UPSC Prelims 2011 MCQs

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Biodiversity forms the basis for human existence in which of the following ways: (1) soil formation; (2) prevention of soil erosion; (3) recycling of waste; (4) pollination of crops?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] 'Oil zapper', which was recently in the news, refers to what?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp: (1) a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor to produce light while an LED uses a semi-conductor material; (2) a CFL has a much longer average lifespan than an LED lamp; (3) a CFL is less energy-efficient than an LED lamp?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] A new optical disc format called the Blu-ray disc (BD) differs from a traditional DVD in that: (1) DVD supports standard-definition video while BD supports high-definition video; (2) compared to a DVD, the BD format has several times more storage capacity; (3) the thickness of a BD is 2.4 mm while a DVD is 1.2 mm?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] With reference to the Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well known for what?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] With reference to the period of the Indian freedom struggle, which of the following was/were recommended by the Nehru Report: (1) complete independence for India; (2) joint electorates for reservation of seats for minorities; (3) provision of fundamental rights for the people of India in the constitution?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Which state has the most suitable climatic conditions to cultivate a wide variety of orchids at minimum cost and develop an export-oriented orchid industry?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Which one of the following is NOT a site for in-situ conservation of flora?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] What is the difference between a 'vote-on-account' and an interim budget: (1) a vote-on-account is used by a regular government while an interim budget is used by a caretaker government; (2) a vote-on-account deals only with government expenditure while an interim budget covers both expenditure and receipts?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. Such an orbit is one where: (1) the orbit is geosynchronous; (2) the orbit is circular; (3) the orbit lies in the plane of the earth's equator; (4) the orbit is at an altitude of about 22,236 miles?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] In terms of economics, the visit by foreign nationals to witness the Commonwealth Games in India amounted to which of the following?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Which one of the following statements appropriately describes 'fiscal stimulus'?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] The formation of the ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Two rivers - one with its source in Jharkhand (known by a different name in Odisha) and another with its source in Odisha - merge just short of the Bay of Bengal coast at an important wildlife and biodiversity protected area. Which one is this?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] India is regarded as a country with a 'demographic dividend'. This is due to what?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] The USA decided to support India's membership of the multilateral export control regimes called the 'Australia Group' and the 'Wassenaar Arrangement'. Regarding the difference between them: (1) the Australia Group aims to check chemical/biological weapons proliferation and is informal, while the Wassenaar Arrangement is a formal OECD group with identical objectives; (2) the Australia Group comprises mainly Asian, African and North American countries, while Wassenaar members are mainly from the EU and the Americas. Which is/are correct?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] A sandy and saline area is the natural habitat of an Indian animal species that has no predators there, but whose existence is threatened due to habitat destruction. Which animal is this?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] La Nina, suspected of causing floods in Australia, differs from El Nino how: (1) La Nina features unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific while El Nino features unusually warm temperatures there; (2) El Nino adversely affects India's south-west monsoon while La Nina has no effect on it?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] Which one of the following observations about the Quit India Movement of 1942 is NOT true?

[UPSC Prelims 2011] What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi organising a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda: (1) the administration did not suspend land revenue collection despite a drought; (2) the administration proposed to introduce the permanent settlement in Gujarat?