UPSC CSE Prelims Questions

Which of the following countries are well known as the two largest cocoa producers in the world?
(a) Algeria and Morocco
(b) Botswana and Namibia
(c) Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
(d) Madagascar and Mozambique
Correct Answer: Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
Explanation:
Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana are the two largest cocoa producers in the world, accounting for a significant portion of the global cocoa supply.
Possible Sources: Agricultural and economic reports on global cocoa production.

Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January?

1. The isotherms deviate to the north over the continent.
2. The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend toward the north.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 or 2

Correct Answer: 1 only

 

Explanation:
The isotherms deviate to the north over the continent during January due to the presence of warmer land temperatures compared to the surrounding oceans. The second statement is incorrect because the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the adjacent areas warmer, not colder.
Possible Sources: Meteorology and climatology textbooks.

Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles.
Statement II: At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Correct Answer: (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

Explanation:
Statement I is correct because the troposphere is indeed thicker at the equator due to higher temperatures causing more expansion.
Statement II is correct because at the equator, intense solar heating leads to strong convectional currents which transport heat to greater heights.
Possible Sources: Atmospheric science and meteorology textbooks.

Consider the following statements: Statement I: The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.
Statement II: Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long-wave radiation.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Correct Answer: (d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct

Explanation:
Statement I is incorrect because the atmosphere is primarily heated by terrestrial radiation (long-wave radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface) rather than incoming solar radiation.
Statement II is correct as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are good absorbers of long-wave radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Possible Sources: Climate science and meteorology textbooks.