UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 124: Science and Technology

From the point of view of evolution of living organisms, which one of the following is the correct sequence of evolution ?

aOtter – Tortoise – Shark

bShark – Tortoise – Otter

cTortoise – Shark – Otter

dShark – Otter – Tortoise

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Evolution proceeded from fishes to amphibians to reptiles to mammals. The shark is a cartilaginous fish, the oldest of the three; the tortoise is a reptile, which came much later; the otter is a mammal, the most recent group. So the order is shark, tortoise, otter. Remember: fish, amphibians, reptiles, then birds and mammals.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Puts the mammal first, which is the reverse of the order.
(b) Right: fish (shark), reptile (tortoise), mammal (otter).
(c) Puts the reptile before the fish.
(d) Puts the mammal before the reptile.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.