Q.Study the picture given below carefully and answer the questions that follow : [Picture: a bicycle with the label “CHINA” marked on its frame; a symbol is drawn within each of the two wheels.]

When Mao Zedong died in 1976, China faced a profound economic crisis. Decades of rigid central planning, the chaos of the Cultural Revolution, and isolation from global markets had left the economy stagnant, agriculture inefficient, and living standards desperately low. The question was how to modernise without abandoning socialism entirely or triggering the kind of collapse that would later devastate the Soviet Union.

Deng Xiaoping, who emerged as China's paramount leader by 1978, chose a fundamentally different path from the Soviet model. Instead of abrupt, wholesale liberalisation—the "shock therapy" that Russia would attempt in the 1990s—China adopted a cautious, incremental strategy. The approach was encapsulated in Deng's famous metaphor: "crossing the river by feeling the stones." Reform would proceed step by step, testing each measure before moving to the next.

The core of this strategy was the gradual opening of the economy to private enterprise and market forces. China began in agriculture, dismantling collective farms and allowing peasant families to sell surplus produce in free markets. The results were immediate and dramatic: food production soared. Emboldened, the government then established Special Economic Zones in coastal areas like Shenzhen, where foreign investment was welcomed, private businesses could operate, and capitalist practices were permitted as experiments. Only after these proved successful did China extend similar reforms inland and to other sectors. …

Understanding the global economic landscape involves looking at the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of nations, which measures the total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders in a given year. This metric is a primary indicator of a country's economic size and influence on the world stage. The rankings of the largest economies often reflect long-standing industrial strength, technological advancement, and trade capabilities.

In 2017, the United States maintained its position as the world's largest economy, a testament to its vast domestic market, diverse industries, and innovation. Following closely, China had firmly established itself as the second largest economy, driven by rapid industrialization, massive population, and increasing global trade integration.

The third position in 2017 was occupied by Japan. Japan has historically been a global economic powerhouse, known for its highly advanced technology, robust manufacturing sector, and significant export capabilities, particularly in automobiles and electronics. Despite facing demographic challenges and periods of slow growth, its economic output remained substantial enough to secure the third spot globally.

Among the other options provided: …