2013 Prelims Paper 2 UPSC Question Paper

2013 Prelims Paper 2 UPSC Questions

41.
What is the central theme of this passage?
A.
Appropriate legislation is essential to protect the environment.
B.
Modern agriculture is responsible for the destruction of environment.
C.
Improper waste disposal from agriculture can destroy the aquatic ecosystems.
D.
Use of chemical fertilizer is undesirable in agriculture.
ANSWER :
C. Improper waste disposal from agriculture can destroy the aquatic ecosystems.
42.

Passage - 2
The miseries of the world cannot be cured by physical help only. Until man's nature changes, his physical needs will always arise, and miseries will always be felt, and no amount of physical help will remove them completely. The only solution of the problem is to make mankind pure. Ignorance is the mother of evil and of all the misery we see. Let men have light, let them be pure and spiritually, strong and educated; then alone will misery cease in the world. We may convert every house in the country into a charitable asylum, we may fill the land with hospitals, but human misery will continue until man's character changes.

According to the passage, which of the following statements is most likely to be true as the reason for man's miseries?

A.

The poor economic and social conditions prevailing in society.

B.

The refusal on the part of man to change his character.

C.

The absence of physical and material help from his society.

D.

Ever increasing physical needs due to changing social structure.

ANSWER :

B. The refusal on the part of man to change his character.

43.

With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The author gives primary importance to physical and material help in eradicating human misery.
2. Charitable homes, hospitals, etc. Can remove human misery to a great extent.
Which of the assumptions is/are valid?

A.

1 only

B.

2 only

C.

Both 1 and 2

D.

Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER :

D. Neither 1 nor 2

44.

Consider the following figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 :

In the figures from 1 to 4 above, two symbols are shown to change their position in a regular direction. Following the same sequence, which one of the following will appear at the fifth stage?

A.

B.

C.

D.

ANSWER :

B.

45.

Directions for the following 2 (two) items:
In each item, there are two sets of figures; first four figures named Problem figures and next four figures named
Answer figures indicated as (a), (b),(c) and (d). The problem figures follow a particular sequence. In accordance with the same,
which one of the four answer figures should appear as the fifth figure?


Problem figures:

Answer Figures:

A.

B.

C.

D.

ANSWER :

C.

46.

Problem figures:


Answer figures:

A.

B.

C.

D.

ANSWER :

B. 

47.

Consider the following diagrams:
x men, working at a constant speed, do a certain job in y days. Which one of these diagrams shows the relation between x and y?

A.

diagram I

B.

diagram II

C.

diagram III

D.

diagram IV

ANSWER :

D. diagram IV

48.

Consider the following matrix:

What is the number at 'X' in the above matrix?

A.

5

B.

8

C.

9

D.

11

ANSWER :

C. 9

49.

Four cars are hired at the rate of ₹ 6 per km plus the cost of diesel at ₹40 a litre. In this context, consider the details given in the following table:

Which car maintained the maximum average speed?

A.

Car A

B.

Car B

C.

Car C

D.

Car D

ANSWER :

A. Car A

50.

Examine the following three figures in which the numbers follow a specific pattern:

The missing number (?) in the third figure above is

A.

7

B.

16

C.

21

D.

28

ANSWER :

B. 16