IPMAT Indore 2023 - VA Q70 Explanation

Explanation:

(a)

The paragraph introduces the topic of conflicts over rivers and river basins shared by many countries. To logically complete the paragraph, it is necessary to provide additional context or information related to the global water situation. Option 3 effectively adds relevant information about the increasing scarcity of water, the high cost of developing new water sources, and the expectation of rising international water tensions. This sentence helps to contextualize the conflicts mentioned in the paragraph and provides a basis for understanding why such tensions are occurring.

It might be a cliche, but given how scarce it is, water is the new oil of the 21st century: While this sentence makes a point about the value of water, it does not directly connect with the idea of conflicts over shared rivers and basins. The paragraph seems to be more about the increasing tensions and disputes over water resources, and this option introduces a different concept about the value of water.

Fresh water is increasingly in short supply, with nearly two-thirds of the global population living in water-stressed conditions: This sentence provides valuable information about the scarcity of fresh water and its impact on a significant portion of the global population. However, it does not directly address the expectation of rising international water tensions, which is the focus of the paragraph. The completion should seamlessly flow from the previous sentence and build on the idea of conflicts over shared water resources.

The world does not consider water to be the scarce resource it is: This sentence introduces a contrasting idea, suggesting that the world underestimates the scarcity of water. While this may be a relevant point, it doesn't align directly with the theme of increasing conflicts over shared rivers and river basins. The paragraph seems to emphasize the tensions arising from the scarcity of water rather than the world's perception of water scarcity.