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UPSC Prelims 2011

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2011 · Q76Environment & EcologyWater & Wetland Conservationeasy

The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

  1. (a)The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out
  2. (b)The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster
  3. (c)The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami
  4. (d)The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots
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Official answer(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots

2011 · Q79Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Conservationmoderate

The "Red Data Books" published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) contain lists of 1. Endemic plant and animal species present in the biodiversity hotspots. 2. Threatened plant and animal species. 3. Protected sites for conservation of nature and natural resources in various countries. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. (a)1 and 3
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)2 and 3
  4. (d)3 only
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Official answer(b) 2 only

2011 · Q80Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

Why is the offering of "teaser loans" by commercial banks a cause of economic concern? 1. The teaser loans are considered to be an aspect of sub-prime lending and banks may be exposed to the risk of defaulters in future. 2. In India, the teaser loans are mostly given to inexperienced entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing or export units. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(a) 1 only

2011 · Q85Indian EconomyFiscal Policy & Budgetmoderate

Why is the Government of India disinvesting its equity in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs)? 1. The Government intends to use the revenue earned from the disinvestment mainly to pay back the external debt. 2. The Government no longer intends to retain the management control of the CPSEs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2011 · Q86Science & TechnologySpace Technology & Astronomymoderate

What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)1 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
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Official answer(b) 1 and 3 only

2011 · Q91Science & TechnologyHealth & Diseaseseasy

Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?

  1. (a)They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency
  2. (b)They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy
  3. (c)They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism
  4. (d)They activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process
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Official answer(c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism

2011 · Q97GeographyIndian Physical Geographydifficult

The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a "U" turn in its course to flow into India. This "U" turn is due to

  1. (a)uplift of folded Himalayan series
  2. (b)syntaxis bending of geologically young Himalayas
  3. (c)geo-tectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains
  4. (d)Both (a) and (b) above
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Official answer(b) syntaxis bending of geologically young Himalayas

2011 · Q99Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologyeasy

What is "Virtual Private Network"?

  1. (a)It is a private computer network of an organization where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization.
  2. (b)It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization's network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted.
  3. (c)It is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider.
  4. (d)None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network.
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Official answer(b) It is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization's network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted.

2011 · Q100Ancient HistoryVedic Periodmoderate

The "dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one's duties to oneself and to others. 2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2