SOLVED PAPER 2024 (CDS) (I) (General Knowledge)

Total Questions: 120

41. Which of the following statements regarding continent of Antarctica is/are correct?

1. It has the highest average elevation as compared to all other continents.
2. Mount Vinson is the highest peak of this continent.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Solution:Both Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Antarctica has highest average elevation as compared to the all other countries. The Mount Vinson is the highest peak of Antarctica.

42. Which one of the following Biosphere reserves is spread over three states in India?

Correct Answer: (a) Nilgiri

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

Correct Answer: (a) Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary : Uttarakhand
Solution:The Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Jammu and Kashmir not Haryana. Some of the distinct animals that can be spotted in this sanctuary are Barking deer, Rhesus monkey, Nilgai and many more.

44. Which of the following statements regarding coconut production in Lakshadweep is/are correct?

1. Productivity per hectare is highest in India.
2. Oil content in nuts is highest in the world.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (a) Only 1
Solution:Only statement 1 is correct. Lakshadweep is India's largest producer of coconuts. About 2,598 hectares are under coconut cultivation and the productivity per hectare is 22,310 which is highest in India. Statement 2 is incorrect as the oil content in the nut is not highest in the world. Brazil nuts have the highest oil content of the most popular nuts, with an oil content of around 67%.

45. Which of the following statements regarding barrier islands is/are correct?

1. These are small chain of sand islands that form offshore, far from the coast.
2. Lagoons or shallower marshes separate the barrier islands from the mainland.
3. Such locations are hazardous for settlements because they are easily swept away by storms and hurricanes.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (c) 2 and 3
Solution:Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Lagoons or shallower marshes often separate barrier islands from the mainland.

This water body between the barrier island and the mainland is typically calmer than the ocean side and can serve as a habitat for various marine life.

Barrier islands can be risky places for permanent settlements because they are prone to erosion, storms and hurricanes. These islands bear the brunt of oceanic storm surges and high winds, which can lead to significant property damage and loss of life.

Statement 1 is incorrect because it inaccurately describes the size and location of barrier islands relative to the coast.

Barrier islands are offshore deposits of sand or sediments that parallel the coastline, but they are not necessarily 'small' nor do they form 'far' from the coast.

They are typically situated relatively close to the mainland and can vary greatly in size.

46. Identify the type of cloud on the basis of the given characteristics.

1. High, thin, puffy white clouds of ice crystals that look like ripples.
2. They appear between 20,000 feet and 40,000 feet above the Earth's surface.
3. One of its types is called a 'mackerel sky' because the clouds resemble large fish scales, especially when they are coloured pink at sunset.

Select the correct answer.

Correct Answer: (d) Cirrocumulus
Solution:The above mentioned characteristics are of Cirrocumulus. Cirrocumulus clouds are puffy white clouds, with altitude between 20,000 feet to 40,000 feet. They are also known as Mackerel Sky.

47. Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given characteristics.

1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries.
2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope.
3. A map or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf-smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle.

Select the correct answer.

Correct Answer: (a) Dendritic
Solution:The given characteristics of Dendritic type of drainage. In dendritic drainage smaller streams join the main streams at an acute angle. It is most common pattern of streams. It occurs in areas of uniform rock and regular slope.

48. Which of the following regarding gateway city is/are correct?

1. City whose physical location makes it a link between one country and others or between one region and others.
2. A gateway city exercises control over a large area because it commands the entry and exit rights and powers for a particular country or region.
3. Most gateway cities are ports, many of which were formerly administrative centres for a colonial government.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:All three statements provided are true characteristics of a gateway city.

49. Which one of the following has been an important early Chola painting discovered at the Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur in 1931?

Correct Answer: (b) Shiva as Yoga - Dakshinamurti
Solution:'Shiva as a Yoga-Dakshinamurti' has been an important early Chola painting discovered at the Brihadishvara Temple, Thanjavur in 1931. It was discovered by SK Govindasami.

These painting cover floor to ceiling and were painted using natural pigments. Most of the Chola paintings are based on Shaivism themes. In the temple Dakshinamurti shrine is also built which is maintain by Marathas of Thanjavur.

50. Consider the following statements about the initial development of railways in India by the British.

1. Private financial investors for railways would get land free from the British Government in India.
2. The investors would get a return of 5 percent on their capital from the government if they ran at a loss or secured inadequate profit.
3. The railways would be jointly managed with the government.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2
Solution:Two of the given statements i.e., 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect as initially, under the rule of British the railways were private.