SOLVED PAPER 2020 (CDS) (I) (General Studies)

Total Questions: 120

61. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Correct Answer: (a) Kuddapah-kar - Rocky wastelands
Solution:Among the following options, only option (a) is not correctly matched. In ancient India, Kuddapah–kar was one of the two main seasons of rice cultivation (the other being Samba-peshanam). Rest all the options are correctly matched.

62. Which of the following rulers were identified through matronymics (names derived from that of the mother)?

Correct Answer: (d) Satavahanas
Solution:Satavahanas rulers were identified through matronymics. For example, the name of greatest ruler of Satavahanas was Gauthamiputra Satakarni, which meant Gauthami’s son Satakarni.

The Satavahanas (or Andhras) were ancient Indian dynasty based in Deccan region. They reigned from late 2nd century BCE to early 3rd century CE and ruled over present day Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

63. Which one of the following statements about the famous text of Panchatantra is correct?

Correct Answer: (d) It is a text showing through illustration what should and should not be done
Solution:Panchatantra is a text showing through illustration what should and should not be done. It is a ‘Niti-Shastra’ (or textbook of Niti) which roughly means ‘the book on wise conduct of life’.

Vishnu Sharma is considered to be the author of the text. Original text was written in Sanskrit language.

64. Geomorphic factors influencing plant and animal distributions are

Correct Answer: (d) slope angle, slope aspect and relative relief
Solution:Geomorphic factors influencing plant and animal distribution are slope angle, slope aspect and the distribution is also influenced by climatic factors (like temperature, water, light, etc.) and Edopic factors (like salinity, soil pH, mineral nutrients, etc.)

65. Which one of the following groups of cities does not have Sclerophyll as its natural vegetation cover?

Correct Answer: (d) Las Vegas and Queensland
Solution:Among the following groups of cities, Las Vegas and Queensland does not have Sclerophyll as its natural vegetation cover.

Sclerophyll is a type of vegetation that has hard leaves, short internodes and leaf orientation parallel or oblique to direct sunlight. This vegetation is mainly found in Mediterranean type of climate.

Thus, Sclerophyll vegetation is found in areas like Perth, Sydney and Adelaide region of Australia, the Mediterranean basin, Californian region, Cape province of South Africa, etc.

66. Which of the following are warm ocean currents?

Correct Answer: (b) North Atlantic Drift and Brazil Current
Solution:North Atlantic Drift (North Atlantic Ocean) and Brazil current (South Atlantic Ocean) are warm ocean currents.

67. In India, how many States/Union Territories have more than two international boundaries?

Correct Answer: (d) 4
Solution:In India, 4 States/Union Territories have more than two international boundaries. These are
  • Ladakh with Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
  • Sikkim with Nepal, Bhutan and China.
  • West Bengal with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
  • Arunachal Pradesh with Bhutan, China and Myanmar

68. In the Hadley cell thermal circulation, air rises up and finally descends at

Correct Answer: (c) sub-tropical high-pressure cells
Solution:In the Hadley cell thermal circulation, air rises up (at equator) and finally descends at sub-tropical high- pressure cells.

According to tri-cellular model of atmospheric circulation, circulation takes place in three cells namely:

Hadley Cell Air rises at equator (0°) and decends near sub-tropical high-pressure zone (30° N and S).

Ferrel Cell Air decends at sub-tropical high pressure zone (30° N and S ) and ascends at sub-polar low pressure zone (60° N and S).

Polar Cell Air rises in sub–polar low pressure zone (60° N and S) and descends at poles in both hemisphere.

69. Which one of the following soils is characterised by very high content of organic matter?

Correct Answer: (b) Histosol
Solution:Histosol soils are characterised by very high content of organic matter. They contain at least 20-30% of organic matter by weight. Histosols are often very difficult to cultivate because of poor drainage and due to low chemical fertility.

Vertisols are rich in clay content.
Gelisols are permafrost soils in which organic content is limited to uppermost layer.
Spodosols are acidic soils rich in iron and aluminium.

70. Overseas Indians can exercise franchise in an election to the Lok Sabha under which of the following conditions?

1. They must be citizens of India.
2. Their names must figure in the electoral roll.
3. They must be present in India to vote.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:All the statements regarding franchise of overseas Indians are correct.

According to Section 20A of the Representation of People Act, 1950, overseas Indians can exercise franchise in an election to the Lok Sabha only under the conditions

  • They must be citizens of India.
  • Their names must figure in electoral roles.
  • They must be present in India to vote.