UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper I

Question 62: Geography

With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements :

1.The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
2.The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a1 only

b2 only

cBoth 1 and 2

dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Most of the Earth's freshwater, roughly two thirds, is locked in polar ice caps and glaciers. Groundwater holds about 30 percent, which is far more than the small amounts in rivers and lakes. So the water in polar ice and glaciers exceeds the amount of groundwater, and groundwater far exceeds that in rivers and lakes. Remember: ice caps first, groundwater second, surface water a tiny share.

1. Groundwater is far larger than the water in rivers and lakes.
2. Ice caps and glaciers hold roughly two thirds of freshwater, more than groundwater.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Groundwater is far larger than the water in rivers and lakes.
Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Ice caps and glaciers hold roughly two thirds of freshwater, more than groundwater.

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: groundwater is far larger than rivers and lakes, so statement 1 is false.
(b) Right: ice caps and glaciers hold more water than groundwater.
(c) Wrong: statement 1 is false.
(d) Wrong: statement 2 is correct.

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

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2021, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.