Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Economically rich societies of western developed world produce much larger quantities of solid waste substances.
Reason (R): There is inverse relationship between the amount of solid wastes produced and richness.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

High GDP = High Consumption = High Waste. This is a positive correlation, not an inverse one.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The generation of solid waste is closely linked to patterns of consumption, industrialization, and disposable income within a society.

Step 1: Analyzing Waste Generation in Rich Societies (A).
Data from global environmental agencies consistently show that high-income, developed nations (like those in North America and Western Europe) have higher per capita waste generation. This is due to a "throw-away culture," extensive packaging, high consumption of manufactured goods, and high levels of food waste. Therefore, Assertion (A) is correct.

Step 2: Analyzing the Relationship (R).
An "inverse relationship" means that as one variable (richness) increases, the other variable (waste) decreases. In reality, the relationship is direct or positive. As a society becomes richer, its consumption levels rise, which directly leads to an increase in the volume of solid waste produced.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Since richness and waste production move in the same direction, the statement in Reason (R) claiming an inverse relationship is factually incorrect. This makes Assertion (A) true and Reason (R) false.