Comprehension

Knowledge emerges out of perceived lacunae in existing fields and the pioneering futuristic ideas of enterprising and creative minds. The social sciences emerged in the nineteenth century out of this perceived need to tackle the newer and varied issues emerging in society due to industrialization. Various disciplines of social sciences emerged out of the felt need that specialized and differentiated disciplines required to be created to address the range of problems being thrown up by dramatic changes in society. 
Thus, Political Science and Public Administration grew out of the necessity to understand and tackle the problems resulting from the transformation in the relationship between the individual, political and administrative aspects of the society and the state. The study of Political History, Political Theory, State, Ideology, Political Institutions, Administrative theories, Bureaucracy and its institutions, etc. was started to gain insights into the processes of government with the intention of improving the conditions in society.
However, it was perceived that this historical, descriptive study of political and administrative structures and institutions did not sufficiently help to alter or improve individual and societal conditions. While these studies were contributing to academic analysis, they did not have a direct impact on improving the quality of human life. It was more or less accepted that social sciences had little or no practical application. This realization made the scholars feel that social sciences should provide solutions or at least approach the actual problems of the society.
Early in the twentieth century, the thought of applying the research methods of Pure Sciences in social sciences to bring about change in them came forward. To an extent, emphasis on empirical investigation and scientific methodology did lead to clear quantifiable results in a few areas like Psychology, Economics and Management. The relevance of social science research and its increasing applicability was amply demonstrated after 1920s. Increasingly, social sciences were seen to be emerging out of their ivory tower of metaphysical and theoretical constructs to handle common problems and issues.
Economics was the first discipline to find acceptance in both the government and the general public. The World War I and its repercussions were well analyzed and managed by economists, who found acceptance in the corridors of political decision-making. After the Great Depression, it became an integral part of all government offices. Further, theories of Psychology and Sociology, which until recently were bound within the confines of libraries and universities, were getting used to explain and tackle various issues in societies. Sociological theories, Psychological experiments and Economic Policies were creating new frontiers and boundaries for social sciences, leading to two developments. On one hand, recognizing the potential for growth, these disciplines were experimenting on novel and innovative themes and concepts which could directly be used by the society. On the other hand, the State and its governing organs were looking forward to the academicians to provide the non-state actors with the solutions and alternatives to handle practical issues in the society.
The interwar period and the World War II were charting new fields and parameters for the social sciences, which could handle various tasks effectively and efficiently. Managing the socio-economic problems of the Great Depression, financing of the war, logistics, communication mechanisms during the war, administrative organization, resource allocation, rehabilitation, political accountability - these were the prime issues of this time and they showed the prospects for the Social Sciences.
Scholars began to deliberate the prospects of pooling knowledge, insights and methodologies in order to resolve common tasks and issues. Higher education, specialization and research in newer areas like decision making, scientific management, operations research, decision theory, etc. contributed in extending the scope and focus of the social sciences in 1930s and 1940s. The need and opportunity for the emergence of a new discipline dedicated to Problem Solving arose out of these conditions. The idea was a concretization of the mood at those times which were seriously grappling with the material, physical, financial, psychological, intellectual, social, philosophical, individual and societal implications of the World War II.

Question: 1

Which of the following would be the most appropriate heading for this paragraph?

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Always choose a heading that summarizes the entire passage, not just one part of it.
Updated On: Nov 24, 2025
  • Social Sciences – From Abstract to Real
  • The Emergence of Social Sciences
  • Coming of Age for Social Sciences
  • Social Sciences – Impacts and Influences
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the paragraph.
The paragraph explains *how* social sciences arose from the need to understand new societal issues brought about by industrialization. It traces the origins and development of social sciences such as Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, etc.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
(A) From Abstract to Real focuses on transformation, not origin.
(B) Correct — the entire passage is about how social sciences emerged historically.
(C) Coming of Age implies maturity, not origin.
(D) Impacts and Influences is much narrower than the content of the passage.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Option (B) best captures the central theme: *the emergence of social sciences as new disciplines*.
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Question: 2

What can be the most appropriate reason for economics being the first Social Science to be accepted as a discipline for practical purposes?

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When a question asks for “first,” always choose the earliest historical event mentioned in the passage.
Updated On: Nov 24, 2025
  • The Great Depression
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Inter-War years
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Locating the answer in the passage.
The passage clearly states that Economics gained early acceptance because *World War I and its repercussions were well analyzed and managed by economists*, leading to their inclusion in government decision-making.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
(A) The Great Depression increased economic relevance later, but Economics had already been accepted earlier.
(B) Correct — World War I was the turning point when economists became essential to government functioning.
(C) World War II expanded social sciences further but came later.
(D) Inter-War years strengthened social sciences, but Economics was accepted earlier.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, World War I was the most important reason for Economics becoming the first practically accepted Social Science.
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Question: 3

What is the most important reason for the evolution of Social Sciences?

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Identify the repeated idea in the passage—here, the term “problems of society” appears throughout, indicating central importance.
Updated On: Nov 24, 2025
  • Theoretical and Metaphysical constructs
  • Industrialization
  • Empirical Methods
  • Problems of the Society
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the key idea.
The passage repeatedly emphasizes that social sciences emerged because society was facing *new problems* during industrialization—political, psychological, economic, administrative, and social problems. Social sciences evolved to *solve* these real-world issues.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
(A) Metaphysics is what social sciences moved away from.
(B) Industrialization created the problems, but the reason for evolution is to solve those problems.
(C) Empirical methods improved social sciences later, not the main reason for their birth.
(D) Correct — the driving force behind the evolution of social sciences was the need to address emerging problems in society.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, “Problems of the Society” is the most accurate and comprehensive answer.
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Question: 4

With respect to this passage, which of the following statements is definitely NOT true?

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When asked what is “definitely NOT true,” look for the option that contradicts a clear statement made in the passage.
Updated On: Nov 24, 2025
  • Social Sciences have come a long way since their origin.
  • Social Sciences have provided solutions to many pressing problems.
  • Social Sciences have to provide solutions to social problems.
  • Both the World Wars have contributed a lot to Social Sciences.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the passage.
The passage clearly states that early social sciences were criticized for being *historical and descriptive*, and for *not being useful* in improving practical life. It says they had “little or no practical application.” This means they were not actually solving social problems in the beginning.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
(A) True — The passage shows that social sciences evolved significantly over time.
(B) NOT true — The passage says the opposite: social sciences *did not* provide solutions earlier, which is why scholars felt the need for improvement.
(C) True — Scholars felt that social sciences *should* provide solutions to social problems.
(D) True — Both World Wars strengthened the importance and growth of social sciences.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Option (B) is definitely NOT true according to the passage.
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Question: 5

The author of this passage definitely agrees with which of the following statements?

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Choose the option that captures the recurring theme of the passage, especially when the author emphasizes it several times.
Updated On: Nov 24, 2025
  • Social Sciences are not dependent on empirical research like Pure Sciences.
  • Social Sciences can predict the future.
  • Social Sciences should combine the resources.
  • Every problem had added to the understanding of the social sciences.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identifying the author’s viewpoint.
The passage repeatedly highlights that *new problems in society*—industrialization, war, economic crises, administrative challenges—helped shape and expand social sciences. Each difficulty contributed to new theories, new disciplines, and new methodologies.
Step 2: Evaluating the options.
(A) Incorrect — The passage says empirical methods (from pure sciences) became important for social sciences.
(B) Incorrect — Nowhere does the passage claim that social sciences can predict the future.
(C) Too vague; “combine resources” does not match any explicit idea in the passage.
(D) Correct — This is directly supported: every new problem added to the evolution, understanding, and scope of social sciences.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Option (D) perfectly reflects the author’s views: social sciences grew because problems pushed their development.
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