Q251. Which type of network is specifically designed to cover a large geographic area, such as a country or continent?
Science and Technology: RAS Prelims MCQs
1113 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on science and technology are on this page, in 6 chapters. They cover the basics of everyday science, computers and information technology, defence and space technology in India, genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology, science and technology policies and government programmes, and recent advances with Indian contributors and indigenisation. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 251–260 of 1113 questions
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Q252. Consider the following statements regarding network topologies:
I. Star topology relies on a central hub or switch.
II. Bus topology uses a single central backbone cable.
III. Ring topology connects each device to exactly one other device in a line.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Star topology relies on a central hub or switch.
II. Bus topology uses a single central backbone cable.
III. Ring topology connects each device to exactly one other device in a line.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Network topologies describe the physical or logical arrangement of connected devices. Star topology utilizes a central hub to manage communication, while bus topology features a single backbone cable shared by all nodes. Ring topology, however, connects devices in a closed loop where each device is linked to exactly two others. Understanding these configurations is vital for designing efficient and reliable network architectures.
Q253. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Explanation
Virtual Private Networks enhance online security by creating an encrypted tunnel for data transmission and masking user IP addresses. This protection is especially useful for remote work and public Wi-Fi usage. However, a VPN still requires an underlying internet connection to function; it does not replace the service provided by an ISP, which remains the physical gateway to the internet infrastructure.
Q254. An organization sets up a restricted network accessible only to its employees and selected external partners like suppliers. This is an application of which concept?
Explanation
An extranet is a controlled private network that allows external partners, such as suppliers or vendors, to access specific parts of an organization’s internal intranet. This technology facilitates secure collaboration and information sharing between different entities while maintaining restricted access for the general public. It bridges the gap between a strictly internal intranet and the completely open public internet environment.
Q255. What is the fundamental difference between a MAC address and an IP address?
Explanation
Device identification in networking involves two distinct types of addresses. A MAC address is a unique, permanent physical identifier assigned to a network interface card during manufacturing. In contrast, an IP address is a logical identifier assigned by a network to facilitate communication across different segments. Together, these addresses ensure that data packets are correctly routed through the internet to the intended hardware.
Q256. Which of the following is not a networking device?
Explanation
Networking devices like switches, routers, and bridges are hardware components essential for directing data traffic and connecting different network segments. They operate at various layers of the OSI model to ensure efficient communication. A compiler, however, is a software tool used to translate high-level programming code into machine language. It plays no role in the physical or logical routing of data.
Q257. Which statement correctly describes fiber optic cables in network transmission?
Explanation
Fiber optic cables revolutionize data transmission by using pulses of light to carry information through thin strands of glass or plastic. This technology offers significantly higher bandwidth and faster speeds than traditional copper wires. Furthermore, because they use light rather than electricity, fiber optics are entirely immune to electromagnetic interference, making them ideal for long-distance and high-performance networking infrastructure in modern systems.
Q258. Identify the correct match between the network device and its primary function.
Explanation
A network switch improves efficiency by using MAC addresses to direct data packets specifically to the intended recipient device within a local network. This reduces unnecessary traffic compared to hubs, which broadcast data to all ports. Routers serve a different function by connecting separate networks, while modems translate signals from an ISP. Each device performs a specific role in maintaining network connectivity.
Q259. Given below are two statements regarding network architecture.
Statement I: In a client-server architecture, multiple client machines request services or resources from a central server.
Statement II: Peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture lacks a dedicated central server, and all nodes share resources equally.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: In a client-server architecture, multiple client machines request services or resources from a central server.
Statement II: Peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture lacks a dedicated central server, and all nodes share resources equally.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Network architectures define how resources are shared among connected devices. The client-server model features centralized servers providing services to multiple client machines, ensuring controlled resource management. Alternatively, peer-to-peer architecture allows every node to act as both a client and a server, sharing resources directly without a central authority. Both models are fundamental to modern networking, supporting diverse applications from web hosting to file.
Q260. What is a direct effect of severe network congestion on a packet-switched network like the internet?
Explanation
Network congestion occurs when the volume of data traffic exceeds the capacity of the network’s links or nodes. This bottleneck leads to increased latency as packets wait in queues, and potentially high rates of packet loss if buffers overflow. For users, this manifests as slow loading times, buffering in video streams, and intermittent connectivity issues, reflecting the strained capacity of the network infrastructure.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 251 | (c) Wide Area Network (WAN) |
| 252 | (a) I and II only |
| 253 | (c) VPNs eliminate the need for an Internet Service Provider (ISP). |
| 254 | (b) Extranet |
| 255 | (d) Physical hardware address vs logical network address |
| 256 | (a) Compiler |
| 257 | (c) Pulses of light through glass or plastic |
| 258 | (a) Switch - Forwards packets to a specific device using MAC addresses |
| 259 | (a) Both Statement I and II are correct |
| 260 | (b) Packet loss and increased latency (delay) |
Key facts from Science and Technology
- The RPSC paper is General Knowledge and General Science, so science questions come with a strong dose of applied and recent topics.
- Everyday science questions test the laws and terms of physics, chemistry and biology through examples.
- Defence and space questions pair a missile, satellite or mission with its year and organisation.
- Policy questions ask for the year, the body and the aim of schemes like STIP, the National Quantum Mission and BioE3.
- Health, environment and agriculture are on a separate page, with their own chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Science and Technology?
This page has 1113 practice MCQs on Science and Technology. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the science and technology set cover?
Six chapters: basics of everyday science; computers, information and communication technology; defence and space technology in India; genetics, biotechnology and nanotechnology; science and technology policies and government programmes; and recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation.
Is science and technology part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC paper is called General Knowledge and General Science, and its syllabus lists science and technology topics along with environment, health, agriculture and government programmes, so questions can come from any of these areas.
How should I prepare science for RAS Prelims?
Revise the concepts by examples, then learn the missions, schemes and scientists with their year and organisation. Attempt each chapter, read the explanations and keep a list of the facts you missed.