💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

,

Consider the following pairs:
Plant: Description
I. Cassava Woody shrub
II. Ginger Herb with pseudostem
III. Malabar spinach Herbaceous climber
IV. Mint Annual shrub
V. Papaya Woody shrub
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a)

Only two

(b)

Only three

(c)

Only four

(d)

All the five

Correct Answer

(b)

Explanation

Answer: (b) Only three Explanation: • Cassava: A woody shrub with tuberous roots, correctly matched. • Ginger: A herbaceous plant with a pseudostem (formed by leaf sheaths), correctly matched. • Malabar spinach: A herbaceous climber, correctly matched. • Mint: A perennial herb, not an annual shrub, so this is incorrectly matched. • Papaya: A small tree or shrub-like plant, often considered a woody shrub, correctly matched. Thus, I, II, and III are correct, making only three pairs correct, so the answer is (b).

Microtheme: SpeciesXExotic/Invasive —
10 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

  1. [2025] Consider the following pairs:
    Plant: Description
    I. Cassava Woody shrub
    II. Ginger Herb with pseudostem
    III. Malabar spinach Herbaceous climber
    IV. Mint Annual shrub
    V. Papaya Woody shrub
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    • (a) Only two
    • (b) Only three
    • (c) Only four
    • (d) All the five
    Correct Answer: (B) Only three
  2. [2024] Consider the following:
    1. Carabid beetles
    2. Centipedes
    3. Flies
    4. Termites
    5. Wasps
    Parasitoid species are found in how many of the above kind of organisms?

    • (a) only two
    • (b) only three*
    • (c) only four
    • (d) all five
    Correct Answer: (B) only three*
  3. [2024] The organisms Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater are:

    • (a) Birds
    • (b) Fish
    • (c) Insects*
    • (d) Reptiles
    Correct Answer: (C) Insects*
  4. [2020] With reference to India’s biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Graychinned minivet and White-throated redstart are

    • (a) Birds
    • (b) Primates
    • (c) Reptiles
    • (d) Amphibians
    Correct Answer: (A) Birds
  5. [2019] Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

    • (a) anti-malarial drug
    • (b) blodiesel
    • (c) pulp for paper industry
    • (d) textile fibre
    Correct Answer: (A) anti-malarial drug
  6. [2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

    • (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
    • (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
    • (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
    • (d) None of the above
    Correct Answer: (B) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
  7. [2013] Consider the following organisms :
    1.Agaricus
    2.Nostoc
    3.Spirogyra
    Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/biofertilizers?

    • (a) 1 and 2
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) 2 and 3
    • (d) 3 only
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
  8. [2012] The Government of India encourages the cultivation of ‘sea buckthorn ‘. What is the importance of this plant? 1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. 2. It is a rich source of biodiesel. 3. It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes. 4. Its timber is of great commercial value.

    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
    • (c) 1 and 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Correct Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
  9. [2009] In the context of Indian wild life, the flying fox is a

    • (a) Bat
    • (b) Kite
    • (c) Stork
    • (d) Vulture
    Correct Answer: (A) Bat
  10. [2003] Octopus is:

    • (a) An arthropod
    • (b) An echinoderm
    • (c) A hemichordate
    • (d) A mollusk
    Correct Answer: (D) A mollusk