UPSC Insta–DART (Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test) 30 Aug 2025

Considering the alarming importance of CSAT in UPSC CSE Prelims exam and with enormous requests we received recently, InsightsIAS has started Daily CSAT Test to ensure students practice CSAT Questions on a daily basis. Regular Practice would help one overcome the fear of CSAT too.We are naming this initiative as Insta– DART – Daily Aptitude and Reasoning Test. We hope you will be able to use DART to hit bull’s eye in CSAT paper and comfortably score 100+ even in the most difficult question paper that UPSC can give you in CSP-2021. Your peace of mind after every step of this exam is very important for us.

Looking forward to your enthusiastic participation (both in sending us questions and solving them on daily basis on this portal).

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question In many rapidly growing cities, green spaces are shrinking due to infrastructure expansion and rising land prices. While urban parks, community gardens, and tree-lined streets are proven to improve air quality, reduce heat islands, and enhance mental well-being, they are often treated as expendable in the face of commercial development. Critics argue that green infrastructure is a luxury in cities grappling with housing shortages and transport congestion. However, research shows that integrating greenery into urban planning boosts property values, reduces healthcare costs, and fosters community interaction. The real challenge lies in balancing competing land-use demands while ensuring equitable access to green spaces, especially for lower-income neighbourhoods that often have the least. Sustainable urban planning must treat green spaces not as optional amenities, but as essential infrastructure for livable cities. In the context of the above passage, what is the central paradox that the passage highlights? (a) Urban green spaces are valued for their benefits, yet are often the first sacrificed for development. (b) Urban green spaces improve health, yet increase property prices beyond affordability. (c) Urban green spaces are widely available, yet underutilized by the public. (d) Urban green spaces reduce environmental damage, yet worsen traffic congestion. Correct Solution: (a) Explanation: • The paradox lies in recognizing the ecological, social, and economic benefits of green spaces, yet prioritizing other developments that diminish them. • Option (b) is incorrect — property value increase is mentioned positively, not as a drawback. • Option (c) is unsupported — the issue is scarcity, not underuse. • Option (d) is irrelevant — no such link to traffic is discussed. Incorrect Solution: (a) Explanation: • The paradox lies in recognizing the ecological, social, and economic benefits of green spaces, yet prioritizing other developments that diminish them. • Option (b) is incorrect — property value increase is mentioned positively, not as a drawback. • Option (c) is unsupported — the issue is scarcity, not underuse. • Option (d) is irrelevant — no such link to traffic is discussed.

#### 1. Question

In many rapidly growing cities, green spaces are shrinking due to infrastructure expansion and rising land prices. While urban parks, community gardens, and tree-lined streets are proven to improve air quality, reduce heat islands, and enhance mental well-being, they are often treated as expendable in the face of commercial development. Critics argue that green infrastructure is a luxury in cities grappling with housing shortages and transport congestion. However, research shows that integrating greenery into urban planning boosts property values, reduces healthcare costs, and fosters community interaction. The real challenge lies in balancing competing land-use demands while ensuring equitable access to green spaces, especially for lower-income neighbourhoods that often have the least. Sustainable urban planning must treat green spaces not as optional amenities, but as essential infrastructure for livable cities.

In the context of the above passage, what is the central paradox that the passage highlights?

• (a) Urban green spaces are valued for their benefits, yet are often the first sacrificed for development.

• (b) Urban green spaces improve health, yet increase property prices beyond affordability.

• (c) Urban green spaces are widely available, yet underutilized by the public.

• (d) Urban green spaces reduce environmental damage, yet worsen traffic congestion.

Solution: (a)

Explanation: • The paradox lies in recognizing the ecological, social, and economic benefits of green spaces, yet prioritizing other developments that diminish them. • Option (b) is incorrect — property value increase is mentioned positively, not as a drawback. • Option (c) is unsupported — the issue is scarcity, not underuse. • Option (d) is irrelevant — no such link to traffic is discussed.

Solution: (a)

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: Urban development pressures often override long-term public health and environmental considerations. Equitable distribution of green spaces can help address urban inequality. Expanding green spaces requires the reduction of housing and transport projects. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Correct Solution: (a) Explanation: • Statement 1: Valid — the passage points to commercial expansion replacing green areas despite their public health benefits. • Statement 2: Valid — it highlights inequitable access in low-income areas, implying fair distribution can reduce inequality. • Statement 3: Not valid — it calls for balancing demands, not cutting essential housing or transport outright. Incorrect Solution: (a) Explanation: • Statement 1: Valid — the passage points to commercial expansion replacing green areas despite their public health benefits. • Statement 2: Valid — it highlights inequitable access in low-income areas, implying fair distribution can reduce inequality. • Statement 3: Not valid — it calls for balancing demands, not cutting essential housing or transport outright.

#### 2. Question

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

• Urban development pressures often override long-term public health and environmental considerations.

• Equitable distribution of green spaces can help address urban inequality.

• Expanding green spaces requires the reduction of housing and transport projects.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• (a) 1 and 2 only

• (b) 1 and 3 only

• (c) 2 and 3 only

• (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution: (a)

Explanation: • Statement 1: Valid — the passage points to commercial expansion replacing green areas despite their public health benefits. • Statement 2: Valid — it highlights inequitable access in low-income areas, implying fair distribution can reduce inequality. • Statement 3: Not valid — it calls for balancing demands, not cutting essential housing or transport outright.

Solution: (a)

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following question and statements: Question: What is the minimum number of people in the queue if A, B, and C are standing somewhere in it? Statement I: There are 5 people between A and B, and 7 people between B and C. Statement II: There are 3 people ahead of C and 15 behind A. Which of the following is correct? (a) Statement I alone is sufficient (b) Statement II alone is sufficient (c) Both statements together are not sufficient (d) Both statements together are sufficient Correct Answer: D Statement I: 5 between A & B, 7 between B & C. Multiple orders possible → insufficient Statement II: Only tells us relative positions of A and C to start and end of queue → insufficient Combine both: positioning C in front (since only 3 ahead of C), then test cases: C + 3 → then B → 7 → A → 5 → rest Trying multiple orders. Among all, the arrangement that minimizes total is: → 3 (ahead of C) + C + 7 + B + 5 + A + 15 = 3 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 15 = 33 Hence option (d) —is correct. Incorrect Answer: D Statement I: 5 between A & B, 7 between B & C. Multiple orders possible → insufficient Statement II: Only tells us relative positions of A and C to start and end of queue → insufficient Combine both: positioning C in front (since only 3 ahead of C), then test cases: C + 3 → then B → 7 → A → 5 → rest Trying multiple orders. Among all, the arrangement that minimizes total is: → 3 (ahead of C) + C + 7 + B + 5 + A + 15 = 3 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 15 = 33 Hence option (d) —is correct.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following question and statements:

Question: What is the minimum number of people in the queue if A, B, and C are standing somewhere in it?

Statement I: There are 5 people between A and B, and 7 people between B and C. Statement II: There are 3 people ahead of C and 15 behind A.

Which of the following is correct?

• (a) Statement I alone is sufficient

• (b) Statement II alone is sufficient

• (c) Both statements together are not sufficient

• (d) Both statements together are sufficient

Answer: D

• Statement I: 5 between A & B, 7 between B & C. Multiple orders possible → insufficient

• Statement II: Only tells us relative positions of A and C to start and end of queue → insufficient

• Combine both:

positioning C in front (since only 3 ahead of C), then test cases:

• C + 3 → then B → 7 → A → 5 → rest Trying multiple orders. Among all, the arrangement that minimizes total is:

→ 3 (ahead of C) + C + 7 + B + 5 + A + 15 = 3 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 15 = 33

Hence option (d) —is correct.

Answer: D

• Statement I: 5 between A & B, 7 between B & C. Multiple orders possible → insufficient

• Statement II: Only tells us relative positions of A and C to start and end of queue → insufficient

• Combine both:

positioning C in front (since only 3 ahead of C), then test cases:

• C + 3 → then B → 7 → A → 5 → rest Trying multiple orders. Among all, the arrangement that minimizes total is:

→ 3 (ahead of C) + C + 7 + B + 5 + A + 15 = 3 + 1 + 7 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 15 = 33

Hence option (d) —is correct.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Three prime numbers p,q,p, q,p,q, and rrr, each less than 40, satisfy p−q=q−rp – q = q – rp−q=q−r. How many distinct possible values can we get for (p+q+r)(p + q + r)(p+q+r)? (a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 6 (d) More than 6 Correct Answer: (d) Explanation: Again p,q,r form a prime A.P.; primes < 40: 2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,31,37 List all valid prime A.P. triples with every term < 40: 3,5,7 ⇒ 15 3,7,11 ⇒ 21 5,11,17; 3,11,19 ⇒ 33 7,13,19; 3,13,23 ⇒ 39 11,17,23; 5,17,29; 3,17,31 (31 < 40, prime) ⇒ sums =51 (for first two) and 51 again for (3,17,31) 7,19,31 ⇒ 57 17,23,29 ⇒ 69 31,37,43 not allowed (43 ≥ 40) Distinct sums: 15,21,33,39,51,57,69⇒ 7 values ⇒ “More than 6” ⇒ option (d). Incorrect Answer: (d) Explanation: Again p,q,r form a prime A.P.; primes < 40: 2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,31,37 List all valid prime A.P. triples with every term < 40: 3,5,7 ⇒ 15 3,7,11 ⇒ 21 5,11,17; 3,11,19 ⇒ 33 7,13,19; 3,13,23 ⇒ 39 11,17,23; 5,17,29; 3,17,31 (31 < 40, prime) ⇒ sums =51 (for first two) and 51 again for (3,17,31) 7,19,31 ⇒ 57 17,23,29 ⇒ 69 31,37,43 not allowed (43 ≥ 40) Distinct sums: 15,21,33,39,51,57,69⇒ 7 values ⇒ “More than 6” ⇒ option (d).

#### 4. Question

Three prime numbers p,q,p, q,p,q, and rrr, each less than 40, satisfy p−q=q−rp – q = q – rp−q=q−r. How many distinct possible values can we get for (p+q+r)(p + q + r)(p+q+r)?

• (d) More than 6

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Again p,q,r form a prime A.P.; primes < 40: 2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,31,37 List all valid prime A.P. triples with every term < 40:

• 3,5,7 ⇒ 15

• 3,7,11 ⇒ 21

• 5,11,17; 3,11,19 ⇒ 33

• 7,13,19; 3,13,23 ⇒ 39

• 11,17,23; 5,17,29; 3,17,31 (31 < 40, prime) ⇒ sums =51 (for first two) and 51 again for (3,17,31)

• 7,19,31 ⇒ 57

• 17,23,29 ⇒ 69

• 31,37,43 not allowed (43 ≥ 40)

Distinct sums: 15,21,33,39,51,57,69⇒ 7 values ⇒ “More than 6” ⇒ option (d).

Answer: (d)

Explanation: Again p,q,r form a prime A.P.; primes < 40: 2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19,23,29,31,37 List all valid prime A.P. triples with every term < 40:

• 3,5,7 ⇒ 15

• 3,7,11 ⇒ 21

• 5,11,17; 3,11,19 ⇒ 33

• 7,13,19; 3,13,23 ⇒ 39

• 11,17,23; 5,17,29; 3,17,31 (31 < 40, prime) ⇒ sums =51 (for first two) and 51 again for (3,17,31)

• 7,19,31 ⇒ 57

• 17,23,29 ⇒ 69

• 31,37,43 not allowed (43 ≥ 40)

Distinct sums: 15,21,33,39,51,57,69⇒ 7 values ⇒ “More than 6” ⇒ option (d).

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question A cube of side 18 cm is painted green on all its faces and is then cut into small cubes of side 3 cm. How many of these small cubes will have no face painted? (a) 27 (b) 36 (c) 48 (d) 64 Correct Answer: d Explanation Side of original cube = 18 cm Number of small cubes along each edge = 18 ÷ 3 = 6 Cubes with no face painted are those completely inside, not touching any face. The inner cube will have dimensions = (6 – 2) × (6 – 2) × (6 – 2) = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64 Hence, the number of cubes with no face painted = 64, so option (d) is correct. Incorrect Answer: d Explanation Side of original cube = 18 cm Number of small cubes along each edge = 18 ÷ 3 = 6 Cubes with no face painted are those completely inside, not touching any face. The inner cube will have dimensions = (6 – 2) × (6 – 2) × (6 – 2) = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64 Hence, the number of cubes with no face painted = 64, so option (d) is correct.

#### 5. Question

A cube of side 18 cm is painted green on all its faces and is then cut into small cubes of side 3 cm. How many of these small cubes will have no face painted?

Answer: d

Explanation Side of original cube = 18 cm Number of small cubes along each edge = 18 ÷ 3 = 6 Cubes with no face painted are those completely inside, not touching any face. The inner cube will have dimensions = (6 – 2) × (6 – 2) × (6 – 2) = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64 Hence, the number of cubes with no face painted = 64, so option (d) is correct.

Answer: d

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