2011 Prelims Paper 2 UPSC Question Paper

2011 Prelims Paper 2 UPSC Questions

21.
Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer?
A.
It is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.
B.
It is an action based on our sense of discretion.
C.
It is a clever action based on the clarity of purposel
D.
It is a religious section based on understanding.
ANSWER :
B. It is an action based on our sense of discretion.
22.

The passage contains a statement "lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current". Which is/are nearest in meaning to this?
1. A person does not use his own reason.
2. He is susceptible to influence/pressure.
3. He cannot withstand difficulties/challenges.
4. He is like a log of wood.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A.

1 only

B.

1 and 2

C.

2 and 3

D.

1 and 4

ANSWER :

B. 1 and 2

23.

Consider the following distance time graph. The graph shows three athletes A, B and C running side by side for a 30 km race.

With reference to the above graph, consider the following statements:
1. The race was won by A
2. B was ahead of A up to 25 km mark.
3. C ran very slowly from the beginning.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.

1 only

B.

1 and 2 only

C.

2 and 3 only

D.

1, 2 and 3

ANSWER :

B. 1 and 2 only

24.

Consider the following figures:

What is the missing number?

A.

7

B.

8

C.

9

D.

10

ANSWER :

C. 9

25.

Study the following figure:
A person goes from A to B always moving to the right or downwards along the lines. How many different routes can be adopt?

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

A.

4

B.

5

C.

6

D.

7

ANSWER :

C. 6

26.

Consider the following figure and answer the item that follows:

What is the total number of triangles in the above grid?

A.

27

B.

26

C.

23

D.

22

ANSWER :

C. 23

27.

Directions for the following 4 (four) items :  (Covers Questions 27 to 30 )
Passage
A country under foreign domination seeks escape from the present in dreams of a vanished age, and finds consolation in visions of past greatness. That is a foolish and dangerous pastime in which many of us indulge. An equally quest enable practice for us in India is to imagine that we are still spiritually great though we have come down in the world though we have come down in the world in other respect, Spiritual or any other greatness cannot be founded on lack of freedom and opportunity or on starvation and misery. Many western writer are other worldly. I suppose the poor are unfortunate in every country become to some extent other-worldly unless they become revolutionaries, for the world is evidently not meant for them So also subject peoples.

As a man grows to maturity he is not entirely engrossed in, or satisfied with, the external objective world. He seeks also some inner meaning, some psychologies and physical satisfactions. So also with peoples and civilizations as they mature and grow adult. Every civilization and every people exhibit these parallel streams of an external life and an internal life. Where they meet or keep close to each other, there is an aquarium and stability. When they diverse confect arises and the crises that torture the mind and spirit.

The passage mention that "the world is evidently not meant for them". It refers to people who
1. Seek freedom from foreign domination.
2. Live in starvation and misery.
3. Become revolutionaries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.

1 and 2

B.

2 only

C.

2 and 3

D.

3 only

ANSWER :

B. 2 only

28.

Consider the following assumptions:
1. A country under foreign domination cannot indulge in spiritual pursuit.
2. Poverty is an impediment in the spiritual pursuit
3. Subject peoples may become other-worldly.
With reference to the passage, which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

A.

1 and 2

B.

2 only

C.

2 and 3

D.

3 only

ANSWER :

C. 2 and 3

29.
The passage thematically centres on
A.
the state of mind of oppressed people
B.
Star vat on and misery
C.
the growth of civilization
D.
body mind and spirt of people in general.
ANSWER :
A. the state of mind of oppressed people
30.
According to the passage, the torture of the mind and spirit is caused
A.
by the impact of foreign domination.
B.
by the desire to escape from foreign domination and find consolation in visions of past greatness.
C.
due to lack of equilibrium between an external life and an internal life.
D.
due to one's inability to be either revolutionary or other-worldly.
ANSWER :
C. due to lack of equilibrium between an external life and an internal life.