MCQ FOR UPSC AND KPSC PRELIMS 5

Question

Consider the following statements about Aphelion:

1. Aphelion refers to the point when Earth is farthest from the Sun, usually occurring around 3rd to 6th July each year.
2. The distance between Earth and the Sun during aphelion is approximately 152.5 million kilometres.
3. Perihelion is when Earth is closest to the Sun, occurring around July 5 annually.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

a) only one
b) only two
c) all three
d) none

Answer: b) only two
Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because perihelion occurs around January 3, not July 5.

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Consider the following statements regarding Earth's orbit:

1. The Earth's orbit is elliptical, causing its distance from the Sun to vary throughout the year.
2. During perihelion, the Earth is about 147.5 million kilometres from the Sun.
3. The Earth’s aphelion and perihelion dates remain fixed annually.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because the perihelion and aphelion dates are not fixed; they vary slightly due to changes in Earth's orbital eccentricity.

Answer 1

Consider the following statements about the Chagos Archipelago:

1. The Chagos Archipelago is located in the central Indian Ocean, about 1,600 km south of the Indian subcontinent.
2. It is an overseas territory of the United States, established in 1965.
3. Diego Garcia, one of its key islands, houses a strategic US military base.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

a) only one
b) only two
c) all three
d) none

Answer: b) only two
Explanation: Statement 2 is incorrect because the Chagos Archipelago is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, not the United States.

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Consider the following statements regarding the Chagos Archipelago dispute:

1. The dispute revolves around the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago, claimed by both the UK and Mauritius.
2. The Chagos Archipelago was claimed by the UK along with Mauritius in 1814.
3. India supports Mauritius on the issue of the Chagos Archipelago as part of its decolonization stance.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: All statements are correct regarding the Chagos Archipelago dispute and India's support for Mauritius on decolonization.

Answer 2

Consider the following statements about the Bagmati River:

1. The Bagmati River originates in the Shivapuri Hills in central Nepal and flows southward into the Indian state of Bihar.
2. It is considered holy by both Hindus and Buddhists.
3. The Bagmati River eventually merges with the Ganga River after a course of 360 km.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

a) only one
b) only two
c) all three
d) none

Answer: b) only two
Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because the Bagmati River merges with the Burhi Gandak River, not the Ganga.

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Consider the following statements regarding the Bagmati River:

1. The Bagmati River is fed by springs and monsoon rainfall as it flows down from the Kathmandu Valley.
2. It passes through the Shivalik Range, the southernmost range of the Himalayas.
3. The Bagmati River basin covers only the Terai region of Nepal.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect because the Bagmati River basin transacts three distinct physiographic zones: Mountain, Siwalik, and Terai in Nepal.