Which of the following, if true, would most seriously challenge the generalisability of the author’s central claim across economies?

. The passage argues a system-level tendency. Option A introduces empirical counter-trends at scale, directly questioning whether the paradox holds universally. That attacks generalisability, not just mechanism. B, C, and D all support or reinforce the author’s logic.

The author’s reasoning would be most vulnerable if which of the following assumptions were invalid?

. This is subtle. The argument requires that increased usage offsets or exceeds efficiency gains. If consumption rises but not enough to outweigh efficiency, the paradox collapses. A and D strengthen the mechanism but are not strictly necessary. B is important, but even if agents respond, the paradox fails without sufficient magnitude, which is captured in C.

Which of the following scenarios most precisely mirrors the structural logic of the passage, rather than merely its surface example?

. The passage's flow is :- efficiency → lower cost or friction → increased demand → expansion of system scale. B captures the full chain. A is about cost-cutting, not demand expansion. C shows reduction, not rebound. D introduces external constraint, which actually breaks the paradox.

The author’s conclusion that “efficiency must be paired with limits” depends most critically on rejecting which of the following positions?

. The conclusion exists because the author rejects the belief that efficiency alone leads to sustainability. That is the central illusion being dismantled. B is not directly addressed. C is a policy preference, not the core rejected premise. D is broader and indirect, but the passage specifically targets the faith in efficiency as self-sufficient.

GRADFLIX — Essays for Curious Minds

RC Passages for CAT, GMAT, GRE, XAT & IPMAT

GRADFLIX is India's premier reading comprehension library for competitive exam aspirants. We publish curated long-form essays across philosophy, psychology, science, history, economics, and culture — each paired with exam-level RC questions modelled after CAT, GMAT, GRE, XAT, and IPMAT patterns.

One Essay, Four Questions, Every Day

We release a fresh essay every day — spanning topics from quantum mechanics and evolutionary biology to political philosophy and literary theory. Each essay comes with four carefully crafted multiple-choice questions that test inference, tone, vocabulary in context, and logical structure. The practice is designed to sharpen not just your score, but your thinking.

Why GRADFLIX?

Most aspirants practise RC with stale, low-quality passages. GRADFLIX changes that. Every essay on our platform is handpicked for intellectual depth, original argument, and linguistic richness — the same qualities the best entrance exams test. Think of us as a reading alternative to Aeon, Smithsonian, Harvard Business Review, Scientific American, and Medium, but purpose-built for exam takers.

Who Is GRADFLIX For?

GRADFLIX is built for CAT VARC aspirants who want to read better, not just practise more. It is equally valuable for GMAT Verbal, GRE Reading Comprehension, XAT Decision Making, and IPMAT English candidates. If you are a serious reader who also happens to be preparing for an exam, GRADFLIX is your home.

Start Reading Today

Browse our library of essays, attempt today's RC set, and track your progress over time. Join thousands of aspirants who read with purpose every day.

Home
Economics & Society
Macroeconomics
The Jevons Trap: The Hidden Cost of Doing Better

The Jevons Trap: The Hidden Cost of Doing Better

Efficiency can increase total consumption as lower costs drive higher demand, revealing why saving resources is harder than it seems.

A factory hums more softly after an upgrade. The new machines sip electricity and move with less friction. They promise thrift and control. The manager smiles at the meter and trusts the numbers. Yet beyond the factory walls, demand begins to gather. Orders rise and production expands. The quiet hum turns into a steady roar. What looked like efficiency starts to reveal a deeper pattern in which saving at one level drives growth at another. This pattern was first noticed…

RC Questions

Each essay includes four exam-level RC questions for CAT, GMAT, GRE, XAT and IPMAT.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously challenge the generalisability of the author’s central claim across economies?
The passage argues a system-level tendency. Option A introduces empirical counter-trends at scale, directly questioning whether the paradox holds universally. That attacks generalisability, not just mechanism. B, C, and D all support or reinforce the author’s logic.
The author’s reasoning would be most vulnerable if which of the following assumptions were invalid?
This is subtle. The argument requires that increased usage offsets or exceeds efficiency gains. If consumption rises but not enough to outweigh efficiency, the paradox collapses. A and D strengthen the mechanism but are not strictly necessary. B is important, but even if agents respond, the paradox fails without sufficient magnitude, which is captured in C.
Which of the following scenarios most precisely mirrors the structural logic of the passage, rather than merely its surface example?
The passage's flow is :- efficiency → lower cost or friction → increased demand → expansion of system scale. B captures the full chain. A is about cost-cutting, not demand expansion. C shows reduction, not rebound. D introduces external constraint, which actually breaks the paradox.
The author’s conclusion that “efficiency must be paired with limits” depends most critically on rejecting which of the following positions?
The conclusion exists because the author rejects the belief that efficiency alone leads to sustainability. That is the central illusion being dismantled. B is not directly addressed. C is a policy preference, not the core rejected premise. D is broader and indirect, but the passage specifically targets the faith in efficiency as self-sufficient.

More Economics & Society essays →

The Jevons Trap: The Hidden Cost of Doing Better