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Latest UPSC PYQ with Answers

221–240 of 320
  1. Q221 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.
    Statement-II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long-wave radiation.
    Which one of the following is correct?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
    4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.✓
    Answer explanation

    Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct. The atmosphere is heated primarily by terrestrial radiation emitted by Earth's surface, rather than directly by incoming solar radiation.…

    Atmospheric heatingClimatologyGeography
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  2. Q222 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to the poles.
    Statement-II: At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.
    Which one of the following is correct?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.✓
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
    4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I. The troposphere is considerably thicker at the equator than at the poles.…

    Atmospheric layersClimatologyGeography
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  3. Q223 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following:
    1. Pyroclastic debris
    2. Ash and dust
    3. Nitrogen compounds
    4. Sulphur compounds
    How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. Only three
    4. All four✓
    Answer explanation

    All four Volcanic eruptions produce pyroclastic debris, ash and dust, along with gases and chemical compounds. Volcanic emissions can include sulphur compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds.…

    GeographyPyroclasts and volcanic gasesVolcanic materials
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  4. Q224 2024 Prelims GS

    Which of the following are correct inferences from isothermal maps in January?
    1. Isotherms deviate northward over the ocean and southward over the continent.
    2. Cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift, make the North Atlantic colder and bend isotherms northward.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    1. 1 only✓
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer explanation

    1 only In January, the Northern Hemisphere continents cool more rapidly than oceans. Consequently, isotherms generally bend equatorward over continents and poleward over oceans, making Statement 1 correct.…

    ClimatologyGeographyIsotherms
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  5. Q225 2024 Prelims GS

    Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world?

    1. Algeria and Morocco
    2. Botswana and Namibia
    3. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana✓
    4. Madagascar and Mozambique
    Answer explanation

    Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, both located in West Africa, are the world's leading cocoa-producing countries. Their tropical climates and suitable growing conditions support extensive cocoa cultivation.

    Agricultural commoditiesCocoa productionEconomic geography
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  6. Q226 2024 Prelims GS

    With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from west to east, which sequence is correct?

    1. Ghaghara – Gomati – Gandak – Kosi
    2. Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – Kosi✓
    3. Ghaghara – Gomati – Kosi – Gandak
    4. Gomati – Ghaghara – Kosi – Gandak
    Answer explanation

    Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – Kosi Moving downstream along the Ganga from west to east, the relevant tributaries join in the sequence Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak and Kosi. This is the correct geographical order of their confluences.

    Ganga tributariesGeographyIndian geography
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  7. Q227 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: Rainfall is one of the reasons for weathering of rocks.
    Statement-II: Rainwater contains carbon dioxide in solution.
    Statement-III: Rainwater contains atmospheric oxygen.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both explain Statement-I.✓
    2. Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I.
    3. Only one of Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement-I.
    4. Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct.
    Answer explanation

    Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both explain Statement-I. Rainwater contains dissolved carbon dioxide, which forms weak carbonic acid and promotes chemical weathering of rocks.…

    Chemical weatheringGeographyGeomorphology
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  8. Q228 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following countries:
    1. Finland
    2. Germany
    3. Norway
    4. Russia
    How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two✓
    3. Only three
    4. All four
    Answer explanation

    Only two Germany and Norway have coastlines along the North Sea. Finland borders the Baltic Sea, while Russia does not have a North Sea coastline. Therefore, only two of the listed countries border the North Sea.

    European geographyGeographyNorth sea littoral countries
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  9. Q229 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following information:
    Waterfall — Region — River
    1. Dhuandhar — Malwa — Narmada
    2. Hundru — Chota Nagpur — Subarnarekha
    3. Gersoppa — Western Ghats — Netravati
    In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

    1. Only one✓
    2. Only two
    3. All three
    4. None
    Answer explanation

    Only one Hundru Falls is located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau and is formed by the Subarnarekha River, making row 2 correct. Dhuandhar Falls is on the Narmada near Jabalpur, not in the Malwa region.…

    GeographyIndian geographyWaterfall-river locations
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  10. Q230 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following information:
    Region — Name of mountain range — Type of mountain
    1. Central Asia — Vosges — Fold mountain
    2. Europe — Alps — Block mountain
    3. North America — Appalachians — Fold mountain
    4. South America — Andes — Fold mountain
    How many of the above rows are correctly matched?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two✓
    3. Only three
    4. All four
    Answer explanation

    Only two The Appalachians in North America and the Andes in South America are fold mountain systems, so rows 3 and 4 are correct.…

    GeographyMountain classificationMountain systems
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  11. Q231 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following airports:
    1. Donyi Polo Airport
    2. Kushinagar International Airport
    3. Vijayawada International Airport
    Which of the above were constructed as Greenfield projects?

    1. 1 and 2 only✓
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Answer explanation

    1 and 2 only Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi in Arunachal Pradesh and Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh were developed as Greenfield airport projects.…

    Airport infrastructureGeographyGreenfield airports
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  12. Q232 2024 Prelims GS

    With reference to water vapour, which of the following statements are correct?
    1. It is a gas whose amount decreases with altitude.
    2. Its percentage is maximum at the poles.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    1. 1 only✓
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer explanation

    1 only Water vapour is concentrated mainly in the lower atmosphere, and its amount generally decreases with altitude. Its concentration is usually highest in warm, humid tropical regions and lowest in cold polar regions.…

    Atmospheric moistureClimatologyGeography
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  13. Q233 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following description:
    1. Annual and daily ranges of temperatures are low.
    2. Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
    3. Precipitation varies between 50 cm and 250 cm.
    What type of climate is described?

    1. Equatorial climate
    2. China-type climate
    3. Humid subtropical climate
    4. Marine West Coast climate✓
    Answer explanation

    Marine West Coast climate The Marine West Coast climate is strongly influenced by the ocean, which moderates both daily and annual temperature ranges.…

    ClimatologyGeographyMarine west coast climate
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  14. Q234 2024 Prelims GS

    With reference to the Coriolis force, which of the following statements are correct?
    1. It increases with increase in wind velocity.
    2. It is maximum at the poles and absent at the equator.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2✓
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer explanation

    Both 1 and 2 The Coriolis force is proportional to the velocity of the moving object and the sine of the latitude. It increases with wind velocity, is zero at the equator, and reaches its maximum at the poles.…

    Atmospheric circulationClimatologyCoriolis force
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  15. Q235 2024 Prelims GS

    On June 21 every year, which of the following latitudes experience sunlight for more than 12 hours?
    1. Equator
    2. Tropic of Cancer
    3. Tropic of Capricorn
    4. Arctic Circle
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 3 and 4
    4. 2 and 4✓
    Answer explanation

    2 and 4 Around June 21, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. The Tropic of Cancer experiences its longest daylight period of the year, exceeding 12 hours.…

    ClimatologyEarth-sun relationshipGeography
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  16. Q236 2024 Prelims GS

    One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years' worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels, and whose destruction can contribute to global climate change. Which one of the following denotes that region?

    1. Amazon Basin
    2. Congo Basin✓
    3. Kikori Basin
    4. Rio de la Plata Basin
    Answer explanation

    Congo Basin The Cuvette Centrale peatlands in the Congo Basin form the world's largest known tropical peatland complex. These peatlands store enormous quantities of carbon.…

    BiogeographyCongo basin peatlandsGeography
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  17. Q237 2024 Prelims GS

    With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), consider the following statements:
    1. PFAS are found in drinking water, food and food-packaging materials.
    2. PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.
    3. Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animals.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3✓
    Answer explanation

    1, 2 and 3 PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals used in various industrial and consumer applications. They have been detected in drinking water, food and food-contact materials.…

    EnvironmentEnvironmental pollutionPersistent chemicals
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  20. Q240 2024 Prelims GS

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the 'vermin' category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
    Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
    2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
    3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
    4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.
    Answer explanation

    Question withdrawn by UPSC The Indian Flying Fox is a fruit-eating bat, not a blood-feeding animal. UPSC withdrew this question from evaluation. Accordingly, no operative correct option is assigned here.

    EnvironmentIndian flying foxWildlife conservation
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