UPSC Prelims Paper-1 Previous/Model Questions on General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Previous & Model Questions on General (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)

UPSC Prelims Paper-1 Previous/Model Questions on General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

2012 To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should purse research and development on thorium as future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what are the advantages does thorium hold over uranium 1.) Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium 2.) On the basics of per unit mass of the mined, thorium can generate more energy compared to uranium 3.) Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium Which of the above statements are correct? 1.) 1 only 2.) 2 and 3 only 3.) 1 and 3 only 4.) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: 4

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs a.) The water vapours of the air and retains its heat b.) The ultraviolet part of the radiation c.) All the solar radiations d.) The infrared part of the solar system

Correct Answer: D

Which one of the following sets of elements was primarily responsible for the origin of the life on the earth? 1.) Hydrogen, Oxygen, Sodium 2.) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen 3.) Oxygen, Calcium, Phosphorous 4.) Carbon, Hydrogen, Potassium

Correct Answer: 2

Consider the following kinds of the Organisms: 1.) Bat  2.) Bee  3.) Bird Which of the above is / are pollinating agent/agents? 1.) 1 and 2 only 2.) 2 only 3.) 1 and 3 only 4.) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: 4

2011 Consider the following A.) Carbon dioxide B.) Oxides of Nitrogen C.) Oxides of Sulphur Which of the above is/are the emission/emissions from coal combustion at the thermal power plants? A.) 1 only B.) 2 and 3 only C.) 1 and 3 only D.) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: D

Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 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 22,236 km Select the correct answer using the codes given below: 1.) 1, 2 and 3 only 2.) 1, 3 and 4 only 3.) 2 and 4 only 4.) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: 1

Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why? 1.) They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates 2.) They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates. 3.) They can be installed in water treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1.) 1 only 2.) 2 and 3 Only 3.) 1 and 3 Only 4.) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: 4

Consider the following 1.) Photosynthesis 2.) Respiration 3.) Decay of Organic matter 4.) Volcanic action Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth? 1.) 1 and 4 only 2.) 2 and 3 only 3.) 2, 3 and 4 only 4.) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: 3

2010 If the potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because: 1.) Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulose 2.) Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwaves 3.) Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water 4.) Potato is a fresh organic material whereas paper is a dead organic material

Correct Answer: 3

Consider the following statements: The satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in 1.) Estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere. 2.) Predicting the onset of monsoons. 3.) Monitoring the pollution of coastal waters Which of the statements given above is /are correct? 1.) 1 and 2 only 2.) 2 only 3.) 1 and 3 only 4.) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: 4

Genetically modified “golden Rice” has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice? 1.) The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties 2.) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body 3.) Its modified gene cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids 4.) Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D

Correct Answer: 2

Consider the following 1.) Bluetooth Device 2.) Cordless phone 3.) Microwave oven 4.) Wi-Fi device Which of the above can operate between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz range of Radio frequency band? 1.) 1 and 2 only 2.) 3 and 4 only 3.) 1, 2 and 4 only 4.) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: 4