Comprehension

Directions: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

The role of rainfall in agricultural productivity cannot be (A) ________. In regions where farming is heavily dependent on natural water sources, the absence of sufficient rainfall often leads to severe consequences. Farmers (B) ________ their crops to a certain level of rainfall, and when this is not met, it can result in reduced crop yields and poor harvests. Over time, the lack of rain can cause a (C) ________ in the soil's fertility, making it difficult to cultivate crops effectively.

Without regular precipitation, water levels in rivers and ponds drop, impacting (D) ________ sources of irrigation. As a result, farmers are forced to depend on more expensive alternatives, such as tube wells or tankers. This leads to a significant increase in production costs, leaving many farmers with little (E) ________ at the end of the season. In such circumstances, the government must (F) ________ initiatives to support farmers, including subsidies on irrigation or drought-resistant crops.

Which of the following is the most appropriate option to fill in the blank labelled as (D)?

This question was previously asked in
IBPS Clerk Prelims Memory Based Paper (Held On: 24 August 2024 Shift 2)
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  1. alternate
  2. regional
  3. local
  4. natural
  5. artificial

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : natural
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is 'natural'.
 
Key Points
  • The passage discusses how the absence of sufficient rainfall impacts certain sources of irrigation.
  • The word used should describe the type of irrigation sources that are being impacted by the lack of rainfall.
  • "Natural" means existing in or caused by nature, which fits well in this context as the passage is discussing natural water sources.
  • Other options ("alternate", "regional", "local", "artificial") do not appropriately convey the idea of sources that are naturally occurring and thus impacted by natural phenomena like rainfall.
Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.
 
Complete Passage: The role of rainfall in agricultural productivity cannot be underestimated. In regions where farming is heavily dependent on natural water sources, the absence of sufficient rainfall often leads to severe consequences. Farmers adapt their crops to a certain level of rainfall, and when this is not met, it can result in reduced crop yields and poor harvests. Over time, the lack of rain can cause a decrease in the soil's fertility, making it difficult to cultivate crops effectively.

Without regular precipitation, water levels in rivers and ponds drop, impacting natural sources of irrigation. As a result, farmers are forced to depend on more expensive alternatives, such as tube wells or tankers. This leads to a significant increase in production costs, leaving many farmers with little (E) ________ at the end of the season. In such circumstances, the government must (F) ________ initiatives to support farmers, including subsidies on irrigation or drought-resistant crops.

Additional Information
  • Alternate (वैकल्पिक): "Alternate" means to occur in turn repeatedly, which doesn't fit the context of irrigation sources impacted by a lack of rainfall.
  • Regional (क्षेत्रीय): "Regional" refers to something pertaining to a particular region, which is not specific enough to describe the type of irrigation sources affected.
  • Local (स्थानीय): "Local" means belonging or relating to a particular area, which does not describe the nature of the water sources being impacted.
  • Artificial (कृत्रिम): "Artificial" means made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, which is the opposite of what is needed in this context.
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