Comprehension : Comprehension

Q 16 / 466

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers should be based solely on the passage.
Passage: When SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in 2019, it was a truly novel virus for the world. At that time, no one in the world had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or had specific immunity against it. In contrast, people across the world have been exposed to HMPV for decades and the virus is well-studied. HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 belong to two very different virus families with fundamentally different characteristics and epidemiology, with strong seasonality seen in HMPV, unlike SARS-CoV-2. Both viruses cause different severity of symptoms, particularly over the long term, and the affected population segments do not fully overlap. In general, HMPV causes milder illness with deaths being very rare and with no long-term post-viral symptoms.
Which of the following statements reflect the logical and rational inferences that can be drawn from the passage?
  1. HMPV has, historically, had longer documentation of studies when compared with SARS-CoV-2.
  2. The two viruses are different from each other and this results in markedly different outcomes amongst those affected.
  3. Long-term impacts of the two viruses are dissimilar and this is an important differentiator between them.
  4. One of the common factors between the two viruses is seasonal specificity.
Select the answer using the code given below.

EXPLANATION

The correct option is B - 1, 2 and 3.

[as per provisional answerkey]

Why this is correct

The passage provides a comparative analysis between SARS-CoV-2 and HMPV, supporting the first three statements as follows:
Statement 1: The passage states that SARS-CoV-2 was "truly novel" in 2019, whereas HMPV has been around for "decades" and is "well-studied." This directly supports the inference that HMPV has longer documentation of studies.
Statement 2: The passage explicitly mentions that the viruses belong to "different virus families" with "fundamentally different characteristics" and that they cause "different severity of symptoms." This validates that they are different and lead to different outcomes.
Statement 3: The passage highlights that the viruses cause different severity of symptoms "particularly over the long term" and notes that HMPV has "no long-term post-viral symptoms," implying SARS-CoV-2 does. This makes long-term impact a key differentiator mentioned in the text.

Why the other options are incorrect

  • Statement 4 - Seasonal specificity: This statement is factually contradicted by the passage. The text states that there is "strong seasonality seen in HMPV, unlike SARS-CoV-2," meaning seasonality is a point of difference, not a common factor.
  • Option (a) - 1 and 2 only: This option is incomplete because it excludes Statement 3, which is clearly supported by the passage's discussion on long-term symptoms and severity.
  • Option (c) - 3 and 4: This option is incorrect because it includes Statement 4, which is logically false based on the passage, and excludes Statements 1 and 2, which are valid.
  • Option (d) - 1 and 3 only: This option is incomplete because it excludes Statement 2, which is a direct and rational inference from the passage's description of the viruses' different families and characteristics.

Key Concept

Comparative analysis and identifying points of divergence versus points of convergence in a technical text.