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UPSC Science & Technology PYQs 2011 | Vaidra | Vaidra
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Science & Technology UPSC PYQ 2011

18 questions from the UPSC 2011 examination.

18 questions

1Mediumprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

A company marketing food products advertises that its items do not contain trans-fats. What does this campaign signify to the customers? 1. The food products are not made out of hydrogenated oils. 2. The food products are not made out of animal fats/oils. 3. The oils used are not likely to damage the cardiovascular health of the consumers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
2Mediumprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us? 1. It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock. 2. It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases. 3. It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
3Mediumprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

What is the difference between asteroids and comets? 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material. 2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury. 3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 and 2 only
B1 and 3 only
C3 only
D1, 2 and 3
4Easyprelims2 marks
Physics

The surface of a lake is frozen in severe winter, but the water at its bottom is still liquid. What is the reason ?

AIce is a bad conductor of heat
BSince the surface of the lake is at the same temperature as the air, no heat is lost
CThe density of water is maximum at 4°C
DNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
5Mediumprelims2 marks
Energy & Environment

What is the difference between a CFL and an LED lamp? 1. To produce light, a CFL uses mercury vapour and phosphor while an LED lamp uses semi-conductor material. 2. The average life span of a CFL is much longer than that of an LED lamp. 3. A CFL is less energy-efficient as compared to an LED lamp. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
6Mediumprelims2 marks
Computer & Information Technology

A new optical disc format known as the Blu-ray Disc (BD) is becoming popular. In what way is it different from the traditional DVD? 1. DVD supports Standard Definition video while BD supports High Definition video. 2. Compared to a DVD, the BD format has several times more storage capacity. 3. Thickness of BD is 2.4 mm while that of DVD is 1.2 mm. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
7Easyprelims2 marks
Computer & Information Technology

What is "Virtual Private Network"?

AIt is a private computer network of an organization where the remote users can transmit encrypted information through the server of the organization.
BIt is a computer network across a public internet that provides users access to their organization's network while maintaining the security of the information transmitted.
CIt is a computer network in which users can access a shared pool of computing resources through a service provider.
DNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is a correct description of Virtual Private Network.
8Easyprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

A genetically engineered form of brinjal, known as the Bt-brinjal, has been developed. The objective of this is

ATo make it pest-resistant
BTo improve its taste and nutritive qualities
CTo make it drought-resistant
DTo make its shelf-life longer
9Easyprelims2 marks
Energy & Environment

The function of heavy water in a nuclear reactor is to

ASlow down the speed of neutrons
BIncrease the speed of neutrons
CCool down the reactor
DStop the nuclear reaction
10Easyprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

Recently, ‘oilzapper’ was in the news. What is it?

AIt is an eco-friendly technology for the remediation of oily sludge and oil spills
BIt is the latest technology developed for under sea oil exploration
CIt is a genetically engineered high biofuel yielding maize variety
DIt is the latest technology to control the accidentally caused fires in oil wells
11Easyprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?

AThey activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency
BThey prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy
CThey neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism
DThey activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process
12Mediumprelims2 marks
Biotechnology & Genetics

A married couple adopted a male child. A few years later twin boys were born to them. The blood group of the couple is AB positive and O negative. The blood group of the three sons is A positive, B positive, and O positive. The blood group of the adopted son is

AO positive
BA positive
CB positive
DCannot be determined on the basis of the given data
13Mediumprelims2 marks
Biology

When the bark of a tree is removed in a circular fashion all around near its base, it gradually dries up and dies because

AWater from soil cannot rise to aerial parts
BRoots are starved of energy
CTree is infected by soil microbes
DRoots do not receive oxygen for respiration
14Easyprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

An artificial satellite orbiting around the Earth does not fall down. This is so because the attraction of Earth

Adoes not exist at such distance
Bis neutralized by the attraction of the moon
Cprovides the necessary speed for its steady motion
Dprovides the necessary acceleration for its motion
15Mediumprelims2 marks
Health & Diseases

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener sold in the market. It consists of amino acids and provides calories like other amino acids. Yet, it is used as a low-calorie sweetening agent in food items. What is the basis of this use?

AAspartame is as sweet as table sugar, but unlike table sugar, it is not readily oxidized in human body due to lack of requisite enzymes
BWhen aspartame is used in food processing, the sweet taste remains, but it becomes resistant to oxidation
CAspartame is as sweet as sugar, but after ingestion into the body, it is converted into metabolites that yield no calories
DAspartame is several times sweeter than table sugar, hence food items made with small quantities of aspartame yield fewer calories on oxidation
16Mediumprelims2 marks
Energy & Environment

Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why? 1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates. 2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates. 3. They can be installed in waste water treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
17Mediumprelims2 marks
Space Technology & Astronomy

Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 1. The orbit is geosynchronous. 2. The orbit is circular. 3. The orbit lies in the plane of the Earth’s equator. 4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

A1, 2 and 3 only
B1, 3 and 4 only
C2 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4
18Easyprelims2 marks
Computer & Information Technology

What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices ?

ABluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequency band, whereas Wi-Fi can use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band
BBluetooth is used for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) only, whereas Wi-Fi is used for Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWAN) only
CWhen information is transmitted between two devices using Bluetooth technology, the devices have to be in the line of sight of each other, but when Wi-Fi technology is used the devices need not be in the line of sight of each other
DThe statements (a) and (b) given above are correct in this context
Science & Technology — All Years|All Subjects