1999 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1999 · General Studies
Question 70: Geography
The language spoken by the largest number of people in the world is
aHindi
bEnglish
cMandarin
dSpanish
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Mandarin Chinese, the standard form of the Chinese spoken across northern and south-western China, has more native speakers than any other language. Hindi, Spanish and English follow it as mother tongues. English is the most widely used second language and so is the most widely spread. Remember: most native speakers means Mandarin; most widely spread means English.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Hindi has fewer native speakers than Mandarin.
- (b) Wrong. English has fewer native speakers, though it is the most widely used second language.
- (c) Right. Mandarin has the largest number of native speakers.
- (d) Wrong. Spanish has fewer native speakers than Mandarin.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1999, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.