Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The renal artery is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the kidneys for filtration. After the kidneys filter the blood by removing waste products and excess substances, the cleansed blood is returned to the systemic circulation via the renal vein, not the renal artery.

Statement 2 is correct: From Bowman’s capsule, the glomerular filtrate(filtered liquid) passes into the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), where essential substances, including glucose, are actively reabsorbed. This reabsorbed glucose along with other nutrients is then transported into the peritubular capillaries and eventually returned to the bloodstream via the renal vein. This ensures that the body retains necessary nutrients while excreting waste.

Explanation

Milk does contain several B-vitamins such as Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) along with Vitamin D, calcium, and proteins. For instance, a 200ml glass of semi-skimmed milk provides approximately 0.47 mg of riboflavin, which is about 33% of the recommended daily intake. Options (b), (c) and (d) are correct:

Vitamin A is found in foods like carrots, liver, and dairy products and is crucial for maintaining healthy skin. A deficiency in vitamin A can cause xerosis (dry, scaly skin) due to its role in maintaining healthy skin and mucous membranes. Scurvy is caused by a deficiency in vitamin C. One of its symptoms is joint pain, along with others like fatigue, swollen gums, and bruising. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, amla, and guava. A severe deficiency in Vitamin B1(thiamine) can result in beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular system, potentially leading to heart failure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, swelling of the lower legs, and increased heart rate. It is present in whole grains, nuts, and legumes.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: When hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the stomach enters the duodenum, it lowers the pH of intestinal contents. This triggers S-cells in the duodenal lining to release secretin. Secretin signals the pancreas to release bicarbonate-rich fluid. This fluid neutralizes the acid, creating an optimal environment for digestive enzymes to function.

Statement 2 is correct: Enterogastrone refers to a group of hormones secreted by the duodenal mucosa when dietary fats are present. These hormones, including secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) slows down gastric motility and inhibit stomach secretions. This regulation ensures that chyme moves gradually from the stomach to the small intestine, promoting better fat digestion and absorption.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Victoria Falls, known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "The Smoke That Thunders," is located on the Zambezi River. It straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River is the fourth-longest river in Africa and flows through several countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Mozambique. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

The Amazon River, which is the largest river in the world by discharge, flows through South America, primarily through Brazil, but does not have Victoria Falls. The Missouri River is a major river in the United States, flowing through several states. It does not have any waterfalls as famous as Victoria Falls. The St. Lawrence River flows through Canada and the United States, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. While it has several rapids and is an important waterway for shipping, it is not associated with Victoria Falls.

Explanation

Israel shares its borders with four neighboring countries: Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest. These borders have evolved significantly since Israel’s establishment in 1948, influenced by various geopolitical events and agreements.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Bolivia, situated in South America, is the only landlocked nation among the listed countries. It shares borders with Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Peru: Located on the western coast of South America, Peru has an extensive Pacific Ocean shoreline, facilitating significant maritime trade. Suriname: Situated on the northeastern coast of South America, Suriname borders the Atlantic Ocean, providing it with access to international shipping routes. Uruguay: Located in the southeastern part of the continent, Uruguay has coastlines along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Rio de la Plata estuary, enhancing its maritime connectivity.

Explanation

The Caspian Sea, the world’s largest enclosed inland body of water, is bordered by five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Armenia, however, is not among these nations. Situated in the South Caucasus region, Armenia is a landlocked country bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan to the east and southwest.

Option (a) is correct: Armenia’s geographical location places it to the southeast of the Caspian Sea, but it does not share a coastline with it. Instead, Armenia is bordered by Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan to the east and south-west.

Explanation

Barry Richards was a legendary South African batsman. Tex Dexter was a well-known cricketer from England. Alan Davidson was a famous Australian left-arm fast bowler and all-rounder. Charlie Griffith was a feared fast bowler from the West Indies.

Explanation

Soma Biswas is associated with Athletics. She’s a renowned Indian athlete from West Bengal who specialized in the heptathlon, winning silver medals at the 2002 and 2006 Asian Games.

Explanation

In the 2002 IAAF Grand Prix Final, Tim Montgomery set a new world record in the 100 m Dash, with a time of 9.78 seconds. This performance broke the previous world record of 9.79 seconds, which was held by Maurice Greene (USA).