Crash Course Test- 2 - UPSC MCQ

(3) Nallamala Hills – Located in northern Andhra Pradesh, part of the Eastern Ghats.

(2) Palconda Range – Lies south of Nallamala, in southern Andhra Pradesh.

(1) Javadi Hills  – Located in northern Tamil Nadu.

(4) Shevroy Hills – Located in central Tamil Nadu, further south of Javadi.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option D

A is the correct option. Crony businesses lobby the government to limit competition in their industry, restrict imports of competing goods or reduce regulatory oversight. These initiatives enhance the lobbying group's income but undermine markets and reduce aggregate welfare.

Corporate farmland acquisition is not a key driver of entrepreneurial growth in India. Here are the reasons:

• While land acquisition can support large-scale agriculture, it does not directly promote entrepreneurship.
• Entrepreneurial growth relies on factors that enhance innovation and business environment.
• Other aspects like improved transport infrastructure and MSME support are crucial for fostering startups.
• The Ease of Doing Business 2.0 initiative specifically aims to simplify regulations, thus encouraging new ventures.

In summary, corporate farmland acquisition lacks the direct impact needed to stimulate entrepreneurship compared to other factors listed.
Therefore, Correct Answer is Option A

A Wilful Defaulter typically exhibits characteristics such as:

• being less transparent than genuine firms,
• having a higher tendency to pledge shares of their companies,
• engaging in a higher proportion of related party transactions.

Therefore, all three statements are features of a Wilful Defaulter, making option B the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Kashmir Valley lies between the Greater Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range, not between the Pir Panjal and the Shiwalik range.
Statement 2 is correct as the Indus River flows between the Zaskar and Ladakh ranges.
Statement 3 is correct because the Kashmir Himalayas are known for karewa formations, which are fertile deposits useful for saffron cultivation.

Therefore, Correct Answer is Option C

The statements about oceanic straits are correct for the following reasons:

• The Bering Strait lies between Alaska and Russia, acting as a natural border between the two.
• Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, serving as a key shipping route.
• The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, making it a vital passage for oil transport.

Therefore, all three statements are correct.

Fiscal policy primarily aims to influence the economy through government spending and taxation. Its main goals include:

• the allocation of public goods,
• redistribution of national income,
• stabilization of the economy by influencing aggregate demand.

Regulation of the exchange rate regime is typically a function of monetary policy, not fiscal policy.

• Continental Shelf — Presence of submarine canyons: Correct
  Submarine canyons are often found cutting across the continental shelf and slope, typically formed by river erosion or turbidity currents.

• Abyssal Plains — Huge deposits of terrigenous sediments: Incorrect
  Abyssal plains mainly accumulate fine-grained pelagic sediments, not large amounts of terrigenous (land-derived) sediments.

• Continental Rise — Zone of extensive sea beaches: Incorrect
  The continental rise is a deep-sea feature formed by sediment accumulation, not associated with sea beaches.

• Mid-oceanic ridges — Zone of convergence of plate boundaries: Incorrect
  Mid-oceanic ridges occur at divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates move apart, not converge.

Therefore, Correct Answer is Option A

1. Tropical cyclones are low pressure regions surrounded by high pressure all around – Correct
   They form over warm ocean waters as intense low-pressure systems, drawing in air from the surrounding high-pressure areas.

2. Tropical cyclones move from West to East in the tropical regions – Incorrect
   They generally move from East to West in the tropics due to the influence of the trade winds.

3. The main driving force behind tropical cyclones is the tidal force generated in the ocean – Incorrect
   The main driving force is the latent heat released by the condensation of moist air, not tidal forces.

So, only statement 1 is correct.

The correct option is D.
None of the following are correct.
PMI or a Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity -- both in the manufacturing and services sectors. It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before.

1. The total projected investment under the NIP for FY 2020–25 is approximately ₹111 lakh crore, not ₹102 lakh crore 

2. Of this investment, the private sector’s share is around 21%, while the Centre and states together contribute about 79% (39% from the Centre and 40% from the states). Hence, the private sector’s share is not greater than the combined contributions of the Centre and states.

Hence, Statement (1) is incorrect (the correct figure is ₹111 lakh crore), and statement (2) is also incorrect (private < combined public share).
Therefore, the Correct Answer is Option A

1. Tides are generated due to the combined gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon – Correct
   The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth causes oceanic tides. The Moon plays a more dominant role due to its proximity.

2. Spring tide is formed both during new moon and full moon – Correct
   Spring tides occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned — during new moon and full moon — leading to higher high tides and lower low tides.

3. Higher tides are witnessed near coasts having smooth coastlines with no openings – Incorrect
   Higher tides usually occur in narrow bays, estuaries, or funnel-shaped coastlines, where tidal water is concentrated. Smooth, open coastlines witness weaker tidal effects.

Therefore, Correct Answer is Option A

Evaluation of Statements Regarding Tropical Cyclones

• Statement 1: The eye is the most cloudy part of the cyclone.

  This statement is incorrect. The eye of a tropical cyclone is actually the calmest and clearest part of the storm, often characterised by clear skies and light winds.

• Statement 2: The wind reaches maximum speed at the eye wall.

  This statement is correct. The eye wall is the region surrounding the eye of the cyclone and is where the most intense winds and weather conditions occur.

• Statement 3: Tropical cyclones are called willy-willies in Australia.

  This statement is correct. In Australia, tropical cyclones are colloquially referred to as willy-willies.

Based on the analysis:

• Statement (1) is incorrect.
• Statement (2) is correct.
• Statement (3) is correct.

Thus, the correct answer is: 2 and 3 only.

1. Basaltic lava is more viscous than acidic lava.
   This statement is incorrect. Basaltic lava is actually less viscous compared to acidic (rhyolitic) lava. Basaltic lava has a lower silica content, which makes it less viscous and allows it to flow more easily. This results in basaltic lava forming broad, gently sloping volcanoes or shield volcanoes.

2. Cones formed by Acidic lava have steep sides as the lava doesn’t flow very far before it solidifies.
   This statement is correct. Acidic (rhyolitic) lava has a higher silica content, making it more viscous. As a result, it does not flow very far before solidifying. This creates steep-sided volcanic cones or stratovolcanoes. The lava piles up near the vent, forming a steep-sided cone.

Therefore, the correct answer is  Option B

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Agulhas Current and the West Wind Drift do not form a clockwise gyre; instead, they contribute to an anti-clockwise gyre.
Statement 2 is correct as the Humboldt Current is indeed a cold current.
Statement 3 is also correct, as the meeting of the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream creates a rich fishing zone off the coast of Canada.
Therefore, the correct answer is B, which includes statements 2 and 3 only.

The Inclusive Development Index (IDI) is calculated by the World Economic Forum. This index measures the economic performance of countries while considering social inclusivity and environmental sustainability.

The core industries in India typically include sectors such as steel, fertilisers, cement, electricity, coal, and petroleum refining. Textiles, while significant, are not classified as a core industry. Therefore, the correct answer is D, Textiles.

1. Snowline in western Himalayas is found at a higher height than in the eastern Himalayas – This statement is correct. The snowline is the lowest elevation at which snow remains year-round. In the Western Himalayas, the snowline is generally higher (around 5,000–5,500 meters) compared to the Eastern Himalayas (around 4,000–4,500 meters). This is because the western region is drier due to lesser moisture availability, whereas the eastern Himalayas receive more precipitation due to the influence of the monsoon.

2. The difference in snowline is partly due to the difference in latitude – This statement is also correct. The Western Himalayas (e.g., Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh) are at a higher latitude than the Eastern Himalayas (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim). Generally, snowlines tend to be lower at higher latitudes because temperatures are cooler. However, in the Himalayas, the primary factor is precipitation, where the eastern region receives more snowfall, leading to a lower snowline.

Thus, both statements are correct, and the answer is (b) Both 1 and 2.

• It is announced before the sowing season – Correct
  MSP is declared before the sowing season to help farmers make informed decisions about which crops to grow.

• Its main purpose is to keep the farmers in the production cycle of food grains – Correct
  MSP ensures price support to farmers, encouraging them to continue producing essential crops and ensuring food security.

• It is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) – Correct
  CACP recommends MSPs to the government based on cost of production, demand-supply, price trends, etc.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option A

To travel from Aizawl (Mizoram) to Bengaluru (Karnataka) by land, the person must cross a minimum of 6 states. Starting from Mizoram, the route typically goes through:

• Assam
• West Bengal
• Jharkhand
• Odisha
• Andhra Pradesh
• Karnataka

• Niti Pass - Located in the northwestern part of India, near the border with China.
• Shipki La - Situated to the east of Niti Pass, also near the India-China border.
• Nathu La - Positioned further east, this pass connects India with Tibet.
• Diphu Pass - Located in the easternmost part, this pass is in Assam.

Arranging these passes from west to east results in the following order:

• Niti Pass
• Shipki La
• Nathu La
• Diphu Pass

This leads u to the correct code: 2-1-3-4. Therefore, Correct Answer is Option B

• Statement 1 is incorrect because the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) targets perishable commodities like onions and pulses, not oilseeds and grains or MSP.
• Statement 2 is incorrect because the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) applies to perishable horticultural produce, and its aim is to support farmers, not consumers.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option D

An increase in private corporate savings is typically not considered a reason for the weakening of manufacturing activity. In fact, higher savings may indicate a cautious approach to investment but does not directly correlate with a decline in manufacturing activity.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option D

• The Earth receives most of its energy in short wavelengths – Correct
  This is because the Sun, being extremely hot, emits energy primarily in the form of shortwave radiation such as visible and ultraviolet light.

• The variation in the distance between the Sun and the Earth impacts the amount of insolation received by the Earth – Correct
  Due to the elliptical orbit of the Earth, the distance from the Sun varies slightly throughout the year, which affects the amount of solar energy (insolation) received.

Therefore, Correct Answer is Option C

1. Evaporation is controlled by the salinity of the ocean – Correct
   Higher salinity increases the boiling point of water, thereby affecting the rate of evaporation. So, salinity does influence evaporation.

2. Spatial variation in the seawater salinity is a potent factor in the origin of the ocean currents – Correct
   Differences in salinity, along with temperature, contribute to differences in water density, which in turn drive ocean currents (especially deep ocean currents, part of thermohaline circulation).

3. Salinity and density of the seawater are negatively correlated – Incorrect
   They are positively correlated. As salinity increases, density of seawater also increases.

Hence, only statements 1 and 2 are correct.

1. Distribution of oceans and continents – Correct
   Land and water heat up and cool down at different rates, causing pressure differences that influence wind patterns.

2. Rotation of the Earth – Correct
   The rotation causes the Coriolis effect, which deflects winds and helps form the distinct planetary wind belts (like trade winds, westerlies, etc.).

3. Apparent movement of the Sun – Correct
   The shifting solar declination throughout the year affects the position of pressure belts and wind systems.

All three factors influence the pattern of planetary winds.

Disguised unemployment occurs when individuals are employed but their contribution to production is minimal, often because they are not fully utilized in their roles. This leads to a situation where the marginal product of labour is close to zero, indicating that adding more workers does not significantly increase output. Therefore, option B is correct.

1. It has led to the expansion of social security coverage among workers – Incorrect
   The gig economy is often criticized for lacking adequate social security and benefits for workers. Gig workers are typically not covered under traditional labour laws or welfare schemes.

2. It has led to the lowering of labour costs for companies – Correct
   Companies hire gig workers on a contractual or task-based basis, avoiding long-term employment benefits and reducing overall labour costs.

3. It imparts greater flexibility in the labour market – Correct
   The gig economy allows both employers and workers to enjoy flexible work arrangements, like part-time or freelance work, which is a key feature of this model.

Hence, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.

• Madagascar – The Tropic of Capricorn passes through the southern part of Madagascar, making it one of the few island nations it crosses.
• Namibia – It runs through central Namibia, near the capital Windhoek and the town of Rehoboth.
• Botswana – The Tropic of Capricorn cuts across central Botswana, north of Gaborone.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option D

The correct option is B.
Temperate cyclones exhibit a wide variety of characteristics. They are formed between 35˚ to 65˚ north and south latitudes in the sub-polar frontal zone and this is a result of interaction between cold polar mass and warm tropical air masses in the westerly wind belt.