2013 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2013 · GS Paper I
Question 54: Geography
The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where
awarm and cold atmospheric currents meet
brivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea
cwarm and cold oceanic currents meet
dcontinental shelf is undulating
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
The world's richest fishing grounds, such as the Grand Banks off Newfoundland and the seas off Japan, lie where a warm and a cold ocean current meet. The meeting mixes the water, brings nutrients to the surface and favours plankton, which fish feed on. Atmospheric currents do not act on the sea in this way, and river mouths and an undulating shelf alone do not explain the great grounds.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Atmospheric currents do not create plankton-rich seas.
- (b) Wrong. River freshwater does not by itself produce the great fishing grounds.
- (c) Correct. Meeting warm and cold currents mix nutrients and favour plankton.
- (d) Wrong. An uneven shelf is not the main reason.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2013, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.