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UPSC Science & Technology PYQs 1998 | Vaidra | Vaidra
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Science & Technology UPSC PYQ 1998

47 questions from the UPSC 1998 examination.

47 questions

1Mediumprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

Which of the following statements are true about the Indian-born woman astronaut Kalpana Chawla? I. She was born in Karnal. II. She flew on board the shuttle flight STS-87. III. She was trained at the Kennedy Space Centre. IV. She did a space-walk to retrieve the Spartan Satellite. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

AI and II
BII and III
CI, II and III
DI, II and IV
2Mediumprelims2 marks
Energy & Environment

Which one of the following elements is essential for the construction of nuclear reactors?

ACobalt
BNickel
CZirconium
DTungsten
3Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

A man purchases two clocks A and B at a total cost of Rs 650. He sells A with 20% profit and B at a loss of 25% and gets the same selling price for both the clocks. What are the purchasing prices of A and B respectively?

ARs 225; Rs 425
BRs 250; Rs 400
CRs 275; Rs 375
DRs 300; Rs 350
4Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

The major chemical compound found in human kidney stones is

AUric acid
BCalcium carbonate
CCalcium oxalate
DCalcium sulphate
5Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

A, B, C, D, E, F and G are members of a family consisting of 4 adults and 3 children, two of whom, F and G, are girls. A and D are brothers and A is a doctor. E is an engineer married to one of the brothers and has two children. B is married to D and G is their child. Who is C?

AG’s brother
BF’s father
CE’s daughter
DA’s son
6Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

Examine the following three statements: I. Processed meat is a perishable food. II. All perishable foods are packed in sealed tins. III. Sealed tins sometimes do not contain processed meat. Which one of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

ASealed tins always contain perishable food
BProcessed meat is sometimes not packed in sealed tins
CProcessed meat is always packed in sealed tins
DNon-perishable foods are never packed in sealed tins
7Easyprelims2 marks
Physics

A ball is dropped from the top of a high building with a constant acceleration of 9.8 m/s². What will be its velocity after 3 seconds?

A9.8 m/s
B19.6 m/s
C29.4 m/s
D39.2 m/s
8Mediumprelims2 marks
Biology

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Fruit II. Seed III. Wood IV. Starch List II A) Ovule B) Leaf C) Stem D) Ovary

AI-B, II-A, III-E, IV-D
BI-D, II-A, III-C, IV-B
CI-B, II-C, III-A, IV-D
DI-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B
9Mediumprelims2 marks
Materials & Engineering

Consider the following statements: Coke is one of the materials of the charge added to blast furnace for the production of steel/iron. Its function is to I. Act as a reducing agent. II. Remove silica associated with the iron ore. III. Function as fuel, to supply heat. IV. Act as an oxidizing agent. Of these statements:

AI and II are correct
BII and IV are correct
CI and III are correct
DIII and IV are correct
10Easyprelims2 marks
Physics

A fuse is used in main electric supply as a safety device. Which one of the following statements about the fuse is correct?

AIt is connected in parallel with the main switch
BIt is made mainly from silver alloys
CIt must have a low melting point
DIt must have a very high resistance
11Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

A square pond has 2 m sides and is 1 m deep. If it is to be enlarged, the depth remaining the same, into a circular pond with the diagonal of the square as diameter as shown in the figure, then what would be the volume of earth to be removed?

A(2π − 4) m³
B(4π − 4) m³
C(4π − 2) m³
D(2π − 2) m³
12Mediumprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Which one of the following types of micro-organisms is most widely used in industries?

ABacteria
BBacteria and fungi
CBacteria and algae
DBacteria, micro-algae and fungi
13Mediumprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Potassium bromide II. Potassium nitrate III. Potassium sulphate IV. Mono-potassium tartrate List II A. Fertiliser B. Photography C. Bakery D. Gunpowder Codes:

AI-B, II-D, III-A, IV-C
BI-B, II-D, III-C, IV-A
CI-D, II-B, III-C, IV-A
DI-D, II-B, III-A, IV-C
14Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

A, B, C, D, E and F, not necessarily in that order, are sitting on six chairs regularly placed around a round table. It is observed that A is between D and F, C is opposite D, and D and E are not on neighbouring chairs. Which one of the following pairs must be sitting on neighbouring chairs?

AA and B
BC and E
CB and F
DA and C
15Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

In the set of figures (I) to (IV), some parts are shown to change their position in a regular direction. Following the same sequence, which one of the following will appear at the fifth stage?

Afigure (a)
Bfigure (b)
Cfigure (c)
Dfigure (d)
16Mediumprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Blue vitriol II. Epsom salt III. Baking soda IV. Caustic soda List II A) Sodium bicarbonate B) Sodium hydroxide C) Magnesium sulphate D) Copper sulphate

AI-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A
BI-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B
CI-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B
DI-D, II-A, III-B, IV-A
17Mediumprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Assertion (A): Formic acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid. Reason (R): Formic acid is an organic acid.

ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
CA is true, but R is false
DA is false, but R is true
18Easyprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

If in a certain code SAND is VDQG and BIRD is ELUG, then what is the code for LOVE?

APRYG
BORTG
CNPUH
DORYH
19Mediumprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

Consider the following statements regarding asteroids: I. Asteroids are rocky debris of varying sizes orbiting the Sun. II. Most of the asteroids are small but some have diameter as large as 1000 km. III. The orbit of asteroids lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn. Of these statements:

AI, II and III are correct
BII and III are correct
CI and II are correct
DI and III are correct
20Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

Examine the following statements: I. All members of Mohan’s family are honest. II. Some members of Mohan’s family are not employed. III. Some employed persons are not honest. IV. Some honest persons are not employed. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above statements?

AAll members of Mohan’s family are employed
BThe employed members of Mohan’s family are honest
CThe honest members of Mohan’s family are not employed
DThe employed members of Mohan’s family are not honest
21Easyprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Haemophilia is a genetic disorder which leads to

Adecrease in haemoglobin level
Brheumatic heart disease
Cdecrease in WBC
Dnon-clotting of blood
22Easyprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Which one of the following metals does not form amalgams?

AZinc
BCopper
CMagnesium
DIron
23Mediumprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

The satellites of which one of the following countries have helped in the preparation of a detailed and complete map of Antarctica?

ACanada
BFrance
CRussia
DUSA
24Easyprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List I (Special Characteristic) I. Farthest planet from the Sun II. Largest planet of the solar system III. Planet second from the Sun in the solar system IV. Planet nearest to the Sun List II (Name of Planet) A) Mercury B) Venus C) Jupiter D) Pluto E) Saturn

AI-B, II-C, III-E, IV-A
BI-C, II-E, III-A, IV-B
CI-D, II-A, III-B, IV-C
DI-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A
25Mediumprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Consider the following statements about acetylene: I. It is used in welding industry. II. It is raw material for preparing plastics. III. It is easily obtained by mixing silicon carbide and water. Of these statements:

AI and II are correct
BI and III are correct
CII and III are correct
DI, II and III are correct
26Mediumprelims2 marks
Physics

Assertion (A): The temperature of a metal wire rises when an electric current is passed through it. Reason (R): Collision of metal atoms with each other releases heat energy.

ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
CA is true, but R is false
DA is false, but R is true
27Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

There are 50 students admitted to a nursery class. Some students can speak only English and some can speak only Hindi. Ten students can speak both English and Hindi. If the number of students who can speak English is 21, then how many students can speak only Hindi and how many can speak only English?

A21, 11 and 29 respectively
B28, 18 and 22 respectively
C37, 27 and 13 respectively
D39, 29 and 11 respectively
28Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

In a dinner party both fish and meat were served. Some took only fish and some only meat. There were some vegetarians who did not accept either. The rest accepted both fish and meat. Which one of the following logic diagrams correctly reflects the above situation?

Adiagram (a)
Bdiagram (b)
Cdiagram (c)
Ddiagram (d)
29Easyprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

The damage to the Spektr Module of the Russian Space Station Mir was due to

Acollision with a Soyuz cargo ship
Bfaulty material design of the Spektr Module
Cexplosion inside the space station
Dcollision with an asteroid
30Mediumprelims2 marks
Science & Technology History

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Theory of Mutation II. Theory of Evolution III. One-gene-one-enzyme hypothesis IV. Operon concept List II A) Beadle and Tatum B) Jacob and Monod C) Darwin D) De Vries

AI-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B
BI-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B
CI-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A
DI-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A
31Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

Which one of the following satisfies the relationship D d a : a D D :: R r b : ?

AD D A
BR R R
Cb R R
DB B r
32Easyprelims2 marks
Biology

Which one of the following statements regarding starch and cellulose is NOT correct?

ABoth of them are of plant origin
BBoth of them are polymers
CBoth of them give colour with iodine
DBoth of them are made up of glucose molecules
33Easyprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Assertion (A): Phenyl is used as a household germicide. Reason (R): Phenyl is a phenol derivative and phenol is an effective germicide.

ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
CA is true, but R is false
DA is false, but R is true
34Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

If 15 pumps of equal capacity can fill a tank in 7 days, then how many extra pumps will be required to fill the tank in 5 days?

A6
B7
C14
D21
35Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

In a family, a couple has a son and a daughter. The age of the father is three times that of his daughter and the age of the son is half of his mother. The wife is nine years younger to her husband and the brother is seven years older than his sister. What is the age of the mother?

A40 years
B45 years
C50 years
D60 years
36Easyprelims2 marks
Biology

The complete conversion of glucose in the presence of oxygen into carbon dioxide and water with release of energy is called

Aaerobic respiration
Banaerobic respiration
Cglycolysis
Dhydrolysis
37Mediumprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I (Disease) I. Malaria II. Poliomyelitis III. Tuberculosis IV. Ringworm List II (Organism) A. Fungi B. Bacteria C. Virus D. Protozoan Codes:

AI-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A
BI-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B
CI-C, II-D, III-A, IV-B
DI-C, II-D, III-B, IV-A
38Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

The missing fraction in the series given below is:

A17/40
B19/42
C20/45
D29/5
39Mediumprelims2 marks
Science & Technology History

Match the names of outstanding Indian scientists given in List I with the area of their specialised work given in List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I I. Dr. Raja Ramanna II. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan III. Prof. U. R. Rao IV. Prof. Meghnad Saha List II A) Plant Chemistry B) Nuclear Physics C) Thermodynamics and astrophysics D) Space research E) Agricultural sciences

AI-C, II-E, III-B, IV-A
BI-B, II-A, III-D, IV-C
CI-B, II-E, III-D, IV-C
DI-C, II-A, III-D, IV-B
40Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

One local and another express train were proceeding in the same direction on parallel tracks at 29 km/hour and 65 km/hour respectively. The driver of the former noticed that it took exactly 16 seconds for the faster train to pass by him. What is the length of the faster train?

A60 m
B120 m
C160 m
D240 m
41Easyprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

One Astronomical Unit is the average distance between

AEarth and the Sun
BEarth and the Moon
CJupiter and the Sun
DPluto and the Sun
42Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

LMNOP is a semi-circle with centre at R and diameter LP; LSR and RQP are also semi-circles with centres at T and U and diameters LR = RP = 1⁄2 LP. The ratio of perimeters of LMNOP and LSRQP is

A0.75 : 1
B1 : 1
C1 : 0.75
D1.25 : 1
43Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Consumption of fish is considered to be healthy when compared to flesh of other animals because fish contains

Apolyunsaturated fatty acids
Bsaturated fatty acids
Cessential vitamins
Dmore carbohydrates and proteins
44Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

An accurate clock shows the time as 3 : 00. After the hour hand has moved 135°, the time would be

A7 : 30
B6 : 30
C8 : 00
D9 : 30
45Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Ergotism is due to consumption of

Acontaminated grains
Brotting vegetables
Ccontaminated water
Dstale cooked food
46Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

Out of the three annual examinations, each with a total of 500 marks, a student secured average marks of 45 % and 55 % in the first and second annual examinations. To have an overall average of 60 %, how many marks does the student need to secure in the third annual examination?

A450
B400
C350
D300
47Easyprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Assertion (A): Sodium metal is stored under kerosene. Reason (R): Metallic sodium melts when exposed to air.

ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true, but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
CA is true, but R is false
DA is false, but R is true
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