UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 7: Geography
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Deccan Traps II. Western Ghats III. Aravalli IV. Narmada-Tapi List II A) Late Cenozoic B) Pre-Cambrian C) Cretaceous-Eocene D) Cambrian Alluvial deposits E) Pleistocene Codes:
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Deccan Traps are lava flows dated from the Cretaceous into the Eocene. The Western Ghats are placed in the Late Cenozoic in this scheme, as the upraised, faulted edge of the plateau. The Aravallis are among the oldest fold ranges, Pre-Cambrian in age. The Narmada-Tapi valleys hold young alluvium of the Pleistocene. Alluvium cannot be Cambrian, which rules out the options that carry D.
- I. I-C: the Deccan Traps date from the Cretaceous into the Eocene.
- II. II-A: the Western Ghats are placed in the Late Cenozoic.
- III. III-B: the Aravalli range is Pre-Cambrian.
- IV. IV-E: the Narmada-Tapi valley deposits are Pleistocene.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) II-E and IV-D fail: the Ghats are not Pleistocene, and alluvium is not Cambrian.
- (b) Right: Traps-Cretaceous-Eocene, Ghats-Late Cenozoic, Aravalli-Pre-Cambrian, Narmada-Tapi-Pleistocene.
- (c) I-B is wrong, as the Traps are not Pre-Cambrian, and III-C puts the ancient Aravallis in the Cretaceous-Eocene.
- (d) II-D pairs the Ghats with Cambrian alluvial deposits, which cannot be right.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.