Geology and Geophysics (GG) 2013 GATE Paper without solution - GATE Past Year Papers for Practice (All Branches)

 Page 1


2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 1/19
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
 
Duration : Three Hours        Maximum Marks :100 
 
Please read the following instructions carefully: 
 
General Instructions: 
 
1. Total duration of examination is 180 minutes (3 hours).  
 
2. The clock will be set at the server.  The countdown timer in the top right corner of screen will display 
the remaining time available for you to complete the examination. When the timer reaches zero, the 
examination will end by itself. You will not be required to end or submit your examination.  
 
3. The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of each question using 
one of the following symbols:  
  
 
You have not visited the question yet. 
 
You have not answered the question. 
 
You have answered the question.  
 
You have NOT answered the question, but have marked the 
question for review. 
 
You have answered the question, but marked it for review.  
 
The Marked for Review status for a question simply indicates that you would like to look at that 
question again. If a question is answered and  Marked for Review, your answer for that question 
will be considered in the evaluation. 
 
Navigating to a Question 
 
4. To answer a question, do the following: 
a. Click on the question number in the Question Palette to go to that question directly.  
b. Select an answer for a multiple choice type question. Use the virtual numeric keypad to enter 
a number as answer for a numerical type question.  
c. Click on Save and Next to save your answer for the current question and then go to the next 
question.  
d. Click on Mark for Review and Next to save your answer for the  current question, mark it 
for review, and then go to the next question. 
e. Caution: Note that your answer for the current question will not be saved, if you 
navigate to another question directly by clicking on its question number.  
5. You can view all the questions by clicking on the Question Paper button. Note that the options for 
multiple choice type questions will not be shown.  
 
Answering a Question 
 
6. Procedure for answering a multiple choice type question: 
a. To select your answer, click on the button of one of  the options 
b. To deselect your chosen answer, click on the button of the chosen option again or click on the 
Clear Response button  
c. To change your chosen answer, click on the button of  another option 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
Page 2


2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 1/19
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
 
Duration : Three Hours        Maximum Marks :100 
 
Please read the following instructions carefully: 
 
General Instructions: 
 
1. Total duration of examination is 180 minutes (3 hours).  
 
2. The clock will be set at the server.  The countdown timer in the top right corner of screen will display 
the remaining time available for you to complete the examination. When the timer reaches zero, the 
examination will end by itself. You will not be required to end or submit your examination.  
 
3. The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of each question using 
one of the following symbols:  
  
 
You have not visited the question yet. 
 
You have not answered the question. 
 
You have answered the question.  
 
You have NOT answered the question, but have marked the 
question for review. 
 
You have answered the question, but marked it for review.  
 
The Marked for Review status for a question simply indicates that you would like to look at that 
question again. If a question is answered and  Marked for Review, your answer for that question 
will be considered in the evaluation. 
 
Navigating to a Question 
 
4. To answer a question, do the following: 
a. Click on the question number in the Question Palette to go to that question directly.  
b. Select an answer for a multiple choice type question. Use the virtual numeric keypad to enter 
a number as answer for a numerical type question.  
c. Click on Save and Next to save your answer for the current question and then go to the next 
question.  
d. Click on Mark for Review and Next to save your answer for the  current question, mark it 
for review, and then go to the next question. 
e. Caution: Note that your answer for the current question will not be saved, if you 
navigate to another question directly by clicking on its question number.  
5. You can view all the questions by clicking on the Question Paper button. Note that the options for 
multiple choice type questions will not be shown.  
 
Answering a Question 
 
6. Procedure for answering a multiple choice type question: 
a. To select your answer, click on the button of one of  the options 
b. To deselect your chosen answer, click on the button of the chosen option again or click on the 
Clear Response button  
c. To change your chosen answer, click on the button of  another option 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 2/19
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is selected for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
7. Procedure for answering a numerical answer type question: 
a. To enter a number as your answer, use the virtual numerical keypad 
b. A fraction (eg.,-0.3 or -.3) can be entered as an answer with or without ‘0’ before the decimal 
point 
c. To clear your answer, click on the Clear Response button 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is entered for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
8. To change your answer to a question that has already been answered, first select that question for 
answering and then follow the procedure for answering that type of question.  
 
9. Note that ONLY Questions for which answers  are saved or marked for review after answering will be 
considered for evaluation. 
 
Choosing an Optional Section 
 
10. Sections in this question paper are displayed on the top bar of the screen. Questions in a Section can 
be viewed by clicking on the name of that Section. The Section you are currently viewing is 
highlighted. 
 
11. A checkbox is displayed for every optional Section in the Question Paper. To select an optional 
Section for answering, click on the checkbox for that Section.  
 
12. If the checkbox for an optional Section is not selected, the Save and Next button and the Mark for 
Review and Next button will NOT be enabled for that Section.  You will be able to only see 
questions in the Section, but you will not be able to answer questions in the Section.  
 
13. After clicking the Save and Next button for the last question in a Section, you will automatically be 
taken to the first question of the next Section in sequence.  
 
14. You can move the mouse cursor over the name of a Section  to view the answering status for that 
Section.  
 
Changing the Optional Section 
 
15. After answering the chosen optional Sections, partially or completely, you can change an optional 
Section by selecting a checkbox for a new Section that you want to attempt. A warning message will 
appear along with a table showing the number of questions answered in each of the previously chosen 
optional Sections and a checkbox against each of these Sections. Click on a checkbox against a 
Section that you want to reset and then click on the RESET button. Note that RESETTING a 
Section will DELETE all the answers for questions in that Section. Hence, if you think that you 
may want to select this Section again later, you will have to note down your answers for 
questions in that Section. If you do not want to reset any Section and want to continue answering the  
previously chosen optional  Sections, then click on the BACK button.  
 
16. If you deselect the checkbox for an optional Section in the top bar, the following warning message 
will appear:  "Deselecting the checkbox will DELETE all the answers for questions in this Section. 
Do you want to deselect this Section?"  If you want to deselect, click on the RESET button. If you do 
not want to deselect, click on the BACK button.  
 
17. You can shuffle between different Sections any number of times. You can change the optional 
Sections any number of times.  
Page 3


2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 1/19
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
 
Duration : Three Hours        Maximum Marks :100 
 
Please read the following instructions carefully: 
 
General Instructions: 
 
1. Total duration of examination is 180 minutes (3 hours).  
 
2. The clock will be set at the server.  The countdown timer in the top right corner of screen will display 
the remaining time available for you to complete the examination. When the timer reaches zero, the 
examination will end by itself. You will not be required to end or submit your examination.  
 
3. The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of each question using 
one of the following symbols:  
  
 
You have not visited the question yet. 
 
You have not answered the question. 
 
You have answered the question.  
 
You have NOT answered the question, but have marked the 
question for review. 
 
You have answered the question, but marked it for review.  
 
The Marked for Review status for a question simply indicates that you would like to look at that 
question again. If a question is answered and  Marked for Review, your answer for that question 
will be considered in the evaluation. 
 
Navigating to a Question 
 
4. To answer a question, do the following: 
a. Click on the question number in the Question Palette to go to that question directly.  
b. Select an answer for a multiple choice type question. Use the virtual numeric keypad to enter 
a number as answer for a numerical type question.  
c. Click on Save and Next to save your answer for the current question and then go to the next 
question.  
d. Click on Mark for Review and Next to save your answer for the  current question, mark it 
for review, and then go to the next question. 
e. Caution: Note that your answer for the current question will not be saved, if you 
navigate to another question directly by clicking on its question number.  
5. You can view all the questions by clicking on the Question Paper button. Note that the options for 
multiple choice type questions will not be shown.  
 
Answering a Question 
 
6. Procedure for answering a multiple choice type question: 
a. To select your answer, click on the button of one of  the options 
b. To deselect your chosen answer, click on the button of the chosen option again or click on the 
Clear Response button  
c. To change your chosen answer, click on the button of  another option 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 2/19
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is selected for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
7. Procedure for answering a numerical answer type question: 
a. To enter a number as your answer, use the virtual numerical keypad 
b. A fraction (eg.,-0.3 or -.3) can be entered as an answer with or without ‘0’ before the decimal 
point 
c. To clear your answer, click on the Clear Response button 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is entered for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
8. To change your answer to a question that has already been answered, first select that question for 
answering and then follow the procedure for answering that type of question.  
 
9. Note that ONLY Questions for which answers  are saved or marked for review after answering will be 
considered for evaluation. 
 
Choosing an Optional Section 
 
10. Sections in this question paper are displayed on the top bar of the screen. Questions in a Section can 
be viewed by clicking on the name of that Section. The Section you are currently viewing is 
highlighted. 
 
11. A checkbox is displayed for every optional Section in the Question Paper. To select an optional 
Section for answering, click on the checkbox for that Section.  
 
12. If the checkbox for an optional Section is not selected, the Save and Next button and the Mark for 
Review and Next button will NOT be enabled for that Section.  You will be able to only see 
questions in the Section, but you will not be able to answer questions in the Section.  
 
13. After clicking the Save and Next button for the last question in a Section, you will automatically be 
taken to the first question of the next Section in sequence.  
 
14. You can move the mouse cursor over the name of a Section  to view the answering status for that 
Section.  
 
Changing the Optional Section 
 
15. After answering the chosen optional Sections, partially or completely, you can change an optional 
Section by selecting a checkbox for a new Section that you want to attempt. A warning message will 
appear along with a table showing the number of questions answered in each of the previously chosen 
optional Sections and a checkbox against each of these Sections. Click on a checkbox against a 
Section that you want to reset and then click on the RESET button. Note that RESETTING a 
Section will DELETE all the answers for questions in that Section. Hence, if you think that you 
may want to select this Section again later, you will have to note down your answers for 
questions in that Section. If you do not want to reset any Section and want to continue answering the  
previously chosen optional  Sections, then click on the BACK button.  
 
16. If you deselect the checkbox for an optional Section in the top bar, the following warning message 
will appear:  "Deselecting the checkbox will DELETE all the answers for questions in this Section. 
Do you want to deselect this Section?"  If you want to deselect, click on the RESET button. If you do 
not want to deselect, click on the BACK button.  
 
17. You can shuffle between different Sections any number of times. You can change the optional 
Sections any number of times.  
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 3/19
 
Paper specific instructions: 
 
1. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Questions are of multiple choice type or 
numerical answer type. A multiple choice type question will have four choices for the answer with 
only one correct choice. For numerical answer type questions, the answer is a number and no choices 
will be given. A number as the answer should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor. 
 
2. Part-A is a compulsory section that contains 25 questions carrying  1 mark each. Part-B contains two 
optional sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Each of these sections contains 30 
questions carrying 2 marks each. The 2 marks questions include two pairs of common data questions 
and two pairs of linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer 
questions depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair 
is wrongly answered or is not attempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be 
evaluated. 
 
3. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2marks each.  
 
4. Questions not attempted will result in zero mark. Wrong answers for multiple choice type questions 
will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For all 1 mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong 
answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the 
case of the linked answer question pair, there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the 
first question and no negative marks for wrong answer to the second question. There is no negative 
marking for questions of numerical answer type. 
 
5. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall.  
 
6. Do the rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
 
  
Page 4


2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 1/19
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
 
Duration : Three Hours        Maximum Marks :100 
 
Please read the following instructions carefully: 
 
General Instructions: 
 
1. Total duration of examination is 180 minutes (3 hours).  
 
2. The clock will be set at the server.  The countdown timer in the top right corner of screen will display 
the remaining time available for you to complete the examination. When the timer reaches zero, the 
examination will end by itself. You will not be required to end or submit your examination.  
 
3. The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of each question using 
one of the following symbols:  
  
 
You have not visited the question yet. 
 
You have not answered the question. 
 
You have answered the question.  
 
You have NOT answered the question, but have marked the 
question for review. 
 
You have answered the question, but marked it for review.  
 
The Marked for Review status for a question simply indicates that you would like to look at that 
question again. If a question is answered and  Marked for Review, your answer for that question 
will be considered in the evaluation. 
 
Navigating to a Question 
 
4. To answer a question, do the following: 
a. Click on the question number in the Question Palette to go to that question directly.  
b. Select an answer for a multiple choice type question. Use the virtual numeric keypad to enter 
a number as answer for a numerical type question.  
c. Click on Save and Next to save your answer for the current question and then go to the next 
question.  
d. Click on Mark for Review and Next to save your answer for the  current question, mark it 
for review, and then go to the next question. 
e. Caution: Note that your answer for the current question will not be saved, if you 
navigate to another question directly by clicking on its question number.  
5. You can view all the questions by clicking on the Question Paper button. Note that the options for 
multiple choice type questions will not be shown.  
 
Answering a Question 
 
6. Procedure for answering a multiple choice type question: 
a. To select your answer, click on the button of one of  the options 
b. To deselect your chosen answer, click on the button of the chosen option again or click on the 
Clear Response button  
c. To change your chosen answer, click on the button of  another option 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 2/19
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is selected for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
7. Procedure for answering a numerical answer type question: 
a. To enter a number as your answer, use the virtual numerical keypad 
b. A fraction (eg.,-0.3 or -.3) can be entered as an answer with or without ‘0’ before the decimal 
point 
c. To clear your answer, click on the Clear Response button 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is entered for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
8. To change your answer to a question that has already been answered, first select that question for 
answering and then follow the procedure for answering that type of question.  
 
9. Note that ONLY Questions for which answers  are saved or marked for review after answering will be 
considered for evaluation. 
 
Choosing an Optional Section 
 
10. Sections in this question paper are displayed on the top bar of the screen. Questions in a Section can 
be viewed by clicking on the name of that Section. The Section you are currently viewing is 
highlighted. 
 
11. A checkbox is displayed for every optional Section in the Question Paper. To select an optional 
Section for answering, click on the checkbox for that Section.  
 
12. If the checkbox for an optional Section is not selected, the Save and Next button and the Mark for 
Review and Next button will NOT be enabled for that Section.  You will be able to only see 
questions in the Section, but you will not be able to answer questions in the Section.  
 
13. After clicking the Save and Next button for the last question in a Section, you will automatically be 
taken to the first question of the next Section in sequence.  
 
14. You can move the mouse cursor over the name of a Section  to view the answering status for that 
Section.  
 
Changing the Optional Section 
 
15. After answering the chosen optional Sections, partially or completely, you can change an optional 
Section by selecting a checkbox for a new Section that you want to attempt. A warning message will 
appear along with a table showing the number of questions answered in each of the previously chosen 
optional Sections and a checkbox against each of these Sections. Click on a checkbox against a 
Section that you want to reset and then click on the RESET button. Note that RESETTING a 
Section will DELETE all the answers for questions in that Section. Hence, if you think that you 
may want to select this Section again later, you will have to note down your answers for 
questions in that Section. If you do not want to reset any Section and want to continue answering the  
previously chosen optional  Sections, then click on the BACK button.  
 
16. If you deselect the checkbox for an optional Section in the top bar, the following warning message 
will appear:  "Deselecting the checkbox will DELETE all the answers for questions in this Section. 
Do you want to deselect this Section?"  If you want to deselect, click on the RESET button. If you do 
not want to deselect, click on the BACK button.  
 
17. You can shuffle between different Sections any number of times. You can change the optional 
Sections any number of times.  
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 3/19
 
Paper specific instructions: 
 
1. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Questions are of multiple choice type or 
numerical answer type. A multiple choice type question will have four choices for the answer with 
only one correct choice. For numerical answer type questions, the answer is a number and no choices 
will be given. A number as the answer should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor. 
 
2. Part-A is a compulsory section that contains 25 questions carrying  1 mark each. Part-B contains two 
optional sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Each of these sections contains 30 
questions carrying 2 marks each. The 2 marks questions include two pairs of common data questions 
and two pairs of linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer 
questions depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair 
is wrongly answered or is not attempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be 
evaluated. 
 
3. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2marks each.  
 
4. Questions not attempted will result in zero mark. Wrong answers for multiple choice type questions 
will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For all 1 mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong 
answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the 
case of the linked answer question pair, there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the 
first question and no negative marks for wrong answer to the second question. There is no negative 
marking for questions of numerical answer type. 
 
5. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall.  
 
6. Do the rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
 
  
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 4/19
PART A: COMMON TO BOTH GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CANDIDATES 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
Q.1 The number of hydrous minerals in the Moh’s scale of hardness is _________. 
  
Q.2 It takes approximately _________ minutes for sunlight to reach the Earth. 
    
Q.3 In a remotely sensed data of a planet, the presence of hydrous species can be inferred using 
_________region of the electromagnetic spectrum?  
(A) Radiowave (B) Gamma (C)  Infrared (D) Visible 
 
Q.4 Amongst the following, which one will have the highest P-wave velocity? 
(A) Granite (B) Diamond (C)  Shale (D)  Talc 
 
Q.5 Assuming the Earth to be a perfect sphere, its equatorial velocity is approximately __________ 
km/hr 
 
Q.6 Both strength and plasticity of a rock increase with the  
(A) increase in temperature 
(B) decrease in strain rate 
(C) increase in confining pressure 
(D) increase in pore fluid pressure 
 
Q.7 Amongst the following options, the acceptable value of the Poisson’s ratio of a rock is  
(A) 0.55 (B) 1.00 (C)  0.25 (D)  -1.00 
 
Q.8 The acceleration due to gravity, ‘g’ is maximum at 
(A)  equator (B)  poles (C) mid-latitudes (D)  sub-tropical regions 
 
Q.9 The most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust is  
(A) quartz (B) K-feldspar (C)  biotite (D)  garnet 
 
Q.10 Acoustic impedance is the _____________ of density and velocity. 
(A)  sum (B)  difference (C)  product  (D)  ratio 
 
Q.11 Choose the diamagnetic mineral from the following. 
(A) Calcite (B) Enstatite (C)  Pyrite (D)  Ilmenite 
 
 
Q.12 Two bodies made up of same material with different dimensions have 
(A)  same resistances and resistivities 
(B)  same resistivities but different resistances 
(C)  same resistances but different resistivities 
(D)  different resistances and resistivities 
 
Q.13 The type of wave that arrives first at a station from an earthquake hypocenter is  
(A)  P-wave (B)  S-wave (C)  Rayleigh wave (D)  Love wave   
Page 5


2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 1/19
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
 
Duration : Three Hours        Maximum Marks :100 
 
Please read the following instructions carefully: 
 
General Instructions: 
 
1. Total duration of examination is 180 minutes (3 hours).  
 
2. The clock will be set at the server.  The countdown timer in the top right corner of screen will display 
the remaining time available for you to complete the examination. When the timer reaches zero, the 
examination will end by itself. You will not be required to end or submit your examination.  
 
3. The Question Palette displayed on the right side of screen will show the status of each question using 
one of the following symbols:  
  
 
You have not visited the question yet. 
 
You have not answered the question. 
 
You have answered the question.  
 
You have NOT answered the question, but have marked the 
question for review. 
 
You have answered the question, but marked it for review.  
 
The Marked for Review status for a question simply indicates that you would like to look at that 
question again. If a question is answered and  Marked for Review, your answer for that question 
will be considered in the evaluation. 
 
Navigating to a Question 
 
4. To answer a question, do the following: 
a. Click on the question number in the Question Palette to go to that question directly.  
b. Select an answer for a multiple choice type question. Use the virtual numeric keypad to enter 
a number as answer for a numerical type question.  
c. Click on Save and Next to save your answer for the current question and then go to the next 
question.  
d. Click on Mark for Review and Next to save your answer for the  current question, mark it 
for review, and then go to the next question. 
e. Caution: Note that your answer for the current question will not be saved, if you 
navigate to another question directly by clicking on its question number.  
5. You can view all the questions by clicking on the Question Paper button. Note that the options for 
multiple choice type questions will not be shown.  
 
Answering a Question 
 
6. Procedure for answering a multiple choice type question: 
a. To select your answer, click on the button of one of  the options 
b. To deselect your chosen answer, click on the button of the chosen option again or click on the 
Clear Response button  
c. To change your chosen answer, click on the button of  another option 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 2/19
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is selected for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
7. Procedure for answering a numerical answer type question: 
a. To enter a number as your answer, use the virtual numerical keypad 
b. A fraction (eg.,-0.3 or -.3) can be entered as an answer with or without ‘0’ before the decimal 
point 
c. To clear your answer, click on the Clear Response button 
d. To save your answer, you MUST click on the Save and Next button 
e. To mark the question for review, click on the Mark for Review and Next button. If an 
answer is entered for a question that is Marked for Review, that answer will be considered 
in the evaluation. 
 
8. To change your answer to a question that has already been answered, first select that question for 
answering and then follow the procedure for answering that type of question.  
 
9. Note that ONLY Questions for which answers  are saved or marked for review after answering will be 
considered for evaluation. 
 
Choosing an Optional Section 
 
10. Sections in this question paper are displayed on the top bar of the screen. Questions in a Section can 
be viewed by clicking on the name of that Section. The Section you are currently viewing is 
highlighted. 
 
11. A checkbox is displayed for every optional Section in the Question Paper. To select an optional 
Section for answering, click on the checkbox for that Section.  
 
12. If the checkbox for an optional Section is not selected, the Save and Next button and the Mark for 
Review and Next button will NOT be enabled for that Section.  You will be able to only see 
questions in the Section, but you will not be able to answer questions in the Section.  
 
13. After clicking the Save and Next button for the last question in a Section, you will automatically be 
taken to the first question of the next Section in sequence.  
 
14. You can move the mouse cursor over the name of a Section  to view the answering status for that 
Section.  
 
Changing the Optional Section 
 
15. After answering the chosen optional Sections, partially or completely, you can change an optional 
Section by selecting a checkbox for a new Section that you want to attempt. A warning message will 
appear along with a table showing the number of questions answered in each of the previously chosen 
optional Sections and a checkbox against each of these Sections. Click on a checkbox against a 
Section that you want to reset and then click on the RESET button. Note that RESETTING a 
Section will DELETE all the answers for questions in that Section. Hence, if you think that you 
may want to select this Section again later, you will have to note down your answers for 
questions in that Section. If you do not want to reset any Section and want to continue answering the  
previously chosen optional  Sections, then click on the BACK button.  
 
16. If you deselect the checkbox for an optional Section in the top bar, the following warning message 
will appear:  "Deselecting the checkbox will DELETE all the answers for questions in this Section. 
Do you want to deselect this Section?"  If you want to deselect, click on the RESET button. If you do 
not want to deselect, click on the BACK button.  
 
17. You can shuffle between different Sections any number of times. You can change the optional 
Sections any number of times.  
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 3/19
 
Paper specific instructions: 
 
1. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. Questions are of multiple choice type or 
numerical answer type. A multiple choice type question will have four choices for the answer with 
only one correct choice. For numerical answer type questions, the answer is a number and no choices 
will be given. A number as the answer should be entered using the virtual keyboard on the monitor. 
 
2. Part-A is a compulsory section that contains 25 questions carrying  1 mark each. Part-B contains two 
optional sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Each of these sections contains 30 
questions carrying 2 marks each. The 2 marks questions include two pairs of common data questions 
and two pairs of linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer 
questions depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair 
is wrongly answered or is not attempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be 
evaluated. 
 
3. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA) section and carry a total of 15 marks. 
Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1mark each, and questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2marks each.  
 
4. Questions not attempted will result in zero mark. Wrong answers for multiple choice type questions 
will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For all 1 mark questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong 
answer. For all 2 marks questions, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  However, in the 
case of the linked answer question pair, there will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the 
first question and no negative marks for wrong answer to the second question. There is no negative 
marking for questions of numerical answer type. 
 
5. Calculator is allowed. Charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall.  
 
6. Do the rough work in the Scribble Pad provided. 
 
 
  
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 4/19
PART A: COMMON TO BOTH GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CANDIDATES 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
Q.1 The number of hydrous minerals in the Moh’s scale of hardness is _________. 
  
Q.2 It takes approximately _________ minutes for sunlight to reach the Earth. 
    
Q.3 In a remotely sensed data of a planet, the presence of hydrous species can be inferred using 
_________region of the electromagnetic spectrum?  
(A) Radiowave (B) Gamma (C)  Infrared (D) Visible 
 
Q.4 Amongst the following, which one will have the highest P-wave velocity? 
(A) Granite (B) Diamond (C)  Shale (D)  Talc 
 
Q.5 Assuming the Earth to be a perfect sphere, its equatorial velocity is approximately __________ 
km/hr 
 
Q.6 Both strength and plasticity of a rock increase with the  
(A) increase in temperature 
(B) decrease in strain rate 
(C) increase in confining pressure 
(D) increase in pore fluid pressure 
 
Q.7 Amongst the following options, the acceptable value of the Poisson’s ratio of a rock is  
(A) 0.55 (B) 1.00 (C)  0.25 (D)  -1.00 
 
Q.8 The acceleration due to gravity, ‘g’ is maximum at 
(A)  equator (B)  poles (C) mid-latitudes (D)  sub-tropical regions 
 
Q.9 The most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust is  
(A) quartz (B) K-feldspar (C)  biotite (D)  garnet 
 
Q.10 Acoustic impedance is the _____________ of density and velocity. 
(A)  sum (B)  difference (C)  product  (D)  ratio 
 
Q.11 Choose the diamagnetic mineral from the following. 
(A) Calcite (B) Enstatite (C)  Pyrite (D)  Ilmenite 
 
 
Q.12 Two bodies made up of same material with different dimensions have 
(A)  same resistances and resistivities 
(B)  same resistivities but different resistances 
(C)  same resistances but different resistivities 
(D)  different resistances and resistivities 
 
Q.13 The type of wave that arrives first at a station from an earthquake hypocenter is  
(A)  P-wave (B)  S-wave (C)  Rayleigh wave (D)  Love wave   
2013                                                                                                                                                                      GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG 5/19
Q.14 Which one of the following is the correct statement? 
 
 (A) Accretionary wedge is part of the foreland basin 
(B) Spreading ridge is a major zone of metamorphism 
(C) Dehydration of subducting slab induces mantle melting 
(D) Back arc basin represent a convergent regime 
 
Q.15 Match the following items of Group I with those of Group II. 
 
Group I                                                                Group II 
 
P)  Electrical Method                                         1) Density 
Q) Magnetic Method                                          2) Velocity 
R) Gravity Method                                             3) Resistivity 
S) Seismic Method                                             4) Susceptibility 
                                                                            5) Dielectric Permittivity 
(A)  P – 3 ; Q – 2 ; R – 5  ; S – 1 
(B)  P – 3 ; Q – 4 ; R – 1  ; S – 2 
(C)  P – 3 ; Q – 4 ; R – 2  ; S – 1 
(D)  P – 5 ; Q – 4 ; R – 3  ; S – 2 
 
Q.16 If a radioactive isotope has a decay constant of 1.55 × 10
-10
 year
-1
, its half-life (in years) would be 
(A) 4.57 × 10
9
  (B) 4.47 × 10
9
  (C)  4.57 × 10
10
  (D)  4.47 × 10
10
  
     
Q.17 Which of the following physical properties of rocks has the widest range of variation? 
(A)  Magnetic permeability (B)  Dielectric permittivity 
(C)  Seismic velocity (D)  Electrical resistivity 
 
Q.18 Which of the following is NOT an inverse square law? 
(A)  Newton’s law of gravitation 
(B)  Coulomb’s law of electrostatics 
(C)  Coulomb’s law of magnetostatics 
(D)  Hooke’s law 
 
Q.19 A type of unconformity characterized by the occurrence of sedimentary rocks on 
igneous/metamorphic rocks is known as 
(A) angular unconformity (B) nonconformity 
(C) paraconformity (D) disconformity 
 
Q.20 For seismic S-wave velocity, V, the rigidity modulus, µ, is proportional to  
(A) V 
(B)   V (C)  V 
2 
(D)  V
 3 
 
Q.21 An active trench is present in the vicinity of 
(A) Andaman & Nicobar Islands (B) Gulf of Cambay 
(C) Lakshadweep (D) Krishna-Godavari delta 
 
 
Q.22 In a homogeneous anisotropic medium, the physical property varies 
(A) with position but not with direction 
(B) with both position and direction 
(C) with direction but not with position 
(D) neither with position nor with direction