2002 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 82: Geography

Consider the following statements:

  1. 1.Ocean currents are the slow surface movement of water in the ocean.
  2. 2.Ocean currents assist in maintaining the Earth’s heat balance.
  3. 3.Ocean currents are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds.
  4. 4.Ocean currents are affected by the configuration of the ocean floor.

Which of these statements are correct?

a1 and 2
b2, 3 and 4
c1, 3 and 4
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Ocean currents are slow surface movements of water, driven mainly by the prevailing winds, with temperature and salinity differences also playing a part. They carry warm water towards cold regions and cold water towards warm ones, which helps maintain the Earth's heat balance, and the coastlines and the shape of the ocean floor affect their paths. All four statements hold.

  • 1. Currents are slow movements of surface water.
  • 2. They move heat between regions and help the Earth's heat balance.
  • 3. Prevailing winds are the main driving force.
  • 4. The shape of the ocean floor and coasts affects their paths.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Currents are slow movements of surface water.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: They move heat between regions and help the Earth's heat balance.

  3. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 3 out.

    What you needed to know: Prevailing winds are the main driving force.

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) Leaves out statements 3 and 4, which are also true.
  • (b) Leaves out statement 1, which is also true.
  • (c) Leaves out statement 2, which is also true.
  • (d) Right: all four are correct.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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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.