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1. A geographic area with an altitude or 400 metres has following characteristics:

Month	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Average Maximum Temp. °C	31	31	31	31	30	30	29	28	29	29	30	21
Average Minimum Temp. ºC	21	21	21	21	21	21	20	20	20	20	20	20
Rainfall (mm)	51	85	188	158	139	121	134	168	185	221	198	86

If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which one of the following would it most likely be ?

(a) Moist temperate coniferous forest
(b) Montane subtropical forest
(c) Temperate forest
(d) Tropical rain forest

Answer (D)
"For temperate rain forests of North America, Alaback's definition is widely recognized:
1.Annual precipitation 200–400 cm
2.Mean annual temperature between 4 and 12 degrees Celsius.

Tropical and subtropical forest regions with lower rainfall are home to tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and tropical and subtropical coniferous forests. Temperate rain forests also occur in certain humid temperate coastal regions.

Temperate forests grow between the tropics and the polar regions in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They have four distinct seasons with a well-defined winter. Temperate forests have a moderate climate.

The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in a region of year-round warmth. An average of 50 to 260 inches (125 to 660 cm.) of rain falls yearly.
Rain forests belong to the tropical wet climate group. The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F (34 °C) or drops below 68 °F (20 °C); average humidity is between 77 and 88%; rainfall is often more than 100 inches a year. There is usually a brief season of less rain. In monsoonal areas, there is a real dry season. Almost all rain forests lie near the equator."

2. If a potato is placed on a pure paper plate which is white and unprinted and put in a microwave oven, the potato heats up but the paper plate does not. This is because:

(a) Potato is mainly made up of starch whereas paper is mainly made up of cellulose
(b) Potato transmits microwaves whereas paper reflects microwaves
(c) Potato contains water whereas paper does not contain water
(d) Potato is a fresh organic material whereas' paper is a dead organic material

Answer (C)
As incredible as microwave ovens are, the technology behind them is fairly simple. Microwave ovens use microwaves to heat food. Microwaves are radio waves. In the case of microwave ovens, the commonly used radio wave frequency is roughly 2,500 megahertz (2.5 gigahertz). Radio waves in this frequency range have an interesting property: Water, fats and sugars absorb them. When absorbed they're converted directly into atomic motion -- heat. Microwaves in this frequency range have another interesting property: Most plastics, glass or ceramics don't absorb them.

3. With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following:

1. Fundamental Rights
2. Fundamental Duties
3. Directive Principles of State Policy
Which of the above provisions of the Constitution of India is/are fulfilled by the National Social Assistance Programme launched by the Government of India ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer (B)
"The National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) which came into effect from 15th August,1995 represents a significant step towards the fulfillment of the Directive Principles in Article 41 of the Constitution. The programme introduced a National Policy for Social Assistance for the poor and aims at ensuring minimum national standard for social assistance in addition to the benefits that states are currently providing or might provide in future. NSAP at present, comprises of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and Annapurna."

4. A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements:

1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El-Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean.
2. Normal EI Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (B)
" While typical El Ninos are indicated by warming ocean waters in the Eastern Pacific, El Nino Modoki is the warming of ocean waters in the Central Pacific. Warmer water in the Central Pacific indicates greater potential for hurricanes. At this time, the exact cause for the change is not yet known and could possibly be a natural variation. The article further discusses climatic study findings in which Peter Webster, professor at Georgia Tech's School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, states, "Normally, El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic, but this new type is resulting in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency and more potential to make landfall."

5. Mon 863 is a variety of maize. It was in the news for the following reason

(a) It is a genetically modified dwarf variety which is resistant to drought
(b) It is a genetically modified variety which is pest resistant
(c) It is a genetically modified variety with ten times higher protein content than regular maize crop
(d) It is a genetically modified variety used exclusively for bio-fuel production

Answer (B)
"MON 863 is genetically altered to express a modified version of Cry3Bb1, a delta endotoxin which originates from Bacillus thuringiensis. This protects the plant from corn rootworm. Unlike MON 810, Bt 11, and Bt 176 which each produce a modified Cry1Ab, MON 863 instead produces a modified Cry3Bb1 toxin and contains nptII, a marker gene for antibiotic resistance."

6. A cuboid has six sides of different colours. The red side is opposite to black. The blue side is adjacent to white. The brown side is adjacent to blue. The red side is face down. Which one of the following would be the opposite to brown?

(a) Red
(b) Black
(c) White
(d) Blue

Answer (C)
7. Consider the following statements :

The satellite Oceansat-2 launched by India helps in
1. estimating the water vapour content in the atmosphere.
2. predicting the onset of monsoons.
3. monitoring the pollution of coastal waters.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer (D)
"Oceansat-2 is ISRO’s second in the series of IRS satellites dedicated for ocean research. It will provide continuity to the services and applications of the Oceansat-1 Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) data along with additional data from a Ku-band pencil beam Scatterometer and Radio Occultation Sounder for the Atmosphere (ROSA) sensors. Data from these payloads are meant for addressing various research areas, primarily in oceanographic and atmospheric science."

8. Genetically modified "golden rice" has been engineered to meet human nutritional requirements. Which one of the following statements best qualifies golden rice ?

(a) The grains have been fortified with genes to provide three times higher grain yield per acre than other high yielding varieties
(b) Its grains contain pro-vitamin A which upon ingestion is converted to vitamin A in the human body
(c) Its modified genes cause the synthesis of all the nine essential amino acids
(d) Its modified genes cause the fortification of its grains with vitamin D

Answer (B)
"Golden rice is a variety of Oryza sativa rice produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of pro-vitamin A in the edible parts of rice. The scientific details of the rice were first published in Science in 2000. Golden rice was developed as a fortified food to be used in areas where there is a shortage of dietary vitamin A. In 2005 a new variety called Golden Rice 2 was announced which produces up to 23 times more beta-carotene than the original variety of golden rice.[3] Neither variety is currently available for human consumption. Although golden rice was developed as a humanitarian tool, it has met with significant opposition from environmental and anti-globalization activists."

9. In a tournament 14 teams play league matches. If each team plays against every other team once only then how many matches are played ?

(a) 105
(b) 91
(c) 85
(d) 78

Answer (B)
The total number of matches that can be played are the permutation of 2 teams out of 14 teams.
i.e, ¹⁴P₂
=14!/2!*(14-2)!
=14!/2**12!
=14*13*12!/2*1*12!
=14*13/2
=7*13 =9

10. Consider the following statements :

The Supreme Court of India tenders advice to the President of India on matters of law or fact
1. on its own initiative (on any matter of larger public interest).
2. if he seeks such an advice.
3. only if the matters relate to the Fundamental Rights of the citizens.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3
(d) 1 and 2

Answer (B)
"Advisory Jurisdiction
This power implies Court’s right to give advice, if sought. Under advisory jurisdiction, the President of India may refer any question of law or public importance to Supreme Court for its advice. But the Supreme Court is not bound to give advice. In case, the advice or the opinion of the Court is sent to the President, he may or may not accept it. The advice of the Court is not binding on the President. So far, whenever the Court has given its advice, the President has always accepted it. The Court refused to give its advice on the question whether a temple existed at the spot, where Babri Masjid was built at Ayodhya."