2006 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2006 · General Studies

Question 6: Science and Technology

Consider the following statements:

  1. 1.Caffeine, a constituent of tea and coffee, is a diuretic.
  2. 2.Citric acid is used in soft drinks.
  3. 3.Ascorbic acid is essential for the formation of bones and teeth.
  4. 4.Citric acid is a good substitution for ascorbic acid in our nutrition.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a1 and 2 only
b1, 2 and 3 only
c3 and 4 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Caffeine in tea and coffee is a mild diuretic: it raises urine output. Citric acid gives soft drinks their sharp taste and also acts as a preservative. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is needed to make collagen, which bones, teeth, gums and blood vessels depend on, so statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Citric acid cannot stand in for ascorbic acid: despite occurring in citrus fruit, it does not do vitamin C's job in the body.

  • 1. Caffeine increases urine output.
  • 2. Citric acid is a common acidulant in soft drinks.
  • 3. Vitamin C is needed for collagen, hence for bones and teeth.
  • 4. Citric acid has no vitamin C activity.

How you could have got this

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

    What you needed to know: Vitamin C is needed for collagen, hence for bones and teeth.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.

    What you needed to know: Citric acid has no vitamin C activity.

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) Leaves out statement 3, which is correct.
  • (b) Correct: statements 1, 2 and 3 hold; 4 does not.
  • (c) Statement 3 is right but 4 is wrong, and it omits 1 and 2.
  • (d) Statement 4 is false; citric acid is no substitute for vitamin C.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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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.