Upsc mains Writing Practice Articles & Notes

Which one of the following best captures the central argument of the passage?

Which one of the following most accurately explains the distinction between nominal options and effective options?

With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:
1. Preserving a large number of nominal options necessarily increases the number of effective options available in the future.
2. Some information relevant to decision-making can be obtained only through undertaking the activity being considered.
3. Credible commitments can encourage complementary investments by other individuals or institutions.
4. A decision that is initially difficult to reverse must remain equally irreversible regardless of how it is designed.
Which of the statements given above are consistent with the passage?

A student repeatedly changes academic specializations to avoid excluding possible careers. After several years, the student has introductory knowledge of many subjects but lacks the qualifications required for advanced work in any of them. Which one of the following principles does this example most directly illustrate?

Which one of the following assumptions is most essential to the author's argument that commitment can sometimes expand rather than merely restrict future opportunities?

A government repeatedly announces possible locations for a new railway corridor but avoids committing to any route because it wishes to preserve maximum flexibility. Private developers consequently postpone investments near the proposed stations. Which inference is most consistent with the passage?

Consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Delaying a decision until more information becomes available may sometimes prevent decision-makers from obtaining the information they need.
Reason (R): Certain forms of knowledge arise through practical engagement and cannot be fully acquired through observation, preliminary research or analysis conducted before commitment.
Which one of the following is correct?

A government introduces a new public-service delivery system through a small pilot programme. The pilot succeeds under unusually intensive supervision, but officials are uncertain whether the system will work equally well nationwide. Which one of the following responses is most consistent with the author's reasoning?

Which one of the following statements would the author be least likely to agree with?

Which one of the following findings, if established through a rigorous comparative study, would most strongly support the author's overall argument?

Which statement best expresses the author's central argument?

What is the primary function of the example involving urban hospitals and remote clinics?

Which finding would most strongly support the author's argument that standardisation can constrain innovation?

Which assumption is most important to the proposal of standardising objectives while permitting flexibility in implementation?

Which policy would most closely reflect the author's preferred approach?

Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

A city experiences a damaging flood despite having installed new barriers. Which evidence would most strongly challenge the conclusion that the barriers were ineffective?

Why does the author discuss additional development in flood-protected areas?

Suppose every fishing company knows that reducing its catch would help preserve a shared fish population. Nevertheless, each continues fishing intensively because reducing its own catch would sacrifice revenue while competitors might continue extracting fish. Which explanation best reflects the passage?

A government proposes charging drivers for entering a heavily congested city centre. The charge is designed to reflect the additional delays each vehicle imposes on other road users. Which assumption most directly explains how this policy could improve collective outcomes?