The flower was not invented to please us.
It flaunted its petals and spread its perfume to attract an insect. The insect carries the pollen from flower to flower so that pollen is not carried away by wind and thus not wasted. What we call a flower’s beauty is merely a by-product and a human invention. The perfume is not there to please us, it pleases us because it is there and we have been conditioned to it.
Q. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The author of the passage believes that flowers are creations of Nature’s luxury.
2. The author of the passage does not believe in the usefulness of flowers except as things of beauty.
Which of the assumptions given above is/are valid?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: d) Neither 1 nor 2
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT Paper
Explanation:
To answer this question, let’s analyze each assumption in light of the information provided in the passage:
1. “The author of the passage believes that flowers are creations of Nature’s luxury.”
This assumption is not valid. The passage explicitly states that flowers have a specific purpose in nature – to attract insects for pollination. The author emphasizes that the features we find beautiful in flowers (petals, perfume) are not there for our pleasure, but for a functional purpose in the plant’s reproduction. This contradicts the idea of flowers being a “luxury” creation of nature.
2. “The author of the passage does not believe in the usefulness of flowers except as things of beauty.”
This assumption is also not valid. The passage clearly outlines the usefulness of flowers in the process of pollination. The author states that flowers attract insects to carry pollen from one flower to another, which is crucial for plant reproduction. This demonstrates that the author recognizes the important biological function of flowers beyond their aesthetic appeal to humans.
Therefore, the correct answer is: d) Neither 1 nor 2