UPSC Prelims 2024 · GS Paper I
Question 10: Geography
Consider the following information :
| Region | Name of the mountain range | Type of mountain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Central Asia | Vosges | Fold mountain |
| 2. | Europe | Alps | Block mountain |
| 3. | North America | Appalachians | Fold mountain |
| 4. | South America | Andes | Fold mountain |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Rows 3 and 4 are correct: the Appalachians in North America are old fold mountains, and the Andes in South America are young fold mountains. The Vosges is in France, in Europe, not Central Asia, and is a block mountain formed beside the Rhine rift valley. The Alps in Europe are young fold mountains, not block mountains. Remember: Vosges and Black Forest are the classic block mountains.
- 1. The Vosges is in Europe, not Central Asia, and is a block mountain.
- 2. The Alps are fold mountains, not block mountains.
- 3. The Appalachians in North America are fold mountains.
- 4. The Andes in South America are fold mountains.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
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: two rows, the Appalachians and the Andes, are correct.
- (b) Right: rows 3 and 4 only.
- (c) Wrong: row 1 (Vosges in Central Asia) and row 2 (Alps as block mountain) are both wrong.
- (d) Wrong: rows 1 and 2 are wrongly matched.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2024, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.