Prelims 2026 · CSAT / Reading Comprehension · Question 27
Which of the following reflect the intent of the writer in the above passage?<br/>1. To evolve methodologies for objective analysis of the two viruses<br/>2. To establish the epidemiological similarities and differences between the two viruses<br/>3. To offer a better understanding of the remedies of HMPV when analysed in conjunction with SARS-CoV-2<br/>Select the answer using the code given below.<br/><br/>**Passage:**<br/>When SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in 2019, it was a truly novel virus for the world. At that time, no one in the world had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or had specific immunity against it. In contrast, people across the world have been exposed to HMPV for decades and the virus is well-studied. HMPV and SARS-CoV-2 belong to two very different virus families with fundamentally different characteristics and epidemiology, with strong seasonality seen in HMPV, unlike SARS-CoV-2. Both viruses cause different severity of symptoms, particularly over the long term, and the affected population segments do not fully overlap. In general, HMPV causes milder illness with deaths being very rare and with no long-term post-viral symptoms.<br/>
Answer
None of the above
The passage mainly seeks to distinguish HMPV from SARS-CoV-2 by showing that HMPV is older, well-studied, seasonal, generally milder, and unlike COVID-19 in long-term impact. It does not discuss analytical methodologies (1) or remedies/treatment of HMPV (3). Statement 2 is only partly close, but the passage does not really set out similarities and differences in a balanced sense; it is chiefly emphasizing differences. Hence, none of the statements correctly captures the writer’s intent.