UPSC 2004 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

A is matched with 1: The Black Sea is an inland sea in south-eastern Europe. It is bordered by six countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey. Bulgaria’s eastern coastline lies along the western edge of the Black Sea, providing it with significant maritime access. This strategic position has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchanges between Bulgaria and other Black Sea nations. B is matched with 3: The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. It is situated between northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by several countries, including Egypt to the northwest, Sudan to the southwest, and Eritrea to the southeast. Djibouti and Saudi Arabia lie to the east, while Yemen is situated to the southeast. The Red Sea is also connected to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal and to the Arabian Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. C is matched with 2: The Yellow Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It lies between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula. D is matched with 4: The Caspian Sea is recognized as the world’s largest inland body of water, and is bordered by five countries, namely, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Venezuela is situated on the northern coast of South America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the east. Notably, Venezuela does not share a border with Panama; the two countries are separated by Colombia. Options (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect: Panama, a Central American nation, is strategically positioned on the Isthmus of Panama, connecting North and South America. It shares its western border with Costa Rica, while Colombia lies to the east. The Pacific Ocean forms its southern coastline, and the Caribbean Sea borders it to the north. This unique geography has established Panama as a critical conduit for international maritime trade, exemplified by the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Explanation

Vijay Singh is a famous professional golfer from Fiji. He had a successful career in international golf, winning several major championships, including the PGA Championship and the Masters Tournament.

Explanation

V.V.S. Laxman holds the record for the highest score by an Indian in a Test match innings with his 281 against Australia in 2001 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Explanation

Shikha Tandon (Swimming) - Indian swimmer with 146 national and international medals; first Indian to qualify for two events at the 2004 Olympics. Ignace Tirkey (Hockey) - Versatile Indian midfielder; part of the 2003 Asia Cup-winning team and represented India in multiple international tournaments, including the Olympics. Pankaj Advani (Cue Sports) - 23-time world champion in snooker and billiards, one of India’s greatest cueists. Rohan Bopanna (Tennis) - Indian doubles specialist; 2017 French Open mixed doubles champion and ATP circuit star.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has diversified into the hydropower sector as part of its efforts to expand into more environmentally friendly energy sources. It has undertaken projects like the Koldam Hydro Electric Power Project in Himachal Pradesh and other hydropower projects in Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Additionally, NTPC has acquired stakes in hydro-focused companies like THDC India and NEEPCO, further expanding its hydropower portfolio.

Statement 2 is correct: Power Grid Corporation of India (PG-CIL) has diversified into the telecom sector through its subsidiary, Power Grid Teleservices Limited, under the brand name PowerTel. It uses its extensive transmission network for laying optical fiber cables and offers telecom services, including leasing bandwidth to telecom operators.

Explanation

Kolkata-Hajira (Part of former NH6, now mostly NH53) is a major east-west corridor, traversing several states and covering a considerable distance. It is one of the longer na-tional highways in India, approximately in the range of 1900-2000 km, and it is likely the longest of the options. It runs west to east through Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. A significant portion of this route now falls under the renumbered NH53.

Explanation

The highest individual score in a Test innings evolved over time, with Hanif Mohammad (337 in 1958) holding the record before Garfield Sobers surpassed it with 365* in 1958. Brian Lara then set a new record with 375 in 1994, before Matthew Hayden broke it with 380 in 2003.