UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 32: Science and Technology
Consider the following plants:
- 1.Bougainvillea
- 2.Carnations
- 3.Cocoa
- 4.Grapes
Which of these plants are propagated by stem cuttings?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
All four are propagated by stem cuttings. Bougainvillea and carnation are multiplied from stem cuttings; the grapevine is raised from hardwood cuttings of the cane; and cocoa, though usually grown from seed, is also propagated vegetatively by rooted stem cuttings (as well as by budding and grafting). So the answer is all four.
- 1. Bougainvillea is multiplied by stem cuttings.
- 2. Carnation is propagated by stem cuttings.
- 3. Cocoa can be propagated by rooted stem cuttings.
- 4. Grapevine is raised from hardwood cuttings.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Bougainvillea is multiplied by stem cuttings.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Carnation is propagated by stem cuttings.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Cocoa can be propagated by rooted stem cuttings.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 4.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Bougainvillea and carnation are cutting-grown, but cocoa and grapes are too.
- (b) Leaves out bougainvillea, which roots readily from stem cuttings.
- (c) Leaves out carnation, which is propagated by cuttings.
- (d) Right: all four can be propagated by stem cuttings.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.