Social Studies PYQs

The correct option is '3 p.m'

Key Points

• The reasoning for this can be explained by the understanding of how longitude influences time. Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT) is located at 0° longitude. When we move towards the east of GMT, it takes 4 minutes to cross each degree of longitude[1].
• So since we're trying to calculate the time at 45° East longitude, we would multiply the number of degrees by the time it takes to cross each degree:
• 45 degrees * 4 minutes/degree = 180 minutes
• 180 minutes is equivalent to 3 hours. If we add these 3 hours to the 12 noon which is the time at GMT:
• 12 noon GMT + 3 hours = 3 p.m.
• This means that when it is 12 noon GMT, it is indeed 3 p.m. at a location that is 45° East longitude. Therefore, the correct choice would be 2) 3 p.m.

The correct option is 'Erosion and deposition by waves'.

Key Points

• Sea caves, or littoral caves, are primarily formed as a result of the erosion caused by waves impacting the bedrock along the ocean coast and lakeshores. On nearly every coast with a cliff where the waves break directly on a rock cliff, a sea cave can be found. The waves literally carve a cave into the cliff over a long period of time due to constant mechanical erosion.
• Sea caves can be found in a variety of host rocks, ranging from sedimentary to metamorphic to igneous. The ability of a sea cave to form in a specific location also largely depends on the strength of the host rock. It is stated that caves in igneous rock tend to be larger due to the greater strength of the rock.
• Erosion by waves happens along weaknesses in the rock and could occur on such geological features as faults, fractures, or bedding/foliation planes. Eventually, this could lead to the creation of a sea cave.
• So, in conclusion, the process of forming sea caves isn't associated with wind erosion, human activity, or the falling of rocks, but is all about the erosional forces of waves against the coastal bedrock.

The correct option is 'Heavy rainfall and high temperature'.

Key Points  

• Evergreen forests, also known as tropical rainforests, are found near the equatorial region. They flourish in this region because of the hot and wet climate, characterized by heavy rainfall (more than 200 cm annually) and high temperatures throughout the year. These forests rarely experience a dry period, which aids the perennial green appearance of the vegetation, hence the name "evergreen."
• The climate in the equatorial region is ideal for evergreen vegetation, as the high temperature speeds up the evaporation process, leading to a high level of humidity and precipitation. The heavy rainfall, ranging from 250 cm to more than 450 cm annually, provides abundant water, which is a critical resource for plant growth. Additionally, the absence of seasonality in rainfall and temperature in equatorial regions allows for a continuous growth period, resulting in high biological productivity.
• Thus, the formation and distribution of vegetation are greatly influenced by temperature and precipitation, and this is notably demonstrated by the existence of diverse and complex evergreen forests in the equatorial region. This explicitly shows why vegetation zones, also referred to as hardiness zones, are primarily divided based on these two parameters - temperature and precipitation.

The correct option is 'Tropic of Capricorn passes through the southern hemisphere.'

Key Points

• The Tropic of Capricorn is indeed located in the southern hemisphere, at a latitude of approximately 23.5° south of the equator.
• It represents the southernmost position, or latitude, at which the sun can be seen directly overhead at its zenith; specifically, this takes place during the December solstice.

Additional Information

• The Arctic Circle is not situated at 23.5° North, rather it is approximately at 66.5° North of the equator. The Arctic Circle marks the southernmost latitude within the Arctic polar region at which the sun can remain continuously below or above the horizon for 24 hours. The Tropic of Cancer, not the Arctic Circle, lies at approximately 23.5° North of the equator.
• The Antarctic Circle is indeed in the southern hemisphere, but it is not at 23.5° south of the equator. It actually lies approximately at 66.5° south of the equator, which delineates the southern polar region. The Antarctic Circle is the northernmost latitude in the Southern Hemisphere at which the sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours - these phenomena are known as the Midnight Sun and the Polar Night, respectively.
• The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through the southern hemisphere. It is approximately at 23.5° north of the equator. It's the northernmost latitude at which the sun can be seen directly overhead, occurring during the June solstice. It passes exclusively through the northern hemisphere.

The correct option is 'Equator'

Key Points  

• The Equator is an imaginary line drawn across the globe halfway between the North and South poles. It divides the Earth into two equal halves, known as the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. This denotes a latitude of 0°, which means it is 0° from the true center point of the Earth.
• The Tropic of Capricorn, the Arctic Circle, and the Tropic of Cancer are also imaginary lines called circles of latitude or parallels, but they do not divide the globe into two equal halves.
• The Tropic of Capricorn, at about 23.5° south of the Equator, represents the southernmost point where the sun appears directly overhead at its zenith on the December solstice. Conversely, the Tropic of Cancer, which lies approximately the same distance north of the Equator, represents the northernmost latitude at which the sun can be directly overhead during the June solstice. The Arctic Circle, at about 66.5° north of the Equator, marks the southernmost latitude in the Arctic polar region where the sun can stay continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours during the June and December solstices, respectively.

The correct option is 'A, B and C'.

Key Points  

• Longitudes and latitudes are drawn on the globe.
• These are imaginary lines used to determine and describe a point's accurate position on Earth's surface.
• Latitudes (also called parallels) run east-west and measure the positional location north or south from the Equator.
• On the other hand, longitudes (also known as meridians) run north-south from the poles and indicate the positional location east or west from the Prime Meridian, which is at 0° longitude.
• The Earth is titled on its axis at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees.
• This tilt, or axial tilt (obliquity), is responsible for the change in seasons as the Earth orbits around the Sun.
• The globe as a model of the Earth represents this characteristic by tilting on its stand.
• The globe is a true model of the Earth.
• It accurately represents the Earth in terms of shape (roughly spherical), geographic features, relative size and position of continents and oceans, and the coordinates system of longitude and latitude for determining positions.
• The statement "It is oval in shape" is incorrect.
• The Earth, and hence the globe as its model, isn’t perfectly round. Instead, it’s an oblate spheroid – it's basically sphere-like but flatter at the poles and wider at the equator due to its rotation.
• However, this oblateness is quite minor and the Earth, for most practical purposes, appears very close to a sphere.
• The term "oval" might be misleading, as it usually refers to a shape that is longer than it is wide, which is not a correct description for the shape of the Earth.

The correct option is 'Free from clouds and related weather phenomena'.

Key Points

• The stratosphere, which lies above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, provides ideal conditions for flying airplanes due to its relative absence of weather disturbances, including clouds and turbulence. Since weather systems including clouds, thunderstorms, and associated turbulence mainly occur in the troposphere (the atmospheric layer beneath the stratosphere), piloting an aircraft in the stratosphere means less turbulence and a smoother ride.
• Additionally, the reduced moisture in the stratosphere, due to the tropopause (the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere) acting as a barrier to the passage of water vapour, decreases the risk of ice forming on the aircraft. The stratosphere is also above most of the earth's atmospheric gases, which provide an obstacle-free path for airplanes and reduces fuel consumption.
• While lower air pressure could contribute less drag and therefore improve fuel efficiency,  High air pressure and Windy conditions are not desirable conditions for air travel due to the potential of creating turbulence. Furthermore, the influence of low or high pressure is less significant than the weather phenomena aspect. Therefore, the primary reason that makes the stratosphere ideal for flight is that it is free from clouds and related weather phenomena.

The correct option is 'A - III, B - IV, C - I, D - II​'.

Key Points

• The ozone layer is located in the Stratosphere.
• The stratosphere hosts the ozone layer, a region of higher ozone concentration.
• This layer absorbs a major part of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation, thus shielding the Earth's surface from this harmful radiation.
• Radio transmission takes place in the Thermosphere.
• It is in this layer that many satellites orbit the Earth, as it facilitates radio transmission.
• The ionosphere, which is part of the thermosphere, reflects radio waves back to the Earth's surface, making long-distance radio communication possible.
• Weather phenomena occur mainly in the Troposphere.
• This is the lowest layer of the atmosphere and all weather phenomena (rain, snow, storms, etc.) occur here because it contains 75% of the atmosphere’s mass and most of its moisture.
• Thin air is a characteristic of the Exosphere.
• This is the uppermost region of the Earth's atmosphere as it gradually fades into the vacuum of space.
• Air pressure and density here are much less than on Earth’s surface.

Therefore the correct pairing is:

A - III: Ozone layer - Stratosphere

B - IV: Radio transmission - Thermosphere

C - I: Weather phenomena - Troposphere

D - II: Thin air - Exosphere

The correct option is 'originates near the equator.'

Key Points

• The Gulf Stream is indeed a warm ocean current.
• This is primarily because it originates in the warm waters near the equator - specifically in the Gulf of Mexico - and carries this heat as it moves northward.
• As it travels, it redistributes the warmth from the tropical areas towards regions with higher latitude in the North Atlantic.
• Moving from the equator towards the poles, not poles to equator, the Gulf Stream transports this warmth, thereby moderating the climate of regions it impacts.

Additional Information

• Heating from underground and heating by hot springs, are not the primary mechanisms for the warming of ocean currents.
• While geothermal heat can affect the temperature distribution in the deep ocean, it is solar heat—an enormous energy input compared to geothermal—that majorly warms the surface layers and in turn influences the temperature of ocean currents.

The correct option is 'A - III, B - IV, C - II, D - I'.

Key Points

• Shifting cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, is practiced in Thickly forested areas. Farmers clear a patch of land by slashing or cutting down plants and trees, then burning them. The resulting ash provides the soil with valuable nutrients.
• Commercial grain farming is common in the Temperate Grasslands, such as the prairies of North America and the steppes of Europe and Asia. This type of farming is focused on the mass production of crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans for sale.
• Intensive subsistence agriculture is typically seen in Thickly populated areas . This type of farming is characterized by a high amount of labor input per unit of land, and the yield is aimed to provide a significant part of the farmer's family's needs.
• Nomadic herding is the primary agricultural activity in Semi-arid and arid regions, such as the Sahara desert or the Middle Eastern steppes. It involves moving livestock from one grazing ground to another, following a seasonal routine, as the animals consume the natural vegetation.

So, the matching pairs are:

A - III: Shifting cultivation - Thickly forested areas

B - IV: Commercial grain farming - Temperate Grasslands

C - II: Intensive subsistence agriculture - Thickly populated areas

D - I: Nomadic herding - Semi-arid and arid regions

The correct option is 'Tidal energy is exhaustible'

Key Points

• Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into useful forms of power, primarily electricity.
• Tides are caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun acting on the oceans of the Earth, tidal energy is considered renewable.
• It is not exhaustible; rather, it is sustainable because the energy is extracted from the Earth's natural tidal cycles, which are expected to persist for billions of years.

Additional Information

• While using biogas as a fuel source is less harmful to the environment than burning fossil fuels, biogas combustion does still release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, though to a much lesser extent.
• Solar energy is indeed a renewable energy source as it relies on the Sun, which should continue to provide energy for billions of years into the future
• Wind energy is non-polluting because it generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or air pollutants during operation.

The correct option is 'Waterways'

Key Points

 

• Waterways are the cheapest means of transport. They are most suitable for carrying heavy and bulky goods. It is a fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. India has inland navigation waterways of 14,500 km in length.
• Rail transport has the advantage of economies of scale as it can carry larger volumes of goods over long distances more efficiently compared to other modes of transport such as road or air.
• Furthermore, rail transport can be advantageous where waterways are not accessible, in landlocked regions for instance.
• Trains are capable of transporting a wide variety of cargo including commodities like coal, steel, cars, and agricultural products.
• The cost-effectiveness of rail transport can also be influenced by factors such as the availability of a developed rail infrastructure, the amount and nature of goods to be transported, the distance to be covered, fuel costs, and more.
• So, while waterways are generally cheaper, there may be instances where rail transport is more cost-effective, especially in geographical regions where the water transport infrastructure is not extensive, but the rail infrastructure is well-developed.

The correct option is 'Renewable resources'.

Key Points 

• Renewable resources include wind, solar, hydro, and tidal energy, among others. These energy sources are naturally replenishing and are environmentally friendly because they don't emit harmful greenhouse gases like their non-renewable counterparts do.
• Non-renewable resources, like coal, natural gas and oil, generate significant volumes of pollutants contributing to global warming and climate change. Moreover, they are finite and can be depleted in the foreseeable future.
• Human-made resources are typically created from natural resources, be they renewable or non-renewable. While these resources play a role in our lives, their creation can impart a significant environmental footprint throughout their lifecycle, including during the extraction, manufacturing, disposal, and recycling stages.
• Abiotic resources are non-living resources like water, air, soil and minerals. These are essential for life and many human activities, but overuse or misuse can lead to the degradation and loss of these resources.
• Investing in renewable energy and working towards improving efficiency can have significant environmental and financial benefits. For instance, the United Nations states that investing in renewable energy could even save the world up to $4.2 trillion per year by 2030. In addition, renewable energy sources can provide us with a future where we can manage the effects of climate change while still fostering development, feeding the global population and providing clean water.
• To summarize, using more renewable resources in place of non-renewable resources, while also focusing on the sustainable use of abiotic resources and human-made resources, can serve the dual purpose of safeguarding our environment and supporting the long-term sustainability goals of our economies$.

The correct answer is Stereotype.

Explanation:

• This behavior demonstrates stereotyping towards Adivasis by the students.
• When the teacher asked students to select dolls representing Adivasis, most students automatically reached for dolls depicting colorful attire, headgear and dancing. This reveals an ingrained stereotypical association of Adivasis with these superficial traits.
• In reality, Adivasis encompass a huge diversity of indigenous ethnic groups across India. While some may wear colorful traditional outfits and practice distinctive dances as part of their culture, reducing all Adivasis to a formulaic image perpetuates reductive stereotypes.

Additional Information

• Like all people, Adivasi communities have complex histories, traditions, challenges and aspirations that cannot be encapsulated by a doll in a generic costume.
• By reflexively linking Adivasis to narrow tropes around appearance and performance, the students' doll selections indicate stereotypical thinking about this marginalized community.
• This teachable moment demonstrates the need for deeper, nuanced education that challenges superficial stereotypes and promotes thoughtful perspectives on Adivasi identities.
• Overcoming knee-jerk typecasting of underrepresented groups is vital for an inclusive, just society.

The correct answers are A, C, and D.

Explanation:

• Prejudice involves judging others negatively based on preconceived notions or stereotypes related to their membership in a particular group.
• Rather than evaluating people as individuals, prejudice relies on broad generalizations to form opinions about an entire category of people.

Key Points

• To disrespect those who are different is correct because prejudice inherently involves disrespecting and marginalizing those deemed as "other" or "different from the mainstream."
• Prejudice stems from ingroup/outgroup dynamics, where the outgroup faces derision.
• To discriminate against members of a group is correct because prejudice can lead to discrimination, which is the actual unfair treatment of a group and its members based on prejudice.
• Discrimination attempts to exclude, harm, or deny opportunities to certain groups.
• To consider them superior​ is incorrect because prejudice does not imply considering others as superior.
• In fact, prejudice works by portraying the target group as inferior, flawed, or less deserving of equal treatment.
• In summary, prejudice refers to preemptively judging others negatively, disrespecting those seen as different, and discriminating based on prejudicial attitudes.
• Being prejudiced sets up an unequal, harmful social dynamic that dismisses groups as unworthy of fair consideration as individuals. Overcoming prejudice is thus key to equality.

The correct option is that Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Explanation:

• Assertion (A) is true because India's federal system does accommodate the country's vast cultural, linguistic, ethnic and regional diversities.
• Federalism allows for decentralized governance and decision-making power at the state/local levels, enabling local needs and voices to be better represented.
• Reason (R) is also true, since federalism does entail multiple tiers of government at the union, state and local levels.

Additional Information

• While federalism establishes multi-level governance, the key factor is the constitutionally guaranteed powers, autonomy and resource rights granted to states in India's brand of federalism.
• This empowers states to tailor policies, programs, budgets etc. as per their distinct needs and contexts. Federalism combines unity with diversity.
• Moreover, India has asymmetric federalism, where certain states enjoy special status and provisions to preserve their indigenous identities.
• The flexibility of Indian federalism enables preservation of minorities' rights.

The correct options are A, B, and C.

Key Points

Explanation:

 Violence by 'upper caste' people against Scheduled Caste people is correct

• because the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act specifically prohibits and criminalizes violence against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by non-SC/ST individuals or groups.
• Any such violence by so-called 'upper caste' people that targets SC communities based on caste prejudice is violative of the Act.

Forcing a member of a Scheduled Caste community-

• to eat obnoxious substance. is correct because forcing members of SC/ST communities to consume inedible or obnoxious substances is classified as an atrocity and offense under Section 3(1)(x) of the Act. This humiliating and degrading act reflects caste-based discrimination.

Allowing non-tribal timber merchants to exploit tribal land is correct-

• because the Act prohibits wrongful occupation or cultivation of land owned by SC/ST people under Section 3(1)(g), which applies to exploitation of tribal land by outside merchants and businessmen. This protects ST groups against land alienation.

​Marrying a member of Scheduled Caste community is incorrect

• because the Act does not prohibit or criminalize inter-caste marriages, including marriage between SC and non-SC individuals. It focuses on prohibiting caste-based violence and discrimination.
• In summary, the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act penalizes caste-based violence, humiliation, and discrimination against SCs and STs to eliminate abuse against these marginalized communities and uphold their rights and dignity. Options A, B and C accurately reflect violations of this Act.

The statement is best explained by options A, B, C and D.

Key Points

Explanation:

• The Mid-Day Meal scheme involves children of all castes and backgrounds eating free school meals together in the same space. This helps foster a sense of community and oneness, countering caste prejudices and segregation from an early age.
• By employing Dalit women as cooks, the scheme promotes social upliftment and dignity of labour for oppressed castes. Their key role challenges caste-based stigma.
• The prospect of assured free meals has boosted enrollment and retention of children from poor and lower-caste backgrounds who may otherwise drop out.
• Midday meals encourage continued school attendance, lowering dropout rates due to hunger or inability to afford food, especially among underprivileged sections.

Additional Information

In summary, the inclusive nature of children collectively eating the meals, involvement of Dalit women as cooks, and improved access to schooling for disadvantaged groups all demonstrate how the scheme enables social justice, equality and integration across caste divides. It promotes both educational and social upliftment.

The correct option is 'A, B and C'.

Key Points

• The legislature is not involved in the appointment of judges. Judges are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, maintaining separation of powers between the judiciary and legislature. This prevents political interference.
• The judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts have a fixed tenure, allowing them to render judgements free of political pressure or fear of arbitrary removal. They retire at a prescribed age.
• Parliament cannot discuss the conduct of judges to maintain judicial independence. Judges can only be removed on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity through a complex impeachment motion.
• The President administering the oath to the Chief Justice is merely a protocol. The President is bound by the government's aid and advice here and has no discretionary powers over the appointment.

Additional Information

In summary, non-involvement of the legislature in judicial appointments fixed judicial tenure, and parliamentary inability to question judge conduct are key provisions that constitutionally safeguard the independence and impartial functioning of the Indian judiciary.

The correct answer is 'Devaluation of household work'.

Key Points  The stated reason behind the homemaker's work going unnoticed and unpaid compared to the office-going woman's paid labour is the devaluation of household and care work.

Several factors account for this devaluation:

• Household tasks like cooking, cleaning etc. are seen as "women's work" arising from traditional gender roles. So these are undervalued.
• Much of the homemaker's labour is invisible - if no one gets sick or hungry, her caretaking is overlooked. There is no output to calculate.
• Domestic work is not included in economic metrics like GDP. So it is considered "non-productive".
• The homemaker's work is a "labour of love" rather than a commercial service, so it is assumed to not require pay.
• Office work is associated with the male breadwinner model. So it confers monetary and social status.
• Capitalism prioritizes paid productive work over unpaid reproductive labour like household chores.
• Lack of regulation of domestic labour compared to formal sector employment.

Additional Information

In summary, household work suffers from devaluation due to gendered notions of such work as trivial "women's duties", its invisibility and unquantifiable nature, its characterization as non-economic activity, and its construction as an act of affection rather than skill. This results in the denial of fair recognition and remuneration to homemakers.