UPSC PRELIMS GS PAPER -1991
Q1 Rabies is caused by a
(a) Virus and it affects the nervous system
(b) Virus and it affects the cardiovascular system
(c) Bacteria and it affects the nervous system
(d) Bacteria and it affects the cardiovascular system
Q2 The right to Freedom of Speech in India may be restricted, if the
freedom is used to
(a) Incite people to violence
(b) Propagate nationalisation of the private sector
(c) Level charges of corruption against those in power
(d) Spread superstition
Q3 A common currency for the members of the Common Market in
Europe is known as
(a) Dollar
(b) Eurodollar
(c) Franc
(d) Pound
Q4 Neap tides are produced in the first and third quarters of the
Moon. Then,
(a) The Moon and the Sun are in conjunction with the other planets
(b) The Moon and the Sun are in opposition with each other
(c) The attractions of the Sun and the Moon are at right angles to
each other
(d) The Moon and the Sun are in quadrant position to each other
Q5 Photons have properties similar to that of
(a) Waves
(b) Particles
(c) Both particles and waves
(d) Neither particles nor waves
Q6 The thermoregulatory centre of the man body is
(a) Pituitary
(b) Skin
(c) Hypothalamus
(d) Thyroid
Q7 When the Portuguese arrived in India, the foreigners whom they
encountered as trade rivals were the
(a) Persians
(b) Arabs
(c) Dutch
(d) English
Q8 Where does exchange of gases (O2 and CO2) take place in our
lungs ?
(a) Alveoli
(b) Bronchi
(d) Trachea
Q.9 It is said that of the five doctrines taught by Jainism four were
taken over by Mahavira from previous teachers and only one was
added by him. Which one of the following was the doctrine added by
him ?
(a) Do not commit violence
(b) Observe continence
(c) Do not acquire property
(d) Do not speak a lie
Q10 The light from the Sun reaches the Earth in about
(a) 2 min
(b) 4 min
(c) 6 min
(d) 6 min
Q11 The resinous substance, shellac is obtained from
(a) Crude oil
(b) The bark of a tree
(c) An insect
(d) Distillation of wood
Q12 Which one of the following industries is not a raw material
localised industry?
(a) Cotton Textile Industry
(b) Sugar Industry
(c) Cement Industry
(d) Glass Industry
Q13 Which one of the following functions of the Reserve Bank of
India is not performed by the other banks ?
(a) Making advances to agriculturists
(b) Dealing in foreign exchange
(c) Industrial Refinancing
(d) Acting as the banker to the Government
Q14 The intensity of famine increased in India, under the British rule
because
(a) The failure of monsoons became frequent
(b) The drain of wealth from India was uncontrolled
(c) Of the poor distribution of foodgrains
(d) Discriminatory protection was extended, to food processing
industries
Q15 India is opposed to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)
because
(a) It is discriminatory against the nonnuclear powers
(b) It forbids India to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
(c) It aims at making South Asia a nuclear free zone
(d) It allows Pakistan to develop its own nuclear capability
Q16 Ramanuja, the Vaishnava Saint, was born at
(a) Srirangam
(b) Srivilliputtur
(c) Udipi
(d) None of the above
Q17 Terrace cultivation is practised mostly
(a) In urban areas
(b) On slopes of mountains
(c) On tops of hills
(d) In undulating tracts
Q18 Which one of the following is associated with AIDS ?
(a) GIFT
(b) HIV
(c) IVF
(d) MAC
Q19 Which of the following pairs of substances can be completely
separated by sublimation ?
(a) Sand and iodine
(b) Ammonium chloride and iodine
(c) Sand and sulphur
(d) Salt and sulphur
Q20 Elements having atomic number higher than ‘92’ in the periodic
table are known as
(a) Transitional elements
(b) Rare earth elements
(c) Transuranic elements
(d) Alkaline earth metals
Q21 Density of population refers to
(a) The number of persons living per sq km of land area
(b) The number of persons living per km of land area
(c) The number of persons living per village
(d) None of the above
Q22 Mitakshara is
(a) A work on astronomy
(b) A treatise on ancient Hindu law of inheritance
(c) An Agamic text
(d) A compendium on medicine
Q23 The Congress Ministries resigned in November 1939 because
(a) The Provincial Autonomy proved to be a farce
(b) The Governors interfered too much in the daytoday
administration of the provinces
(c) India was dragged into the Second World War without the
consent of her people
(d) The British followed the policy of divide and rule
Q24 Mitochondrial DNA in an individual comes from
(a) Male parent
(b) Female parent
(c) Both parents
(d) Neither of the parents
Q25 Which one of the following is the most significant contribution of
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to modern India ?
(a) His participation in the Quit India Movement
(b) His role in the NonCooperation Movement
(c) His achievement of the integration of princely states
(d) His Presidentship of the Indian National Congress
Q26 Assume that — A denotes narrow wheel, A wider wheel, B
denotes small freewheel, B larger freewheel, C denotes small
gearwheel, C larger gearwheel, — in a rural area where there are
sandy tracts, it will be advisable to use a bicycle with
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) all of these
Q27 Which one of the following is correctly matched ?
(a) Thyagaraja — Tamil
(b) Purandara Das — Kannada
(c) Jnaneshwar — Bengali
(d) Sankaradeva — Gujarati
Q28 In which of the following States the Jharkhand Movement is
active ?
1. Bihar
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Orissa
4. Uttar Pradesh
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Q29 Of the following, with which does Article 78 of the Constitution
deal with ?
(1) Emergency powers of the President
(2) The Prime Minister’s duty regarding keeping the President
informed about the government’s decisions, policies and actions
(3) The President’s power to send advisory messages to the
Parliament
(4) The President’s power to get information from the Council of
Ministers
(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 2 only
Q30 Seasons on the Earth are caused due to
(a) The elliptical orbit of the Earth
(b) Alteration/change in the speed of revolution of the Earth
(c) Inclination of the Earth on its axis of rotation
(d) Differences in the amount of energy received from the Sun
Q31 A passing motorcycle causes distortion or disturbance with
reception of signal in radio and T.V. The cause of this is
(a) The intense sound waves effect the small electronic devices of
the receptor
(b) The vehicle’s metal parts block/distort the radio waves
(c) The spark plug fitted in the engine produces electromagnetic
signals due to sparking
(d) Modern motorcycles are fitted with electric ignition system which
produces radio waves
Q32 Which one of the following statements is true ?
(a) Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha
(b) Jurisdiction regarding election disputes rests with the Chief
Election Commissioner
(c) Jnaneshwar — BengaliThe Speaker continues in his post even
after the state council is dissolved till a new speaker is elected by
the succeeding state council
(d) According to the Indian Constitution Parliament consists of Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha only
Q33 In which of the following products has Bangladesh emerged as
the main competitor to India in the world market ?
(a) Cotton garments
(b) Jute
(c) Cement
(d) Pharmaceuticals
Q34 In India political parties are given recognition by
(a) President
(b) Law Commission
(c) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(d) Election Commission
Q35 The main watchdog of international trade is
(a) IMF
(b) World Bank
(c) GATT
(d) IFC
Q36 The data collection for national income estimation in India is
done by
(a) National Sample Survey Organisation
(b) Finance Ministry of the Govt. of India
(c) Central Statistical Institute/Organisation
(d) Indian Statistical Institute
Q37 Of the various sources of income to the Gram Panchayats, one
source is
(a) Income tax
(b) Sales tax
(c) Professional tax
(d) Levy duties
Q38 Which of the following metals is extracted from the Monazite
sand found in plenty in India ?
(a) Gold
(b) Uranium
(c) Thorium
(d) Copper
Q39 Of the following cities, in which city have the Olympic Games
been held twice?
I. Paris
II. Berlin
III. London
IV. Seoul
(a) Only I
(b) I and II
(c) III and IV
(d) I and III
Q40 The appointment of the Judges of Supreme Court is done by
(a) The Prime Minister on the advice of the Union Cabinet
(b) The President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India
(c) The Prime Minister in consultation with the Chief Justice
(d) The President in consultation with the Law Commission of India
Q41 Which one of the following can be prorogued but cannot be
dissolved ?
(a) Rajya Sabha
(b) State Council
(c) Municipal Corporation
(d) Governing Council in a Union Territory
Q42 Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched ?
(a) Nawgaon — Maharashtra
(b) Palamau — Gujarat
(c) Gir — Madhya Pradesh
(d) Amravati — West Bengal
Q43 To elect the President of India which one of the following
election procedures is used?
(a) System of proportional representation by means of a single
transferable vote
(b) Proportional representation through list system
(c) Collective voting system
(d) Secondary voting system
Q44 Below, data regarding cultivation of a particular type of crop in
four States/Union Territories of India is given. Of the following which
is this cultivated crop?
State/Union Territory Area under cultivation
(million hectares)
Kerala
108
Tamil Nadu
8
Karnataka
2
Andaman & Nicobar Islands 0.8
(a) Coffee
(b) Tea
(c) Rubber
(d) Rice
Q45 Indus valley civilisation is also known as the Harappan culture
because
(a) The site of Harappa is six times larger than Mohenjodaro site
(b) The Indus valley civilisation is considered the elementary/initial
stage of the Vedic culture and Harappa is believed to be the same
as Harappa mentioned in the Vedas
(c) Harappa was the first site to be excavated in the Indus valley
(d) The most important/significant evidence of the achievements of
this civilisation have been excavated from Harappa
Q46 Some medicines are given in the form of capsules. The
capsules are made of
(a) Paper
(b) Gelatinous material
(c) Embryonic tissue
(d) Starch
Q47 Which one of the following does not indicate the difference
between Mahayanism and Hinayanism ?
(a) Belief in the Bodhisattvas
(b) Worship of the image of Buddha
(c) Use of the Sanskrit language
(d) Admission of women into the monasteries
Q48 Which one of the following techniques has helped to solve
many mysteries involving murders, robberies and rapes ?
(a) Gene splicing
(b) Computer tomography
(c) DNA fingerprinting
(d) Gene cloning
Q49 Which one of the following diseases is least infectious ?
(a) Leprosy
(b) Tuberculosis
(c) Conjunctivitis
(d) Hepatitis
Q 50 The Panchayati Raj was first introduced in the States of Rajasthan
and
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Gujarat
(d) Orissa
Q51 The largest contribution to the central exchequer comes from
(a) Customs duties
(b) Income tax
(c) Central excise
(d) Estate duty
Q52 Match :
List I
List II
(Political parties)
(Personalities)
A. Communist Party of India 1. C. R. Das
B. Socialist Party
2. Ram Manohar Lohia
C. Swaraj Party
3. V. D. Savarkar
D. The Hindu Maha Sabha 4. P. C. Joshi
A B C D
(a) 4 2 1 3
(b) 4 2 3 1
(c) 1 4 3 2
(d) 4 3 2 1
Q53 Match :
List I
List II
A. George Orwell
1. Asian Drama
B. Gunnar Myrdal
2. Descent of Man
C. Charles Darwin
3. Lokayata
D. Debiprasad Chattopadhaya 4. Animal Farm
A B C D
(a) 4 1 2 3
(b) 2 4 1 3
(c) 2 4 3 1
(d) 3 1 2 4
Q54 Match :
List I
List II
A. Deforestation 1. Vacuoles
B. Cellular structure 2. Maize
C. Cross pollination 3. Soil erosion
D. Nitrogen fixation 4. Legumes
A B C D
(a) 3 1 2 4
(b) 1 2 4 3
(c) 4 1 2 3
(d) 2 3 4 1
Q55 Match :
List I
List II
(Metal extracted) (Location of site)
A. Copper 1. Jaduguda
B. Uranium 2. Jhawar
C. Nickel 3. Malanjkhand
D. Lead 4. Sukhinda
A B C D
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 4 3 1 2
(c) 3 1 2 4
(d) 3 1 4 2
Q56 Match :
List I List II
(Vitamins) (Deficiency diseases)
A. B1 1. Haemorrhage
B. D 2. Skin diseases
C. K 3. Vascular abnormalities
D. E 4. Rickets
5.
Beriberi
A B C D
(a) 5 4 1 3
(b) 5 3 1 2
(c) 2 4 5 1
(d) 4 1 3 2
Q57 Match :
List I List II
A. Fodder 1. Manure
B. Compost 2. Jowar
C. Food crop 3. Linseed oil
D. Edible oil 4. Straw
5. Groundnut oil
A B C D
(a) 2 4 3 1
(b) 2 1 5 3
(c) 4 3 2 5
(d) 4 1 2 5
Q58 Match :
List I
List II
Measuring instruments Which measure
A. Anemometer 1. Motor power
B. Tachometer 2. Wind speed
C. Dynamometer 3. Revolutions per minute
D. Barometer 4. Atmospheric pressure
5. Current from a dynamo
A B C D
(a) 1 3 5 4
(b) 2 1 3 4
(c) 2 3 1 4
(d) 1 3 5 2
Q59 Consider the following two statements called Assertion (A) and
Reason (R) and answer by using the codes given below the
statements.
Assertion (A) :
The Quit India Movement of 1942 marked the culmination of the
Indian Freedom Movement.
Reason (R):
After the Quit India Movement it was only a Q of time and
determining the actual mechanics of the transfer of power.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not an explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Q60 Assume that
Numeral 0 :
Represents a tautological statement which is repetition of a
statement in different words.
Numeral 1 :
Represents a statement which is not tautological but the cause
effect relationship between the variables is not exhibited.
Numeral 2 :
Represents a statement in which the causeeffect relationship
between variables is exhibited.
In the above context, contemplate the following statements :
(i) Germany has adopted a diversified and vocational oriented
education policy for its progress.
(ii) Intelligent people are intelligent because they possess a high I.Q.
(Intelligent Quotient).
(iii) Generally it is found that, the more less developed a society is,
the more numerous and dogmatic are the religious beliefs of the
members of that society.
(iv) The poor remain poor because their income is less.
The correct sequence of describing the above statements is
(a) 2010
(b) 2210
(c) 1212
(d) 1020
Q56 In a rectangle with one side 4 cms, twelve equal squares are
kept. There are three rows, each containing four squares. There is
no empty space in between adjacent squares. What is the area of
each square ?
(a) 5/7 sq cm
(b) 7/5 sq cm
(c) 1 sq cm
(d) 25/12 sq cm
Q 62 In a department of a university 100 students were admitted. Of
the admitted students 90 per cent students appeared and passed in
the final examination held two years later. Out of the passing
students 1/ 5 passed in first division and 1/5 of the students who
passed obtained a second division. In the final exam how many
students passed in third division ?
(a) 18
(b) 36
(c) 64
(d) 54
Directions : Qs 63 & 64 are based on the following data :
Given below is a record of different categories of crimes registered
with a local police station in two different years. Study the data
carefully and answer the following.
Category of
Crime
Number of
Cases
Value of property stolen (in
Rs.)
Bicycle
theft
305 204
4,504 6,040
Housebreak 49 102 1,30,800 4,21,200
Shoplifting 30 21 2,19,700 2,14,100
Motor parts
theft
36 48 48,600 60,000
Q63 The average value of property stolen per single case of crime
was maximum
(a) In 1984 in the category of housebreak
(b) In 1984 in shoplifting
(c) In 1983 in housebreak
(d) In 1983 in shoplifting
Q64 From 1983 to 1984, the average value of property stolen per
crime increased most in the case of
(a) Bicycle theft
(b) Housebreak
(c) Shoplifting
(dl Theft of motor vehicle parts
Q65 In the graph is depicted the annual rainfall over a fiveyear
period at a place. What will be the forecast for the year 1988?
(a) It is anticipated to be less than in 1987
(b) Rainfall in 1988 will be more than 1987 but less than 1986
(c) It will be nearly equal to that in 1987
(d) It is not possible to forecast anything
Q61 An equilateral triangle with sides 1 metre is circumscribed in a
circle. Another circle is drawn inside the triangle. The area of the
space between these two concentric circles is (in sq metres).
(a) 3p/4
(b) p/2
(c) p/3
(d) p/4
Q67 Three circles are externally tangent to each other. Their radii
are 2 inches, 3 inches and 4 inches. The centres of these circles are
joined to form a triangle. The length of the largest side of the triangle
is
(a) 5 inches
(b) 6 inches
(c) 7 inches
(d) 8 inches
Q68 Examine the following :
Ashok is older than Suresh. Raju is older than Ashok and Vivek is
not older than Suresh, Which one of the following statements must
necessarily be true?
I. Vivek is as old as Ashok
II. Vivek is as old as Raju
III. Vivek is as old as Suresh
IV. Suresh is younger to Vivek
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Only III
(d) Either III or IV
Q69 In a square, four portions of four circles are drawn as shown
below
What is the area of the shaded portion?
(a) 4pd2
(b) 4d2 pd2
(c) 2d2 pd
(d) pd2 4d2
Q70 The pie diagrams below present the expenditures made by a
family in 1986 and 1987.
Which of the following conclusions cannot be drawn from the given
information?
(a) The family spends more on food than on clothing
(b) The family spent equal amounts in 1986 and 1987
(c) The family spends the minimum on entertainment
(d) The family spent a smaller percentage on clothing in 1987
compared to that in 1986
Q71 Jupiter completes one circuit of the Sun in
(a) 13 years
(b) 12 years
(c) 16 years
(d) 10 years
Q72 In his works, Kalidasa exhibits a particular leaning towards the
worship of
(a) Vishnu
(b) Shiva
(c) Durga
(d) Ganesha
Q73 If the capital stock was everlasting, then the rate of depreciation
would be
(a) High
(b) Low
(c) Infinite
(d) Zero
Q74 Kalhana’s Rajatarangini (twelfth century) contains
(a) A collection of stories preaching morals
(b) The history of the dynasties of Kashmir
(c) The history of early Muslim rule in India
(d) An account of the early Indian voyages
Q75 The fifth district that achieved hundred per cent literacy in India
is
(a) Satara in Maharashtra
(b) Shimoga in Karnataka
(c) Burdwan in West Bengal
(d) Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu
Q76 Inflation tends to reduce the share of labour in the GNP (Gross
National Product) because
(a) Wages lag behind prices
(b) Prices lag behind wages
(c) Profits lag behind prices
(d) Profits lag behind wages
Q77 Barkhan is a
(a) Crescent shaped sanddune
(b) Depositional bar, separated by water from the coast
(c) Dark coloured, fine grained rock
(d) Glacial erosional feature
Q78 The continental shelf surrounding the Indian Coast is widest off
the
(a) Hooghly Coast
(b) Coromandel Coast
(c) Konkan Coast
(d) South Gujarat Coast
Q79 Which of the following were the causes for the rapid dissolution
of the Mughal empire?
I. Degeneration of the Mughal nobility
II. The absence of the Law of Succession
III. Foreign invasion
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) II and III only
(b) I and III only
(c) III only
(d) I, II and III
442210cookie-checkUPSC PRELIMS GS PAPER -1991