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UPSC Prelims 2010

150 questions, in the order they were asked.

2010 · Q1GeographyBiogeography & Natural Vegetationmoderate

A geographic area with an altitude of 400 metres has following characteristics: Month J F M A M J J A S O N D Average maximum temp. °C 31 31 31 31 30 30 29 28 29 30 31 Average minimum temp. °C 21 21 21 21 21 20 20 20 20 20 20 Rainfall (mm) 51 85 188 158 139 121 134 168 185 221 198 86 If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which one of the following would it most likely be?

  1. (a)Moist temperate coniferous forest
  2. (b)Montane subtropical forest
  3. (c)Temperate forest
  4. (d)Tropical rain forest
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Official answer(d) Tropical rain forest

2010 · Q2Science & TechnologyPhysicseasy

If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because

  1. (a)Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulose
  2. (b)Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwaves
  3. (c)Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water
  4. (d)Potato is a fresh organic material whereas paper is a dead organic material
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Official answer(c) Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water

2010 · Q4Environment & EcologyEcosystems & Ecology Conceptsmoderate

A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean. 2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency. 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(b) 2 only

2010 · Q5Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticsmoderate

Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason

  1. (a)It is a genetically modified dwarf variety which is resistant to drought
  2. (b)It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
  3. (c)It is a genetically modified variety with ten times higher protein content than regular maize crop
  4. (d)It is a genetically modified variety used exclusively for bio-fuel production
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Official answer(b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant

2010 · Q8Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Geneticseasy

Genetically modified “golden rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice?

  1. (a)The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
  2. (b)Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
  3. (c)Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
  4. (d)Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D
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Official answer(b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body

2010 · Q11Science & TechnologyChemistryeasy

Chlorination is a process used for water purification. The disinfecting action of chlorine is mainly due to

  1. (a)The formation of hydrochloric acid when chlorine is added to water
  2. (b)The formation of hypochlorous acid when chlorine is added to water
  3. (c)The formation of nascent oxygen when chlorine is added to water
  4. (d)The formation of hydrogen when chlorine is added to water
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Official answer(b) The formation of hypochlorous acid when chlorine is added to water

2010 · Q12Indian PolityJudiciarymoderate

With reference to Lok Adalats, which of the following statements is correct ?

  1. (a)Lok Adalats have the jurisdiction to settle the matters at pre-litigative stage and not those matters pending before any court
  2. (b)Lok Adalats can deal with matters which are civil and not criminal in nature
  3. (c)Every Lok Adalat consists of either serving or retired judicial officers only and not any other person
  4. (d)None of the statements given above is correct
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Official answer(d) None of the statements given above is correct

2010 · Q14GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Usemoderate

Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statements : 1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical areas. 2. Coffee is propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only. 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

2010 · Q17Indian EconomyInternational Trade & WTOdifficult

In order to comply with TRIPS Agreement, India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. The difference/differences between a “Trade Mark” and a Geographical Indication is/are 1. A Trade Mark is an individual or a company’s right whereas a Geographical Indication is a community’s right. 2. A Trade Mark can be licensed whereas a Geographical Indication cannot be licensed. 3. A Trade Mark is assigned to the manufactured goods whereas the Geographical Indication is assigned to the agricultural goods/products and handicrafts only. 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

2010 · Q19Indian EconomyInflation & Price Indiceseasy

Which one of the following statements is an appropriate description of deflation ?

  1. (a)It is a sudden fall in the value of a currency against other currencies
  2. (b)It is a persistent recession in both the financial and real sectors of economy
  3. (c)It is a persistent fall in the general price level of goods and services
  4. (d)It is a fall in the rate of inflation over a period of time
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Official answer(c) It is a persistent fall in the general price level of goods and services

2010 · Q21Science & TechnologyHealth & Diseasesmoderate

Widespread resistance of malarial parasite to drugs like chloroquine has prompted attempts to develop a malarial vaccine to combat malaria. Why is it difficult to develop an effective malaria vaccine ?

  1. (a)Malaria is caused by several species of Plasmodium
  2. (b)Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection
  3. (c)Vaccines can be developed only against bacteria
  4. (d)Man is only an intermediate host and not the definitive host
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Official answer(b) Man does not develop immunity to malaria during natural infection