With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: I. No country needs to depend on ecosystems to boost national income. II. Resource-rich countries need to share their resources with those of scant resources so as to prevent the degradation of ecosystems. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

1. A. I only
2. B. II only
3. C. Both I and II
4. D. Neither I nor II

Answer: D

Explanation

Assumption I is invalid. The passage explicitly states that “commercial exploitation has the potential to boost national income,” particularly in developing countries. This directly contradicts the assumption that no country needs to depend on ecosystems for national income. Assumption II is invalid. The passage focuses on the internal conflicts and challenges within developing countries regarding the use and degradation of their own ecosystems. It does not discuss international resource sharing or global equity issues. This assumption introduces an external concept that is not addressed or implied by the text. This question tests the ability to identify valid assumptions strictly based on the provided text, avoiding external knowledge or broader policy implications not discussed by the author.