UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 72: Geography
Who amongst the following was the first to state that the Earth was spherical?
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Aristotle (4th century BC) is the one credited here with first giving reasoned proof that the Earth is spherical: the round shadow of the Earth on the Moon in lunar eclipses, the changing stars seen when travelling north or south, and ships disappearing hull-first over the horizon. Strabo and Ptolemy came later and Copernicus much later. Pythagoras is sometimes credited with the idea earlier, but he is not an option.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: Aristotle gave the reasoned proofs.
- (b) Copernicus put the Sun at the centre, much later.
- (c) Ptolemy came centuries after Aristotle.
- (d) Strabo, a geographer, came after Aristotle.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.