1995 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 15: Geography
Which one of the following is the continent with the highest mean elevation in the world?
aAntarctica
bNorth America
cAsia
dSouth America
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Antarctica has the highest mean elevation of any continent, over 2,000 metres, because it is buried under a thick ice sheet that rests on land already well above sea level. Asia has the highest peaks and plateaus, but its large lowlands pull its average down. Remember: Antarctica is highest on average, Australia lowest.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: the thick ice sheet lifts the mean surface above 2,000 metres.
- (b) North America has high mountains in the west but large plains in the east, so its mean is much lower.
- (c) Asia has the highest peaks, but its lowlands pull its mean below Antarctica's.
- (d) South America has the Andes, but the Amazon basin and other lowlands keep its mean low.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.