2020 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I

Question 93: Geography

With reference to Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT), which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  1. 1.OMT is measured up to a depth of 26°C isotherm which is 129 meters in the south-western Indian Ocean during January – March.
  2. 2.OMT collected during January – March can be used in assessing whether the amount of rainfall in monsoon will be less or more than a certain long-term mean.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

UPSC's key accepts only statement 2. Ocean Mean Temperature, the average temperature of the upper ocean down to the 26 degree isotherm, measured over the Indian Ocean in January to March, is related to the rainfall of the coming monsoon, so it can help judge whether rainfall will be above or below the long-term mean. The specific depth figure in statement 1 is not accepted.

  • 1. Marked incorrect in UPSC's key; the specific depth figure is not accepted.
  • 2. January to March OMT helps assess whether the monsoon will be above or below the long-term mean.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: Marked incorrect in UPSC's key; the specific depth figure is not accepted.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: January to March OMT helps assess whether the monsoon will be above or below the long-term mean.

Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.

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: statement 1 is marked incorrect and statement 2 is correct.
  • (b) Right: only statement 2 is correct.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 1 is marked incorrect.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 2 is correct.

Worth knowing: The 129 m figure in statement 1 cannot be checked against standard references; UPSC's key simply marks statement 1 incorrect.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.