Q321. Consider the following statements about the Sahara Desert: I. It is the largest hot desert in the world. II. It covers large parts of North Africa. III. Its landscape is uniform, consisting entirely of sand dunes (ergs) with no rocky plateaus. IV. The Nile River flows through a portion of this desert. V. It lies entirely within the southern hemisphere. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert, covering much of North Africa in the northern hemisphere. Its terrain is diverse, including sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and gravel plains. The Nile River flows through its eastern portion, providing a vital water source. Because it is located north of the equator, the claim that it lies entirely in the southern hemisphere is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsIndian Economy · Economic Growth, Development and Sustainable Development
Q322. Consider the following principles generally associated with sustainable development: I. Conservation of biodiversity. II. Integration of environmental considerations into economic planning. III. Pursuit of economic growth without any ecological limits. IV. Promotion of social equity and poverty eradication. V. Reliance on non-renewable energy sources for rapid industrialization. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Sustainable development involves the conservation of biodiversity and the integration of environmental goals into economic policy. It also prioritizes social equity and the eradication of poverty. However, it does not support growth without ecological limits, as this would be inherently unsustainable. Furthermore, a key goal is to transition away from non-renewable energy sources rather than relying on them for rapid industrialization.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Basics of Everyday Science
Q323. A person suffering from myopia (near-sightedness) is typically prescribed a lens of which type?
Explanation
Myopia, or near-sightedness, occurs when the eye’s lens is too curved or the eyeball is too long, causing images to focus in front of the retina rather than on it. To correct this, a concave or diverging lens is used. This lens spreads the incoming light rays outward before they reach the eye, allowing the image to focus correctly on the retinal surface.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q324. Among the following features, which one is an odd one out as it is NOT a defining characteristic of a classical Neolithic revolution?
Explanation
The Neolithic revolution is defined by several transformative changes, including the domestication of plants and animals, the establishment of sedentary village life, and the use of polished stone tools. These developments fundamentally altered human society. However, widespread iron smelting is not a characteristic of this era; it occurred much later during the Iron Age, following the Bronze and Chalcolithic periods.
RAS PrelimsAncient Indian History · Indus Valley Civilisation
Q325. Consider the following statements and select the correct option: Statement I: The Harappans built large monumental temples for public worship similar to those in Mesopotamia. Statement II: Evidence of fire altars has been found at Kalibangan and Lothal, suggesting domestic or localized ritual practices.
Explanation
Unlike contemporary civilizations in Mesopotamia or Egypt, there is no archaeological evidence of large, monumental public temples in Harappan cities. Their religious practices seem more domestic or focused on natural elements. The discovery of fire altars at sites like Kalibangan and Lothal suggests that ritual activities were likely performed in smaller, localized settings or within individual Harappan households.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Framing of the Constitution, Preamble and Citizenship
Q326. What is the fundamental meaning of the term ‘Republic’ as mentioned in the Preamble?
Explanation
A ‘Republic’ means that the head of the state is an elected official rather than a hereditary monarch. In India, the President is the head of state and is indirectly elected for a fixed term of five years. Additionally, it implies that political sovereignty is vested in the people rather than an individual, and that public offices are open to all citizens.
Q327. The Gobi Desert, renowned for its vast barren expanses and rocky terrain, is categorized as a:
Explanation
The Gobi Desert is categorized as a mid-latitude cold desert. Located in Central Asia, it experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with very cold winters and hot summers. Its inland position, far from the influence of oceans, and its high elevation contribute to its arid and frigid environment. Unlike subtropical hot deserts, precipitation in the Gobi often occurs in the form of snow.
RAS PrelimsIndian Economy · Economic Growth, Development and Sustainable Development
Q328. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
International Events
Key Outcomes/Themes
A. Stockholm Conference (1972)
i. Formulated Agenda 21 for sustainable development in the 21st century.
B. 1987 Commission Report
ii. First global conference making the environment a major issue.
C. Rio Earth Summit (1992)
iii. Coined the classic definition of Sustainable Development.
D. Johannesburg Summit (2002)
iv. Focused heavily on partnerships for sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Explanation
The Stockholm Conference was the first major global meeting on the environment. The Brundtland Report provided the definitive definition of sustainable development. The Rio Earth Summit produced Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan for global action. The Johannesburg Summit focused on building partnerships to address poverty and sustainable resource use. Together, these events have shaped the modern international framework for environmental and social policy.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Basics of Everyday Science
Q329. The blue color of the clear sky is mainly due to the:
Explanation
The blue appearance of the sky is a result of Rayleigh scattering. When sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it interacts with gas molecules and small particles. Shorter wavelengths of light, specifically blue and violet, are scattered in all directions more efficiently than longer wavelengths. Although violet scatters more, our eyes are more sensitive to blue, making the sky appear blue.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan History, Art and Culture · Prehistoric Rajasthan
Q330. The following question consists of two statements, Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Select the correct answer using the codes given below: Assertion (A): Rajasthan lacks a prominent, classic Neolithic phase comparable to that found in the Deccan or South India. Reason (R): The availability of rich copper deposits in the Aravallis facilitated a direct transition from late Mesolithic cultures to Chalcolithic cultures.
Explanation
Rajasthan does not possess a prominent Neolithic phase like the Deccan, primarily due to its geological resources. The Aravalli mountains provided early humans with easy access to rich copper deposits. This availability allowed late Mesolithic communities to adopt metallurgy quickly, leading to a direct transition into the Chalcolithic period. Consequently, the traditional stage of exclusive polished stone tool use was largely bypassed.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
321
(a) I, II, and IV only
322
(a) I, II and IV only
323
(b) Concave lens
324
(d) Widespread iron smelting
325
(b) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct.
326
(d) The head of the state is always elected directly or indirectly for a fixed period.
327
(d) Mid-latitude cold desert
328
(a) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv
329
(d) Scattering of shorter solar wavelengths by air molecules
330
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on RAS Prelims?
This page has 9654 practice MCQs on the RAS Prelims syllabus. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How should I practise MCQs for RAS Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation. Practise one chapter at a time, note the facts you got wrong and revise them. Repeat the chapter after a few days.
Are these actual RAS Prelims past-paper questions?
No. These are practice questions written for the RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the pattern the exam uses: factual questions, statement-based questions, match-the-list and assertion-reason.
