Q1.Which of the following mountain ranges forms the backbone of New Zealand’s South Island?
a) Southern Alps
b) Great Dividing Range
c) Snowy Mountains
d) Canterbury Range
Answer: a) Southern Alps
Explanation:
- The Southern Alps extend longitudinally across the South Island.
- They are formed due to the Australian–Pacific plate boundary.
- Aoraki / Mount Cook (≈3,724 m), New Zealand’s highest peak, lies in this range.
- Frequently asked in map-based and physical geography prelim questions.
Q2.Which of the following activities is explicitly classified as a “non-forest purpose” under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980?
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Infrastructure projects
- Commercial plantations (other than permitted forestry)
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
d) 2 and 4 only
Answer: c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
- Section 2 of the Act gives an explicit and wide definition of “non-forest purpose”.
- Agriculture is not exempt, even if livelihood-oriented.
- This clarity is why district or state permissions without Central approval are invalid, as reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.
Q3.Which type of sports account for the majority of doping violations in India?
a) Skill-based sports
b) Precision sports
c) Strength-based sports
d) Team ball sports
Answer: c) Strength-based sports
Explanation:
- Data consistently shows dominance of athletics, weightlifting, wrestling.
- These sports involve:
- High endurance and strength demands
- Greater temptation for anabolic agents and stimulants
- Indicates structural pressure, not isolated cheating.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Article 48A of the Constitution:
- It is a Fundamental Right.
- It directs the State to protect and improve the environment.
- It emphasises compatibility between agriculture and ecology.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
- Article 48A is a Directive Principle, inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
- It reflects the shift from growth-only thinking to sustainable development.
- Not enforceable directly, but read with Article 21 by courts.
Q5. The Kessler Syndrome refers to:
a) Gradual decay of satellites due to atmospheric drag
b) Chain reaction of collisions making Earth orbit unusable
c) Failure of shielding due to repeated micrometeoroid impacts
d) Collapse of GPS satellites due to solar storms
Answer: b) Chain reaction of collisions making Earth orbit unusable
Explanation:
- Proposed by NASA scientist Donald Kessler.
- Beyond a critical density, debris collisions generate self-sustaining cascades.
- Particularly dangerous for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) where most human missions operate.
- Core concept linking space technology with global commons governance.
