Question

"Two recent World bank studies on India' rapidly depleting water resources have caused quite a stir. More interesting is how water seems to have become the new focus area for Bank assistance: at $ 3.2 billion in 2005 08 from a mere $ 700 million in 1999 04. Within water again, more money is going to rural water, large hydropower projects, and water resource management in poor states."
Choose the statement that summarises the above paragraph best.

• A. India's water resources are depleting
• B. The two World Bank studies on India have caused a stir.
• C. The World Bank assistance to India for developing water resources has increased more than 4 times for 2005 08 as compared to the prior period
• D. Poorer states of India require water resource management projects such as rural water, large hydropower projects.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Read the passage carefully
The paragraph highlights two main ideas: 1. The World Bank is increasingly focusing on India’s water resources because they are rapidly depleting. 2. Funding for water-related projects has significantly increased—from $700 million (1999–04) to $3.2 billion (2005–08). 3. Within this sector, a greater share of money is being directed toward rural water, large hydropower projects, and water resource management, especially in poorer states.

Step 2: Find the central theme
The main emphasis is not just on rising World Bank funding but specifically on how this funding is being channelled—toward poor states, rural water supply, hydropower, and water resource management. The mention of "poor states" in the final sentence is the key focus.

Step 3: Check the given option
Option (D): “Poorer states of India require water resource management projects such as rural water, large hydropower projects.” This option captures the essence because it links the Bank’s increased assistance directly to the needs of poorer states and identifies the kinds of projects being funded.

Step 4: Final justification
Thus, the best summary is that the World Bank’s water-related funding is concentrated on projects like rural water, hydropower, and water management in poorer states, which reflects the passage’s main point.

Final Answer: The correct option is (D) Poorer states of India require water resource management projects such as rural water, large hydropower projects.