English Language Questions for CLAT | QB Set 27

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on February 25, 2026 released the ‘State of India’s Environment 2026’, a report the Delhi-based research and advocacy non-profit has been bringing out since 1982. The report provides a broad overview of the environmental challenges India faces, including floods, extreme weather events, changes in tiger behaviour, and air pollution. It also offers a global perspective on climate change and connects it to the Indian context.

At the release of the report, Sunita Narain, Director General of CSE, stated that the climate crisis is reaching a point of no return. She warned that if the average of the past three years is considered, the world will exceed 1.5°C of warming for the first time, signalling that the safety threshold for climate change may soon be breached.

Extreme Weather Events Increasing?

According to the report, 2025 witnessed the highest increase in both the frequency and impact of extreme weather events in India over the past four years. These events included heatwaves, cold waves, heavy rainfall, and floods.

Data from January 1 to November 30, 2025 shows that extreme weather events were recorded on 99% of the days during the year. These events caused 4,419 reported deaths and affected at least 17.41 million hectares of crop area.

This represents a sharp rise compared to previous years:

• 2024: Extreme weather occurred on 88% of days, resulting in 3,393 deaths and affecting 3.61 million hectares of crops.
• 2023: Extreme weather occurred on 89% of days, causing 3,208 deaths and damaging 2.09 million hectares of crops.

Among the states, Himachal Pradesh was the worst affected, experiencing extreme weather events for 267 days. It was followed by Kerala (173 days) and Madhya Pradesh (162 days).

The report notes that these trends indicate a widening ecological crisis and highlight the urgent need for climate action. Without decisive efforts to reduce emissions and manage risks, disasters currently experienced may become normal occurrences. At the same time, development should not come to a halt; instead, climate change should encourage smarter planning and more resilient and equitable development choices.

Are Floods Becoming More Intense?

The report states that a warming climate is likely to significantly increase the possibility of widespread floods in India. It emphasises that the country’s approach should shift from post-disaster relief to pre-disaster resilience.

Climate change is already affecting rivers, cities, and everyday life. Future resilience will depend on how effectively climate science is incorporated into planning processes, including infrastructure design and land allocation along riverbanks.

The report also emphasises the importance of nature-based solutions, including:

• Restoring wetlands
• Reconnecting rivers with their natural floodplains
• Groundwater recharge
• Rainwater harvesting
• Restoration and construction of lakes

These solutions can help reduce flood risks and strengthen ecological resilience.

Are Tigers’ Behaviour Changing?

The report highlights an increase in tiger attacks on humans. Between January and June 2025, at least 43 people were killed near tiger reserves, and in four of these cases, tigers partially consumed their victims. During the same period in 2024, tiger attacks resulted in 44 deaths.

Tigers rarely become habitual human-eaters. However, attacks may increase when tigers grow old, suffer injuries, or lose their natural prey base. Under such conditions, they may turn to easier prey, including humans.

Experts cited in the report suggest that increasing proximity between humans and tiger habitats is a major reason for the rising number of attacks.

CSE notes that while tiger populations are increasing, the number of people living near forests is also rising. In the 20 states that have tiger populations, nearly 40% of tiger territory is shared with around 60 million people.

Many tiger reserves are now reaching saturation levels in terms of tiger population. As a result, tigers are moving outside protected areas into human settlements.

Experts believe that overcrowding, habitat loss, and increasing human activities near forests are contributing to behavioural changes among tigers.

Are We Measuring Air Pollution Properly?

The report also raises concerns about gaps in India’s air pollution monitoring system.

According to CSE’s analysis, only about 15% of India’s population — approximately 200 million people — live within 10 kilometres of a continuous air quality monitoring station. The remaining 85% of the population, more than 1.2 billion people, live outside the measurable range of these monitors.

Air quality monitoring infrastructure is concentrated mainly in large cities, state capitals, and metropolitan areas. Many districts, industrial zones, and rapidly growing peri-urban areas remain outside the monitoring network.

This creates a fragmented picture of air pollution in India: a few areas have dense data coverage, while vast regions have almost no monitoring data.

The report points out that this absence of data represents structural inequality in environmental governance. Many smaller towns may experience pollution levels similar to or even higher than large cities due to industrial and transport activities, yet they lack real-time air quality data.

Questions

1. What is the main theme of the passage?

A. Wildlife conservation policies
B. Increasing impact of climate change on human and environmental systems
C. Economic consequences of industrial growth
D. Agricultural reforms in developing countries

Answer: B

Explanation:
The passage consistently discusses climate change and its effects on agriculture, wildlife, infrastructure, and society. Therefore, the central theme is the growing impact of climate change on both humans and the environment.

2. According to the passage, extreme weather events were earlier considered:

A. Completely unknown
B. Frequent occurrences
C. Rare phenomena
D. Impossible events

Answer: C

Explanation:
The passage states that floods, droughts, and heatwaves were once considered rare, but are now becoming common due to climate change. Hence, option C is correct.

3. The author suggests that climate action should include:

A. Only reducing greenhouse gas emissions
B. Ignoring environmental conservation
C. Both mitigation and adaptation strategies
D. Focusing solely on urban development

Answer: C

Explanation:
The passage clearly states that environmental researchers emphasise the need for both mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (strengthening resilience). Hence, option C is correct.

4. Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?

A. Informative and analytical
B. Humorous and light-hearted
C. Critical and sarcastic
D. Emotional and dramatic

Answer: A

Explanation:
The passage presents facts and analysis about climate change in a neutral and informative manner. Therefore, the tone is informative and analytical.

5. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Climate change only affects wildlife habitats.
B. Climate change is a temporary environmental issue.
C. Climate change impacts only developed countries.
D. Climate change has wide-ranging effects on ecosystems and human societies.

Answer: D

Explanation:
The passage explains that climate change affects agriculture, water resources, wildlife, infrastructure, and livelihoods. This shows that its impacts are widespread across ecosystems and human societies, making option D correct.