Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: Earlier this week,…
2023
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Earlier this week, European Union (EU) lawmakers laid the groundwork for the rollout of its proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism from 2026. Essentially a carbon border tax, it is shrouded in green principles of pricing carbon, reducing emissions and preventing carbon leakage to combat global warming. But in reality it is nothing but a tax against emerging economies like India exporting to the EU. True, the European bloc has ambitious climate targets of cutting greenhouse gases by 55% over this decade and seeks to withdraw free carbon allowances for its most polluting industries. However, by targeting imports of carbon-intensive goods such as aluminium, steel, cement, fertilisers and electricity it is imposing European emission standards on emerging economies. This is a clear violation of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities of international climate action. The rich countries of the global north bear historic responsibility for global warming. But after having achieved a high standard of living through centuries of polluting industries, they now want to slam the development door shut on the rest of the world. Further exemplifying this hypocrisy is the fact that when the Ukraine war pushed up energy prices last year, EU nations had no qualms falling back on dirty coal. Plus, rich nations have done little to mobilise the targeted $100 billion for climate funding to help developing nations transition to low-carbon pathways. Thus, India is right to object to the EU carbon tax. It should prepare retaliatory measures, including taking the matter to World Trade Organization (WTO) and flagging it as a non-tariff barrier.
India is right to object to the European carbon tax because
A. It will affect its economic growth
B. India is not concerned about global warming
C. Rich nations have yet to mobilise $100 billion for climate funding to help developing countries transition to low-carbon pathways
D. Rich countries of the global north bear historic responsibility for global warming
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: C. A, C and D only — ConceptIn passage-based multiple-statement questions, each statement must be tested only against what the author explicitly says or necessarily implies. A…
- A.
B and C only
- B.
A and D only
- C.
A, C and D only
- D.
A, B and D only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
In passage-based multiple-statement questions, each statement must be tested only against what the author explicitly says or necessarily implies. A combined answer is acceptable only when every included statement passes that direct-support test and every excluded statement fails it.
Application
Statement A is supported: the passage describes the carbon tax as a measure against emerging economies and says it could shut the development door on them, so India’s economic growth would be affected.
Statement B is not supported: India’s objection is presented as a climate-equity objection, not as indifference to global warming.
Statement C is supported: the passage explicitly says rich nations have done little to mobilise the targeted $100 billion in climate finance for developing countries.
Statement D is supported: the passage assigns the global north historical responsibility for global warming.
Contrast
B and C only includes the unsupported statement B and omits two supported grounds.
A and D only omits the supported climate-finance ground in statement C.
A, B and D only includes the unsupported statement B and omits statement C.
Therefore, the supported set is A, C and D only.