Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Key Points

• S1: The minimum thermometer has a large bore and its fluid is colourless alcohol.
• This sentence introduces the thermometer and some of its basic physical characteristics.
• S: It is mounted horizontally and as the alcohol contracts with the decreasing temperature the meniscus of the alcohol pulls the index down.
• This sentence logically follows S1 by describing the thermometer's orientation and how its internal mechanism (involving an "index") reacts to decreasing temperature. It introduces the "index" which will be further detailed.
• R: A tiny, dark index in the shape of a long dumbbell is placed in the bore below the top of the alcohol column.
• This sentence then provides a specific physical description of the "index" that was mentioned and implicitly used in sentence S. This detailed description logically follows the introduction of its function.
• Q: Resetting the dumbbell of the minimum thermometer is accompanied by the action of inverting the stem until the index slides down to the meniscus.
• After understanding what the index is and how it moves (S and R), the next logical step in understanding the thermometer's operation is how to reset it for a new reading.
• P: When the meniscus moves up the bore it leaves the index behind to register the lowest temperature.
• This sentence describes the critical function of the minimum thermometer: how it records and allows the reading of the lowest temperature once the temperature begins to rise again. This is the culmination of its measurement cycle.
• S6: The daily temperature is recorded since a permanent, continuous record of temperature is desired.
• This concluding sentence explains the overall purpose of using such a thermometer.
• The sequence S-R-Q-P provides a coherent flow: overall operation (S), detailed component description (R), resetting procedure (Q), and final reading mechanism (P).

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: The minimum thermometer has a large bore and its fluid is colourless alcohol.

S: It is mounted horizontally and as the alcohol contracts with the decreasing temperature the meniscus of the alcohol pulls the index down.

R: A tiny, dark index in the shape of a long dumbbell is placed in the bore below the top of the alcohol column.

Q: Resetting the dumbbell of the minimum thermometer is accompanied by the action of inverting the stem until the index slides down to the meniscus.

P: When the meniscus moves up the bore it leaves the index behind to register the lowest temperature.

S6: The daily temperature is recorded since a permanent, continuous record of temperature is desired.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Key Points

• S1: The Cretaceous Period extends from about 146 million years ago to 65 million years ago.
• This sentence introduces the geological period being discussed.
• Q: Towards the end of the Cretaceous Period the peninsula was affected by intense volcanic activity.
• This sentence logically follows S1 by introducing a significant event that occurred during the specified period.
• P: Apart from deposits this period is marked by the transgression of the sea and outpouring of huge quantity of lava so as to form the Deccan trap and intrusion of plutonic rocks such as gabbro and granite.
• This sentence elaborates on the "intense volcanic activity" mentioned in Q, specifying the "outpouring of huge quantity of lava" and the formation of the Deccan Trap.
• R: This outpouring has been very widely distributed in the country with divergent facies of deposits being found in different parts of India.
• This sentence directly refers to "This outpouring" from P, detailing its distribution and the resulting "facies of deposits."
• S: In contrast to the relatively newer Himalayas, these facies that are found in different parts of India are much older in origin.
• This sentence picks up on "these facies" from R and provides additional information by contrasting their age with the Himalayas.
• S6: During this period, enormous quantity of basaltic lava was poured out to the surface assuming a great thickness of over three thousand meters.
• This concluding sentence reinforces and quantifies the "outpouring of enormous quantity of basaltic lava" mentioned in P and R, providing a final impressive detail about the geological event.
• The sequence Q-P-R-S creates a logical flow from introducing the period, to describing the volcanic activity, detailing its results, explaining the distribution of deposits, and finally adding a comparative note on their age before the concluding statement.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: The Cretaceous Period extends from about 146 million years ago to 65 million years ago.

Q: Towards the end of the Cretaceous Period the peninsula was affected by intense volcanic activity.

P: Apart from deposits this period is marked by the transgression of the sea and outpouring of huge quantity of lava so as to form the Deccan trap and intrusion of plutonic rocks such as gabbro and granite.

R: This outpouring has been very widely distributed in the country with divergent facies of deposits being found in different parts of India.

S: In contrast to the relatively newer Himalayas, these facies that are found in different parts of India are much older in origin.

S6: During this period, enormous quantity of basaltic lava was poured out to the surface assuming a great thickness of over three thousand meters.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Key Points

• S1: The Central Indian Highlands known as the Vindhyan Mountains occupy a large basin extending from Chittorgarh in the west to Sasaram and Dehri-on-Sone in the east.
• This sentence introduces the Vindhyan basin and its general extent.
• P: One branch of the basin extends from Sasaram to Hoshangabad.
• This sentence logically follows S1 by detailing a specific "branch" of the "basin" mentioned in S1, picking up from the eastern extent "Sasaram." This provides a direct continuation of the geographical description.
• R: This branch of this basin occupies a large continuous area stretching over one lakh square kilometre from the Chambal to the Sone.
• This sentence directly refers to "This branch of this basin" from P and provides more detailed information about its extensive geographical coverage.
• S: Several isolated exposures of sedimentary rocks occur in the Bastar area of Chhatisgarh.
• After detailing a specific branch (P, R), this sentence broadens the geographical scope by mentioning "isolated exposures" in another related area, maintaining the geological theme.
• Q: In some of the exposures of the Vindhyan Systems are found diamond-bearing conglomerates.
• This sentence serves as a crucial link to S6. It mentions that "some of the exposures" (referring to the geological formations discussed in R and S, as part of the Vindhyan Systems) contain "diamond-bearing conglomerates," introducing the topic of diamonds.
• S6: The Panna District of Madhya Pradesh and the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh are well-known for diamond production.
• This concluding sentence directly follows from Q by providing specific examples of locations famous for diamond production, reinforcing the information about diamond-bearing conglomerates.
• The sequence P-R-S-Q creates a coherent flow, moving from the general basin to a specific branch, then to other related exposures, and finally to the presence of diamonds within these formations, leading directly to the concluding sentence about diamond production.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: The Central Indian Highlands known as the Vindhyan Mountains occupy a large basin extending from Chittorgarh in the west to Sasaram and Dehri-on-Sone in the east.

P: One branch of the basin extends from Sasaram to Hoshangabad.

R: This branch of this basin occupies a large continuous area stretching over one lakh square kilometre from the Chambal to the Sone.

S: Several isolated exposures of sedimentary rocks occur in the Bastar area of Chhatisgarh.

Q: In some of the exposures of the Vindhyan Systems are found diamond-bearing conglomerates.

S6: The Panna District of Madhya Pradesh and the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh are well-known for diamond production.

The correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Key Points

• S1: Drought is a continuous and lengthy period during which no significant rainfall is recorded during the rainy season.
• This sentence provides a general definition of drought.
• R: In India, the Meteorological Department has defined drought as a period of at least 22 consecutive days on none of which is there more than 0·25 mm of rainfall.
• This sentence logically follows S1 by giving a specific, official definition of drought as applied in India.
• P: This definition however, does not apply to Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, where even one week recording less than 0·25 mm of rainfall may be considered as a drought period.
• The phrase "This definition however" in P directly refers to the definition given in R and presents an exception to it, creating a strong cohesive link.
• Q: In general, the areas recording less than 60 cm of rainfall annually and in which the variability of rainfall is more than 20 per cent are the drought prone areas in India.
• After defining drought and its exception, the paragraph shifts to defining "drought prone areas." Q provides a general criterion for these areas in India, based on rainfall and variability.
• S: Areas where the variability of rainfall varies between 20 to 60 per cent are the chronic drought prone areas.
• This sentence further refines the definition of "drought prone areas" from Q, specifically classifying "chronic" ones based on a more precise range of rainfall variability.
• S6: In India, droughts are more frequent in the areas where the average annual rainfall is less than 60 cm and the variability of rainfall is over 20 per cent.
• This concluding sentence reinforces the criteria for drought-prone areas/frequency discussed in Q and S, acting as a summary.
• The sequence R-P-Q-S creates a coherent flow from the general definition of drought (S1), to India's specific definition (R) and its exception (P), then to the general characteristics of drought-prone areas (Q), and finally to a more specific category of chronic drought-prone areas (S), leading to the concluding statement (S6).

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: Drought is a continuous and lengthy period during which no significant rainfall is recorded during the rainy season.

R: In India, the Meteorological Department has defined drought as a period of at least 22 consecutive days on none of which is there more than 0·25 mm of rainfall.

P: This definition however, does not apply to Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, where even one week recording less than 0·25 mm of rainfall may be considered as a drought period.

Q: In general, the areas recording less than 60 cm of rainfall annually and in which the variability of rainfall is more than 20 per cent are the drought prone areas in India.

S: Areas where the variability of rainfall varies between 20 to 60 per cent are the chronic drought prone areas.

S6: In India, droughts are more frequent in the areas where the average annual rainfall is less than 60 cm and the variability of rainfall is over 20 per cent.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Key Points

• S1: The definition of large farmers differs from state to state in India.
• This sentence introduces the varying definition of "large farmers."
• R: For example, a farmer having 10 acres in Kerala is a large farmer, while in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana he falls under the category of a small or medium farmer.
• This sentence provides a direct example that illustrates the statement made in S1, making it the most logical immediate follow-up.
• S: All the studies conducted in areas where Green Revolution is a success show that the large farmers have been the main gainers of the package programme.
• After establishing the varying definition of large farmers (S1, R), this sentence introduces the significant role of these large farmers as "main gainers" in the context of the Green Revolution.
• P: In the initial phase of the Green Revolution, the large farmers were able to adopt the High Yielding Varieties easily.
• This sentence logically follows S by explaining why large farmers were the main gainers – their ability to easily adopt High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) due to their resources.
• Q: The new varieties increased their savings, both to buy machinery that can displace labour and to purchase more land.
• This sentence details the positive consequences for large farmers from adopting the "new varieties" (HYVs) mentioned in P, linking their increased savings to further investments.
• S6: This trend increased the income base of those who were already relatively well-off and better placed in society.
• This concluding sentence summarizes the outcome of the process described in Q, directly referring to the accumulated wealth and land acquisition as the "trend" that further enriched the already well-off.
• The sequence R-S-P-Q creates a coherent narrative: defining large farmers (S1, R), showing their overall gains in Green Revolution (S), explaining how they gained (P), and detailing the consequences of those gains (Q), which then leads to the final summarizing statement (S6).

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: The definition of large farmers differs from state to state in India.

R: For example, a farmer having 10 acres in Kerala is a large farmer, while in Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana he falls under the category of a small or medium farmer.

S: All the studies conducted in areas where Green Revolution is a success show that the large farmers have been the main gainers of the package programme.

P: In the initial phase of the Green Revolution, the large farmers were able to adopt the High Yielding Varieties easily.

Q: The new varieties increased their savings, both to buy machinery that can displace labour and to purchase more land.

S6: This trend increased the income base of those who were already relatively well-off and better placed in society.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Key Points

• S1: The Great Depression was a period of unemployment, low profits, low prices of goods, high poverty and a stand-still trade market that affected the entire world.
• This sentence provides a definition of the Great Depression and its global scope.
• Q: Though the stock market crash of 1929 did not cause the Depression, it certainly increased the difficulty of recovery.
• This sentence introduces a significant event (the 1929 stock market crash) that is closely associated with the beginning of the Depression, clarifying its role. This serves as a strong follow-up to the definition.
• P: It began around 1929 and lasted till the mid-1930s.
• This sentence provides the overall timeline for the Great Depression, directly referencing the year "1929" mentioned in Q, and establishing its duration.
• R: The worst hit sectors were heavy industry, agriculture, mining and logging.
• After defining the period and its timeline, this sentence details the specific impacts and consequences of the Depression by listing the worst-affected economic sectors.
• S: The Depression ended in 1935 and led to major political initiatives.
• This sentence marks the conclusion of the Depression (the year 1935 aligns with "mid-1930s" in P) and serves as a direct lead-in to S6 by mentioning the "major political initiatives" that followed.
• S6: Most notably among these was the New Deal, which involved large scale federal relief programmes, aid to agriculture, support for labour unions, etc.
• This concluding sentence elaborates on the "major political initiatives" introduced in S, specifically naming and describing the New Deal.
• The sequence Q-P-R-S creates a coherent narrative: defining the period, introducing a key related event and timeline, detailing its impact, and finally describing its end and resulting actions, leading to the concluding sentence.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: The Great Depression was a period of unemployment, low profits, low prices of goods, high poverty and a stand-still trade market that affected the entire world.

Q: Though the stock market crash of 1929 did not cause the Depression, it certainly increased the difficulty of recovery.

P: It began around 1929 and lasted till the mid-1930s.

R: The worst hit sectors were heavy industry, agriculture, mining and logging.

S: The Depression ended in 1935 and led to major political initiatives.

S6: Most notably among these was the New Deal, which involved large scale federal relief programmes, aid to agriculture, support for labour unions, etc.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Key Points

• S1: Resources are essential for sustenance as well as for development.
• This sentence states the positive importance of resources.
• P: Over-exploitation and unplanned consumption of resources for development, however, are leading to their depletion.
• The word "however" signals a shift from the positive aspect in S1 to the negative consequences of resource use – "depletion." This creates a clear contrast and logical progression.
• R: Such depletion has socio-economic and environmental consequences.
• The phrase "Such depletion" explicitly refers to the "depletion" mentioned in P, detailing the negative outcomes of this process. This is a strong cohesive link.
• Q: These consequences can be tackled by adopting resource conservation as a means to manage and save resources for a better future.
• The phrase "These consequences" directly refers to the "socio-economic and environmental consequences" from R, and then proposes "resource conservation" as a solution to tackle them. This establishes a clear problem-solution connection.
• S: Conservation of resources means efficiently using resources that are needed now, without harming future prospects.
• Having introduced "resource conservation" in Q as a solution, this sentence provides a definition or clarification of what "Conservation of resources" entails.
• S6: Conservation does not prohibit the use of resources but emphasises judicious and planned use of natural resources.
• This concluding sentence further elaborates on the concept of "conservation" introduced in Q and defined in S, adding an important nuance about its practical application.
• The sequence P-R-Q-S creates a coherent flow: stating the importance of resources (S1), identifying the problem of depletion (P), detailing its consequences (R), proposing conservation as a solution (Q), defining conservation (S), and finally elaborating on conservation's principles (S6).

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: Resources are essential for sustenance as well as for development.

P: Over-exploitation and unplanned consumption of resources for development, however, are leading to their depletion.

R: Such depletion has socio-economic and environmental consequences.

Q: These consequences can be tackled by adopting resource conservation as a means to manage and save resources for a better future.

S: Conservation of resources means efficiently using resources that are needed now, without harming future prospects.

S6: Conservation does not prohibit the use of resources but emphasises judicious and planned use of natural resources.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Key Points

• S1: Land is a very important resource.
• This sentence introduces the central topic: the importance of land.
• Q: All over the world, land supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, and communication and transport systems.
• This sentence logically expands on S1 by detailing the various reasons why land is important, listing its diverse supportive roles across the globe.
• R: Hence, land is of great significance for all nations.
• The word "Hence" indicates a conclusion drawn from the preceding list of functions in Q, reiterating land's "great significance" for all nations, thereby reinforcing S1's assertion.
• P: It is therefore an important asset that needs to be used with care and concern because it is finite in nature.
• The phrase "It is therefore" connects back to the significance established in R. It then introduces the consequence of its importance and finite nature: the need for "care and concern" in its use.
• S: In consequence to all of these, careful planning of land use assumes the utmost significance.
• "In consequence to all of these" refers to the cumulative points made in Q, R, and P (land's support functions, its significance, and its finite nature requiring careful use). This leads to the logical conclusion that "careful planning of land use" is of utmost importance.
• S6: India has a vast landmass but it is important to ensure careful planning in the utilization of its land resources.
• This concluding sentence connects the general principle of the "utmost significance" of "careful planning of land use" from S to the specific context of "India," reiterating the necessity for planning in its land resource utilization.
• The sequence Q-R-P-S creates a coherent flow: establishing importance (S1), elaborating on functions (Q), concluding significance (R), deriving the need for careful use due to finitude (P), and finally emphasizing the utmost significance of planning (S), leading to the specific application in S6.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: Land is a very important resource.

Q: All over the world, land supports natural vegetation, wildlife, human life, economic activities, and communication and transport systems.

R: Hence, land is of great significance for all nations.

P: It is therefore an important asset that needs to be used with care and concern because it is finite in nature.

S: In consequence to all of these, careful planning of land use assumes the utmost significance.

S6: India has a vast landmass but it is important to ensure careful planning in the utilization of its land resources.

The correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Key Points

• S1: The National Forest Policy (1952) has outlined that the desired forest area of a country must be at least 33 per cent of the geographical area.
• This sentence introduces the policy and the desired forest cover percentage.
• Q: This was felt to be necessary for maintaining the ecological balance.
• The pronoun "This" refers to the 33 percent desired forest area mentioned in S1, and Q explains the reason for this policy target. This creates a strong cause-and-effect link.
• P: However the present forest cover is only 23 per cent, much lower than the desired percentage.
• The word "However" indicates a contrast with the ideal scenario (33%) presented in S1 and Q, introducing the current, lower reality (23%). This logically follows the discussion of the ideal.
• S: This creates difficulties for millions of people who live in the fringe areas of forests and depend upon the forests for their livelihood.
• The demonstrative "This" in S refers to the low forest cover (23%) mentioned in P, detailing a direct socio-economic consequence of this disparity. This forms a strong problem-consequence link.
• R: Some land is termed as wasteland; this includes rocky, arid and desert areas.
• Following the discussion on forest cover and its human impact, the paragraph transitions to categorizing other types of land. R introduces "wasteland" as one such category, providing examples.
• S6: Some land is termed as land put to other non-agricultural uses; this includes settlements, roads, railways, industries, etc.
• This concluding sentence introduces another category of land use ("non-agricultural uses"), parallel to "wasteland" in R, continuing the broader discussion of land utilization.
• The sequence Q-P-S-R provides a coherent flow: stating the policy goal (S1), explaining its rationale (Q), presenting the current shortfall (P), detailing the human impact of the shortfall (S), and then diversifying into other land classifications (R, followed by S6).

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: The National Forest Policy (1952) has outlined that the desired forest area of a country must be at least 33 per cent of the geographical area.

Q: This was felt to be necessary for maintaining the ecological balance.

P: However the present forest cover is only 23 per cent, much lower than the desired percentage.

S: This creates difficulties for millions of people who live in the fringe areas of forests and depend upon the forests for their livelihood.

R: Some land is termed as wasteland; this includes rocky, arid and desert areas.

S6: Some land is termed as land put to other non-agricultural uses; this includes settlements, roads, railways, industries, etc.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Key Points

• S1: Trade and transport have been very significant in the progress of human life.
• This sentence introduces the importance of trade and transport.
• P: For a long time trade and transport moved within the restricted boundaries of space and time.
• This sentence provides a historical context, detailing a past limitation of trade and transport, which logically follows a general statement about their significance.
• R: However, with the developments in the field of science and technology, trade and transport have spread all over the world.
• The word "However" indicates a contrast to the "restricted boundaries" mentioned in P, introducing the modern reality of widespread trade and transport due to technological advancements. This is a strong transitional link.
• S: The world has, as a consequence, become one big village and distances have become immaterial or, to be more precise, distances seem to have shrunk.
• The phrase "as a consequence" directly links to the widespread nature of trade and transport described in R, explaining the effect of shrinking distances and a globalized world.
• Q: This has been made possible by the development of a fast and efficient transport and communication system.
• The pronoun "This" refers to the phenomenon of the world becoming a "big village" and distances shrinking, as described in S. Q then explains the underlying cause: the development of advanced transport and communication systems. The mention of "communication" here is crucial for linking to S6.
• S6: Thus, trade transport and communication complement each other.
• This concluding sentence synthesizes the elements discussed (trade, transport in S1, P, R, S; and communication introduced in Q), stating their complementary nature, which is a logical summary.
• The sequence P-R-S-Q creates a coherent flow: historical context (P), modern spread (R), consequences of spread (S), and the underlying technological enablers (Q), leading to the final summary (S6).

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

S1: Trade and transport have been very significant in the progress of human life.

P: For a long time trade and transport moved within the restricted boundaries of space and time.

R: However, with the developments in the field of science and technology, trade and transport have spread all over the world.

S: The world has, as a consequence, become one big village and distances have become immaterial or, to be more precise, distances seem to have shrunk.

Q: This has been made possible by the development of a fast and efficient transport and communication system.

S6: Thus, trade transport and communication complement each other.