Search results for: “”

As of now, out of the 1,000+ registered aspirants, 761 have attempted the Full Length Tests offered by Civilsdaily at prelims.civilsdaily.full.length.tests

 

Full Length – Prelims 2016 from Civilsdaily

With almost a 100% certainty, we can assure that students who consistently improved their scores and hovered around 95+ marks in these FLTs should sail through the Prelims easily.

---

We make this observations basis the paper setting and the trends on score improvement shown by our test takers. Within a span of 4 tests, we have seen students going up from mid 70s to 110+ and that is incredible.

The Final FLT (Test #4) has a mix bag of questions, closest to 2015’s UPSC Prelims so if you get to score 110+ in that, consider yourself blessed 🙂

With that confidence, we want to offer everyone (including the original subscribers) a sweet surprise

1. Join in the Full Length Mocks by paying up the module fee of Rs. 499. For the registered users, this step is done 🙂
2. If you average out 95+ in the 4 tests – trust us, you are going to sail through the PRE. Keep going through the explanations and Dr. V’s tikdams
3. In a rarest of rare case that it does not happen, we will take care of your trust shown in us by adjusting the Rs. 499 in our grand FLTs package for IAS 2017 and make sure you get the best of the prep, all year round
4. All those who do get to clear the prelims, do write back to us and we will send you one of these 7 memoirs of ex-civil servants or an equally motivating novel as a gift of our appreciation towards your sincere, hard work 🙂

Why are we doing this?

1. We saw a lot of junta joining us for the Open Mocks but not continuing for the FLTs
2. This is understandable that if you have subscribed to some other TS, you might not want to spend more
3. But we received a lot of emails/ comments from students joining other well known TS/ writing Open tests and still not feeling confident with the outcomes
4. Hence, this offer – If you are a sincere test taker and you can average out 95+ in our FLTs – you be assured of your success
5. We would want 100% of you to benefit from the efforts put from our side. We took care of the paper setting – you take care of the attempts now
6. Your relative ranks are gonna be out in the open. See how you perform and elevate your test scores vis-a-vis the other guys who have already taken the tests

• FLTs #1 Ranks
• FLTs #2 Ranks
• FLTs #3 Ranks
• FLTs #4 Ranks

Keep 4 days aside and give these 4 tests. You will love us for pushing this over to you 🙂

Full Length – Prelims 2016 from Civilsdaily

And of course, there will be an amazing book waiting for you at the end of your victory lap.

Pre  2012

1. Consider the following factors:(2012)

1. Rotation of the Earth
2. Air pressure and wind
3. Density of ocean water
4. Revolution of the Earth

Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

• Rotation of earth – Coriolis force deflects ocean currents
• Winds are the primary mover
• Now look at 3, density of water. High density water will sink,

2. When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following :

1. Deep gorges
2. U-turn river courses
3. Parallel mountain ranges
4. Steep gradients causing land-sliding

Which of the above can be said to be the evidences for Himalayas being young fold mountains?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• NCERT
• Himalayas young mountain, youthful river flowing through that so deep gorges and U turn river courses correct
• Young and fold, so originated in series so parallel ranges
• Steep gradient

3. Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because

1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth’s surface
2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere
3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Everyone knows about 1 that atmosphere is heated by infrared radiation emitted by earth not by the ultraviolet radiation of sun
• 2nd statement is not true. What explains higher moisture in upper atmosphere. In fact moisture is more in lower atmosphere
• 3rd statement is true. Air is less dense, meaning can hold less heat thus temperature is low

4. Consider the following agricultural practices 

1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage

In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequetration/storage in the soil?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of them

5. Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops

(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field

(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

(d) None of the above

• NCERT Question
• Mixed farming is agriculture with animal husbandry

Learnig -Interrcropping

6. Consider the following crops of India :

1. Cowpea
2. Green gram
3. Pigeon pea

Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Common sense suggests all <i am not sure of the answer though>
• All three belong to same family

7. Consider the following crops of India :

1. Groundnut
2. Sesamum
3. Pearl millet

Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Pulses and oilseeds are grown in rainfed areas.
• Ground nut – oil seed -grown in M.P.
• Sesmum – oil seed
• pearl millet – pulse

8. Consider the following areas:

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are Tiger Reserves?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) l, 2, 3 and 4

• Bhitarkanika is a wetland and has been asked before this and after this
• It’s famous for birds, not tigers, not a tiger reserve
• Exclude 2, reach the answer

9. A particular State in India has the following characteristics :

1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State.

Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Assam

(c) Himachal Pradesh

(d) Uttarakhand

• Only in North East and Andaman can 80% of area be under forests, Himachal and Uttarakhand ruled out
• Forest area in Assam can not be >80%. A large part of Assam is valley. It’s forest area is actually <50%

10. With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements :

1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands larger than that of wetlands.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Factual but wetlands very very important
• Doubt could be b/w Gujrat (rann of kutch and coastal wetland) and West bengal (sunderbans)
• 2nd is also factual

11. The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? 

1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.
2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected.
4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• 2 is correct, everyone knows that. Corals calcium Skelton, acid will dissolve that skeleton
• 1 is also true with similar logic, calcareous that is calcium Skelton will be dissolved by acid
• Now look at 4,  cloud seeding would be affected by particulates present in the atmosphere not that in ocean. Exclude 4, include 1 and 2
• shelter during a cyclone or tsunami

12. Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region? 

(a) Rainfall throughout the year

(b) Rainfall in winter only

(c) An extremely short dry season

(d) A definite dry and wet season

• Covered in titbits
• Rainfall in winters only in Mediterranean
• Rainfall through out in evergreen forests
• Short dry season would not be conducive for fires

source

Hello All,

So finally even the FLTs are over and now it’s a matter of days before you implore the unrelenting examiner to hand over the question booklet to you while still trying to adjust in the small chairs. 🙂

Anyway, let’s get down to the final business. After Dr. V’s Art of MCQs marking, Prelims Titbits, Paper Analysis series, 17 Mazes, 10 Mini Mocks and 4 FLTs down it can be safely assumed that you have revised, analysed and practiced enough.

BUT all of us at CD put together can help you only till this point. Now it is squarely upon you to perform. This is the time you can learn your lessons. Tomorrow may be too late.

After a roller coaster ride of 700+ questions with discussions and disagreements on answer choices, I hope that all of you did enjoy the MCQs. And now the last sermon:

#1. If you feel that you did not perform up to the mark in the mocks, just sleep over it! Many toppers have this tendency hardwired in them. They never perform in the mocks and always outperform others in the actual test.

#2. Do whatever lies within your capacity. That you shall succeed cannot be a pre-condition to your preparation. It just increases stress. Just go out and do your best.

#3. Don’t let setbacks hold you back. Perseverance takes you far, to the unconquered territories and to the unimaginable heights.

#4. None of the previous toppers were placed on earth to clear UPSC under some utopian design of the cosmos. No universe conspired to see them become Indian Civil Servants. Truth be told, they were average boys and girls who chose to take this exam, respected their choice and worked hard to get it done. And believe it or not but deep down each one of us knows if we are actually working to achieve our goal or are just pretending that we are working.

#5. At the end, the only person who can see you through this exam is you. We can guide you, your parents can ensure you have all you luxury needed to prepare your exams, your friends can motivate you but you are the one who has to study. And if you are not, you are letting down many who have pinned their hopes on you.

And now the tips which many of you might have read about a year back as well.

#6. Reach the venue well before the scheduled time so you do not enter the examination hall, catching up on your breath. It not only affects your performance, it disturbs others as well.

#7. Enter the Roll Number, Series Code etc. carefully on the OMR sheet. You cannot erase it as it is to be marked with a black ball point pen.

#8. The first page of the question booklet contains the instructions to the candidates and is seldom read by them assuming it to a copy-paste from the previous years. READ IT. You never know when UPSC may add/delete/alter an instruction.

#9. Do count the number of pages as indicated. Never takes more than 30 seconds.

#10. Read the questions carefully.

#11. Read all the answer choices before you zero in on the one you wish to mark as your response on the OMR sheet. Remember UPSC clearly mentions that in case you feel there are more than one correct alternative, mark the ‘most appropriate’ one as your answer i.e. Option (a) may appear to be correct but Option (d) may be the most appropriate. So read all of them before you mark your response.

#12. There are a good number of questions wherein several statements are given and you are asked to choose the correct/incorrect ones. First of all be sure whether you are being asked to choose the statements which are ‘correct’ or ‘not correct’. Thereafter check the statements which you know to be definitely correct or definitely incorrect. Use it to zero in on the answer. Knowing the definitely incorrect statements is as good as knowing the definitely correct ones.

#13. Use elimination method judiciously.

#14. DO NOT indulge in indiscriminate guess work. You should be able to eliminate at least two choices before you mark the answer while guessing.

#15. Mark the responses carefully in the answer sheet as there is no/little scope of altering it.

#16. Coming to Paper II, even though it has been made qualifying, do attempt all the questions you can.

#17. Most importantly, do not worry about the cut-offs in the examination hall. Focus on the paper. Cut off can be discussed in the evening, even though it is fruitless.

#18. After Paper I, maintain a safe distance from those claiming to have attempted 80, 90 or even 100 in some cases. By evening they will come down to 60 and 40, the next morning when they regain their senses.

#19. Keep the OMR sheet tidy.

#20. Do not forget to carry your roll number and black ball point pens.

Best of Luck and do well!

Regards,

Unbounded Wisdom

---

The solutions for all the FLTs have been uploaded on the portal. Click here to download them.

Pre 2013

1. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

1. Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia
2. Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa
3. Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa
4. Okavango Basin : Patagonia

• Atlas mountain easy question, was also in news related to terrorism and coup in Mali/ sahel region
• Abyssinian plateau is in Ethiopia (in Africa) ( in world history, we study abyssinia defeating Italy in 1896)
• Guiana Highland= In South America
• Okavango basin/swamp= In Southern part of in Africa.

2. “Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The above statement best describes which of the following regions?

1. African Savannah
2. Central Asian Steppe
3. North American Prairie
4. Siberian Tundra

• savannah don’t have extreme climate
• Central Asian steppes have. Plus nomadic herders. Imagine mongols and Mongolia
• Prairies have farms, no nomadic life
• Tundra can not have herders, climate is just not suitable for that

Learning – difference b/w Sawannah and grasslands, names of grasslands, Koeppen classification

3. The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?

1. It occupies a linear rift valley.
2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
3. The land slopes to the west from Central India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. None

• See statement 2 was asked in this year’s CAPF exam
• 3rd is factually wrong
• 1 is given in NCERT. It also seems the only plausible reason as rift valley can force the direction

Learning – rivers and tributaries mentioned in NCERTs

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. None

• Geologic history of India very important. You can answer all such questions from that.
• It’s common knowledge, Gondwana is famous for coal fields nor natural gas
• Dharwar (Karnataka) has other minerals like iron, manganese not petrol
• Mica occurs in Kodarma <kodarma mines in Jharkhand>

Learning – geologic history of India

5. Which of the following is / are the characteristic/ characteristics of Indian coal?

1. High ash content
2. Low sulphur content
3. Low ash fusion temperature

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• High ash ie low quality. Indian coal is low quality. We import coking coal
• Low sulphur is also common knowledge
• But ash fusion temperature is generally not given in books. This statement was wrong. Indian coal actually has high ash fusion temperature

6. Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?

1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1 and 4
4. 2 and 3 only

• Covered in titbit
• Easy question
• No major soil rich in nitrogen. Exclude 3, only option left is
• 2 is also incorrect as they occur in areas with high rainfall
• Laterite soil is found on western ghats, tapoica and cashews grow there
• Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminum

Learning – Soils of India, characteristics and geographical spread

7. Consider the following crops

1. Cotton
2. Groundnut
3. Rice
4. Wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?

1. 1 and 4
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 2, 3 and 4

• NCERT
• Wheat everyone knows is rabi crop – wheat holi
• Eliminate 4
• Now look at 1 – cotton – kharif crop

Learning – Kharif, Rabi, Zaid season

8. Consider the following pairs :

1. Limboo (Limbu) : Sikkim
2. Karbi : Himachal Pradesh
3. Dongaria : Odisha
4. Bonda : Tamil Nadu

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Tribes are asked but difficult to remember
• Dongaria – Odisha is easy as dongaria kondh tribe was in news due to POSCO project
• Karbi would be of Assam – karbi aunglong protest for separate state
• Exclude 2, include 3. You can eleminate 2 options but you still need to know about 4
• Bonda are the most primitive tribal groups in Odisha

9. Variations in the length of daytime and night time from season to season are due to

1. the earth’s rotation on its axis
2. the earth’s revolution round the sun in an elliptical manner
3. latitudinal position of the place
4. revolution of the earth on a tilted axis

Simple NCERT question taught in 5th standard that season are due to tilt. Only one option related to tilt

10. On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion

1. is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
2. is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
3. exists as groundwater
4. exists as soil moisture

• 1 and 4 can be easily excluded as they would be very low percentage
• B/w lakes and rivers v/s ground water, simple logic suggests, even lakes and rivers replenish ground water reserves so that should be more
• In any case it is taught in 7th – 8th Std. Ground water >>>> river lake water

11. During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the

1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky
2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds
3. violent upward movement of air and water particles

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. None of the above produces the thunder

• Thunder is caused by lightning.
• When a lightning bolt travels from the cloud to the ground it actually opens up a little hole in the air, called a channel.
• Once then light is gone the air collapses back in and creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder.
• The reason we see lightning before we hear thunder is because light travels faster than sound!

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-thunderstorms.htm

12. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is / are the reason / reasons?

1. Thermal difference between land and water.
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans.
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Similar question was asked in CAPF this year. Maximum annual range of temperature
• You know 1 is correct Ie Continentality difference in specific heat, thermal difference
• Statement 2 is a bogus statement, what does altitude has to do with any of that
• Exclude 2, include 1
• Statement 4 is also wrong, not heavy rainfall in interior but less rain fall in interior

Learning – continentality, sea breeze – land breeze

13. Consider the following:

1. Electromagnetic radiation
2. Geothermal energy
3. Gravitational force
4. Plate movements
5. Rotation of the earth
6. Revolution of the earth

Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
2. 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
3. 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

• 4th is obviously correct, eliminate option 2
• But what the hell is dynamic change?? I have no idea

 

What’s this?

Discussion blog page for those who just attempted FL#4. Discussion is open for any question which you had a doubt about, brainstorming on ways to arrive at a particular answer, any other interesting tit bit that you may share etc.

Where are the prelims mocks held?

Go to the link and start attempting the mocks. Click here. 100 Questions – True to UPSC pattern.

When will the detailed explanations be uploaded?

The detailed explanations will be provided to subscribers only. You can find the explanation pdf uploaded on the Document centre within the portal on the coming Sunday.