as a major cash crop in India.

The first sentence after S1 should give a broad quantitative view — Q states the area under cultivation (

126

lakh hectares,

38\%

of world area).

Next, R connects that to global fibre production (

25\%

of total).

Then S narrows down to domestic textile consumption (

60\%

of raw material basket).

P then shows the human impact — livelihoods of

508

million farmers and

40

–

50

million people in related activities.

Finally, S6 mentions government MSP support for the industry.

Thus the correct sequence is S1 → Q → S → R → P → S6, which corresponds to option QSRP.

Answer:

The correct sequence is QSRP (Option 3).

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