UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 8

This question tests benzene pollution. The key concept is: Benzene exposure can arise from vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke and combustion of wood or other organic material. Indoor sources can also include certain varnishes, paints, adhesives and consumer products. The question's official combination selects only the first three listed sources. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — 1, 2 and 3 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Benzene exposure can arise from vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke and combustion of wood or other organic material. Indoor sources can also include certain varnishes, paints, adhesives and consumer products. The question's official combination selects only the first three listed sources. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — 2 and 4 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Benzene exposure can arise from vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke and combustion of wood or other organic material. Indoor sources can also include certain varnishes, paints, adhesives and consumer products. The question's official combination selects only the first three listed sources. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — 1, 3 and 4 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Benzene exposure can arise from vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke and combustion of wood or other organic material. Indoor sources can also include certain varnishes, paints, adhesives and consumer products. The question's official combination selects only the first three listed sources. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Benzene exposure can arise from vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke and combustion of wood or other organic material. Indoor sources can also include certain varnishes, paints, adhesives and consumer products. The question's official combination selects only the first three listed sources. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option A is the verified answer.