UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022 - General Studies Paper II (CSAT) — question paper

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UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022 - General Studies Paper II (CSAT)

Paper #3241 · 2022 · General Studies Paper II (CSAT) · 80 reviewed questions · Showing 41–80 of 80

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2022 General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A: 80 questions with 79 final-key answers and concise KSLC explanations. 1 officially dropped question(s) are explained without a scoring answer. Reading-comprehension answers are based on the accompanying passages. Original questions and applicable copyright belong to UPSC and the respective rights holders. KSLC explanations are independent educational commentary; KSLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by UPSC. Official source: https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers/archives

Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. For two or three generations past, everincreasing numbers of individuals have been living as workers merely, not as human beings. An excessive amount of labour is rule today in every circle of society, with the result that man’s spiritual element cannot thrive. He finds it very difficult to spend his little leisure in serious activities. He does not want to think; or he cannot even if he wants to. He seeks not self-improvement, but entertainment which would enable him to be mentally idle and to forget his usual activities. Therefore, the so-called culture of our age is dependant more on cinema than on theatre, more on newspapers, magazines and crime stories than on serious literature.

The passage is based on the idea that
1. man should not work hard
2. the great evil of our age is overstrain
3. man cannot think well
4. man cannot care for his spiritual welfare
Reading passage

Man does not seek self-improvement because he
1. is not intellectually capable
2. has no time to do so
3. is distracted by materialism
4. loves amusement and is mentally idle
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. The demographic dividend, which has begun in India and is expected to last another few decades, is a great window of opportunity. The demographic dividend is basically a swelling in the working age population, which conversely means that the relative ratio of very young and very old will, for a while, be on the decline. From the experience of Ireland and China, we know that this can be a source of energy and an engine of economic growth. The demographic dividend tends to raise a nation’s savings rate since in any nation, it is the working age population that is the main saver. And since the savings rate is an important driver of growth, this should help elevate our growth rate. However, the benefits of demographic dividend depend on the quality of the working age population. And this implies bringing back the importance of education, acquisition of skills and human capital.

Which of the following would invariably happen in a country, when the demographic dividend has begun to operate? 1. The number of illiterate people will decrease. 2. The ratio of very old and very young will decrease for a while. 3. Population growth rate will quickly stabilize. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Reading passage

With reference to the passage, which of the following inferences can be drawn? 1. Demographic dividend is an essential condition for a country to rapidly increase its economic growth rate. 2. Promotion of higher education is an essential condition for a country for its rapid economic growth. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Five friends P, Q, X, Y and Z purchased some notebooks. The relevant information is given below : 1. Z purchased 8 notebooks more than X did. 2. P and Q together purchased 21 notebooks. 3. Q purchased 5 notebooks less than P did. 4. X and Y together purchased 28 notebooks. 5. P purchased 5 notebooks more than X did. If each notebook is priced ₹40, then what is the total cost of all the notebooks?
1. ₹2, 600
2. ₹2, 400
3. ₹2, 360
4. ₹2, 320
A man started from home at 14:30 hours and drove to village, arriving there when the village clock indicated 15:15 hours. After staying for 25 minutes, he drove back by a different route of length 1.25 times the first route at a rate twice as fast reaching home at 16:00 hours. As compared to the clock at home, the village clock is
1. 10 minutes slow
2. 5 minutes slow
3. 10 minutes fast
4. 5 minutes fast
A person X wants to distribute some pens among six children A, B, C, D, E and F. Suppose A gets twice the number of pens received by B, three times that of C, four times that of D, five times that of E and six times that of F. What is the minimum number of pens X should buy so that the number of pens each one gets is an even number?
1. 147
2. 150
3. 294
4. 300
Six persons A, B, C, D, E and F are sitting equidistant from each other around a circular table (facing the centre of the table). Consider the Question and two Statements given below : Question : Who is sitting on the immediate left of A? Statement-1 : B is sitting opposite to C and D is sitting opposite to E. Statement-2 :F is sitting on the immediate left of B. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?
1. Statement-1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question
2. Statement-2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question
3. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are sufficient to answer the Question
4. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are not sufficient to answer the Question
Consider the Question and two Statements given below : Question: What is the age of Manisha? Statement-1 : Manisha is 24 years younger than her mother. Statement-2 : 5 years later, the ages of Manisha and her mother will be in the ratio 3: 5. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?
1. Statement-1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question
2. Statement-2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question
3. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are sufficient to answer the Question
4. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are not sufficient to answer the Question
Six lectures A, B, C, D, E and F, each of one hour duration, are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Consider the Question and two Statements given below : Question : Which lecture is in the third period? Statement-1 : Lecture F is preceded by A and followed by C. Statement-2 : There is no lecture after lecture B. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the Question and the Statements?
1. Statement-1 alone is sufficient to answer the Question
2. Statement-2 alone is sufficient to answer the Question
3. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are sufficient to answer the Question
4. Both Statement-1 and Statement-2 are not sufficient to answer the Question
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. In an economic organization, allowing mankind to benefit by the productivity of machines should lead to a very good life of leisure, and much leisure is apt to be tedious except to those who have intelligent activities and interests. If a leisured population is to be happy, it must be an educated population, and must be educated with a view to enjoyment as well as to the direct usefulness of technical knowledge.

Which of the following statements best reflects the underlying tone of the passage?
1. Only an educated population can best make use of the benefits of economic progress.
2. All economic development should be aimed at the creation of leisure.
3. An increase in the educated population of a country leads to an increase in the happiness of its people.
4. Use of machines should be encouraged in order to create a large leisured population.
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. If presents bring less thrill now that we are grown up, perhaps it is because we have too much already; or perhaps it is because we have lost the fullness of the joy of giving, and with it the fullness of the joy of receiving. Children’s fears are poignant, their miseries are acute, but they do not look too forward nor too far backward. Their joys are clear and complete, because they have not yet learnt always to add ‘but’ to every proposition. Perhaps we are too cautious, too anxious, too sceptical. Perhaps some of our cares would shrink if we thought less about them and entered with more singleminded enjoyment into the happiness that come our way.

With reference to the passage, which one of the following statements is correct?
1. It is not possible for adults to feel thrilled by presents.
2. There can be more than one reason why adults feel less thrilled by presents.
3. The author does not know why adults feel less thrilled by presents.
4. Adults have less capacity to feel the joy of loving or being loved.
Reading passage

The author of the passage is against
1. worrying too much about the past and future
2. being in the habit of thinking about presents
3. not being thrilled by new things
4. giving and receiving joy only partially
Let A, B and C represent distinct nonzero digits. Suppose x is the sum of all possible 3-digit numbers formed by A, B and C without repetition. Consider the following statements : 1. The 4-digit least value of x is 1332. 2. The 3-digit greatest value of x is 888. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
There is a numeric lock which has a 3-digit PIN. The PIN contains digits 1 to 7. There is no repetition of digits. The digits in the PIN from left to right are in decreasing order. Any two digits in the PIN differ by at least 2. How many maximum attempts does one need to find out the PIN with certainty?
1. 6
2. 8
3. 10
4. 12
There are eight equidistant points on a circle. How many right-angled triangles can be drawn using these points as vertices and taking the diameter as one side of the triangle?
1. 24
2. 16
3. 12
4. 8
24 men and 12 women can do a piece of work in 30 days. In how many days can 12 men and 24 women do the same piece of work?
1. 30 days
2. More than 30 days
3. Less than 30 days or more than 30 days
4. Data is inadequate to draw any conclusion
What is the remainder when 91 × 92 × 93 × 94 × 95 × 96 × 97 × 98 × 99 is divided by 1261?
1. 3
2. 2
3. 1
4. 0
Consider the following statements in respect of a rectangular sheet of length 20 cm and breadth 8 cm : 1. It is possible to cut the sheet exactly into 4 square sheets. 2. It is possible to cut the sheet into 10 triangular sheets of equal area. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
When 70% of a number x is added to another number y, the sum becomes 165% of the value of y. When 60% of the number x is added to another number z, then the sum becomes 165% of the value of z. Which one of the following is correct?
1. z＜x＜y
2. x＜y＜z
3. y＜x＜z
4. z＜y＜x
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. The majority of people who fail to accumulate money sufficient for their needs, are generally, easily influenced by the opinions of others. They permit the newspapers and the gossiping neighbours to do their thinking for them. Opinions are the cheapest commodities on the earth. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon by anyone who will accept them. If you are influenced by opinions when you reach decisions, you will not succeed in any undertaking.

Which one of the following is implied by the passage?
1. Most of the people do not accumulate money for their needs.
2. Most of the people never fail to accumulate money for their needs.
3. There are people who fail to accumulate money for their needs.
4. There is no need to accumulate money.
Reading passage

What is the main idea of the passage?
1. People should not be influenced by the opinions of others.
2. People should accumulate as much money as they can.
3. People should neither give nor accept the opinions.
4. People will succeed in any undertaking if they do not accept any opinion at all.
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. “The social order is a sacred right which is the basis of all other rights. Nevertheless, this right does not come from nature, and must therefore be founded on conventions.”

With reference to the above passage, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Conventions are the sources of rights of man. 2. Rights of man can be exercised only when there is a social order. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Two candidates X and Y contested an election. 80% of voters cast their vote and there were no invalid votes. There was no NOTA (None of the above) option. X got 56% of the votes cast and won by 1440 votes. What is the total number of voters in the voters list?
1. 15000
2. 12000
3. 9600
4. 5000
What is the smallest number greater than 1000 that when divided by any one of the numbers 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 leaves a remainder of 3?
1. 1063
2. 1073
3. 1083
4. 1183
Let p be a two-digit number and q be the number consisting of same digits written in reverse order. If p × q = 2430, then what is the difference between p and q?
1. 45
2. 27
3. 18
4. 9
Consider the following statements in respect of two natural numbers p and q such that p is a prime number and q is a composite number : 1. p × q can be an odd number. 2. q/p can be a prime number. 3. p + q can be a prime number. Which of the above statements are correct?
1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3
Consider the following statements : 1. Between 3:16 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., both hour hand and minute hand coincide. 2. Between 4:58 p.m. and 4:59 p.m., both minute hand and second hand coincide. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
There are two containers X and Y. X contains 100 ml of milk and Y contains 100 ml of water. 20 ml of milk from X is transferred to Y. After mixing well, 20 ml of the mixture in Y is transferred back to X. If m denotes the proportion of milk in X and n denotes the proportion of water in Y, then which one of the following is correct?
1. m=n
2. m>n
3. m＜n
4. Cannot be determined due to insufficient data
A pie chart gives the expenditure on five different items A, B, C, D and E in a household. If B, C, D and E correspond to 90°, 50°, 45° and 75° respectively, then what is the percentage of expenditure on item A?
1. 112/9
2. 125/6
3. 155/9
4. 250/9
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. To encourage research is one of the functions of a university. Contemporary universities have encouraged research, not only in those cases where research is necessary, but on all sorts of entirely unprofitable subjects as well. Scientific research is probably never completely valueless. However silly and insignificant it may seem, however mechanical and unintelligent the labours of the researchers, there is always a chance that the results may be of value to the investigator of talent, who can use the facts collected for him by uninspired but industrious researchers as the basis of some fruitful generalization. But where research is not original, but consists in the mere rearrangement of existing materials, where its object is not scientific but literary or historical, then there is a risk of the whole business becoming merely futile.

The author’s assumption about scientific research is that
1. it is never very valuable
2. it is sometimes very valuable
3. it is never without some value
4. it is always very valuable
Reading passage

According to the author
1. not many research results can be of value to an intelligent investigator
2. a research result is always valuable to an intelligent investigator
3. any research result can be of value to an intelligent investigator
4. a research result must always be of some value to an intelligent investigator
Reading passage

Read the passage and answer the following question(s) based only on the passage. How best can the problems of floods and droughts be addressed so that the losses are minimal and the system becomes resilient? In this context, one important point that needs to be noted is that India gets ‘too much’ water (about 75% of annual precipitation) during 120 days (June to September) and ‘too little’ for the remaining 245 days. This skewed water availability has to be managed and regulated for its consumption throughout the year.

Which one of the following best reflects the practical, rational and lasting solution?
1. Constructing huge concrete storage tanks and canals across the country
2. Changing the cropping patterns and farming practices
3. Interlinking of rivers across the country
4. Buffer stocking of water through dams and recharging aquifers
If 15 × 14 × 13 × … × 3 × 2 × 1 = 3ᵐ × n, where m and n are positive integers, then what is the maximum value of m?
1. 7
2. 6
3. 5
4. 4
What is the value of X in the sequence 2, 12, 36, 80, 150, X?
1. 248
2. 252
3. 258
4. 262
One non-zero digit, one vowel and one consonant from English alphabet (in capital) are to be used in forming passwords, such that each password has to start with a vowel and end with a consonant. How many such passwords can be generated?
1. 105
2. 525
3. 945
4. 1050
There are 9 cups placed on a table arranged in equal number of rows and columns out of which 6 cups contain coffee and 3 cups contain tea. In how many ways can they be arranged so that each row should contain at least one cup of coffee?
1. 18
2. 27
3. 54
4. 81
The sum of three consecutive integers is equal to their product. How many such possibilities are there?
1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. No such possibility is there
What is the number of numbers of the form 0.XY, where X and Y are distinct non-zero digits?
1. 72
2. 81
3. 90
4. 100
The average weight of A, B, C is 40 kg, the average weight of B, D, E is 42 kg and the weight of F is equal to that of B. What is the average weight of A, B, C, D, E and F?
1. 40.5 kg
2. 40.8 kg
3. 41 kg
4. Cannot be determined as data is inadequate

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