2012 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 95: Environment and Ecology
What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?
aOryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains
bOryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk
cOryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only
dNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
The oryx is a desert antelope adapted to hot, arid regions, while the chiru (Tibetan antelope) lives on the cold, high-altitude steppes and semi-deserts of the Tibetan plateau and Ladakh. The chiru is poached for its fine wool, shahtoosh, and neither animal is poached for the reasons in option (b). Option (c)'s distribution is also wrong, since the chiru lives in Ladakh, not the north-east.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: oryx lives in hot arid areas, chiru in cold high-altitude steppes.
- (b) Wrong: oryx is not poached for antlers (it has horns), and chiru is poached for its wool, not musk.
- (c) Wrong: the chiru lives in Ladakh, not the north-east.
- (d) Wrong: statement (a) is correct.
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.