Paper 1 · People, Development and Environment

Given below are two statements, an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R). Choose the correct answer.

Assertion (A):Sulphur dioxide is a major pollutant causing acid rain, and removal of sulphur from coal can help reduce air pollution.

Reason (R):Air pollution is an increasing problem in developing countries due to burning of more coal for electricity, changing lifestyles and the unavailability of environment-friendly technologies.

ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) ✓ Correct

BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

C(A) is true, but (R) is false

D(A) is false, but (R) is true

Correct answer: (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

Explanation

Both statements are true and the reason properly accounts for the assertion about controlling coal-borne pollution.

The assertion is sound: sulphur dioxide is a leading cause of acid rain, and desulphurising coal lowers such air pollution.

The reason is sound: developing nations face rising pollution from burning more coal for power, shifting lifestyles and scarce clean technologies.

Since heavy coal use is the very driver named in the reason, it explains why removing sulphur from coal is a meaningful remedy in the assertion.

Flue-gas desulphurisation scrubs sulphur oxides before they leave the chimney.

Acid rain damages soils, forests, lakes and stone buildings.

Want more like this? Create a free account to practise a full test, track your progress, and get spaced-repetition review.

Practise on Mcqkart →🎓 Book an expert →