2005 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2005 · General Studies

Question 129: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements:

  1. 1.The Constitution of the United States of America came into force in the year 1810.
  2. 2.All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives of the US Congress.
  3. 3.George W. Bush is the only President in the history of the United States of America whose father was also the President of the United States of America.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a1 only
b2 only
c1 and 2
d2 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Statement 2 is right: under Article I, Section 7 of the US Constitution, all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. Statement 1 is wrong: the Constitution came into force in 1789, not 1810. Statement 3 is wrong: John Quincy Adams was also the son of a President, John Adams.

  • 1. The US Constitution came into force in 1789.
  • 2. Revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
  • 3. John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was also President.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (d) goes: it includes 3.

    What you needed to know: John Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was also President.

    The red flag in statement 3 is “only”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “only” were true 27% of the time (82 statements). A hint, not a rule.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The US Constitution came into force in 1789.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.

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) Statement 1 is false: the Constitution took effect in 1789.
  • (b) Correct: only statement 2 holds.
  • (c) Statement 1 is false.
  • (d) Statement 3 is false: John Quincy Adams was a President's son too.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2005, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.