Read the following passage and answer the question that follows. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only.

Policymakers and media have placed the blame for skyrocketing food prices on a variety of factors, including high fuel prices, bad weather in key food producing countries, and the diversion of land to non-food production. Increased emphasis, however, has been placed on a surge in demand for food from the most populous emerging economics. It seems highly probable that mass consumption in these countries could be well poised to create a food crisis.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Oil producing countries are one of the reasons for high food prices.

2. If there is a food crisis in the world in the near future, it will be in the emerging economies.

Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services Exam Official 10 Oct 2021 Prelims CSAT

Answer 1

The correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.

Key Points

Assumption 1 is not valid as the passage doesn't link the high food prices to oil producing countries, higher fuel prices may have different reasons.
Assumption 2 is also not valid, the passage does highlight the reason for the food crisis however, it doesn't say that it will be in emerging countries.