UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 85: Geography
A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located the polestar. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The Pole Star lies due north. A person facing east has north on his left. So to go east he should walk keeping the Pole Star on his left. Walking towards it would take him north, walking away from it would take him south, and keeping it on his right would take him west.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: facing the Pole Star means walking north.
- (b) Wrong: walking opposite to the Pole Star means walking south.
- (c) Correct: with the Pole Star on his left, he is facing east.
- (d) Wrong: with the Pole Star on his right, he would be walking west.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.