UPSC Prelims 1998 · General Studies
Question 65: Environment and Ecology
Some people in Manipur live in houses built on floating islands of weeds and decaying vegetation held together by suspended silt. These islands are called
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Phumdis are floating islands of vegetation, soil and organic matter that drift on Loktak Lake in Manipur. Fishermen build huts on them, and the Keibul Lamjao National Park, the last home of the sangai (brow-antlered deer), is on a mass of phumdis. Tipis are the conical tents of Native Americans, barkhans are crescent-shaped sand dunes, and an izba is a Russian wooden house.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Tipis are Native American conical tents.
- (b) Barkhans are crescent-shaped sand dunes.
- (c) Right: phumdis are floating islands on Loktak Lake.
- (d) An izba is a Russian log house.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1998, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.