1996 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 128: Science and Technology
The offending substance in the liquor tragedies leading to blindness, etc. is
aethyl alcohol
bamyl alcohol
cbenzyl alcohol
dmethyl alcohol
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Methyl alcohol (methanol), used to adulterate illicit liquor, is converted in the body into formaldehyde and formic acid, which damage the optic nerve and cause blindness and death. Ethyl alcohol is the ordinary alcohol in drinks; amyl and benzyl alcohols are not the cause in such tragedies. Remember: methanol - blindness.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Ethyl alcohol is the ordinary alcohol in drinks and is not the cause of blindness.
- (b) Amyl alcohol is not the cause of such tragedies.
- (c) Benzyl alcohol is not the cause of such tragedies.
- (d) Right: methyl alcohol damages the optic nerve.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.