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UPSC Prelims 2014

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2014 · Q79Environment & EcologyClimate Change & Greenhouse Gasesmoderate

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’ : 1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO. 2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year. 3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

2014 · Q81Modern HistoryEarly Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885-1915)easy

The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

  1. (a)the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended
  2. (b)King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911
  3. (c)Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement
  4. (d)the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan
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Official answer(b) King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911

2014 · Q82Modern HistoryGandhian Mass Movements (1915-1942)moderate

The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement because the

  1. (a)attainment of Self-Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
  2. (b)attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress
  3. (c)Non-Cooperation Movement was launched
  4. (d)decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken
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Official answer(b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress

2014 · Q83Art & CultureClassical Dance Formsmoderate

With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements : 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama. 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam. 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

2014 · Q85Art & CultureSculpture & Iconographymoderate

With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs : Famous work of sculpture 1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below : Ajanta 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic waters, sculpted on rock : Mount Abu 3. “Arjuna’s Penance”/“Descent of Ganga” sculpted on the surface of huge boulders : Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

2014 · Q86Modern HistoryRevolutionary & Communist Movementseasy

The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a

  1. (a)revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco
  2. (b)nationalist organization operating from Singapore
  3. (c)militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
  4. (d)communist movement for India’s freedom with headquarters at Tashkent
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Official answer(a) revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco

2014 · Q87Art & CultureFestivals, Crafts & Folk Traditionseasy

With reference to India’s culture and tradition, what is ‘Kalaripayattu’?

  1. (a)It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still prevalent in some parts of South India
  2. (b)It is an ancient style bronze and brasswork still found in southern part of Coromandel area
  3. (c)It is an ancient form of dance-drama and a living tradition in the northern part of Malabar
  4. (d)It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India
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Official answer(d) It is an ancient martial art and a living tradition in some parts of South India

2014 · Q93Medieval HistoryMughal Empireeasy

Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was

  1. (a)the mosque for the use of Royal Family
  2. (b)Akbar’s private prayer chamber
  3. (c)the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions
  4. (d)the room in which the nobles belonging to different religions gathered to discuss religious affairs
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Official answer(c) the hall in which Akbar held discussions with scholars of various religions

2014 · Q94Indian EconomyAgriculture & Rural Developmentmoderate

In the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation? 1. There is no National Seeds Policy in place. 2. There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. 3. There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 2
  2. (b)3 only
  3. (c)2 and 3
  4. (d)None
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Official answer(b) 3 only

2014 · Q95Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationmoderate

With reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  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

2014 · Q98Science & TechnologyMaterials & Engineeringmoderate

There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? 1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil. 2. They can enter the food chains. 3. They can trigger the production of free radicals. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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