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Statement: Other than being an essential source of water for Indian agriculture, the monsoon plays a critical role in flushing out pollutants over Asia. However, recently increased pollution, particularly from coal burning, could potentially weaken this ability of the monsoon. Question: Which of the following can be deduced from the given statement?

1. The unusually high concentration of particulate matter in the last few days in India clearly shows that air pollution is emerging as a big problem.
2. As the climate gets warmer and frequency of rains reduces, such spurts in coarse particles making breathing difficult will become a new normal and the government is not waking up to the alarm.
3. Both the periodicity and duration of dry spells in the country were rising as total rainfall events in a year had fallen even though the average rainfall in a year has not changed much, a direct consequence of climate change.
4. The annual average rainfall has remained the same because the frequency of heavy downpours increased in the past two decades.

Correct answer: Both the periodicity and duration of dry spells in the country were rising as total rainfall events in a year had fallen even though the average rainfall in a year has not changed much, a direct consequence of climate change.

Solution

The statement says the monsoon helps flush out pollutants and that increased pollution may weaken this ability. The correct deduction must remain consistent with this idea and with climate-related changes in rainfall patterns. Among the options, only option C presents a plausible inference related to changing rainfall and dry spells.

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