2023 Prelims Paper 2 UPSC Question Paper

2023 Prelims Paper 2 UPSC Questions

11.

Directions for the following 3 (three) item:
Read the following three passages and answer the items that follow the passages. Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only
Passage – 1
To tackle the problem of pollution in cities, policy makers think that drastic actions like temporary use of odd-even number scheme for vehicles, closing schools, factories, construction activities, and banning the use of certain type of vehicles are a way forward. Even then the air is not clean. Vehicles more than 15 years old comprise one percent of the total; and taking them off the road will not make any difference. Banning certain fuels and car types arbitrarily is not proper. Diesel engines produce more PM 2.5 and less CO2 than petrol or CNG engines. On the other hand, both diesel and CNG engines produce more NOx than petrol engines. No one has measured the amount of NOx that CNG engines are emitting. Arbitrary bans on vehicles that have passed mandated fitness tests and periodic pollution tests are unfair. What is needed is the scientific and reliable information about the source of pollutants on a continuing basis and the technologies that will work to reduce pollution from them.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational implication conveyed by the passage?

A.

Arbitrary curbs on vehicles to reduce pollution are difficult to implement.

B.

Knee-jerk reactions cannot but an evidence-based approach will be more effective.

C.

A heavy penalty should be enforced on those driving without periodic pollution tests.

D.

In the absence of laws to deal with the problem of pollution, the administration tends to make arbitrary decisions.

ANSWER :

B. Knee-jerk reactions cannot but an evidence-based approach will be more effective.

12.
Passage – 2
Good corporate governance structures encourage companies to provide accountability and control. A fundamental reason why corporate governance has moved onto the economic and political agenda worldwide has been the rapid growth in international capital markets. Effective corporate governance enhance access to external financing by firms, leading to greater investment, higher growth and employment. Investors look to place their funds where the standards of disclosure, of timely and accurate financial reporting, and of equal treatment to all stakeholders are met.

Which of the following statements best reflects the logical inference from the passage given above?
A.
It is an important agenda of the countries around the world to ensure access to good external financing.
B.
Good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms.
C.
International capital markets ensure that the firms maintain good corporate governance.
D.
Good corporate governance paves the way for robust supply chains.
ANSWER :
B. Good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms.
13.
Passage – 3
Elephants are landscape architects, creating clearings in the forest, preventing overgrowth of certain plant species and allowing space for the regeneration of others, which in turn provide sustenance to others herbivorous animals. Elephants eat plants, fruits and seeds, propagating the seeds when they defecate in other places as they travel. Elephant dung provides nourishment to plants and animals and acts as a breeding ground for insects. In times of drought, they access water by digging holes which benefits other wildlife.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational inference that can be drawn from the passage?
A.
The home range of elephants needs to be a vast area of rich biodiversity.
B.
Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.
C.
Rich biodiversity cannot be maintained in the forests without the presence of elephants.
D.
Elephants are capable of regenerating forests with species as per their requirement.
ANSWER :
B. Elephants are the keystone species and they benefit the biodiversity.
14.
If 7 ⊕ 9 ⊕ 10 = 8, 9 ⊕ 11 ⊕ 30 = 5, 11 ⊕ 17 ⊕ 21 = 13, what is the value of 23 ⊕ 4 ⊕ 15?
A.
6
B.
8
C.
13
D.
15
ANSWER :
A. 6
15.
Let x be a positive integer such that 7x + 96 is divisible by x. How many values of x are possible?
A.
10
B.
11
C.
12
D.
Infinitely many
ANSWER :
C. 12
16.
If p, q, r and s are distinct single-digit positive numbers, then what is the greatest value of (p + q) (r + s)?
A.
230
B.
225
C.
224
D.
221
ANSWER :
B. 225
17.
A number N is formed by writing 9 for 99 times. What is the remainder if N is divided by 13?
A.
11
B.
9
C.
7
D.
1
ANSWER :
A. 11
18.
Each digit of a 9-digit number is 1. It is multiplied by itself. What is the sum of the digits of the resulting number?
A.
64
B.
80
C.
81
D.
100
ANSWER :
C. 81
19.
What is the sum of all digits which appear in all the integers from 10 to 100?
A.
855
B.
856
C.
910
D.
911
ANSWER :
B. 856
20.
ABCD is a square. One point on each of AB and CD; and two distinct points on each of BC and DA are chosen. How many distinct triangles can be drawn using any three points as vertices out of these six points?
A.
16
B.
18
C.
20
D.
24
ANSWER :
C. 20