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Four quick points before solutions and analysis

1. This is the solution and analysis of geography questions from CAPF 2016 conducted by UPSC couple of weeks back.
2. Focus on doable questions <and most of the questions are doable without too much mugga>
3. Almost all the questions can be solved after reading NCERT physical geography and geography of INDIA so focus on that
4. Analysis of CSE prelims geography would be done in days to come

1. Which one of the following layers of atmosphere has high concentration of ions?

a)Stratosphere (b) Exosphere
(c) Thermosphere
(d) Troposphere

• Can’t get this wrong
• Every one would have answered if they had said ionosphere. 
• Ions would be formed if there is high temperature so thermosphere

2) Which one of the following cities has greater annual range of temperature?
(a) Kuala Lumpur
(b) New Delhi
(c) Shanghai
(d) Ulaanbaatar

• Shanghai and Kualalampur are port cities. Marine environment. Sea moderates the climate easily excluded
• B/w Delhi and Ulaanbataar  (capital of mongolia) remember pm modi visited mongolia
• Now you read in geography – Himalayas blocking chilly cold winds from the north. So Delhi and Northern India does not freeze but ulanbator does. Would have greater range of temperature
• Also if you had solved previous years question papers or read climatoligy, you would know steppes have extreme climate. Mongolia – steppes

3) Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I List II
(Climate type in letter code) (Major area)
A. Aw 1. Central California
B. Af 2. Indian Sub-Continent
C. Cs 3. North and South of Amazon Forests
D. Am 4. Western Equatorial Africa
Codes
A B C D
(a) 3 1 4 2
(b) 2 4 1 3
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 2 1 4 3

• From ncert koppen system of classification
• m is for monsoon so d would be matched with 2, exclude b and d
• A is for tropical, Af is tropical evergreen i.e equatorial i.e 4
• Answer is clear now
• Aw is tropical Savannah
• Learn this system from NCERT

4. Which one of the following rivers flows between Satpura and Vindhya ranges?(a) Tapi
(b) Sabarmati
(c) Narmada
(d) Mahi

• Very easy
• Narmada river flows through a rift valley b/w Satpuras and Vindhya

5. How is the rate of transpiration affected by decreasing humidity and by decreasing light intensity?
Decreasing humidity Decreasing light intensity
(a) Decreases Decreases
(b) Increases Decreases
(c) Increases Increases
(d) Decreases Increases

• Simple
• If humidity increases, already mote water in the atmosphere so obviously rate of transpiration would slow down
• Similarly if light intensity is more there would naturally be more evaporation more transpiration

6. Consider the following statements relating to Sea Salinity:
1. The ocean salinity depends on evaporation and precipitation
2. Any change in the temperature or density influences the salinity
3. Major source of sea salinity is terrestrial discharge by rivers
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

• I is easily true. More evaporation means more salt left behind, more precipitation means more fresh water
• If temperature is more, there would be more evaporation
• 3rd is a fact <do check it again, i am not very sure about 3rd but I think it’s correct
• http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/whysalty.html

7. Consider the following statements relating to salt production in India:
1. India is the second largest producer of iodised salt in the world next only to China
2. Salt mining is carried out in Himachal Pradesh
3. Gujarat is the leading producer of salt in India
4. Ground water is the important source of salt in Rajasthan
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4

• 3rd is easily true – Salt by evaporation in tropical seas, wind conditions, question has been asked in mains for salt indutsries in Gujrat, dandi March in Gujarat, >75% of total salt in India in Gujrat
• 4th is also true – sambhar lake
• Salt mining was carried out in Himachal Pradesh but stopped in 2011. There’s again propsal to start salt mining in Himachal

8. Which of the following statements relating to Dharwar geological system are correct?

1. They belong to Archaean geological period
2. They are metamorphosed sedimentary rocks
3. They are of great economic importance for its mineral resources
4. They are found predominantly in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Odisha and Jharkhand
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 2 only

• Geology of India is very imp. Learn it in detail. It would help you solve many questions related to chronology and minerals, hydrocarbons etc.
• Archean is the oldest rock system found in aravalis not in dharwar and part of Deccan peninsula
• Dharwar is 2nd oldest
• name Dharwar itself suggest karnataka

9. Which one of the following is the correct order of formation of geological systems in India in terms of their age? [Starting with the oldest]
(a) Dharwars – Aravallis – Vindhyans – Cuddapahs
(b) Aravalis – Dharwars – Cuddapahs – Vindhyans
(c) Vindhyans – Dharwars – Aravallis – Cuddapahs
(d) Cuddapahs – Vindhyans – Dharwars – Aravallis

• Arawali everyone knows is the oldest. Only option is b
• Dharwar 2nd oldest as we saw in previous question

10. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) The rate of evaporation depends on temperature
(b) The rate of evaporation does not depend on surface area exposed to the atmosphere but on volume of the liquid
(c) The rate of evaporation depends on humidity of the surroundings
(d) The rate of evaporation depends on the wind speed

• Sort of internal repeat
• A and c we have seen in the question on transpiration
• High wind speed means wind will take away the atmospheric moisture so more evaporation
• B is anyway a negative statement # red flag # pause and think # high surface area means more area from which evaporation can take place

11. Which of the following statements are correct?
1. Kolkata port is the only riverine major port of India
2. The port of Cochin is located on the Willington Island
3. Maharashtra has three major ports
4. Mundra port is India’s major port in private sector
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4

• 4th is wrong. We had done this in titbit
• Learn about ports from titbit
• Ennore port is the only major port in private sector

12. Perth located on 118th East Longitude will be celebrating New Year event on 1st of January 2017 at 6:00 AM . At that time, what would be time at Los Angeles located on 1100 West Longitude?
(a) 9 : 12 PM of 1st January 2017
(b) 2:48 PM of 31st December 2016
(c) 11: 40 PM of 31st December 2016
(d) 5 : 28 AM of 1st January 2017

• Difference is of 228 degree
• 360 degree equivalent to 24 hrs
• 228 (240) would be equivalent to around 16 hrs
• West hence behind, so obviously 31st dec, 16 hrs behind

13. Arrange the following varieties of silk in India in their order of decreasing production:
1. Muga
2. Eri
3. Mulberry
4. Tasar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 3 – 2 – 4 -1
(b) 3- 4 – 2- 1
(c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
(d) 2- 1 – 4 – 3

• No option but to mug up
• Muga everyone knows so at least you can exclude 2 options

14. Which of the following statements concerning circum-pacific belt are correct?
1. It is an active volcanic realm
2. It is an active seismic realm
3. It is a divergent plate boundary
4. It is prone to Tsunami
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Covered in titbits
• It’s subduction zone, not a divergent plate boundary

15. Which of the following statements relating to solar system is/are correct?
1. Venus and Uranus rotate opposite to the direction of rotation of Earth
2. Venus is the nearest planet to Earth
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only  (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Covered in titbits
• Venus also called Earth’s sister

16. If a place is affected by Tide at 6.00 AM Monday , normally at what time the same place will be affected by Ebb?
(a) 6:26 PM Monday
(b) 6:52 AM Tuesday
(c) 12:13 PM Monday
(d) 00:26 AM Tuesday

• 2 tides 2 ebbs in a day i.e at approx 6 hrs duration
• so ebb at 12 pm
• Learn exact details of tides, neap tide, spring tide etc

We have had 3 rounds of AQAQ before. Let’s have a dinner table conversation again. This would be the final one before this year’s prelims exam.

1. AQAQ Round 1
2. AQAQ Round 2
3. AQAQ Round 3

This time we will try to keep it most practical. 

source

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Do just one thing:

1. Tell us about a topic/ theme which you think is definitely going to come in this years’ prelims and WHY. If you are a senior player in this game, all the better – you have seen UPSC’s pattern through years and you might just strike gold with your predictions coming true.

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PS: Those reading this blog on the app, you won’t be able to read or put in your comments from there so please open this blog’s link from a mobile/ laptop browser.

PPS: The Final Full Test is on 23rd of July (the coming saturday). Mark your attempts by joining us for the Full Length Tests.

source

Hi,

I just need to say this to boost my motivation level (can help others too). As the prelims is approaching, i’ve more apprehensions about getting through it. And this is after the fact that I’ve studied not less than 5 hours a day (EVERYDAY without fail) consistently  for more than a year. Test scores varies, which further increase my doubts about my prep.

I am sure i am not the only one to feel that. 

To all who feel the same: 

“This is a sign of a serious aspirant! Yes you read it right. This means you have worked hard, you put so many things at stake, you took a toll on your social life, you cut down your friend-gatherings, you compromised your fun, you have put in hell lots of efforts. NOW is the time to have faith in your efforts. Do not let it go in vain at last moment. 

Test scores are not to decide your final result, they are to give you a direction to improve minutest mistake, before EXAM. Don’t ever Panic on low score. You will do much better than you think!”

Revise, Revise and Revise…..

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This post was an email from a reader. Has been kept anonymous for her comfort but we hope this brings some peace to all of you who have had some bad days. If you wish to write to us about your good/ bad days – email us at hello[at]civilsdaily.com

Every year, we try to read the UPSC examiner’s mind to position our preparation on the right track and more often than not, the said examiners do allow us a window to take a detour through their mind and marvel at the beauty of the art of crafting questions by them. And the beauty lies not in making the question which no one has ever heard of but ensuring that some questions are such that you can attempt them even if you just devoted 2 minutes of your long tea break in discussing what others had been studying.

Here are few such question which only need a calm look at the question and common sense and you can’t mark them wrong even if you mark them while half asleep:

BUT if you got these incorrect then you need to start studying from this moment itself.

This blog is specifically for the junta who joined the final 4 FLTs with us. If you have joined and haven’t attempted the FLT #2, please do so. Click here.

Here’s the list from the FLT #2:

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Q.3) India successfully tested the Reusable Launch Vehicle technology demonstrator recently.

What are the benefits of developing a reusable launch vehicle?

1. It shall cut down on the cost of satellite launches.
2. It shall be a step forward for manned space missions in future.

Select the correct alternative using the codes given below.

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) Both 1 and 2
4. d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q.4) In recent times, few places have been in news due to local movements centred around ecological/environmental issues. In this context consider the following pairs:

1. Mithi Virdi : Maharashtra
2. Niyamgiri Hills : Odisha
3. Plachimada : Tamil Nadu

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

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

Q.6) After Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh, which of the following pairs represents the western most and eastern most states of India?

1. a) Rajasthan and Nagaland
2. b) Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur
3. c) Rajasthan and Manipur
4. d) Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland

Q.13) Which of the following is/are the pollutants released into the air by combustion of fossil fuels?

1. Oxides of carbon
2. Oxides of sulphur
3. Oxides of hydrogen
4. Oxides of nitrogen

Select the correct alternative using the codes given below.

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

 

Q.14) Which one of the following conventions/protocols is associated with prohibition of trade in wildlife and plants that can threaten their survival?

1. a) Nagoya Protocol
2. b) CBD
3. c) Cartagena Protocol
4. d) CITES

Q.20) Consider the following rivers:

1. Alaknanda
2. Ramganga
3. Pindar

Which of the above rivers flow through Uttarakhand?

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

Q.22) A joint sitting of the two houses of the Parliament may be called upon by

1. a) the Prime Minister
2. b) the Rajya Sabha Secretariat
3. c) the President
4. d) the Leader of the house in Lok Sabha

Q.24) With respect to the Indian freedom struggle, a violent incident at Chauri Chaura led to the withdrawal of which one of the following movements?

1. a) Civil Disobedience Movement
2. b) Quit India Movement
3. c) Non-Cooperation Movement
4. d) Swadeshi Movement

There are 6 more questions in this paper (FLT #2) which everyone should have got correct. But we won’t prick you more.

Hope you are writing your Full Length Mocks seriously. Learn from the explanations but do not go easy on them when you are attempting the tests. There will be many among you who will score an ace on subjects they did not even study properly, but could make an educated guess on.

Make sure you are one of them!

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The FLTs are being held at prelims.civilsdaily.com

Pre 2009

1. One of the following began with the Dandi March?

1. Home Rule Movement     
2. Non – Cooperation Movement
3. Civil Disobedience Movement
4. Quit India Movement

Dandi march is very very imp. for prelims and mains. Even last year question on dandi march in south India was asked

Learning – Poorna Swareaj resolution and Dandi march, Choice of salt law

2. With which one of the following movements is the slogan ”Do or Die” associated?

1. Swadeshi Movement     
2. Non – Cooperation Movement
3. Civil Disobedience Movement
4. Quit India Movement

QIM has been asked so many times. Almost every year there is one question on QIM.

Learning – Phases of QIM, Contrast QIM with other Gandhian movements, Karnataka method

3. Who of the following founded the Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association?

1. Mahatma Gandhi     
2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
3. N. M. Joshi     
4. J. B. Kripalani

• Gandhiji first three satyagrahas very important
• One of them was Ahmedabad textile mill workers strike <this association went on strike>
• There he would find this association
• In this movement  Ambalal Sarabhai’s sister, Anasuya Behn, was one of the main lieutenants of Gandhiji.

4. In the context of the Indian freedom struggle 16th October 1905 is well known for which one of the following reasons?

1. The formal proclamation of Swadeshi Movement was made in Calcutta town hall
2. I Partition of Bengal took effect
3. Dadabhai Naoroji declared that the goal of Indian National Congress was Swaraj
4. Lolananya Tilak started Swadeshi Movement in Poon

• Questions from one of the most imp. topic <learn everything about it, sequence of events, when was partition 1st announced, when it took effect etc.>
• there could be confusion b/w 1 and 2
• The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi movement was made on August 7, 1905 at a meeting held at the Calcutta Town hall.
• At the August 7 meeting, the famous Boycott resolution was passed.
• Boycott was first suggested by Krishan Kumar Mitra in Sanjivani in 1905.

5. In the ”Individual Satyagraha”, Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second?

1. Dr. Rajendra Prasad     
2. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
3. C. Rajagopalachari     
4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

• J.L.Nehru. idea was to court arrest by breaking a law individually <which law did he break?>
• Third was Brahma Datt, one of the inmates of the Gandhi’s Ashram
• It’s important to remember that the Individual Satyagraha was not to seek independence but to affirm the right of speech <Gandhiji did not want t embarass Britain during 2nd world war, hence was not in favour of mass movement>

Learning – CDM v/s Individual civil Disobedience movement, Gandhi v/s Subhash debate

6.  Consider the following statements:

The Cripps Proposals include the provision for

1. Full independence for India
2. Creation of Constitution making body.

Which of the statements given above is are correct?

1. 1 only     
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2     
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• 1 is wrong. It provided for dominion and that’s one of the reason why congress rejected the Cripps proposal <India would be a dominion associated with the United kingdom – Cripps propsal>
  
• It provided for constitution making body and for the 1st time England conceded that constitution making would be sole responsibility of Indians
• This was the one such propsal which was rejeected by all including Congress, League Hindu Mahasabha, Sikh, Dali

Learning -:Cripps proposals, Wavell plan, timeline of events from 2nd word war to independence

7. During the freedom struggle, Aruna Asaf AIi was a major woman organizer of underground activity in :

1. Civil Disobedience Movement
2. Non-Cooperation Movement
3. Quit India Movement     
4. Swadeshi Movement

Underground activity was the 3rd phase of quit India movement, so obviously Aruna Asaf Ali would have organised that during that movement only.

Learning – three phases of quit India movement

8. In collaboration with David Hare and Alexander Duff, who of the following established Hindu College at Calcutta?

1. Henry Louis Vivian Derozio     
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
3. Keshab Chandra Sen     
4. Raja Rammohan Roy

That Everything about Raja Ram Mohan Roy is important, I have repeated ad nauseum

9.Who of the following Prime Ministers sent Cripps Mission to India?

1. James Ramsay MacDonald     
2. Stanley Baldwin
3. Neville Chamberlain     
4. Winston Churchill

• Cripps mission came to India in 1942.
• World war 2 was going on then
• You all know Winston Churchill was war time PM. Answer is clear now

Learning – mcdonald, communal award and Poona pact

10. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation?

1. It curtailed the freedom of religion
2. It suppressed the Indian traditional education
3. It authorized the government to imprison people without trial
4. It curbed the trade union activities

• Repeat
• Imprisonment without trial. For how many months?

11. Consider the following statements:

1. The first telegraph line in India was laid between Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and Diamond Harbour.
2. The first Export Processing Zone in India was set up in Kandla.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

1. 1 only     
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2     
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• 1st telegraph line in 1850 <who was the governor general?>
• 1st EPZ in 1956

12. Consider the following statements:

1. The discussions in the Third Round Table Conference eventually led to the passing of the Government of India Act of 1935.
2. The Government of India Act of 1935 provided for the establishment of an All India Federation to be based on a Union of the provinces of British India and the Princely States.

Which of the above statements is/ are correct?

1. 1 only     
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2     
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• GOI act 1935 very important
• 2nd statement is true. It provided for an all India federation
• RTCs were held to discuss further constitutional advance of India in 1930s so obviously 1st us also true

Learning – GOI Act 1935, round table conferences and Gandhi Irwin pact

A few difficult questions from CAPF 2015

1. Which one of the following statements about the Gandhi-Irwin Pact is NOT correct?

1. Gandhi wrote a letter seeking an interview with the Viceroy
2. Civil Disobedience movement was to be discontinued
3. The imprisoned freedom fighters were to be released
4. All the lands that had been confiscated were to be returned to the original owners

Only the land that had not been sold was to be returned

2. Which one of the following was NOT the feature of the Home Rule movement in India?

1. Boycott and Picketing
2. Two separate Home-Rule Leagues rather than one All-India Home-Rule Organisation
3. Setting up of discussion groups and reading rooms
4. Sale and circulation of pamphlets

• Boycott and picketing was done in Swadeshi movement and Gandhian movements
• Home rule league was more of an intellectual sort of movement which mainly attracted educated people in urban areas

3. Which of the following represents the main phases of the Quit India Movement ?

1. Strikes, boycotts, and picketing in urban centres
2. Widespread attacks in rural areas on the many symbols and means of colonial rule and authority, e.g. railways, telegraph lines, and Government buildings
3. Formation of Home Rule leagues
4. The ‘Karnataka method’

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

• Phases of QIM very important
• There was formation of parallel govts not home rule leagues
• Home rule leagues were formed in Home rule movement

P.S. This completes the analysis of history. Do solve last yaer questions of history of various UPSC papers and from 2000 to 2008 CSE prelims history portion

P.P.S. – Analysis of geography or art and culture/ancient/ medieval India will be done from tomorrow.

What’s this?

Discussion blog page for those who just attempted FL#3. 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.