Which problem is discussed in the passage?

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The passage is centered entirely on the concept of pollution.
It provides a direct definition: "the fouling of the environment, land, water and air by waste, smoke, chemicals and other harmful substances.".
The text further details various forms of pollution (air, water, soil, noise) and their sources, making it the undeniable central theme.

Option A: Disease is mentioned as a consequence of pollution ('unhealthy' environment), not the main problem being discussed.
Option C: Population growth is only mentioned as a contextual factor ('large cities') that exacerbates pollution. The passage does not discuss the causes or effects of population growth itself.
Option D: Breathing problems are an implied consequence of air pollution, which is just one type of pollution discussed. The passage's scope is much broader than just this single health effect.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Reading Comprehension: Identifying the Main Idea as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the main idea of a text is a fundamental skill for nursing students to comprehend patient charts, research articles, and exam questions accurately.
Nurses must be able to identify the primary issue (chief complaint) from a patient's description, which involves filtering main ideas from secondary details.
What if the passage had detailed how industrial smog leads to increased hospital admissions for asthma? The main idea would shift from a general discussion of pollution to the specific health impacts of air pollution.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question to understand what you need to find: the main 'problem' discussed.
Next, read the entire passage to get a general sense of the topic.
Identify the subject that is mentioned most frequently and is the focus of most sentences. Notice how the passage defines pollution and gives multiple examples.
Evaluate each option. Ask yourself: 'Is the entire passage about this topic?'
Eliminate options that are only mentioned as examples, consequences, or minor details (like 'disease' or 'breathing problem').
Select the option that represents the central, overarching theme of the entire passage.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QaZgNROaKfeSN5OMoisw2R

Practise the full DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.