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UPSC Science & Technology PYQs 1999 | Vaidra | Vaidra
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Science & Technology UPSC PYQ 1999

44 questions from the UPSC 1999 examination.

44 questions

1Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

The area of an ellipse is twice that of a circle. The major diameter of the ellipse is twice that of the minor diameter. The radius of the circle is

A50% of minor diameter of the ellipse
B50% of major diameter of the ellipse
Cminor diameter of the ellipse
Dmajor diameter of the ellipse
2Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Lathyrism is caused by excessive consumption of

AKesari dal
BMustard oil
CPolished rice
DMushrooms
3Mediumprelims2 marks
Biology

For which one of the following is capillarity not the only reason?

ABlotting of ink
BRising of underground water
CSpread of water drop on a cotton cloth
DRising of water from the roots of a plant to its foliage
4Easyprelims2 marks
Physics

Endoscopy, a technique used to explore the stomach or other inner parts of the body is based on the phenomenon of

Atotal internal reflection
Binterference
Cdiffraction
Dpolarisation
5Easyprelims2 marks
Materials & Engineering

Match List I (Naturally occurring substances) with List II (Elements) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I I. Diamond II. Marble III. Sand IV. Ruby List II A) Calcium B) Silicon C) Aluminium D) Carbon Codes:

AI-C, II-A, III-B, IV-D
BI-D, II-B, III-A, IV-C
CI-B, II-A, III-C, IV-D
DI-D, II-A, III-B, IV-C
6Hardprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

In a factory, a quality-assurance test is conducted on various samples for a specific characteristic value of the product. The values and the number of samples are as given in the following table (table not reproduced here). Consider the following statements based on the table: I. The probability that X = 15 is 0.64. II. The probability that 13 < X = 17 is greater than 0.64. III. The probability that X = 15 is less than 0.22. Which of the above statements is/are NOT true?

AI alone
BI and II
CII and III
DI, II and III
7Easyprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Which one of the following genetic diseases is sex-linked?

ARoyal haemophilia
BTay Sachs disease
CCystic fibrosis
DHypertension
8Easyprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Assertion (A): Dolly was the first cloned mammal. Reason (R): Dolly was produced by in-vitro fertilization.

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
9Mediumprelims2 marks
Energy & Environment

Consider the following statements regarding a motor car battery: I. The voltage is usually 12 V. II. Electrolyte used is hydrochloric acid. III. Electrodes are lead and copper. IV. Capacity is expressed in ampere-hour. Which of the above statements are correct?

AI and II
BII and III
CIII and IV
DI and IV
10Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

In a group of five people—K, L and M are ambitious; M, N and R are honest; L, M and N are intelligent and K, N and R are industrious. Among these, neither industrious nor ambitious person(s) would include

AK alone
BL and R
CM and N
DNone in the group
11Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

In an office, the distribution of work hours is as shown in the following table: No. of Staff Members | No. of hours worked 5 | 0 – 19 12 | 20 – 24 25 | 25 – 29 40 | 30 – 34 15 | 35 – 39 8 | 40 – 45 Consider the following inferences drawn from the table: I. The average number of hours worked by a staff member is about 30. II. The percentage of those who worked 35 or more hours is less than 25. III. At least 5 staff members worked more than 44 hours. Which of these inferences is/are valid?

AI alone
BII alone
CI and II
DI, II and III
12Mediumprelims2 marks
Physics

Low temperatures (Cryogenics) find application in

Aspace travel, surgery and magnetic levitation
Bsurgery, magnetic levitation and telemetry
Cspace travel, surgery and telemetry
Dspace travel, magnetic levitation and telemetry
13Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

The yield versus fertilizer input is shown in the graph. Consider the following statements based on this graph: I. Yield rate is zero at B and C. II. There is no yield with no fertilizer input. III. The yield is minimum at D. IV. The yield is neither minimum nor maximum at C. Which of the above statements are correct?

AI, II and IV
BIII and IV
CII and III
DI, III and IV
14Easyprelims2 marks
Biology

Neem tree has acquired industrial importance as a source of

Abiopesticide and anti-fertility compound
Banti-fertility compound, biofertilizer and anti-cancer drug
Cbiofertilizer, biopesticide and anti-fertility compound
Danti-cancer drug, biopesticide and biofertilizer
15Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

A hemispherical bowl is filled to the brim with a beverage. The contents of the bowl are transferred into a cylindrical vessel whose radius is 50% more than its height. If the diameter is the same for both bowl and cylinder, then the volume of the beverage in the cylindrical vessel will be

A66 (2⁄3) %
B78 ¾ %
C100 %
Dmore than 100 % (some liquid will still be left in the bowl)
16Mediumprelims2 marks
Biology

Match the hormones in List I with items in List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I I. Adrenaline II. Estrogen III. Insulin IV. Pheromones List II A) Anger, fear, danger B) Attracting partners through sense of smell C) Females D) Glucose Codes:

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

The average speed of a train in the onward journey is 25% more than that of the return journey. The train halts for one hour on reaching the destination. The total time taken for the complete to-and-fro journey is 17 hours covering a distance of 800 km. The speed of the train in the onward journey is

A45 km per hour
B47.06 km per hour
C50.00 km per hour
D56.25 km per hour
18Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

A company manufacturing air-conditioners has set a monthly target. The target and realised values are shown in the bar chart. Consider the following statements based on the chart: I. The targeted sales on a monthly basis have been achieved. II. The overall target value has been exceeded by 7.5%. III. The Sales Department deserves a pat on the back. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

AI alone
BII alone
CI and II
DII and III
19Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

If X + 2Y = 2X + Y, then X² / Y² is equal to

A0
B1
C2
D4
20Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

Amar, Akbar and Anthony are friends, being looked after by a matron Farah. Amar weighs 50% more than Akbar and Anthony weigh 25% less than Amar. Farah weighs a third of the combined weight of the three boys. All four together weigh 232 kg. The correct arrangement of the persons in the ascending order of their weights is

AAnthony, Akbar, Farah, Amar
BAnthony, Akbar, Amar, Farah
CAkbar, Anthony, Amar, Farah
DAkbar, Anthony, Farah, Amar
21Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Cobalt-60 is commonly used in radiation therapy because it emits

Aalpha rays
Bbeta rays
Cgamma rays
DX-rays
22Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

In a code language, ‘SOLID’ is written as “WPSLIMFHA’. What does the code word ‘ATEXXQIBVO’ refer to?

AEAGER
BWAFER
CWAGER
DWATER
23Mediumprelims2 marks
Physics

Strips of two metals A and B are firmly joined together as shown in the figure. On heating, A expands more than B does. If this joined strip is heated, then it will appear as:

AAs shown in figure (a)
BAs shown in figure (b)
CAs shown in figure (c)
DAs shown in figure (d)
24Easyprelims2 marks
Biology

When ants bite, they inject

Aglacial acetic acid
Bmethanol
Cformic acid
Dstearic acid
25Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

A man is standing on the 8 m long shadow of a 6 m long pole. If the length of his shadow is 2.4 m, what is the height of the man?

A1.4 m
B1.6 m
C1.8 m
D2.0 m
26Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

At a given time, two players are standing on a play-field. The cartesian coordinates of their locations are (20, 60) and (-40, -20) units. What is the distance between the players?

A60 units
B80 units
C100 units
D140 units
27Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Barium in a suitable form is administered to patients before an X-ray examination of the stomach, because

Abarium allows X-rays to pass through the stomach on account of its transparency to X-rays
Bbarium compound, like magnesium sulphate helps in cleaning the stomach before X-ray examination
Cbarium is a good absorber of X-rays and this helps the stomach to appear clearly in contrast with the other regions in the picture
Dbarium salts are white in colour and this helps the stomach to appear clearly in contrast with other regions in the picture
28Mediumprelims2 marks
Physics

Consider the following statements: I. If a person looks at a coin which is in a bucket of water, the coin will appear to be closer than it really is. II. If a person under water looks at a coin above the water surface, the coin will appear to be at a higher level than it really is. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

AI and II
BI alone
CII alone
DNeither I nor II
29Easyprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

In the sequence of numbers 5, 8, 13, X, 34, 55, 89, ……… the value of ‘X’ is

A20
B21
C23
D29
30Easyprelims2 marks
Physics

Match List I (Quantity) with List II (Units) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I I. High speed II. Wavelength III. Pressure IV. Energy List II A) Mach B) Angstrom C) Pascal D) Joule Codes:

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

In a business concern, there are four functions, namely, Production (PR), Finance (FN), Personnel (PS) and Marketing (MK). The Customer (C) may also play a role in the prosperity of the concern. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I – Pie Diagram I. II. III. IV. List II – Statement A) Customer is the controlling factor B) Marketing is an integrating factor while customer is the controlling factor C) Marketing is the controlling factor D) Marketing is more important than others E) Marketing is as equal a function as the others Codes: a) I-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B b) I-E, II-D, III-A, IV-B c) I-D, II-C, III-B, IV-E d) I-E, II-D, III-B, IV-A

AI-D, II-C, III-A, IV-B
BI-E, II-D, III-A, IV-B
CI-D, II-C, III-B, IV-E
DI-E, II-D, III-B, IV-A
32Hardprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

The surface area of a spherical dome-shaped roof of a cylindrical water tank shown in the figure is

A60 π m²
B109 π m²
C120 π m²
D300 π m²
33Mediumprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Assertion (A): Insect-resistant transgenic cotton has been produced by inserting Bt gene. Reason (R): The Bt gene is derived from a bacterium.

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 the angles of a triangle are in the ratio of 4 : 3 : 2, then the triangle

Ais obtuse
Bhas one angle greater than 80°
Cis a right triangle
Dis acute
35Mediumprelims2 marks
Physics

Consider the following statement: An ordinary light bulb has a rather short life because the I. Filament wire is not uniform. II. Bulb cannot be evacuated completely. III. Wires supporting the filament melt at high temperatures. Which of the above statements are correct?

AI and III
BII and III
CI and II
DI, II and III
36Mediumprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Match List I (Drugs / Chemicals) with List II (Their uses) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists: List I I. Atropine II. Ether III. Nitro-glycerine IV. Pyrethrin List II A) Local anaesthesia B) Heart trouble C) Dilation of pupil D) Mosquito control Codes:

AI-A, II-C, III-B, IV-D
BI-A, II-C, III-D, IV-B
CI-C, II-A, III-D, IV-B
DI-C, II-A, III-B, IV-D
37Mediumprelims2 marks
Logical Reasoning & Puzzles

On another planet, the local terminology for earth, water, light, air and sky are ‘sky’, ‘light’, ‘air’, ‘water’ and ‘earth’ respectively. If someone is thirsty there, what would he drink?

ASky
BWater
CAir
DLight
38Mediumprelims2 marks
Chemistry

Assertion (A): To dilute sulphuric acid, acid is added to water and not water to acid. Reason (R): Specific heat of water is quite large.

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
39Mediumprelims2 marks
Materials & Engineering

Consider the following statements: I. Glass can be etched or scratched by diamond. II. Glass can be etched or scratched by hydrofluoric acid. III. Glass can be etched or scratched by aqua regia. IV. Glass can be etched or scratched by concentrated sulphuric acid. Which of these statements are correct?

AI and IV
BII and III
CI and II
DII and IV
40Mediumprelims2 marks
Computer & Information Technology

Assertion (A): Information technology is fast becoming a very important field of activity in India. Reason (R): Software is one of the major exports of the country and India has a very strong base in hardware.

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
41Easyprelims2 marks
Physics

A hunter aims his gun at a point between the eyebrows of a monkey sitting on a branch of a tree. Just as he fires, the monkey jumps down. The bullet will

Ahit the monkey at the point aimed
Bhit the monkey below the point aimed
Chit the monkey above the point aimed
Dmiss the monkey altogether
42Mediumprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Indian farmers are unhappy over the introduction of “Terminator Seed Technology” because the seeds produced by this technology are expected to

Ashow poor germination
Bform low yielding plants despite the high quality
Cgive rise to sexually sterile plants
Dgive rise to plants incapable of forming viable seeds
43Mediumprelims2 marks
Quantitative Aptitude

In a town 25% families own a phone and 15% own a car. 65% families own neither a phone nor a car. 2000 families own both a car and a phone. Consider the following statements in this regard: I. 10% families own both a car and a phone. II. 35% families own either a car or a phone. III. 40,000 families live in the town. Which of the above statements are correct?

AI and II
BI and III
CII and III
DI, II and III
44Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

In eye donation, which one of the following parts of donor’s eye is utilised?

AIris
BLens
CCornea
DRetina
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