Human life on Venus — Assertion–Reason UPSC Prelims PYQ 2005

Consider the following statements:

1. Assertion (A): Existence of human life on Venus is highly improbable.
2. Reason (R): Venus has an extremely high concentration of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. Both (A) and (R) are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both (A) and (R) are individually true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false, but R is true.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Venus possesses a dense atmosphere composed predominantly of carbon dioxide. This results in a runaway greenhouse effect, raising surface temperatures to about 465°C. Combined with crushing atmospheric pressure and sulfuric acid clouds, these conditions make the planet extremely inhospitable for human life. Thus, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.

Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A