**Directions: Read the given passage carefully to answer the following questions.
Each question will have five alternatives as its answer. Choose the correct option as your answer.**
In a small village nestled between rolling hills and wide, green fields, the farmers woke up to the golden light of dawn, ready to tend to their crops. One of these farmers was Ravi, who was known for his diligent work and dedication to sustainable farming. Unlike many of his peers, Ravi was careful about the strategies he used to maintain the health of his crops. Over the years, Ravi had seen the rise in the use of pesticides, which were designed to protect crops from insects and diseases. While they often helped improve yields, Ravi noticed that their overuse had led to a number of unintended consequences. The soil's quality was deteriorating, and beneficial insects like bees were disappearing. Determined to find a solution, Ravi decided to compute the real costs and benefits of using pesticides in his farming practice. Ravi embarked on a journey to gather data and thoroughly understand the impact of pesticides. Under the shade of a large banyan tree, he set up his small laptop and started computing the numbers. He compared the cost of pesticides, the yield improvements they promised, and the health of the soil and plants. His findings were astonishing. In the short term, pesticides did boost his yields, but the long-term damage to the environment and subsequent repair costs outweighed the benefits. Ravi decided it was time to ___________ his farming methods. He attended workshops on organic farming, where he learned about natural alternatives to chemical pesticides. He started using neem oil and compost, which not only protected his crops but also enriched the soil. He also introduced crop rotation and integrated pest management (IPM), ensuring that harmful pests were kept in check by their natural predators. One day, as he was walking through his fields, Ravi met an old friend, Sunil. Sunil too was a farmer, but unlike Ravi, he still relied heavily on synthetic pesticides. Ravi shared his findings and methods with Sunil, who listened intently. However, Sunil was skeptical; he had heard many such suggestions but had stuck to what he knew best. Ravi, understanding his friend's hesitation, invited Sunil to his farm. Together, they walked the fields, and Ravi demonstrated how his plants flourished without synthetic chemicals. Sunil was surprised at the healthy crops and began to see the benefits of a more natural approach. Inspired, Sunil decided to revise his own practices. He started with a small section of his farm, computing the results meticulously. The shift wasn't easy, and it required patience and learning, but over time, Sunil noticed improvements not just in the health of his crops but in the ecosystem as a whole. Birds and bees started returning, and the soil became richer. Through their effort and willingness to change, Ravi and Sunil demonstrated that while traditional methods might stick around for comfort and familiarity, revising one's approach towards sustainable farming could yield benefits far beyond immediate profits. Their journey serves as an inspiring tale, encouraging farmers to balance progress with preservation for a healthier future.
The passage states that:
- AOption (a)
Ravi used synthetic pesticides to improve long-term soil quality.
- BOption (b)
Ravi’s friend Sunil never considered sustainable farming methods.
- COption (c)
Ravi attended workshops on organic farming to learn about natural alternatives.
- DOption (d)
Synthetic pesticides provided environmental benefits without any drawbacks.
- EOption (e)
Sunil immediately adopted Ravi’s methods across the entire farm.
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Correct answer
Ravi attended workshops on organic farming to learn about natural alternatives.
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is Option 3.
Key Points
- The passage explicitly mentions Ravi’s attendance at workshops on organic farming.
- These workshops helped him learn about natural alternatives to chemical pesticides.
- This is a crucial part of Ravi's journey towards sustainable farming practices.
Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.
Supporting Sentence: "He attended workshops on organic farming, where he learned about natural alternatives to chemical pesticides."
Additional Information
- Option 1 is incorrect because Ravi moved away from using synthetic pesticides.
- Option 2 is incorrect; Sunil did consider sustainable methods, though initially skeptical.
- Option 4 is incorrect as synthetic pesticides had environmental drawbacks.
- Option 5 is incorrect; Sunil did not immediately adopt Ravi’s methods across the entire farm.