Environmental concern and development are inextricably linked. Experie

Question

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Passage # 52, Date: 26-Apr-2020
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(From a text published in 1999)

Environmental concern and development are inextricably linked. Experience demonstrates that environmental standards and cleaner production are compatible with and supportive of economic growth. Healthy people and ecosystems are more productive. This link between economic growth and environmental improvement is enshrined, together with the commitment to development, in the World Trade Organization’s Preamble, which includes sustainable development as a basic objective of the trading system. In endorsing this concept, despite some reservations, WTO members unanimously recognized that trade and the economic growth WTO helps to create must be fostered in the context of sustainable development which integrates economic, social and environmental policies. Economic growth, sustainable development, and opportunity for citizens are fundamental goals of every society. And the record of the past five decades clearly shows how the trading system has helped us reach some of these goals.

Since 1960, the WTO has negotiated a 90% drop in tariffs, and non-tariff barriers to trade have also been dramatically reduced. Moreover, market access for agriculture and services will be further expanded upon conclusion of the next Uruguay Round. Thus, since 1960 trade has grown fifteen-fold; world economic production has quadrupled; and world per capita income has more than doubled. However,  has the World Trade Organization done enough to promote sustainable development and protect the environment ? The answer is yet to be presented by WTO. In reference to the concept of sustainable development, the Brundtland Commission Re- port of 1987 stated “we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Have any laws been made to make sustainable development mandatory? Taking into account state practice, treaty law, international case law and relevant legal literature, sustainable development is not yet a norm of international law. Currently it reflects a policy goal of the international community. This method of taking a concept so important only as a precautionary guideline has brought the WTO’s intentions regarding sustainable development into question.    1 
 1. Which of the following titles would be most appropriate for this passage?

(A) The Work of the WTO
(B) WTO Measures to Protect the Environment
(C) Healthy trade and ecosystems
(D) The WTO and the Environment
(E) The Link between Trade and the sustainable development

2 
 2. According to the passage, under what conditions did the WTO endorse the link between the environment and sustainable development?

(A) By recognizing that development is the fundamental goal of every society
(B) By committing the WTO itself to environmental improvement
(C) By declaring that trade must be based on sustainable development
(D) By refuting the concept of temporary development as a basis for trade
(E) By understanding healthy ecosystems

3 
 3. Why does the author present the question “has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?” ( Highlighted ) in the second paragraph?

(A) To question the WTO on its actions taken so far to assess them
(B) To suggest that the WTO hasn’t done enough towards sustainable development
(C) To imply that sustainable development is an impossible goal to attain for the WTO
(D) To create doubts in the readers’ minds about the usefulness of the WTO
(E) To introduce doubts about the WTO’s actions since its inception

4 
 4. According to the information presented in the passage, with which of the following would the writer of the passage most likely disagree?

(A) It isn’t necessary to compromise on economic goals to achieve sustainable growth.
(B) The WTO should encourage countries to care for the environment as well as economic progress.
(C) The WTO is not more motivated by the desire for expanding trade than towards environmental concerns.
(D) Decreasing tariffs increases world trade.
(E) The WTO is not instrumental in protecting the global environment.

5 
 5. It can be inferred from the passage that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round will

(A) open the way to environmental protection measures
(B) bring new laws towards sustainable development
(C) lead to new global trade agreements
(D) see more reductions in tariffs and trading obstacles
(E) lead to dramatic trade expansion and global growth

bM22 · Answer

1. Which of the following titles would be most appropriate for this passage?

(A) The Work of the WTO
(B) WTO Measures to Protect the Environment
(C) Healthy trade and ecosystems
 (D) The WTO and the Environment
 (E) The Link between Trade and the sustainable development

Correct Answer - D 
 Explanation - In the 1st para of the passage, author talks about how WTO's major focus is sustainable development and healthy environment and trade hand in hand.
In 2nd para, we can see that the measures taken by WTO for the free flow of trade and economic growth have shown results, but the author is doubtful of its contribution to sustainable developement, even though the sustainable developement is a major goal of WTO.
So we can conclude that the best title for the passage could be :The WTO and the Environment.

2. According to the passage, under what conditions did the WTO endorse the link between the environment and sustainable development?

(A) By recognizing that development is the fundamental goal of every society
(B) By committing the WTO itself to environmental improvement
 (C) By declaring that trade must be based on sustainable development
 (D) By refuting the concept of temporary development as a basis for trade
(E) By understanding healthy ecosystems

Correct Answer - C 
 Explanation - as mentioned in the passage: "WTO members unanimously recognized that trade and the economic growth WTO helps to create must be fostered in the context of sustainable development which integrates economic, social and environmental policies. Economic growth, sustainable development, and opportunity for citizens are fundamental goals of every society. "
Option A, B - incorrect, as the statement is true, but not a condition under which WTO endorsed the link between the environment and sustainable development.
Option D, E- irrelevant as not true as per passage.

3. Why does the author present the question “has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph?

(A) To question the WTO on its actions taken so far to assess them
 (B) To suggest that the WTO hasn’t done enough towards sustainable development
 (C) To imply that sustainable development is an impossible goal to attain for the WTO
(D) To create doubts in the readers’ minds about the usefulness of the WTO
(E) To introduce doubts about the WTO’s actions since its inception

Correct Answer - B
 Explanation - as the author asks in the 2nd para, " However, has the World Trade Organization done enough to promote sustainable development and protect the environment? The answer is yet to be presented by WTO.", implies that author wants WTO to provide answers to the questions so that an assessment can be done as to what has been done w.r.t sustainable development.
Option A - partly correct, but later after asking the question, at the end of the para, author mentions : "This method of taking a concept so important only as a precautionary guideline has brought the WTO’s intentions regarding sustainable development into question.", suggestive of the fact that author is critical of WTO intentions regarding sustainable development.
Option C, E - incorrect, as out of scope w.r.t the passage.
Option D - incorrect, as the intention is not what's mentioned in the option.

4. According to the information presented in the passage, with which of the following would the writer of the passage most likely disagree?

(A) It isn’t necessary to compromise on economic goals to achieve sustainable growth.
(B) The WTO should encourage countries to care for the environment as well as economic progress.
 (C) The WTO is not more motivated by the desire for expanding trade than towards environmental concerns.
 (D) Decreasing tariffs increases world trade.
(E) The WTO is not instrumental in protecting the global environment.

Correct Answer - C
 Explanation - as mentioned in the 2nd para : "Thus, since 1960 trade has grown fifteen-fold; world economic production has quadrupled; and world per capita income has more than doubled. However, has the World Trade Organization done enough to promote sustainable development and protect the environment?", implies that author disagrees that trade is not more important to WTO than environmental concerns, since the results of the since the 1960's show the opposite.
Option A,B,D,E -incorrect, as all the options are mentioned in the passage, and author would agree with all of them.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round will

(A) open the way to environmental protection measures
(B) bring new laws towards sustainable development
(C) lead to new global trade agreements
 (D) see more reductions in tariffs and trading obstacles
 (E) lead to dramatic trade expansion and global growth

Correct Answer - D
 Explanation - as mentioned in the passage: "Moreover, market access for agriculture and services will be further expanded upon conclusion of the next Uruguay Round", implies that more access for agriculture will be provided after the conclusion of the Uruguay round.
Option A,B,C,E - incorrect, not discussed w.r.t conclusion of the Uruguay Round. Options C, E are correct, but incomplete.

dreamscore800 · Answer

1. D (Tricky one but I choose this answer as the passage talks about WTO and environment)
2. C (As referenced in the passage WTO members unanimously recognized that trade and the economic growth WTO helps to create must be fostered in the context of sustainable development)
3. B (To indicate / suggest that the measures taken so far aren't enough)
4. E (Author is questioning weather WTO hasn't done enough but doesn't agree that WTO is not instrumental in protecting global environment)
5. C (More market access for services and agriculture by the way of new trade agreements)

Yashika123 · Answer

1. Which of the following titles would be most appropriate for this passage?

(A) The Work of the WTO
(B) WTO Measures to Protect the Environment
(C) Healthy trade and ecosystems
(D) The WTO and the Environment(CORRECT) because the author primarily talks about the decisions of WTO and the effect on environment of all activities

(E) The Link between Trade and the sustainable development

2. According to the passage, under what conditions did the WTO endorse the link between the environment and sustainable development?

(A) By recognizing that development is the fundamental goal of every society
(B) By committing the WTO itself to environmental improvement
(C) By declaring that trade must be based on sustainable development(correct)
(D) By refuting the concept of temporary development as a basis for trade
(E) By understanding healthy ecosystems
  confused btw A and C

3. Why does the author present the question “has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph?

(A) To question the WTO on its actions taken so far to assess them(CORRECT)
(B) To suggest that the WTO hasn’t done enough towards sustainable development
(C) To imply that sustainable development is an impossible goal to attain for the WTO
(D) To create doubts in the readers’ minds about the usefulness of the WTO
(E) To introduce doubts about the WTO’s actions since its inception

4. According to the information presented in the passage, with which of the following would the writer of the passage most likely disagree?

(A) It isn’t necessary to compromise on economic goals to achieve sustainable growth.
(B) The WTO should encourage countries to care for the environment as well as economic progress.
(C) The WTO is not more motivated by the desire for expanding trade than towards environmental concerns.
(D) Decreasing tariffs increases world trade.
(E) The WTO is not instrumental in protecting the global environment.(CORRECT) Though the author questions about WTO but he doesnot state that they were not having enough good policies to protect the environment.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round will

(A) open the way to environmental protection measures
(B) bring new laws towards sustainable development
(C) lead to new global trade agreements
(D) see more reductions in tariffs and trading obstacles
(E) lead to dramatic trade expansion and global growth(CORRECT)

adstudy · Answer

1. Which of the following titles would be most appropriate for this passage?

(A) The Work of the WTO
(B) WTO Measures to Protect the Environment
(C) Healthy trade and ecosystems
(D) The WTO and the Environment
(E) The Link between Trade and the sustainable development

Answer should be   D  , IMO.

The main purpose of the passage seems to be revolving around WTO and environment 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. According to the passage, under what conditions did the WTO endorse the link between the environment and sustainable development?

(A) By recognizing that development is the fundamental goal of every society    
(B) By committing the WTO itself to environmental improvement   
(C) By declaring that trade must be based on sustainable development
(D) By refuting the concept of temporary development as a basis for trade   
(E) By understanding healthy ecosystems

Answer should be   C  , IMO. Elimination points mentioned against each option

C can be directly inferred from the below mentioned part of the passage - 
"This link between economic growth and environmental improvement is enshrined, together with the commitment to development, in the World Trade Organization’s Preamble, which includes sustainable development as a basic objective of the trading system."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Why does the author present the question “has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph?

(A) To question the WTO on its actions taken so far to assess them
(B) To suggest that the WTO hasn’t done enough towards sustainable development
(C) To imply that sustainable development is an impossible goal to attain for the WTO
(D) To create doubts in the readers’ minds about the usefulness of the WTO
(E) To introduce doubts about the WTO’s actions since its inception

Answer should be   B  , IMO.

This is an inference question, in which ''has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?" has been added by author to ask the question what WTO has done for environment even after including it in its preamble. Only B matches this inference
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. According to the information presented in the passage, with which of the following would the writer of the  passage most likely disagree ?

(A) It isn’t necessary to compromise on economic goals to achieve sustainable growth.   
(B) The WTO should encourage countries to care for the environment as well as economic progress.    
(C) The WTO is  not more motivated  by the desire for expanding trade than towards environmental concerns.
(D) Decreasing tariffs increases world trade.    
(E) The WTO is not instrumental in protecting the global environment.

Answer should be   C  , IMO. Elimination points mentioned against each option

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. It can be inferred from the passage that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round will

(A) open the way to environmental protection measures    
(B) bring new laws towards sustainable development   
(C) lead to new global trade agreements    
(D) see more reductions in tariffs and trading obstacles   
(E) lead to dramatic trade expansion and global growth

Answer should be   E  , IMO. Elimination points mentioned against each option

Answer to this can be inferred from the below part of the passage - 
"Since 1960, the WTO has negotiated a 90% drop in tariffs, and non-tariff barriers to trade have also been dramatically reduced. Moreover, market access for agriculture and services will be further expanded upon conclusion of the next Uruguay Round. Thus, since 1960 trade has grown fifteen-fold; world economic production has quadrupled; and world per capita income has more than doubled."

Although E seems to be the correct answer of the lot but the word 'dramatic' is a little distracting to make this the final answer choice. Waiting for OA/OE on this one

AnirudhaS · Answer

1. Which of the following titles would be most appropriate for this passage?
(A) The Work of the WTO
(B) WTO Measures to Protect the Environment
(C) Healthy trade and ecosystems
 (D) The WTO and the Environment 
(E) The Link between Trade and the sustainable development

Explanation of question 1 
A - Author is not just describing, he has an opinion.
B - Well this would be a cynical title, provided the author thinks the WTO can do so much more...
C - Where is WTO in this, as WTO is central to the passage. Out.
D - Starts of it environmental concerns, but the main passage is indeed concerned with WTO's role in all this. Most suitable.
E - Too narrow, no mention of WTO.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. According to the passage, under what conditions did the WTO endorse the link between the environment and sustainable development?
(A) By recognizing that development is the fundamental goal of every society
 (B) By committing the WTO itself to environmental improvement 
(C) By declaring that trade must be based on sustainable development
(D) By refuting the concept of temporary development as a basis for trade
(E) By understanding healthy ecosystems

Explanation of question 2 
B and C come close.
B - Passage states -  "together with the commitment to development, in the World Trade Organization’s Preamble, which includes sustainable development"  So the WTO commits to sustainable development. This is a commitment to environmental improvement, as the both are enshrined together.
C - Yes the WTO agrees that trade must be based on sustainable development, but is this the required condition under which the WTO endorsed the link?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why does the author present the question “has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph?
(A) To question the WTO on its actions taken so far to assess them
 (B) To suggest that the WTO hasn’t done enough towards sustainable development 
(C) To imply that sustainable development is an impossible goal to attain for the WTO
(D) To create doubts in the readers’ minds about the usefulness of the WTO
(E) To introduce doubts about the WTO’s actions since its inception

Explanation of question 3 
Author follows this question with why he thiks the WTO has not done enough - like no laws have been passed etc. It is merely a policy goal for international community and the WTO is not doing enough. This is why B is our answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. According to the information presented in the passage, with which of the following would the writer of the passage most likely disagree?
(A) It isn’t necessary to compromise on economic goals to achieve sustainable growth.
(B) The WTO should encourage countries to care for the environment as well as economic progress.
 (C) The WTO is not more motivated by the desire for expanding trade than towards environmental concerns. 
(D) Decreasing tariffs increases world trade.
(E) The WTO is not instrumental in protecting the global environment.

Explanation of question 4 
A - Author agrees to this, as both of these go hand in hand.
B - Out of scope.
C - I think the author thinks WTO IS more motivated by desire for expanding trade than taking care of environment. Hence the author would most likely disagree with the statement WTO NOT motivated more by desire for expanding trade.
D - Agrees, with 90% drop of tariff, trade has grown 15 fold.
E - Yes author agrees, therefore he criticizes the WTO for not taking enough steps.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. It can be inferred from the passage that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round will
(A) open the way to environmental protection measures
(B) bring new laws towards sustainable development
(C) lead to new global trade agreements
(D) see more reductions in tariffs and trading obstacles
 (E) lead to dramatic trade expansion and global growth

Explanation of question 5 
Market access of agricultural services are expanded due to the Uruguay Round. And this was in addition to the WTO negotiating 90% reduction in tariff-barriers. Thus the Uruguay Round hand in hand with reduction in trade barriers led to dramatic trade expansion and global growth. E is our answer.

Gowtham91 · Answer

Q1.
Para1 introduces that environment and development are inter-related. WTO intends to integrate trade + environment = sustainable development, achieving social, economic and environmental development. Only some of these goals are achieved. 
Para2 talks about initiatives taken up by WTO to promote trade. Author highlights that no action towards sustainable development is taken up by WTO.

Overall summary - In terms of Sustainable/ Environmental development, WTO's actions are not seen but only a headline in policy.

A. This encompasses only partial scope pertaining to the first half of para2.
B. This is against the passage summary as mentioned above.
C. True. But the fact that WTO neglected environment is not evident in this title.
 D. Correct  this title suits the best. The entire passage is talking about these two entities and their relationship. 
E. This title seems like WTO is not in picture and hence is not as representative of the intent of the passage.

Q2.
Reference to "In endorsing this concept, despite some reservations, WTO members unanimously recognized that trade and the economic growth WTO helps to create  must be  fostered in the context of sustainable development which integrates economic, social and environmental policies."
 Option C  is in line with this sentence.

Q3.
The key to answer this question is to understand the premise, which is the content of 2nd para till the highlighted portion. The author highlights the facts of trade development in turn to question that the same amount of development is not achieved in terms of sustainability.

Only  Option B  is in line with this.

Q4.
The summary of the passage is that WTO has not done enough towards sustainability although the members unanimously agreed its importance. There is progress in terms of trade but not in towards sustainbility. Hence the author disagrees with  Option C .

Q5.
Referring to the 1st half of the 2nd para, "Moreover, market access for agriculture and services will be further expanded upon conclusion of the next Uruguay Round." we can infer -  Option E . When market access increases and trade barriers are removed, then trade will  fluorish .

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OAs of this RC are as follow:

1. D
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. D

bm2201  is on top here and  Gautam12121991  is at second here. Good Luck for the next RCs.

AnirudhaS · Answer

SajjadAhmad  Can you please share the explanations of questions 1 & 5?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. Which of the following titles would be most appropriate for this passage?

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

The question asks us to title the passage. For that, we must understand the purpose of the passage. The passage talks about the environment being linked to development. Then it introduces the WTO and its various functions, and its endorsement of the connection between sustainable development and economic growth. Later the passage explains how trade has grown dramatically because of the WTO’s policies. However, in the second half of the second paragraph, the author raises questions about the WTO’s environmental achievements. Thus, the author wishes to draw attention to the WTO’s performance regarding sustainable development goals.

Let us analyze each option one by one.

(A)  This answer is incorrect because it is too general and does not discuss the environmental concerns mentioned in the passage.

(B)  This answer is incorrect because it implies that the WTO has taken some actions to protect the environment, but the author implies otherwise.

(C)  This answer is incorrect because it’s too general and does not even mention the WTO even though the author specifically discusses it.

(D)  This is the correct answer. It includes both the WTO and the environment, the two main areas in the passage.

(E)  This answer is incorrect. Though it correctly addresses the issue, it’s too general and does not even mention the environment and the WTO, even though the author specifically discusses both.

The correct answer is D.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that the conclusion of the Uruguay Round will

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

This question asks us to locate a specific detail about the conclusion of the Uruguay Round and make an inference based on that. This is given in lines:

(Since 1960, the WTO has negotiated a 90% drop in tariffs, and non-tariff barriers to trade have also been dramatically reduced. Moreover, market access for agriculture and services will be further expanded upon conclusion of the next Uruguay Round).

These lines imply by the use of the word moreover that the reduction of trade barriers will be expanded during the Uruguay talks.

Let us analyze each option one by one.

(A)  This answer is incorrect because no environmental measures have been discussed.

(B)  This answer is incorrect because the author does not discuss laws with respect to the Uruguay Round.

(C)  This answer is incorrect because we cannot infer that new agreements will be formed.

(D)  This is the correct answer. This matches our deductions.

(E)  This answer is incorrect because it’s too extreme. We cannot infer that “dramatic” growth will occur.

The correct answer is D.

Hope it helps

Hoozan · Answer

Sajjad1994  please could you provide the OE for Q3.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. Why does the author present the question “has the World Trade Organization done enough ... environment?” (Highlighted) in the second paragraph?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

To understand why the author presents that question, we must understand the point he is making. The author presents the given question and then defines sustainable development and presents another question. The gist of that entire part is that while the WTO is supposed to promote sustainable development, it hasn’t. Thus, the role of the question in that paragraph is to introduce the idea that the WTO hasn’t done enough for sustainable development.

Let us analyze each option one by one.

(A)  This answer is incorrect because the author does not question the WTO to assess its actions, but rather to point out its lack of action towards the environment.

(B)  This is the correct answer. This matches our deductions. The author does present the question to imply that the WTO hasn’t kept up on its work towards sustainable development.

(C)  This answer is incorrect because the author does not suggest anything to imply that sustainable development is not possible.

(D)  This answer is incorrect because the author does not challenge the WTO, only its lack of action towards sustainable development.

(E)  This answer is incorrect because the author does not question the WTO generally on its actions, but rather on its lack of action towards the environment.

The correct answer is B.

ricardorr04 · Answer

11 mins, 4/5 correct. isnt this passage a bit too long? would we find passages as long as this one on the test? took me a solid 3-4 mins to read

VerbalBot · Answer

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