Author: Unbounded Wisdom

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES) is an intergovernmental body that seeks to provide scientific information about biodiversity and ecosystem services to policymakers of the member countries.

2. The IPBES, with its secretariat in Germany, is administered by the UN, including the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Which of the following constitutes the highest share among the non-plan revenue expenditure of the government?

(a) Grants to States and Union Territories
(b) Subsidies
(c) Pensions
(d) Interest payments

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. The executive power of the Union is vested in the Parliament.
2. The Union executive consists of the President and the Council of Ministers.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q4. “To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor” is a provision made in the

(a) Preamble of the Constitution
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Fundamental Rights
(d) Fundamental Duties

Q5. What is the primary function of a ‘coolant’ in a nuclear reactor?

(a) to slow down the speed of neutrons
(b) to transfer the heat from the core to the generators
(c) to keep the nuclear reactor cool
(d) to prevent the meltdown of the nuclear reactor

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Please find the pdf below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxdqUlW1zhMsZHgzNVlNNHpGbWM/view

Get Maze 8 solutions here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxdqUlW1zhMsUGFyV1hKZzBiazQ/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxdqUlW1zhMsaVZEa29obUFHRnc/view

Please let me know if you could view the pdf properly.

Q1. If a country decides to devalue its currency, which of the following shall generally follow?

1. The exports from the country become more expensive.
2. The imports into the country become less expensive.

Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) has emerged as one of the major causes of Air pollution. Which of the following release SPM in the environment?

1. Construction Sites
2. Oil Refineries
3. Thermal Power Plants

Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q3. ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’, which has recently been in news are associated with the functioning of

(a) United Nations Environment Programme
(b) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(c) United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(d) Global Environment Facility

Q4. Consider the following statements about the International Solar Alliance (ISA):

1. It was launched at the Conference of Parties (CoP-21) meeting held in Paris.
2. It will seek to provide a common platform for solar energy rich countries.
3. It shall be housed in Qatar.

Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Who are Angel Investors?

(a) An investor who provides financial backing to women entrepreneurs for organising themselves into business units.
(b) An investor who provides financial backing to sick units for their revival.
(c) An investor who provides financial backing to entrepreneurs for starting their businesses.
(d) An investor who provides financial backing to small scale industries to make them more competitive.

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P.S. : Maze 6-10 solutions pdf on sunday!

Q1. With reference to the culture of India, what is ‘Therukoothu’?

(a) an ancient martial art form popular in Kerala
(b) a popular style of painting prevalent in Karnataka
(c) the harvest festival of Andhra Pradesh
(d) a form folk drama popular in Tamil Nadu

Q2. Which of the following is the pair of chief nutrients that enrich a water body leading to eutrophication?

(a) carbonates and silicates
(b) nitrates and phosphates
(c) nitrates and carbonates
(d) silicates and phosphates

Q3. Consider the following statements:

1. National Biodiversity Authority has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. It is a statutory body headquartered in Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only
(b) 1 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q4. The early phase of Indian Freedom Struggle was marked by a ‘moderate’ approach. Who among the following were considered ‘moderates’?

1. Ashwini Kumar Datta
2. D E Wacha
3. S N Banarjee

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The provisions contained in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India relate to

(a) Division of power between the Union and the States
(b) Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha
(c) Languages recognised by the Constitution
(d) Forms of oaths and affirmations for constitutional offices

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Q1. Who of the following Chalukya ruler shifted his capital from Aihole to Vatapi(Badami)?

(a) Jayasimha
(b) Pulakesin I
(c) Ravikeerti
(d) Mangalesa

Q2. Which among the following is/are the member countries of a grouping known as Sanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

1. China
2. India
3. Russia
4. Kazakhstan

Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements about a water body ‘W’:

1. It is frequented by several migratory birds.
2. It is one of the largest fresh water lakes of the country and is also a Ramsar wetland.
3. It is located between the deltas of two longest rivers of the Peninsular India.

Identify ‘W’ from among the alternatives given below.

(a) Chilka Lake
(b) Vembanad Lake
(c) Kolleru Lake
(d) Ulsoor Lake

Q4. Which one among the following have been conferred the status of classical languages in India?

1. Kannada
2. Telugu
3. Odia
4. Konkani

Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 1, 3 and 4

Q5. At which of the following places did Mahatma Gandhi undertook his first fast after returning to India to support the cause of the affected class?

(a) Bardoli
(b) Kheda
(c) Champaran
(d) Ahmedabad

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Hello Everyone,

There are two winter seasons in a UPSC candidate’s life. One caused by earth’s tilt and another caused by UPSC’s notification. The former lullabies you to sleep and the later jolts you out of the slumber.

Many of you might have started getting apprehensive about the level of preparation and the thought of skipping this attempt might have crossed several hundreds of minds already. Skip the attempt if you feel you shall have any different feeling in 2017. But depend on it, if you skip this attempt and feel that you shall be better prepared and confident next year then you must be living in some utopian world.

CSE is a cycle and this apprehension is a part of it. You cannot circumvent it. And you shall have to work with it and clear the exam.

Counting from tomorrow till 07.08.2016, you have 101 days with you. And for clearing prelims, it is more than enough. Yes, it is more than enough. But only if you use them judiciously. So, what can you do to make the best out of coming days? Here is the list:
1. Sit down, read the syllabus, pick the standard books prescribed and stick to them over the coming days.
2. Make a time table and work according to it.
3. Don’t read haphazardly and kangaroo-jump from one subject to another and from one topic to another. Finish what you have started before moving to the next.
4. While you study keep referring to the previous year questions to get an inkling about the areas that engender more questions.
5. When your mind is tired and the overbearing fear of failure clouds you, take a small break. Don’t force yourself into studying when you just cannot. Relaxing and rejuvenating is as important as studying itself.
6. Do not forget to read newspaper. Do not get into the fruitless debate whether you should read newspaper till June or July. You must read at least the headlines even on 07.08.2016.
7. Get in good discussions with friends and stay clear of the ones who come uninvited for “ek cup chai”. This “ek cup chai” sometimes takes hours.
8. Reading maps is a good way of killing boredom or so I feel.
9. Try the MCQs that are posted here or from any other source you refer to.

Remember you are vying for the Ambassador to which every Benz salutes. Thodi mushkil to hogi hi! Lastly, the only advice to the late runners is that, Do another Manjhi and Make the bridges where there exist none!

UW