Read the following passage and answer the next five questions:(28-32)
In our quest to increase agricultural production during the last five decades or so, we almost totally neglected the use of compost and completely switched over to chemical fertilizers. The result is that large tracts of productive land have been adversely affected, water bodies including ground water system have suffered due to chemical contamination and demand for irrigation has been going up year after year. Farmers, in large numbers all over the country, have again started using compost made from organic wastes of different types. In certain parts of the country, cattle are maintained only because they produce dung which is an important fertilizer and soil conditioner. Earthworms can convert organic matter into compost faster than the normal composting pro cess. This process is now being widely used. Indirectly, the civic authorities are benefitted too as they have to dispose reduced quantity of waste.
Water bodies including ground water system have suffered due to:
Correct Answer :
Chemical contamination and increased demand for irrigation
Solution :
The correct option is Chemical contamination and increased demand for irrigation.
Let us analyze the passage to understand why this option is correct:
1. The passage states: "The result is that large tracts of productive land have been adversely affected, water bodies including ground water system have suffered due to chemical contamination and demand for irrigation has been going up year after year."
2. From this sentence, it is clear that the degradation of water bodies and groundwater systems is a direct consequence of switching completely to chemical fertilizers, which led to both chemical contamination and an increased demand for irrigation.
3. Therefore, "Chemical contamination and increased demand for irrigation" is the correct explanation for why the water bodies have suffered.
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