Miscellaneous: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Miscellaneous (Geography). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 1999Geography · Miscellaneous
Q1. Which one of the following types of coal contains a higher percentage of carbon than the rest?
Explanation
Anthracite is a hard, brittle coal characterized by its high carbon content, typically ranging from 86% to 98%. It is considered the most metamorphosed type of coal, meaning it has undergone the most intense heat and pressure during its formation. This high carbon content makes anthracite the clean-est-burning type of coal, producing very little smoke or volatile matter. It is often referred to as "hard coal" and burns with a short, blue flame. Due to its cleaner-burning properties, anthracite is a preferred fuel source where minimizing air pollution is a priority. However, its relative scarcity and higher cost compared to other coal types limit its widespread use.
UPSC 1999Geography · Miscellaneous
Q2. Which one of the following scholars suggested the earth’s origin from gases and dust particles?
Explanation
Otto Schmidt, a Soviet geophysicist and astronomer, proposed a theory for the origin of the Earth and other planets in the solar system based on a cloud of gas and dust particles. His hypothesis, known as the "dust cloud hypothesis", suggested that the Sun, while already formed, captured or interacted with a surrounding cloud of interstellar material. This cloud, composed of gas, dust, and ice particles, began to rotate and flat-ten under the influence of the Sun’s gravity. Within this rotating disk, particles collided and clumped together, gradually forming larger and larger bodies. v v v
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1999
(d) Anthracite
2
1999
(d) O. Schmidt
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Miscellaneous?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Miscellaneous (Geography), asked from 1999 to 2009. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Miscellaneous?
Questions on Miscellaneous (Geography) are available for 6 years, from 1999 to 2009. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
