UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies
Question 110: History and Culture
Consider the following houses:
- 1.Christie's
- 2.Osian's
- 3.Sotheby's
Which of the above is/are auctioneer/auctioneers ?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
All three are auction houses. Christie's and Sotheby's are the two famous international auction houses of fine art, antiques and jewellery, based in London and New York. Osian's, founded by Neville Tuli, is an Indian auction house in Mumbai, known for art and cinema memorabilia.
- 1. Christie's is an international auction house.
- 2. Osian's is an Indian auction house.
- 3. Sotheby's is an international auction house.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Christie's is an international auction house.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) and (b) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Osian's is an Indian auction house.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
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) Wrong: Sotheby's and Osian's are also auctioneers.
- (b) Wrong: Osian's is also an auctioneer.
- (c) Wrong: Christie's is also an auctioneer.
- (d) Right: all three auction art and collectibles.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.