UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 41: Environment and Ecology
Which of the following have coral reefs?
- 1.Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- 2.Gulf of Kachchh
- 3.Gulf of Mannar
- 4.Sunderbans
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
India's coral reefs are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Gulf of Kachchh, the Gulf of Mannar and Lakshadweep. The Sundarbans is a delta of mangrove forests and tidal creeks in muddy, low-salinity water, where reef-building corals cannot grow. So the answer is 1, 2 and 3 only. Remember the four coral areas: Andaman and Nicobar, Kachchh, Mannar and Lakshadweep.
- 1. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have fringing coral reefs.
- 2. The Gulf of Kachchh has coral reefs.
- 3. The Gulf of Mannar has coral reefs.
- 4. The Sundarbans is a mangrove delta, not a coral area.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The Gulf of Kachchh has coral reefs.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.
What you needed to know: The Sundarbans is a mangrove delta, not a coral area.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.
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) Right. Andaman and Nicobar, Kachchh and Mannar have coral reefs.
- (b) Wrong. The Sundarbans has mangroves, not coral reefs, and the Andaman and Mannar reefs are left out.
- (c) Wrong. The Gulf of Kachchh also has coral reefs.
- (d) Wrong. The Sundarbans does not have coral reefs.
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.