UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies
Question 120: Geography
Which of the following substances are found in the beach sands of many parts of Kerala?
- 1.Ilmenite
- 2.Zircon
- 3.Sillimanite
- 4.Tungsten
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The beach sands of Kerala (Chavara, Neendakara and nearby coast) are rich in heavy minerals: ilmenite, rutile, zircon, monazite (thorium) and sillimanite. Tungsten is not found in them; it occurs in hard-rock deposits, such as Degana in Rajasthan. Three of the four listed minerals are therefore right, and the answer leaves tungsten out.
- 1. Ilmenite is a major mineral of Kerala beach sands.
- 2. Zircon occurs with ilmenite in the sands.
- 3. Sillimanite is found in the beach sands.
- 4. Tungsten is not a beach sand mineral.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Sillimanite is found in the beach sands.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 4.
What you needed to know: Tungsten is not a beach sand mineral.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 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) Tungsten is not in the beach sands.
- (b) Correct: ilmenite, zircon and sillimanite are found.
- (c) Leaves out ilmenite and zircon and wrongly includes tungsten.
- (d) Leaves out sillimanite, which is found there.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2006, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.