UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 63: Geography

In which one of the following crops international trade is low in the context of total produce?

aRice

bCoffee

cRubber

dWheat

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Rice is mostly eaten in the countries where it is grown; only a small share of the world's output, under a tenth, crosses borders. Wheat, coffee and rubber are traded heavily: rubber and coffee are grown in tropical countries but used mainly elsewhere, and wheat is exported by a few big producers. Remember: rice is a subsistence crop with thin world trade.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: rice is largely consumed where grown, so little enters trade.
(b) Most coffee is exported by the producing countries.
(c) Most natural rubber is exported by producers to manufacturing countries.
(d) Wheat is widely traded, with big exporters supplying importing countries.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

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.