QUESTION 1 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Which characteristics apply to the Indus Valley Civilisation: (1) they built grand palaces and temples; (2) they worshipped both male and female deities; (3) they used horse-drawn chariots?
Explanation: There is no archaeological evidence of grand palaces/temples or horse-drawn chariots in IVC sites, but terracotta figurines suggest worship of both male and female deities.
QUESTION 2 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Members of the Constituent Assembly representing the Provinces were:
Explanation: Provincial members of the Constituent Assembly were chosen indirectly, elected by members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies.
QUESTION 3 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] What was demanded in the Tebhaga peasant movement in Bengal?
Explanation: 'Tebhaga' (two-thirds) demanded sharecroppers retain two-thirds of the crop, cutting the landlord's share to one-third.
QUESTION 4 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Why did Indians agitate against the Simon Commission's arrival?
Explanation: The all-white composition of the Simon Commission, with no Indian representative, sparked nationwide 'Simon Go Back' protests.
QUESTION 5 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] The Quit India Movement (1942) was launched in response to the breakdown of talks over:
Explanation: The failure of negotiations over the Cripps Mission's 1942 proposals directly triggered Congress's decision to launch the Quit India Movement.
QUESTION 6 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Regarding Annie Besant: (1) she helped start the Home Rule Movement; (2) she founded the Theosophical Society; (3) she once served as Congress President. Which is/are correct?
Explanation: Besant co-founded the Home Rule League and served as Congress President (1917), but the Theosophical Society was actually founded earlier by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Olcott, whom she later joined.
QUESTION 7 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] The Ilbert Bill controversy (1883) was related to:
Explanation: The Ilbert Bill sought to allow Indian judges and magistrates to try European British subjects, provoking fierce opposition from the European community in India.
QUESTION 8 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Priority Sector Lending by banks in India constitutes lending to which of the following?
Explanation: Priority sector lending norms cover agriculture, micro/small enterprises, weaker sections and other specified categories together, not any one segment alone.
QUESTION 9 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] To obtain the full benefits of the demographic dividend, what should India primarily do?
Explanation: Reaping the demographic dividend requires raising the intrinsic productivity of the workforce, which is best achieved through skill development that improves total factor productivity.
QUESTION 10 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] In the context of India's cultural history, the dance/dramatic pose called 'Tribhanga' is best described by which statement?
Explanation: Tribhanga literally means 'three bends' - at the neck, waist and knee - giving the body a gentle S-shaped, feminine stance, considered among the most graceful Odissi postures.
QUESTION 11 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] A rise in the general price level may be caused by: (1) an increase in the money supply; (2) a decrease in the aggregate level of output; (3) an increase in effective demand. Which is/are correct?
Explanation: All three are classic inflationary triggers - more money chasing the same goods, a fall in output leaving less to buy, and higher effective demand outpacing supply.
QUESTION 12 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Which group of items is included in India's Foreign Exchange Reserves?
Explanation: India's forex reserves comprise foreign-currency assets, RBI gold holdings, SDRs, and its reserve tranche position with the IMF - not loans from foreign countries or the World Bank.
QUESTION 13 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] With money supply held constant, an increase in demand for money would lead to what?
Explanation: If money supply is fixed and demand for money rises, the price of holding money - the interest rate - rises correspondingly.
QUESTION 14 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit a longer storage life because of what?
Explanation: Low temperatures slow the respiration process by which fruits break down sugars, thereby delaying senescence and extending storage life.
QUESTION 15 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Consider the following fauna of India: (1) Gharial; (2) Leatherback turtle; (3) Swamp deer. Which among these is/are endangered?
Explanation: The Gharial and the Leatherback turtle are both critically endangered, whereas the swamp deer (barasingha) is classified as vulnerable, not endangered.
QUESTION 16 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Ball bearings are used in bicycles, cars, etc. because of what?
Explanation: Since a sphere touches a surface at only a tiny point, ball bearings drastically cut the effective contact area between wheel and axle, reducing friction and letting them spin smoothly.
QUESTION 17 OF 17
[UPSC Prelims 2013] Consider the following phenomena: (1) size of the sun at dusk; (2) colour of the sun at dawn; (3) moon being visible at dawn; (4) twinkle of stars in the sky; (5) polestar being visible in the sky. Which of these are optical illusions?
Explanation: The apparent enlargement of the sun near the horizon, the reddish colour of dawn light, and star twinkling from atmospheric refraction are all optical illusions - unlike the moon's actual visibility or the polestar's real fixed position, which are not.
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