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UPSC Science Previous Year Questions 2014

 1. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, is actually a symbiotic association of

a) algae and bacteria
b) algae and fungi
c) bacteria and fungi
d) fungi and mosses



2. With reference to the Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500km away.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3



3. In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. 
Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?
a) The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics.
b) The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
c) The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of anti-histamines.
d) It is a source of high-quality biodiesel.



4. Consider the following pairs :
Vitamin                         Deficiency disease
1. Vitamin C:                        Scurvy
2. Vitamin D:                     Rickets
3. Vitamin E:                      Night blindness
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2, and 3
d) None



5. Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?
a) Potential energy is released to form free energy.
b) Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored.
c) Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water.
d) Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapor are given out.



6. In addition to fingerprint scanning, which of the following can be used in the biometric identification of a person?
1. Iris scanning
2. Retinal scanning
3. Voice recognition
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3



7. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the vegetative propagation of plants?
1. Vegetative propagation produces a clonal population.
2. Vegetative propagation helps in eliminating the virus.
3. Vegetative propagation can be practiced most of the year.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3



8. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
Spacecraft                                 Purpose
1. Cassini-Huygens:             Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth
2. Messenger:                       Mapping and investigating
3. Voyager 1 and 2:             Exploring the outer solar system
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3



9. Which of the following is/are the example/examples of chemical change?
1. Crystallization of sodium chloride
2. Melting of ice
3. Souring of milk
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None



10. Consider the following techniques/phenomena :
1. Budding and grafting in fruit plants
2. Cytoplasmic male sterility
3. Gene silencing
Which of the above is/are used to create transgenic crops?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) None



11.  Consider the following statements :
1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
3. Alcoholic beverages can be produced by using maize.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3



12. Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of the other three?
a) Crab
b) Mite
c) Scorpion
d) Spider



13. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?
a) Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings
b) Crustaceans-Diatoms-Herrings
c) Diatoms-Herrings-Crustaceans
d) Crustaceans-Herrings-Diatoms




14. With reference to technology for solar power production, consider the
following statements :
1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in the electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has a manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for photovoltaics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None



15. Consider the following diseases :
1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None



16. Consider the following :
1. Bats 
2. Bears 
3. Rodents
The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 only
c) 1, 2, and 3 only
d) Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above



17. Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?
1. Volcanic action 
2. Respiration
3. Photosynthesis 
4. Decay of organic matter
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 1, 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4



Answer:
1-B; 2-A; 3-B; 4-A; 5-B;
6-D; 7-C; 8-B; 9-B; 10-B;
11-D; 12-A; 13-A; 14-A; 15-B;
16-C; 17-C;

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