✅ UPSC Reading Comprehension – 10 Golden Rules to Solve MCQs
🧠 Remember: UPSC likes balanced, logical, optimistic answers. Avoid extreme, emotional, or rigid options.
✅ 1. Pessimistic / Negative Overtone Statements = INCORRECT
Avoid statements that sound negative, hopeless, or overly critical.
📌 Example:
Passage: "Climate change has presented a serious challenge. However, efforts are ongoing to mitigate it through technology and policy."
Option A: "All efforts to solve climate change are futile." ❌
Option B: "There is hope in addressing climate change through innovation." ✅
✅ 2. Extreme Statements or Strong Words = INCORRECT
Statements with words like “always,” “never,” “must,” “only” are generally wrong.
📌 Example:
Option A: "Only government policies can stop climate change." ❌
Option B: "Government policies play a significant role in climate solutions." ✅
✅ 3. Simple, Harmless Language = CORRECT
Choose statements that are neutral and balanced in tone.
📌 Example:
Option A: "Citizens are solely responsible for pollution." ❌
Option B: "Citizens have an important role in reducing pollution." ✅
✅ 4. Solution-Oriented / Middle Path = CORRECT
If the statement offers a practical solution or takes a moderate stand, it's likely correct.
📌 Example:
Option A: "We must ban all industries to save the environment." ❌
Option B: "Eco-friendly industrial practices can balance development and sustainability." ✅
✅ 5. Stereotyping / Generalization = INCORRECT
Avoid options that generalize groups or issues.
📌 Example:
Option A: "All politicians are corrupt." ❌
Option B: "Some politicians misuse power, but reforms are possible." ✅
✅ 6. Pragmatic / Practical Statements = CORRECT
If the option sounds realistic and doable, choose it.
📌 Example:
Option A: "Every citizen will plant 100 trees every year." ❌
Option B: "Incentives can encourage tree plantation among citizens." ✅
✅ 7. Broader / Wider Perspective = CORRECT
Choose answers that are inclusive or consider multiple angles.
📌 Example:
Option A: "Education is the only tool for women's empowerment." ❌
Option B: "Education, economic independence, and social reforms empower women." ✅
✅ 8. Conditions / Restrictions = INCORRECT
Avoid statements that impose unrealistic conditions.
📌 Example:
Option A: "Development is good only if it doesn’t use any natural resources." ❌
Option B: "Development should be sustainable and mindful of resource use." ✅
✅ 9. Positive Outcomes / Optimistic Tone = CORRECT
If an option ends on a hopeful note, it’s often correct.
📌 Example:
Option A: "The education system is beyond repair." ❌
Option B: "With reforms, the education system can be improved." ✅
✅ 10. Superlatives / Overemphasis / Adjectives = INCORRECT
Avoid statements with words like best, worst, greatest, fastest, etc.
📌 Example:
Option A: "India has the best democracy in the world." ❌
Option B: "India’s democratic structure has evolved significantly." ✅
🔑 Quick Trick to Use in Exam:
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✅ If a statement is balanced, neutral, solution-based, or optimistic → Go for it!
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❌ If it’s rigid, extreme, pessimistic, or overgeneralized → Skip it!
