2003 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 110: Environment and Ecology

Assertion (A): Unlike temperate forests, the tropical rain forests, if cleared, can yield productive farm-land that can support intensive agriculture for several years even without chemical fertilizers. Reason (R): The primary productivity of the tropical rain forest is very high when compared to that of the temperate forests.

aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
bBoth A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
cA is true but R is false
dA is false but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (d).

A is false: soils under tropical rain forests are poor, because heavy rain leaches nutrients and most of them are held in the living plants and the thin litter layer. Once the forest is cleared, fertility falls within a few years. R is true: tropical rain forests have very high primary productivity, because of warmth, moisture and light all year.

  • A. Cleared rain forest soils are nutrient-poor and lose fertility quickly.
  • R. Tropical rain forests have very high primary productivity.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, only (d) is left: every other option says it is correct.

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) A is false, so 'both true' fails.
  • (b) A is false, so 'both true, R not the explanation' fails.
  • (c) A is false, so 'A true, R false' fails.
  • (d) Correct: A is false and R is true.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious questionNext question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.