UPSC 2008 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Primates are a diverse group of mammals divided into two major categories: monkeys and apes. While monkeys and apes share common ancestors, they differ significantly in their characteristics, behavior, and evolutionary history.

Option (c) is correct: Langurs are Old World monkeys(and not ape) and belong to the family Cercopithecidae. Unlike apes, langurs have tails, a key feature that distinguishes them from apes. They are primarily found in South and Southeast Asia. These monkeys are known for their long limbs and often live in large social groups. Langurs feed on leaves, fruits, and seeds, and are often seen foraging in groups. Their tails help them maintain balance while moving through the trees. They are also much smaller in size than the great apes like gorillas. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Gibbons are lesser apes, belonging to the family Hylobatidae. They are known for their remarkable brachiation (swinging from tree to tree using their long arms), making them one of the most agile primates. Gibbons are found in Southeast Asia and are relatively small compared to other apes. Gorillas are great apes, the largest of all living primates belonging to the family Hominidae. Gorillas are native to Central Africa and live in groups led by a dominant male known as a silverback. Gorillas are primarily terrestrial, spending most of their time on the ground, unlike the gibbon, which is arboreal. Gorillas, like all apes, do not have tails, and they share a close genetic relationship with humans. Orangutans are great apes of the genus Pongo. They are highly intelligent and spend most of their time in trees, primarily in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Orangutans have remarkable cognitive abilities, using tools and even creating nests to sleep in.

Explanation

Malta is an island country situated in the central Mediterranean Sea. It is strategically located between Sicily (Italy) to the north and North Africa (specifically Tunisia and Libya) to the south.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

The Baltic Sea is located in Northern Europe bordered by countries such as Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. It is a brackish inland sea and it plays a significant role in regional trade and ecology in Northern Europe. The Black Sea lies to the northeast of Malta, bordered by Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Russia. It is surrounded by countries in Eastern Europe and Western Asia and is important for trade routes, especially for countries like Russia and Ukraine. The North Sea is located in Northern Europe, bordered by Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. It is a cold, productive sea that serves as a major fishing area and an important oil-producing region.

Explanation

The equator is an imaginary line that divides the Earth into two hemispheres: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. Singapore is located just north of the equator, at 1° 17 N, making it the closest city to the equator in this list. It is a global financial hub and one of the world’s busiest ports. Its proximity to the equator means that it experiences a tropical rainforest climate characterized by high humidity, heavy rainfall, and consistent temperatures year-round.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Colombo is situated to the north of the equator, about 7 degrees away. The tropical climate in Colombo means it experiences a warm, humid environment year-round. It is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka and serves as its commercial capital. Jakarta is located at approximately at 6° 9 S latitude and 106° 49 E longitude. It lies just south of the equator, about 6 degrees away. It experiences a warm tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall and temperatures throughout the year. Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia and one of the largest urban centers in Southeast Asia. Manila is situated at 14 degrees north of the equator. While it is still within the tropical zone, it is farther from the equator compared to Colombo, Jakarta, and Singapore. It is the capital of the Philippines and is located on the western side of Luzon Island which is the largest island in the Philippines.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The Malacca Strait lies between the Malay Peninsula (in Malaysia) and the Sumatra Island (in Indonesia). It connects the Andaman Sea to the South China Sea and is a crucial shipping route. The Malacca Strait is located around 100°E longitude, which is far to the east of the International Date Line (at 180° longitude). It is relatively far from the IDL compared to the other options.

Option (b) is correct: The Bering Strait is extremely close to the International Date Line. The Bering Strait is located between the Easternmost point of Russia (Chukchi Peninsula) and the Alaskan coast of the United States. It connects the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea. The IDL passes through the Bering Strait, making it the closest to the IDL of all the options listed. This proximity means that the time zone on one side of the strait can be almost a full 24 hours ahead or behind the time zone on the other side, depending on the direction of travel.

Option (c) is incorrect: The Strait of Florida lies between Florida (USA) and the Bahamian Islands, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean. It is located at around 81°W longitude, far to the west of the International Date Line, which places it quite far from the IDL.

Option (d) is incorrect: The Strait of Gibraltar is located between the southern tip of Spain and the northern tip of Morocco, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. It is located at about 5°W longitude, much farther west of the Inter-national Date Line.

Explanation

Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, situated between Ukraine and Romania. It does not share a border with Belarus. Moldova shares its longest border with Ukraine (about 1,222 km), covering its northern, eastern, and southern sides. Moldova shares a westward border (681 km) with Romania, following the Prut River. Moldova does not share a border with Belarus. Ukraine lies between Moldova and Belarus, making a direct border impossible.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Ajman is one of the seven emirates and the smallest in terms of area. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates, established on 2nd December 1971. Initially, six emirates--Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Shar-jah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, and Fujairah--formed the union, while Ras al-Khaimah joined later in 1972.

Statement 2 is correct: Initially, Ras al-Khaimah chose not to join the UAE in 1971, but later became part of the federation on 10th February 1972.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The two countries that follow China and India in decreasing order of population are USA and Indonesia. The USA is the third-most populous country, followed by Indonesia at fourth. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

While Brazil and the USA both have large populations, Indonesia has a higher population than Brazil. Canada and Malaysia, both have relatively smaller populations compared to other countries among the given options. While Nigeria has a fast-growing population, it does not currently rank immediately after India and China. Russia has a smaller population size.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: India’s best performance in football at the Olympics came during the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. India became the first Asian country to reach the semi-finals in the Olympic Football Tournament. They beat Australia 4-2 in the quarter-finals but lost to Yugoslavia in the semi-finals.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect: India’s football team has participated in the Olympic Games, specifically in 1948, 1952, and 1956. They made appearances in the London, Helsinki, and Melbourne Olympics, respectively.

Explanation

Greece won the Euro Football Tournament in 2004, which was held in Portugal. The UEFA European Football Championship (Euro) is a quadrennial tournament featuring 24 European men’s national teams, starting with a group stage and ending in a knockout phase to crown the champion. The tournament is typically held every four years. It is the second most-watched football tournament worldwide, after the FIFA World Cup.

Explanation

Saurav Ganguly captained the Indian cricket team in Test matches for 49 times, which is the highest among the given options. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:

Sunil Gavaskar: Captained India in 47 Test matches.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi: Captained India in 40 Test matches. Mohammad Azharuddin: Captained India in 47 Test matches