With reference to the passage consider the following statements 1 Scientists are now realising that ...........

English ( Master) Reading Comprehension (C)

Read the passage below and answer the following questions

Today, as much as 70% of medicines are derived from natural products. Around 20,000 plant species are believed to be used for medicinal purposes. In India too, 95% of the prescriptions are plant based in the traditional systems of Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha. India has 47,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants representing 12% of the world's flora. Research needs to be promoted in finding the medicinal value of this biodiversity wealth. I was reading about Taxusbaccata, a sub Himalayan tree which was once believed to be of no value. Recent research has proven it to be an effective medicine against certain type of cancers. Similarly in April when I met the cancer research team from the Brown Cancer Research Centre of Louisville, USA, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are researching on developing a low cost cervical cancer vaccine based on a protein from tobacco leaves. The traditional Indian Neem tree has been used as an antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory and even as an organic pesticide. In 2006, when I visited Chitrakoot PURA in Madhya Pradesh, I saw a herbal garden with 400 Ayurvedic herbs at their health centre called "Arogyadham". This Herbal garden is vertically integrated with Ayurvedic pharmacy laboratory called "Rasshala". These medicines are standardized and sold in the external market and at the same time the local people are also trained in the usage of these medicines.

With reference to the passage, consider the following statements:

1.Scientists are now realising that previously “untouchable” ailments can be cured with the help of plants

2.Traditional medicine has long understood the importance of plants and depends heavily on them for their treatments

3.Contrary to popular belief, there are some plants that do not have any medicinal properties

4.With increasing pressure on farmers to increase their supply of food grains for India’s growing population, lesser areas are being devoted to the growth of medicinal plants

5.More than half of all medical formulations are dependent on natural resources

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1, 2 and 5 only

2, 3 and 5 only

1, 2 and 3 only

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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Explanation:

The passage clearly states that as much as 70% of medicines are derived from natural products. Thus, statement (5) is correct. Hence, option (c) can be eliminated. The passage is completely silent on farmers and the distribution of land between medicinal plants and food crops. Thus, statement (4) is incorrect. Hence, option (d) can be eliminated.

The passage also gives an example of how the TaxusBaccata tree is proving to be useful against certain forms of cancer. Thus, statement (1) can also be considered correct. Though the passage does provide data about certain amount of plants being used for medicinal purposes, it does mention anywhere that some plants do not have any medicinal value. Therefore, statement (3) cannot be considered correct. Finally, the passage states in the traditional systems of Unani, Ayurveda and Siddha, 95% of the prescriptions are plant based. Therefore, statement (2) is also correct. Hence, statements 1, 2 and 5 are correct. Hence, the correct answer is option (a).