Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) Previous Year 2019 Questions and Answers

1 .

In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements:

1. The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.

2. H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.

3. Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.

4. H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

4 only

D)

1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 and 3 only

Note :

HCNG reduces emissions of Carbon Monoxide up to 70% but does not eliminate it. It enables up to 5 % savings in fuel. Thus statement 1 is incorrect.

The ratio of natural gas to Hydrogen in Hydrogen-CNG (H-CNG) is 80 percent natural gas and 20 percent hydrogen by volume. This has been determined to be the best ratio when all factors such as emissions reduction, cost, and storage capacity are considered.

With reduced part of CNG in H-CNG and improved mileage, reduces the emission of carbon dioxide and Hydrocarbon.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

2 .

What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?

A)

Recently discovered uranium deposits

B)

Tropical rain forests

C)

Underground cave systems

D)

Water reservoirs

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Water reservoirs

Note :

* All three are water reservoirs.

* Aliyar Dam is a charming location surrounded by Annamali Hills with wonderful natural views. It is located between Pollachi and Valparai.

* Isapur Dam is an earth field dam on Penganga river in the state of Maharashtra.

* Kangasabati Dam is the second largest earthen dam of India in the state of West Bengal.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

3 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.

2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.

3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

A)

1 and 3 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

2 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

Agricultural soils represent a very large, and growing, global source of nitrous oxide. Current estimates for annual emissions from this source range from 2 to about 4 million tonnes of nitrous oxide-N globally.

Across the globe, livestock spew 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases) released in the environment, and over half that comes specifically from cows, according to a United Nations report.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

4 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.

2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendations of Ramsar Convention.

3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 2 and 3 only

Note :

The Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Under the â€• three pillarsâ€– of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to work towards the wise use of all their wetlands; designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the â€• ‘Ramsar List’) and ensure their effective management; cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.

Thus, it doesn‘t talk about 'all' wetlands in the territory of a country.

The convention entered into force in India on 1 February 1982.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

5 .

In India, the use of carbofuran, methylparathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as

A)

pesticides in agriculture

B)

preservatives in processed foods

C)

fruit-ripening agents

D)

moisturising agents in cosmetics

Correct Answer : Option (A) - pesticides in agriculture

Note : These are used as pesticides in India and are used to control insects in a wide variety of field crops. These are systemic insecticides, which mean that the plant absorbs it through the roots, and from here the plant distributes it throughout its organs where insecticidal concentrations are attained. These are highly toxic for vertebrates, particularly to birds.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

6 .

Consider the following pairs:

S.No	Glacier	River
1	Bandarpunch	Yamuna
2	Bara Shigri	Chenab
3	Milam	Mandakini
4	Siachen	Nubra
5	Zemu	Manas

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A)

1, 2 and 4

B)

1, 3 and 4

C)

2 and 5

D)

3 and 5

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 1, 2 and 4

Note :

Mandakini River originates from Choribari glacier. Zemu Glacier is the largest glacier in the Eastern Himalaya. It is about 26 kilometres in length and is located at the base of Kangchenjunga in the Himalayan region of Sikkim.

The Manas River is a transboundary river in the Himalayan foothills between southern Bhutan and India. It is the largest river system of Bhutan.

Besides, Nubra and Yamuna originates from the respective glaciers i.e., Siachen and Bandarpunch.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

7 .

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

A)

China

B)

India

C)

Myanmar

D)

Vietnam

Correct Answer : Option (B) - India

Note : India became the largest rice exporter in 2015 and maintained the position since then in the specific years of 2016-17 and 2017-18. Hence, average is taken down on India as the largest exporter of rice in last 5 years.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

8 .

Consider the following pairs :

S.No	Sea Bordering	Country
1	Adriatic Sea	Albania
2	Black Sea	Croatia
3	Caspian Sea	Kazakhstan
4	Mediterranean Sea	Morocco
5	Red Sea	Syria

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A)

1, 2 and 4 only

B)

1, 3 and 4 only

C)

2 and 5 only

D)

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 1, 3 and 4 only

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

9 .

Consider the following:

1. Carbon monoxide

2. Methane

3. Ozone

4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2, 3 and 4 only

C)

1 and 4 only

D)

1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2, 3 and 4

Note :

Burning biomass emits large amounts of pollutants, just like burning other solid fuels such as coal. Burning organic material emits particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), lead, mercury, and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

10 .

Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of 'methane hydrate?

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.

2. Large deposits of 'methane hydrate' are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor.

3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

1 and 3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 1, 2 and 3

Note :

Methane hydrates can only form under very specific physical, chemical and geological conditions. High water pressures and low temperatures provide the best conditions. Methane Hydrate deposits may be several hundred meters thick and generally occur in two types of settings: under Arctic permafrost, and beneath the ocean floor. Global Warming led to the increase in the temperature which consequently destabilize the methane hydrates and thus release of methane.

Methane is relatively short-lived in the atmosphere; a molecule of methane is oxidized to water and carbon dioxide within a decade or so, mainly by reaction with another trace gas, the hydroxyl radical OH-.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography