UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I
Question 23: Environment and Ecology
Consider the following animals :
- 1.Hedgehog
- 2.Marmot
- 3.Pangolin
To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Hedgehogs and pangolins roll into a tight ball when threatened, hiding their soft undersides behind spines and hard scales respectively. Marmots are burrowing ground squirrels; they escape predators by diving into burrows and giving alarm calls, and they do not roll up. Remember: hedgehog (spines) and pangolin (scales) curl into a ball.
- 1. Hedgehogs roll into a spiny ball.
- 2. Marmots flee to burrows and give alarm calls instead of rolling up.
- 3. Pangolins curl into a ball protected by hard scales.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Hedgehogs roll into a spiny ball.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: Marmots flee to burrows and give alarm calls instead of rolling up.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 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) Wrong: marmots do not roll up; they flee to burrows.
- (b) Wrong: marmots do not roll up, and it leaves out two animals that do.
- (c) Wrong: pangolins do roll up, but so do hedgehogs.
- (d) Right: hedgehogs and pangolins roll up to protect their soft parts.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.