UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 20: Environment and Ecology
If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
- 1.Painted Stork
- 2.Common Myna
- 3.Black-necked Crane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Common Myna follows grazing cattle and seizes the insects that the animals disturb in the grass. The Painted Stork is a large wading bird that feeds in shallow water, catching fish and frogs. The Black-necked Crane is a high-altitude species that breeds in the wetlands of Ladakh and is not found stalking cattle in the countryside. So only the Common Myna fits.
- 1. Painted Storks wade in shallow water for fish.
- 2. Common Mynas follow cattle to catch disturbed insects.
- 3. Black-necked Cranes are high-altitude wetland birds.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 1.
What you needed to know: Painted Storks wade in shallow water for fish.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: Black-necked Cranes are high-altitude wetland birds.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
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. The Painted Stork feeds by wading in shallow water, not behind cattle.
- (b) Right. Only the Common Myna follows cattle for disturbed insects.
- (c) Wrong. The Black-necked Crane is a high-altitude wetland bird.
- (d) Wrong. The Black-necked Crane does not feed behind cattle.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.