UPSC 2014 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Option 1 is incorrect: The Barak River originates in the Manipur Hills near the border of Nagaland at an altitude of about 3,015 meters. It primarily flows through Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam before entering Bangladesh.

Option 2 is correct: The Lohit River originates in the Zayü County of Tibet and enters India through Arunachal Pradesh. It flows through the Mishmi Hills before joining the Brahmaputra River.

Option 3 is correct: The Subansiri River, often referred to as the "Gold River", originates in the Tibetan Himalayas and enters India via the Miri Hills in Arunachal Pradesh. It eventually merges with the Brahmaputra River.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The Cardamom Hills are part of the Western Ghats, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is named after the cardamom spice that is abundantly cultivated here. These hills are famous for their spice plantations, including pepper and coffee. It is home to Periyar Wild-life Sanctuary, known for its rich biodiversity and tiger reserve. The Coromandel Coast is along the Bay of Bengal on the eastern coast of India

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: The Kaimur Hills are an extension of the Vindhya Range and spread across Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. These hills are known for prehistoric rock paintings and ancient caves, making them an important archaeological site. The region contains several waterfalls and plateaus and plays a crucial role in rainwater retention for local rivers. The Konkan Coast lies along the Arabian Sea, covering Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, while the Kaimur Hills are located deep inland

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Mahadeo Hills are part of the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh. These hills are known for their dense forests, tribal communities and ancient temples. The Satpura Tiger Reserve and Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve are located and are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: The Mikir Hills are located in Assam, near Kaziranga National Park. The Mikir Hills are made of ancient crystalline rocks unlike the Himalayas, which are of tectonic origin making them geologically unique. These hills are home to various tribal communities, including the Karbi people.

Explanation

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that analyses key parts of the IMF’s surveillance of economic developments and policies in its member countries. The World Economic Outlook (WEO) presents the IMF’s analysis and projections of global economic developments and classifies their analysis by region and stage of economic development. It is published twice a year in April and October, with updates in January and July. Other Report published by IMF: Global Financial Stability Report

Explanation

Decreased interest rates lower the cost of borrowing for businesses, making it more attractive to finance new investments in capital goods and expansion projects. This leads to an increase in investment expenditure.

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

Lower interest rates reduce the cost of borrowing, encouraging consumers to take loans for purchases, thereby increasing consumption expenditure. While lower interest rates can stimulate economic activity, leading to higher incomes and potentially increased tax revenues, this effect is indirect and not guaranteed. Lower interest rates reduce the returns on savings, which may discourage individuals from saving, potentially decreasing total savings.

Explanation

Turkey is uniquely positioned between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The Black Sea lies to the north of Turkey, while the Mediterranean Sea lies to the south. The coun-try also controls the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles, which are critical waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean via the Sea of Marmara. It is a transcontinental country, meaning it spans two continents: Europe and Asia.

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

Turkey borders the Black Sea to the north but it does not border the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is located further east, between countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The Gulf of Suez is located in Egypt, near the Red Sea. It is part of the Suez Canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Turkey is not located near the Gulf of Suez. The Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea are located in the Middle East, near countries like Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey does not share border with either of these bodies of water.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The correct sequence of cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north would be Jakarta>Singapore>Bangkok>Hanoi. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and is located on the island of Java approximately at 6.2°S (south of the equator). It is the southernmost city among the four listed. Singapore is a city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula at approximately 1.3°N (just north of the equator). It is north of Jakarta. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is located in the central part of the country at approximately 13.8°N. It is north of Singapore and Jakarta. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is located in the northern part of the country. At approximately 21.0°N. It is the northernmost city among the four listed.