Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) Previous Years Questions and Answers

1 .

In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned?

A)

Extraction of rare earth elements

B)

Natural gas extraction technologies

C)

Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles

D)

Waste-to-energy technologies

Correct Answer : Waste-to-energy technologies

Note : Like incineration; pyrolysis, gasification and plasma technologies are thermal processes that use high temperatures to break down waste. These technologies are sometimes are known as Advanced Thermal Technologies or Alternative Conversion Technologies. They typically rely on carbon-based waste such as paper, petroleum-based wastes like plastics, and organic materials such as food scraps.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

2 .

Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

A)

Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

B)

Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park

C)

Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park

D)

Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar- Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Correct Answer : Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

Note : Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is a unique genetic reservoir of cultivated plants, in particular cardamom, jamune, nutmeg, pepper and plantain. Three wildlife sanctuaries, Shendurney, Peppara and Neyyar, are located in the site, as well as the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

3 .

Consider the following statements :

1. Some species of turtles are herbivores.

2. Some species offish are herbivores.

3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.

4. Some species of snakes are viviparous.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A)

1 and 3 only

B)

2, 3 and 4 only

C)

2 and 4 only

D)

1, 2, 3 and 4

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

Note :

1. Adult sea turtles are referred to as herbivores although as hatchlings they are omnivores. Their diet consists primarily of algae, seagrasses, and seaweed.

2. Herbivorous fishes are fishes that eat plant material. Surgeonfish and parrotfish are two familiar examples, often seen browsing and scraping on reef algae.

3. Invertebrates, animals without backbones, make up 97 percent of all species alive today, or 25 of the 26 phyla into which the animal kingdom is divided. The majority are carnivores and omnivores, but a relatively small number are herbivores, such as some sea snails -- the black-footed paua, top shell snails, limpets, turban shells, abalones and conch -- sea hares and sea cucumbers who graze on algae, seaweed and other plants.

4. While the majority of snakes lay their eggs in a nest, some of them actually retain the eggs inside of their bodies until they're ready to hatch. Snakes that lay their eggs outside of their bodies are known as oviparous. Those that retain them are called ovoviviparous. Ovoviviparous snakes appear to give birth to live young, but they actually don't -- although there are those who do, known as viviparous snakes.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

4 .

Consider the following pairs :

Wildlife		Naturally found in
Blue-finned Mahseer	:	Cauvery River
Irrawaddy Dolphin	:	Chambal River
Rusty-spotted Cat	:	Eastern Ghats

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A)

1 and 2 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

1 and 3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 1 and 3 only

Note : Irrawaddy dolphins are quite shy, and all that can be seen of them most of the time is a dorsal fin or a tail fluke. The species gets its common name from the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar, where it also lives, it was first described in 1866 from a specimen found in the Vishakapatnam harbour in present day Andhra Pradesh on India‘s east coast. In Chilika they can be seen singly, in pairs or as small groups of 4-6 individuals. Thus, it is not observed in Chambal river.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

5 .

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

A)

The are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.

B)

They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.

C)

They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.

D)

They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

Correct Answer : The are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.

Note :

Microbeads are small, solid, manufactured plastic particles that are less than 5mm and don‘t degrade or dissolve in water. They may be added to a range of products, including rinse-off cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products. Microbeads are used as ingredients in these products for a variety of purposes. This includes as an abrasive or exfoliant, a bulking agent, for controlled timed release of active ingredients, and to prolong shelf life. They are also a relatively cheap ingredient.

Microbeads are not captured by most wastewater treatment systems. If they are washed down drains after use, they can end up in rivers, lakes and oceans. Once in the water, microbeads can have a damaging effect on marine life, the environment and human health. This is due to their composition, ability to adsorb toxins and potential to transfer up the marine food chain. These tiny plastics persist in the environment as they are almost impossible to remove. The best way to reduce their impact is to prevent them from entering the environment.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

6 .

Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

A)

anti-malarial drug

B)

biodiesel

C)

pulp for paper industry

D)

textile fibre

Correct Answer : textile fibre

Note : In many parts of the world, natural resources are the only source of livelihood opportunities available to people. Recently, Girardinia diversifolia (Himalayan nettle), a fibre-yielding plant, has become an important livelihood option for people living in the remote mountainous villages of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. There is a community in Khar, a hamlet in Darchula district in far-western Nepal, which produces fabrics from Himalayan nettle. The fabric and the things made from it are sold in local as well as national and international markets as high-end products.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

7 .

For the measurement/estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used?

1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location

2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location

3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A)

1 only

B)

2 and 3 only

C)

3 only

D)

1, 2 and 3

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

Note :

The visible/near infrared reflectance properties of leaves from several Eucalyptus species were studied to determine appropriate indices for remote sensing of chlorophyll content.

Remote sensing is used in measuring greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies and land surface temperature also at some specific locations. Indian scientists study high resolution maps generated by satellite imagery of cloud-prone rice paddy cultivation regions.

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

8 .

Consider the following States :

1. Chhattisgarh

2. Madhya Pradesh

3. Maharashtra

4. Odisha

With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?

A)

2-3-1-4

B)

2-3-4-1

C)

3-2-4-1

D)

3-2-1-4

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 3-2-4-1

Note :

Maharastra -- 16.74 %

Madhya Pradesh – 25.11 %

Odisha-- 32.98 %

Chhattisgarh – 41.09 %

Year : 2019

Category : Geography

9 .

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

10 .

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