NDA (II) 2025 General Ability Test · Question 4 of 147

Correct — A, the author is both hopeful and sceptical. The passage weighs promising advances against serious concerns — resource-intensive methods, degradation, and pressure on marginal land — landing on a balanced, mixed outlook rather than a one-sided verdict: hopeful about what is possible, yet sceptical about its sustainability. Only option A captures that dual stance.

• (b)The author is very hopeful of the prospects of agriculture — This overstates one side; the passage also voices serious doubts, so unqualified optimism misreads its balance.
• (c)The author is sceptical of the prospects of agriculture — This captures only the doubtful half and ignores the passage's hopeful notes about agricultural advances.
• (d)The author is neither hopeful nor sceptical of the prospects of agriculture — A neutral, indifferent stance contradicts the passage, which clearly expresses both hope and concern rather than no view at all.

An author's-attitude / conclusion comprehension item: the passage's mixed tone points to a stance that is both hopeful and sceptical.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  A passage that lists both the benefits and the dangers of a technology, without endorsing or rejecting it, most likely takes what stance?

  • (a)wholly enthusiastic
  • (b)balanced — both positive and critical
  • (c)completely dismissive
  • (d)indifferent

  Answer(b) balanced — both positive and critical — weighing pros and cons signals a mixed stance.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  A 'sceptical' attitude is best described as —

  • (a)doubtful
  • (b)certain
  • (c)delighted
  • (d)approving

  Answer(a) doubtful — a sceptic is inclined to question or doubt.