UPSC Prelims 2024

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 in respect of the above statements ?

1. (a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. (b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. (c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. (d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

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

1. (a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. (b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. (c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. (d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

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. (a)Only one
2. (b)Only two
3. (c)Only three
4. (d)All four

Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January ? 1. The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent. 2. The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north. Select the 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

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

1. (a)Algeria and Morocco
2. (b)Botswana and Namibia
3. (c)Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
4. (d)Madagascar and Mozambique

With reference to the Himalayan rivers joining the Ganga downstream of Prayagraj from West to East, which one of the following sequences is correct ?

1. (a)Ghaghara – Gomati – Gandak – Kosi
2. (b)Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak – Kosi
3. (c)Ghaghara – Gomati – Kosi – Gandak
4. (d)Gomati – Ghaghara – Kosi – Gandak

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

1. (a)Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I
2. (b)Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I
3. (c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement-I
4. (d)Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct

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. (a)Only one
2. (b)Only two
3. (c)Only three
4. (d)All four

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. (a)Only one
2. (b)Only two
3. (c)All three
4. (d)None

Consider the following information : Region | Name of the 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 In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?

1. (a)Only one
2. (b)Only two
3. (c)Only three
4. (d)All four

Consider the following airports : 1. Donyi Polo Airport 2. Kushinagar International Airport 3. Vijayawada International Airport In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects ?

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

With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude. 2. Its percentage is maximum at the poles. Select the 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

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

1. (a)Equatorial climate
2. (b)China type climate
3. (c)Humid subtropical climate
4. (d)Marine West coast climate

With reference to “Coriolis force”, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. It increases with increase in wind velocity. 2. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator. Select the 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

On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experience(s) a sunlight of 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. (a)1 only
2. (b)2 only
3. (c)3 and 4
4. (d)2 and 4

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 the possible destruction of which can exert detrimental effect on the global climate. Which one of the following denotes that region ?

1. (a)Amazon Basin
2. (b)Congo Basin
3. (c)Kikori Basin
4. (d)Rio de la Plata Basin

With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements : 1. PFAS are found to be widespread 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 animal bodies. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Consider the following : 1. Carabid beetles 2. Centipedes 3. Flies 4. Termites 5. Wasps Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms ?

1. (a)Only two
2. (b)Only three
3. (c)Only four
4. (d)All five

Consider the following plants : 1. Groundnut 2. Horse-gram 3. Soybean How many of the above belong to the pea family ?

1. (a)Only one
2. (b)Only two
3. (c)All three
4. (d)None

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. (a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. (b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. (c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. (d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

No answer is recorded for this question: cancelled by UPSC — marks awarded to all candidates

The organisms "Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater" are :

1. (a)Birds
2. (b)Fish
3. (c)Insects
4. (d)Reptiles

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Many chewing gums found in the market are considered a source of environmental pollution. Statement-II : Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

1. (a)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
2. (b)Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
3. (c)Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
4. (d)Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Consider the following pairs : Country : Animal found in its natural habitat 1. Brazil : Indri 2. Indonesia : Elk 3. Madagascar : Bonobo How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

1. (a)Only one
2. (b)Only two
3. (c)All three
4. (d)None

Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization : 1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations. 2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. 3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Consider the following statements : 1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season. 2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar. 3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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