2014 Archives

81. If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stal

If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

1. Painted Stork
2. Common Myna
3. Black-necked Crane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2

2 only

2 and 3

3 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The behaviour of stalking alongside cattle to catch insects disturbed by their movement is characteristic of the Common Myna.

Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis) are frequently observed foraging for insects in grasslands, often following grazing animals like cattle, sheep, or even lawnmowers, taking advantage of insects stirred up from the vegetation. This is a form of commensalism, where the bird benefits, and the cattle are largely unaffected.

Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala) are wading birds that feed primarily on fish and other aquatic prey in wetlands. Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) are large birds that feed on roots, tubers, insects, and small vertebrates, often foraging in wetlands or agricultural fields, but are not typically known for actively following cattle for insects in the same way as mynas.

82. Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on

Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

1. Volcanic action
2. Respiration
3. Photosynthesis
4. Decay of organic matter

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3 only

2 only

1, 2 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Volcanic action, respiration, and decay of organic matter all release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus adding to the carbon cycle.

Volcanic eruptions release gases, including CO2, from the Earth’s interior. Respiration is the process by which living organisms convert organic matter into energy, releasing CO2 as a byproduct. Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing CO2 through respiration and decomposition processes. Photosynthesis, however, is the process by which plants and other organisms use sunlight, water, and CO2 to create energy-rich organic molecules, thus *removing* CO2 from the atmosphere.

The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, leading to concerns about climate change.

83. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

The Committee on Public Accounts

The Committee on Estimates

The Committee on Public Undertakings

The Committee on Petitions

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Among the listed committees of the Indian Parliament, the Committee on Estimates is the largest.

The Committee on Estimates consists of 30 members, all of whom are from the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee on Public Undertakings each consist of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). The Committee on Petitions has a varying number of members, typically smaller than the others listed.

The Estimates Committee scrutinizes the estimates included in the budget presented to Parliament and suggests economies in public expenditure. It is considered one of the three financial committees of Parliament, along with the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings.

84. Consider the following : 1. Bats 2. Bears 3. Rodents The phe

Consider the following :

1. Bats
2. Bears
3. Rodents

The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

1 and 2 only

2 only

1, 2 and 3

Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in endotherms. It is observed in various animal groups, including mammals like bats, bears, and many rodents.

Bats enter deep hibernation. Many rodents, such as groundhogs, ground squirrels, and hamsters, are well-known hibernators. While the hibernation of bears is sometimes debated in terms of its physiological depth compared to smaller mammals, they do enter a state of reduced metabolic activity, body temperature, and heart rate for extended periods during winter.

True hibernation involves a significant drop in body temperature (close to ambient), drastic slowing of metabolic rate, and infrequent arousals. Some animals, like bears, enter a less profound state sometimes called ‘winter sleep’ or torpor, where the body temperature drop is less severe and arousals might be more frequent, but it still serves the purpose of conserving energy during periods of food scarcity and cold.

85. Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like m

Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?

1. They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment.
2. They are able to accumulate in humans and animals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The concern about brominated flame retardants (BFRs) stems from their environmental persistence and their ability to bioaccumulate in living organisms, including humans and animals.

Brominated flame retardants are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) or candidates for this classification. POPs are chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or the environment.

Some BFRs, such as certain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been phased out or restricted in many countries due to concerns about their toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation potential. Exposure to BFRs has been linked to potential adverse health effects, including effects on the endocrine system, neurological development, and reproductive health.

86. The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to

The Radcliffe Committee was appointed to

solve the problem of minorities in India

give effect to the Independence Bill

delimit the boundaries between India and Pakistan

enquire into the riots in East Bengal

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is C.

The Radcliffe Committee, formally known as the Boundary Commission, was appointed in 1947 under the chairmanship of Sir Cyril Radcliffe. Its primary task was to demarcate the boundaries between India and Pakistan following the partition, based on the principle of contiguous majority areas of Muslims and non-Muslims. Options A, B, and D describe other aspects or consequences of the partition period, but not the specific purpose for which the Radcliffe Committee was appointed.

Sir Cyril Radcliffe was a British lawyer and was given only a few weeks to complete the complex and contentious task of drawing the boundary lines, leading to significant controversy and tragic consequences during and after partition.

87. Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in

Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 3 and 4 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is C.

Apart from poaching, several human-induced factors contribute to the decline of Ganges River Dolphins. Construction of dams and barrages (1) fragments their habitat, isolates populations, and reduces water flow and prey availability. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally (bycatch) (3) is a major cause of mortality. Pollution from agricultural runoff containing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides (4), as well as industrial and municipal waste, degrades water quality and affects dolphin health and their food chain. An increase in the population of crocodiles (2) is not considered a primary driver for the overall decline of the dolphin population, although predation might occur. Therefore, statements 1, 3, and 4 represent significant reasons for the decline.

The Ganges River Dolphin is an endangered species and is India’s National Aquatic Animal. Conservation efforts focus on reducing these threats and protecting their habitat.

88. Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution o

Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?

1. Continental drift
2. Glacial cycles

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is C.

Both Continental drift (1) and Glacial cycles (2) are major geological and climatic phenomena that have profoundly influenced the evolution of organisms. Continental drift alters the distribution of landmasses and oceans, creating or removing physical barriers, changing climate patterns, and leading to the isolation or mixing of populations, which drives speciation and extinction. Glacial cycles cause significant changes in climate, sea levels, and habitats, leading to species migrations, adaptations, extinctions, and the formation of new species through the creation of refugia and altered selective pressures.

The theory of plate tectonics explains continental drift and is a cornerstone of modern geology. Glacial cycles have occurred repeatedly throughout Earth’s history, most notably during the Pleistocene epoch (the ‘Ice Age’).

90. With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the

With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements :

1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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The correct answer is B.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The first summit of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. Rio de Janeiro hosted the fourth BRICS summit in 2012. Statement 2 is correct in the context of the original BRICS grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). South Africa was invited to join in December 2010 and formally became a member on April 14, 2011, attending its first summit in Sanya, China, in 2011. Thus, South Africa was the last to join the BRIC grouping to form BRICS-5.

The term “BRIC” was coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001. The group’s first formal meeting was in 2006. As of January 1, 2024, BRICS expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, the question likely refers to the grouping as it existed before this expansion.