Naan Mudhalvan & AICSCC UPSC Prelims Test Series 2023-24

General Studies (P)- TEST BOOKLET

CSAT – Test 2

Time Allowed: Two Hours Maximum Marks: 200

INSTRUCTIONS

1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK

THAT THIS BOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TURN OR MISSING PAGES
OR ITEMS, ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET.

2. You have to enter your NM ID on the OMR sheet in the Box provided alongside. DO NOT
write anything else on the Test Booklet.

3. This Test Booklet contains 80 items (Questions). Each item is printed in English. Each
item comprises four responses (answers). You will select the response which you want
to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you feel that there is more than one correct
response with you consider the best. In any case, choose ONLY ONE response for each
item.

4. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See
direction in the answers sheet.

5. All items carry equal marks. Attempt all items. Your total marks will depend only on
the number of correct responses marked by you in the answer sheet. For every
incorrect response 1/3rd of the allotted marks will be deducted.

6. Sheet for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO SO

1
Directions for the following 2 (two) items :
Read the following two passages and answer
the items that follow the passages. Your
answers to these items should be based on
the passages only.
Passage - 1
In a study, scientists compared the
microbiomes of poorly nourished and well-
nourished infants and young children. Gut
microbes were isolated from faecal samples
of malnourished and healthy children. The
microbiome was “immature” and less diverse
in malnourished children compared to the
better developed “mature” microbiome found
in healthy children of the same age. According
to some studies, the chemical composition of
mother’s milk has shown the presence of a
modified sugar (sialylated oligosaccharides).
This is not utilized by the baby for its own
nutrition. However, the bacteria constituting
the infant’s microbiome thrive on this sugar
which serves as their food. Malnourished
mothers have low levels of this sugar in their
milk. Consequently, the microbiomes of their
infants fail to mature. That in turn, leads to
malnourished babies.
1. On the basis of the above passage,
the following assumptions have been
made:
1. Processed probiotic foods are
a solution to treat the children
suffering from malnutrition
due to immature gut bacteria
composition.
2. The babies of malnourished
mothers generally tend to be’
malnourished.
Which of the above assumptions is/
are valid?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2
Passage - 2
Genome editing is different from genome
modification. Genome editing typically
involves finding the part of a plant genome
that could be changed to render it less
vulnerable to disease, or resistant to certain
herbicides, or to increase yields. Researchers
use ‘molecular scissors’ to dissects the
genome and repair it, which is a process
that occurs naturally when plants are under
attack from diseases and can throw up new
mutations that enable the plant to survive
future attacks. This evolutionary process
can effectively be speeded up now that it is
possible to examine plant genome in detail
in laboratories, and create mechanisms
through which the relevant genes can be
altered very precisely.
2. With reference to the above passage,
the following assumptions have been
made:
1. Genome editing does not require
the transfer of genes from one
plant to another.
2. Through genome editing, the
chosen genes can be altered
precisely in a manner akin to the
natural process that helps plants
to adapt to the environmental
factors.
Which of the above assumptions is/
are valid?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Looking at a portrait of a man, Harsh
said, “His mother is the wife of my
father’s son. And I have no brothers
and sisters”. Whose portrait was Harsh
looking?
(a) His son
(b) His cousin
(c) His uncle
(d) His nephew
4. If 10n divides 6^23 × 75^9 × 105^2, Directions for the following 2 (two) items :
then what is the largest value of n? Each of the following questions is based in the
(a) 20 following information:
(b) 22 1. A @ B means A is the daughter of B
(c) 23
2. A & B means A is the father of B
(d) 28
3. A $ B means A is the brother of B
5. What is the largest value for n (natural
number) such that 6n divides the 4. A # B means A is the husband of B
product of the first 100 natural
9. Consider the following : S@I, R&Q,
numbers?
P$Q, Q#L, R#S
(a) 18
Which one of the following statements
(c) 44
cannot be definitely true?
(b) 33
(a) P is the brother of Q
(d) 48
6. If the number 22 × 54 × 46 × 108 × 610 × (b) L is the daughter-in-law of R
1512 × 814 × 2016 × 1018 × 2520 is (c) I is the mother of S
divisible by 10n, then which one of the
(d) R is the son-of-law of I
following is the maximum value of n?
(a) 78 10. Consider the following Question and
(b) 85
statements:
(c) 89
(d) 98 Question : How was P related to S ?

7. x3 + x2 + 16 is exactly divisible by x, Statement 1 : R&Q

where x is a positive integer. The Statement 2 : R#S
number of all such possible values of x
is Statement 3 : S@I
(a) 3 Statement 4 : P$Q
(b) 4 Which of the following statements is/
(c) 5 are correct?
(d) 6
(a) Statement 1 and Statement 2
8. Let d(n) denote the number of positive alone are sufficient to answer the
divisors of a positive integer n. Which
question.
of the following are correct?
1. d(5) = d(11) (b) Statement 2, Statement 3 and
Statement 4 alone are sufficient
2. d(5) × d(11) = d(55)
to answer the question.
3. d(5) + d(11) = d(16)
Select the correct answer using the (c) Statement 1, Statement 2 and
code given below: Statement 4 alone are sufficient
(a) 1 and 3 only to answer the question.
(b) 1 and 2 only (d) All statements are required to
(c) 2 and 3 only answer the question.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
3
Directions for the following 3 (three) items :
Read the following three passages and
answer the items that follow the passages.
Your answers to these items should be based
on the passages only.
Passage - 1
The pulse variety ‘Pusa Arhar 16’ has
the potential to be grown in the paddy-
growing regions of Punjab, Haryana and
Uttar Pradesh and eventually in all of India.
It’s yield (about 2000 kg/hectare) will be
significantly greater than those of the existing
varieties and because its size will be uniform,
it will be amenable to mechanical harvesting,
an attractive feature for farmers in northern
India who currently use this technology for
paddy. Most important, Arhar straw, unlike
paddy straw, is green and can be ploughed
back into the soil. In paddy straw, the
problem is the high silica content, which
does not allow for easy decomposition. In the
case or Arhar, the farmer, even after combine
harvesting, just needs to run a rotovator to
cut the leftover straw into pieces, which can
be ploughed back and will decompose very
fast. All this is difficult with leftover paddy
stalks that cannot be easily salvaged or
ploughed back. Farmers, therefore, choose
the easiest option of simply burning it.
11. Which of the following are the most
rational inferences that can be made
from the passage?
1. ‘Farmers’ income will be higher
with pulse cultivation than with
paddy cultivation.
2. Pulse cultivation causes less
pollution as compared to paddy
cultivation.
3. Pulse straw can be used to
improved soil quality.
5. Mechanized agriculture is the
main cause for stubble burning.
Select the correct answer using
the code given below.
(a) 2, 3 and 5
(b) 1, 4 and 5
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 4 only
Passage - 2
In India, the current focus on the right
to privacy is based on some new realities
of the digital age. A right is a substantive
right only if it works in all situations, and
for everyone. A right to free expression for an
induvial about her exploitation, for instance,
is meaningless without actual availability of
security that guarantees that private force
cannot be used to thwart this right. The role
of the State, therefore, is not just to abstain
from preventing rightful free expression, but
also to actively ensure that private parties
are not able to block it.
12. On the basis of the above passage,
the following assumptions have been
made:
1. Stateshouldhavesomeinstitutions
to ensure its appropriate role in a
digital society.
2. State should ensure that private
parties do not violate the citizens’
right to privacy.
3. Digital economy is not compatible
with the idea of not violating the
citizens’ privacy.
Which of the above assumptions is/
are valid?
(a) 1 and 2

4. In the context of northern Indian (b) 3 only

agriculture, paddy straw has no (c) 1 and 3
usefulness. (d) 2 only
4
 Passage - 3 (a) 65
Spanish ships in the late 16th century first (b) 55
brought the potato tuber from South America (c) 50
to Europe whereby in the early 19th century, (d) 45
it had become a reliable backup to cereal
crops, particularly in the cold, rain-soaked 16. The sum of three prime numbers is
soils of Ireland. The Irish was soon almost 100. If one of them exceeds another by
wholly dependent on the potato as their 36, then one of the numbers is
staple food. And they were planting primarily
(a) 17
one prodigious variety, the ‘Lumper’ potato,
whose genetic frailty would be cruelly exposed (b) 29
by the fungus ‘Phytophthora infestans’. In (c) 43
1845, spores of the deadly fungus began (d) None of the above
spreading across the country, destroying
nearly all the Lumpers in its path. The 17. The inequality 3N > N3 holds when
resulting famine killed or displaced millions. (a) N is any natural number

13. Which one of the following statements (b) N is a natural number greater
best reflects the critical message of than 2
the passage? (c) N is a natural number greater
(a) For introducing any foreign plant than 3
into a country, the soil and climate
d) N is a natural number except 3
conditions of that country should
be suitable. 18. What is the remainder when 27^27 –
(b) As a staple food of a country, tuber 15^27 is divided by 6?
crops like potato cannot replace
(a) 0
cereal crops.
(b) 1
(c) Some of the fungal infections of
plants cannot be prevented or (c) 3
stopped from spreading across (d) 4
large areas.
19. What is the remainder when (17^29 +
(d) Relying on a homogeneous food
19^29) is divided by 18?
source is not desirable
(a) 6
14. The expression 52n – 23n always has
which one of the following factors for (b) 2
any positive value of n? (c) 1
(a) 3
(d) 0
(b) 7
(c) 17 20. Which one of the following is the
(d) None of the above remainder when 1020 is divided by 7?

15. What is the largest value of n such that (a) 1

10n is divides the product (b) 2
2^5 × 3^3 × 4^8 × 5^3 × 6^7 × 7^6 × (c) 4
8^12 × 9^9 × 10^6 × 15^12 × 20^14 ×
22^11 × 25^15 ? (d) 6

5
Directions for the following 3 (three) items :
Read the following three passages and
answer the items that follow the passages.
Your answers to these items should be based
on the passages only.
Passage - 1
I am a scientist, privileged to be somebody
who tries to understand nature using the
tools of science. But it is also clear that there
are some really important questions that
science cannot really answer, such as: Why
is there something instead of nothing? Why
are we here? In those domains, I have found
that faith provides a better path to answers.
I find it oddly anachronistic that in today’s
culture there seems to be a widespread
presumption that scientific and spiritual
views are incompatible.
21. Which of the following is the most
logical and rational inference that
can be made from the above passage?
(a) It is the faith and not science that
can finally solve all the problems
of mankind.
(b) Science and faith can be mutually
complementary if their proper
domains are understood.
(c) There are some very fundamental
questions which cannot be
answered by either science or
faith.
(d) In today’s culture, scientific views
are given more importance than
spiritual views.
Passage - 2
Education plays a great transformatory
role in life, particularly so in this rapidly
changing and globalizing world. Universities
are the custodians of the intellectual capital
and promoters of culture and specialized
knowledge. Culture is an activity of thought,
and receptiveness to beauty and human
feelings. A merely well-informed man is
only a bore on God’s earth. What we should
aim at is producing men who possess both
6
culture and expert knowledge. Their expert
knowledge will give them a firm ground to
start from and their culture will lead them
as deep as philosophy and as high as art.
Together it will impart meaning to human
existence.
22. On the basis of the above passage,
the following assumptions have been
made:
1. A society without well educated
people cannot be transformed into
a modern society.
2. Without acquiring culture,
a person’s education is not
complete.
Which of the above assumptions is/
are valid?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Passage - 3
Some people believe that leadership is a
quality which you have at birth or not at all.
This theory is false, for the art of leadership
can be acquired and can indeed be taught.
This discovery is made in time of war and
the results achieved can surprise even the
instructors. Faced with the alternatives of
going left or right, every soldier soon grasps
that a prompt decision either way is better
than an endless discussion. A firm choice for
direction has an even chance of being right
while to do nothing will be almost certainly
wrong.
23. The author of the passage holds the
view that
(a) leadership can be taught through
war experience only
(b) leadership can be acquired as well
as taught
(c) the results of training show that
more people acquire leadership
than are expected
(d) despite rigorous instruction, very
few leaders are produced
Read the following passage and answer 28. A test consists of 25 MCQs. Each
(Two) Items that follow: correct answer gives +4 marks and
Mohan is the son of Arun‘s father‘s sister. incorrect answers gives –1 mark. If a
Prakash is son of Reva who is grandmother candidate scores 74 marks, then how
of Arun. Neela is the sister of Vikash. Pranab many questions were left unattempted?
is father of Neela and grandfather of Mohan. (a) 4
Reva is the wife of Pranab. (b) 3
24. How is Vikas related to Mohan? (c) 5
(a) Nephew (d) 9
(b) Maternal Uncle 29. If the number 23P62971335 is divisible
(c) Father by the smallest odd composite number,
(d) Uncle then what is the value of P?
(a) 4
25. Consider the following statements:
(b) 5
1. There are two married couples in
(c) 6
the family.
(d) 7
2. There are three generations in the
family. 30. What is the remainder when the sum
1^5 + 2^5 + 3^5 + 4^5 + 5^5 is divided
3. Arun is the brother of Mohan.
by 4 ?
4. Neela is the sister of Prakash.
(a) 0
Which of the following statements is/
(b) 1
are incorrect?
(c) 2
(a) 1 and 2 only
(d) 3
(b) 3 and 4 only
Directions for the following 3 (three) items :
(c) 2 and 3 only
Read the following three passages and
(d) 1 and 4 only answer the items that follow the passages.
Your answers to these items should be based
26. The number 3^521 is divided by 8.
on the passages only.
What is the remainder?
(a) 1 Passage - 1
(b) 3 Most invasive species are neither terribly
(c) 7 successful nor very harmful. Britain’s
invasive plants are not widespread, not
(d) 9
spreading especially quickly, and often less
27. Let x be the smallest positive integer of a nuisance than vigorous natives such
such that when 14 divides x, the as bracken. The arrival of new species almost
remainder is 7; and when 15 divides
always increases biological diversity in a
x, the remainder is 5. Which one of the
region; in many cases, a flood of newcomers
following is correct?
drives no native species to extinction. One
(a) 20 < x < 30
reason is that invaders tend to colonise
(b) 30 < x < 40
disturbed habitats like polluted lakes and
(c) 40 < x < 50
post- industrial wasteland, where little else
(d) x > 50
lives. They are nature’s opportunists.
7
31. Which one of the following is the most (d) To be a better citizen, the present
logical and rational inference that world order demands societal and
can be made from the above passage? life-coping skills in addition to
(a) Invasive species should be used academic content.
to rehabilitate desert areas and
Passage - 3
wastelands of a country.
(b) Laws against the introduction of The man who is perpetually hesitating
foreign plants are unnecessary. which of the two things he will do first,
(c) Sometimes, the campaigns against will do neither. The man who resolves, but
foreign plants are pointless. suffers his resolution to be changed by the
(d) Foreign plants should be used first counter Suggestion of a friend—who
to increase the biodiversity of a fluctuates from opinion to opinion and veers
country. from plan to plan-can never accomplish
Passage - 2 anything. He will at best be stationary and
probably retrograde in all. It is only the man
In our schools, we teach our children all
that is there to know about Physics, maths who first consults wisely, then resolves firmly
and history and what-have you. But do we and then executes his purpose with inflexible
teach them about the bitter caste divide that perseverance, undismayed by those petty
plagues the country, about the spectre of difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit—that
famine that stalks large part of our land, about can advance to eminence in any line.
gender sensitivity, about the possibility of
33. The keynote that seems to be emerging
atheism as a choice, etc.? Equally important,
from the passage is that
do we teach them to ask question, or do we
(a) we should first consult wisely and
teach them only to passively receive our
then resolve firmly
wisdom? From the cocooned world of school,
suddenly, the adolescent finds himself/ (b) we should reject suggestions of
herself in the unfettered world of university. friends and remain unchanged
Here he/she is swept up in a turmoil of ideas (c) we should always remain broad-
and influences and ideologies. For someone minded
who has been discouraged from asking (d) we should be resolute and
questions and forming an opinion, this achievement-oriented
transition can be painful.
34. What is the remainder after dividing
32. Which one of the following best reflects the number 371000 by 9?
the central idea of the passage given
(a) 1
above?
(a) School curriculum is not (b) 3
compatible with the expectations (c) 7
of children and parents. (d) 9
(b) Emphasis on academic
achievements does give time for 35. The remainder when 40 + 41 + 42 + 43 +
development of personality and ........ 440 is divided by 7 is
skills. (a) 4
(c) Preparing the children to be (b) 5
better citizens should be the
(c) 6
responsibility of the education
system. (d) 1
8
36. If n is any natural number, then 40. Consider the following statements:
52n – 1 is always divisible by how many 1. n³ – n is divisible by 6.
natural numbers?
2. n5 – n is divisible by 5.
(a) One 3. n5 – 5n3 + 4n is divisible by 120.
(b) Four Which of the statements given above
(c) Six are correct?
(d) Eight (a) 1 and 2 only

37. When (1!)^1! + (2!)^2! +(3!)^3! + … (b) 2 and 3 only

+ (100!)^100! is divided by 10, the (c) 1 and 3 only
remainder obtained is: (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 2
Directions for the following 3 (three) items :
(b) 7
Read the following three passages and
(c) 3 answer the items that follow the passages.
(d) None of these Your answers to these items should be based
on the passages only.
38. Question: Is (p² + q² + q) odd number,
where p, q are positive integers? Passage - 1
Statement I: 2p + q is odd. As we look to 2050, when we will need to
Statement II: q - 2p is odd. feed two billion more people, the question of
Choose the correct answer? which diet is best has taken on new urgency.
The foods we choose to eat in the coming
(a) Choose this option if the Question
decades will have dramatic ramifications for
can be answered by one of the
the planet. Simply put, a diet that revolves
Statements alone but not by the around meat and dairy a way of eating that
other. is on the rise throughout the developing
(b) Choose this option if the Question world, will take a greater toll on the world’s
can be answered by either resources than one that revolves around
Statement alone. unrefined grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

(c) Choose this option if the Question 41. What is the critical message conveyed
can be answered by using both by the above passage?
the Statements together, but (a) Our increasing demand for foods
cannot be answered by using sourced from animals puts a
either Statement alone. greater burden on our natural
(d) Choose this option if the Question resources
cannot be answered even by using (b) Diets based on grains, nuts, fruits
both Statements together. and vegetables are best suited for
health in developing countries
39. What is the last digit of the sum
(c) Human beings change their
927 + 279.
food habits from time to time
(a) 3
irrespective of the health concerns
(b) 6
(d) From a global perspective, we still
(c) 7 do not know which type of diet is
(d) 9 best for us

9
 Passage - 2 (a) 3
The very first lesson that should be taught (b) 1
to us when we are old enough to understand (c) 4
it, is that complete freedom from the
(d) 2
obligation to work is unnatural, and ought
to be illegal, as we can escape our share of 45. The number 9730 – 1430 is divisible by?
the burden of work only by throwing it on
(a) 37 but not 83
someone else’s shoulders. Nature ordains
that the human race shall perish of famine (b) 83 but not 37
if it stops working. We cannot escape from (c) Both 37 & 83
this tyranny. The question we have to settle
is how much leisure we can afford to allow (d) Neither 37 nor 83
ourselves. 46. Consider the question and two
42. The main idea of the passage is that statements given below:
(a) it is essential for human beings to A 2-digit number is added to the
work number formed by reversing the digits
(b) there should be a balance between of the 2-digit number.
work and leisure
Question: What is the 2-digit number?
(c) working is a tyranny which we to
face Statement-1: The sum is divisible by 9.
(d) human’s understanding of the Statement-2: The sum is divisible by 2.
nature of work is essential Which one of the following is correct
Passage - 3 in respect of the question and the
statements?
Really I think that the poorest he that is
in England has a life to live, as the greatest (a) Statement-1 alone is sufficient to
he, and therefore truly, I think it is clear that answer the question
every man that is to live under a government (b) Statement-2 alone is sufficient
ought first by his own consent to put himself answer the question
under the government, and I do think that (c) Both Statement-1 and
the poorest man in England is not at all
Statement-2 are sufficient to
bound in a strict sense to that government
answer the question
that he has not had a voice to put himself
under. (d) Both Statement-1 and Statement-2
are not sufficient to answer the
43. The above statement argues for
(a) distribution of wealth equally to question
all 47. The sum of the digits of a two digit
(b) rule according to the consent of number is 13 and the difference
the governed
between the number and that formed
(c) rule of the poor
by reversing the digits is 27. What is
(d) expropriation of the rich
the product of the digits of the number?
44. Identify the figure that completes the
(a) 35
pattern.
(b) 40
(c) 45
(d) 54
10
48. If the number 413283S759387 is talk about, but if we want to eradicate the
divisible by 13, then what is the value practice of open defection, they have to be
of S ? confronted and dealt properly.
(a) 3 51. Which among the following is the most
(b) 6 crucial message conveyed by the
(c) 7 above passage?
(d) 8 (a) The ideas of purity and pollution
are so deep-rooted that they
49. What is the remainder when 2^(1000 x
cannot be removed from the minds
1000) is divided by 7?
of the people.
(a) 1 (b) People have to perceive toilet use
(b) 2 and pit-emptying as clean and not
(c) 4 polluting.
(d) 6 (c) People cannot change their old
habits.
50. A, B, C, D, E, F and G are members
(d) People have neither civic sense
of a family consisting of 2 couples and
3 children, There are only 2 males. A nor sense of privacy.
and D are brothers and A is a doctor. Passage - 2
E is an engineer married to one of the By killing transparency and competition,
brothers and has two children. B is crony capitalism is harmful to free enterprise,
married to D who is the lawyer and G opportunity and economic growth. Crony
is their child. Consider the following
capitalism, where rich and the influential
statement:
are alleged to have received land and natural
1. C is a cousin of G. resources and various licences in return for
2. Engineer is sister in law of Lawyer. payoffs to venal politicians, is now a major
3. F’s father is a doctor. issue to be tackled. One of the greatest
4. F is the niece of a Lawyer. dangers to growth of developing economies
Which of the following statements is/ like India is the middle-income trap where
are correct? crony capitalism creates oligarchies that
(a) 1 and 2 only slow down the growth.
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only 52. Which among the following is the
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only most logical corollary to the above
passage?
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(a) Launching more welfare schemes
Directions for the following 3 (three) items :
and allocating more finances for
Read the following three passages and
the current schemes are urgently
answer the items that follow the passages. needed
Your answers to these items should be based
(b) Efforts should be made to push up
on the passages only.
economic growth by other means
Passage - 1 and provide licences to the poor
Why do people prefer open defecation and (c) Greater transparency in the
not want toilets or, if they have them, only functioning of the government and
use them sometimes? Recent research has promoting the financial inclusion
shown two critical elements: ideas of purity are needed at present
and pollutions, and not wanting pits or septic (d) We should concentrate more on
tanks to fill because they have to be emptied. developing manufacturing sector
These are the issue that nobody wants to than service sector
11
 Passage - 3 (a) 1
Scientific knowledge has its dangers, but (b) 3
so has every great thing. Over and beyond the (c) 5
dangers with which it threatens the present, (d) cannot be determined
it opens up as nothing else can, the vision
of a possible happy world; a world without 57. What is the remainder when 6599 is
poverty, without war, with little illness. divided by 11?
Science, whatever unpleasant consequences (a) 0
it may have by the way, is in its very nature (b) 5
a liberator. (c) 9
53. Which one of the following is the most (d) 10
important implication of the passage?
(a) A happy world is a dream of 58. Suppose the nth term of a series is
science. 1 + n/2 + n2/2. If there are 20 terms in
(b) Science only can build a happy the series, then the sum of the series
world, but it is also the only major is equal to
threat. (a) 1360
(c) A happy world is not possible (b) 1450
without science. (c) 1500
(d) A happy world is not at all possible (d) 1560
with or without science.
59. There is a 6 digit number formed by
54. Find the remainder when the number
ABC × DEED = ABCABC, where A, B,
is formed by writing 9 for 100 times is
divided by 13 ? C, D and E are different digits. Consider
the following statements.
(a) 0
(b) 1 1. A, B and C must be a natural
number.
(c) 2
(d) 6 2. The value of D is 1 only and the
Value of E is 0 only.
55. Consider the following statements :
3. The product value ABCABC will
1. The sum of the cubes of three
always be divisible by 7, 11 and
consecutive natural numbers is
divisible by 9. 13.
2. Every even power of every odd Which of the statements given above
number (> 1) when divided by 8 are correct?
gives 1 as remainder. (a) 1 and 2 only
Which of the above statements is/are (b) 2 and 3 only
correct? (c) 1 and only
(a) 1 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 only
60. Pointing to a man, a lady said “His
(c) Both 1 and 2
mother is the only daughter of my
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
mother” How was the man related to
56. There are two natural numbers x and y, that lady ?
where x > y. When x is divided by 6, it
(a) Mother
leaves the remainder 2 and; when y is
divided by 6, it leaves the remainder 3. (b) Husband
What is the remainder when (x – y) is (c) Brother
divided by 6? (d) Son
12
Directions for the following 4 (four) items :
Read the following four passages and
answer the items that follow the passages.
Your answers to these items should be based
on the passages only.
Passage - 1
We live in digital times. The digital is
not just something we use strategically
and specifically to do a few tasks. Our very
perception of who we are, how we connect
to the world around us, and the ways in
which we define our domains of life, labour
and language are hugely structured by the
digital technologies. The digital is everywhere
and; like air, invisible. We live within digital
systems, we live with intimate gadgets, we
interact through digital media, and the very
presence and imagination of the digital has
dramatically restructured our lives. The
digital, far from being a tool, is a condition
and context that defines the shapes and
boundaries of our understanding of the self,
the society, and the structure of governance.
61. Which among the following is the
most logical and essential message
conveyed by the above passage?
(a) All problems of governance
can be solved by using digital
technologies.
(b) Speaking of digital technologies is
speaking of our life and living.
(c) Our creativity and imagination
cannot be expressed without
digital media.
(d) Use of digital systems is imperative
for the existence of mankind in
future.
Passage - 2
An increase in human-made carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere could initiate a chain
reaction between plants and microorganisms
that would unsettle one of the largest carbon
reservoirs on the planet–soil. In a study, it
was found that the soil, which contains twice
the amount of carbon present in all plants
and Earth’s atmosphere combined, could
become increasingly volatile as people add
more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
13
This is largely because of increased plant
growth. Although a greenhouse gas and
a pollutant, carbon dioxide also supports
plant growth. As trees and other vegetation
flourish in a carbon dioxide-rich future,
their roots could stimulate microbial activity
in soil that may in turn accelerate the
decomposition of soil carbon and its release
into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
62. Which among the following is the most
logical corollary to the above passage?
(a) Carbon dioxide is essential for the
survival of microorganisms and
plants
(b) Humans are solely responsible for
the release of carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere
(c) Microorganisms and soil carbon
are mainly responsible for the
increased plant growth
(d) Increasing green cover could
trigger the release of carbon
trapped in soil
Passage - 3
The Arctic’s vast reserves of fossil fuel, fish
and minerals are now accessible for a longer
period in a year. But unlike Antarctica,
which is protected from exploitation by the
Antarctic Treaty framed during the Cold War
and is not subject to territorial claims by any
country, there is no legal regime protecting
the Arctic from industrialization, especially
at a time when the world craves for more
and more resources. The distinct possibility
of ice-free summer has prompted countries
with Arctic coastline to scramble for great
chunks of the melting ocean.
63. Which one of the following is the most
important implication of the passage?
(a) India can have territorial claims in
the Arctic territory and free access
to its resources.
(b) Melting of summer ice in the Arctic
leads to changes in the geopolitics.
(c) The Arctic region will solve the
world’s future problem of resource
crunch.
(d) The Arctic region has more
resources than Antarctica.
 Passage - 4 (a) N is brother of B

In India, over the last decade or so, labour (b) N is sister of M

has been departing agriculture, but is only (c) D is brother of N
going to construction and unregistered (d) M is brother of B
manufacturing which are not markedly
67. If 5472 = 9, 6342 = 6 and 7584 = 6,
better jobs. Services, where labour tends to
then what is 9236 ?
be most productive, are not generating the
(a) 2
additional jobs the country needs. India
(b) 3
will need 24 million or so jobs over the next
(c) 4
decade. The new sector, e-commerce, can at
best close only half the jobs gap. Only those (d) 5
sectors that drive domestic demand such as 68. Which of the answer figures is exactly
health and education can comfortably fill the the mirror image of the given question
other half. figure when the mirror is held at XY?

64. Which one of the following is best

implied in the passage?
(a) Strong measures need to be taken
to reduce the rural to urban
migration of labour.
(b) The working condition in
construction and unregistered
manufacturing needs to be
(a) 3
improved.
(b) 2
(c) Service sector has been reducing (c) 1
the problem of unemployment.
(d) 4
(d) Increased social sector spending
69. A party consisted of a man, his wife,
is imperative for large-scale job
his three sons and their wives and
creation.
three children in each son’s family.
65. How many pairs of natural numbers How many were there at the party?
are there such that the difference of (a) 20
their squares is 35 ? (b) 22
(a) 1 (c) 17
(b) 2 (d) 18
(c) 3 70. Find the number of trailing zeros in the
(d) 4 factorial value of 72!

66. If M is the brother of N, B is the sister (a) 17

of N and M is brother of D, then which (b) 9
one of the following statements is (c) 8
definitely true ? (d) 16
14
Directions for the following 4 (four) items : Some liquid biofuels such as corn-based
Read the following two passages and answer ethanol, mainly for transport, may aggravate
the items that follow the passages. Your rather than ameliorate carbon emissions
answers to these items should be based on on a life-cycle basis. Second generation
the passages only. biofuels, based on ligno-cellulosic feedstocks
– such as straw, bagasse, grass and wood –
Passage - 1
hold the promise of sustainable production
Biomass as fuel for power, heat, and that is high-yielding and emit low levels of
transport has the highest mitigation greenhouse gases, but these are still in the
potential of all renewable sources. It comes R & D stage.
from agriculture and forest residues as well
71. What is/are the present constraint/
as from energy crops. The biggest challenge constraints in using biomass as fuel
in using biomass residues is a long-term for power generation?
reliable supply delivered to the power plant 1. Lack of sustainable supply of
at reasonable costs; the key problems are biomass
logistical constraints and the costs of fuel 2. Biomass production competes
collection. Energy crops, if not managed with food production
properly, compete with food production and 3. Bio-energy may not always be low
may have undesirable impacts on food prices. carbon on a life- cycle basis
Biomass production is also sensitive to the Select the correct answer using the
physical impacts of a changing climate. code given below:
Projections of the future role of biomass (a) 1 and 2 only
are probably overestimated, given the limits (b) 3 only
to the sustainable biomass supply, unless (c) 2 and 3 only
breakthrough technologies substantially (d) 1, 2 and 3
increase productivity. Climate -energy
models project that biomass use could 72. Which of the following can lead to food
security problem?
increase nearly four-fold to around 150
1. Using agricultural and forest
– 200 exajoules, almost a quarter of world
residues as feedstock for power
primary energy in 2050. However the
generation
maximum sustainable technical potential
2. Using biomass for carbon capture
of biomass resources (both residues and
and storage
energy crops) without disruption of food
3. Promoting the cultivation of
and forest resources ranges from 80 – 170
energy crops
exajoules a year by 2050, and only part of
this is realistically and economically feasible. Select the correct answer using the
In addition, some climate models rely on code given below:
biomass-based carbon capture and storage, (a) 1 and 2 only
an unproven technology, to achieve negative (b) 3 only
emissions and to buy some time during the (c) 2 and 3 only
first half of the century. (d) 1, 2 and 3

15
73. In the context of using biomass, (c) he is not interested in the history
which of the following is/ are the of India
characteristic/characteristics of the (d) they obstruct her physical and
sustainable production of biofuel?
spiritual growth
1. Biomass as a fuel for power
75. There is a family of 6 persons A, B, C, D,
generation could meet all the
E and F. There are two married couples
primary energy requirements of
in the family. The family members are
the world by 2050
lawyer, teacher, salesman, engineer,
2. Biomass as a fuel for power accountant and doctor. D, the salesman
generation does not necessarily is married to the lady teacher. The
disrupt food and forest resources doctor is married to the lawyer. F, the
3. Biomass as a fuel for power accountant is the son of B and brother
of E. C, the lawyer is the daughter-in-
generation could help in achieving
law of A. E is the unmarried engineer.
negative emissions, given certain
A is the grandmother of F. How is E
nascent technologies
related to F?
Select the correct answer using the
(a) Brother
code given below:
(b) Sister
(a) 1 and 2 only
(c) Father
(b) 3 only (d) Cannot be determined
(c) 2 and 3 only
76. A number 277XY5 (where X, Y are
(d) 1, 2 and 3 digits) is divisible by 25.
Passage - 2 Question : What is the value of X?
Statement I : The given number is
Though I have discarded much of past
divisible by 9.
tradition and custom, and am anxious that
Statement II : X > 5.
India should rid herself of all shackles that
bind and contain her and divide her people, Which of the above statements is/are
correct?
and suppress vast numbers of them, and
prevent the free development of the body (a) Choose this option if the Question
and the spirit; though I seek all this, yet can be answered by one of the
I do not wish to cut myself off from that Statements alone but not by the
other.
past completely. I am proud of that great
inheritance that has been and is, ours and I (b) Choose this option if the Question
am conscious that I too, like all of us, am a can be answered by either
link in that unbroken chain which goes back Statement alone.
to the dawn of history in the immemorial (c) Choose this option if the Question
past of India. can be answered by using both
the Statements together, but
74. The author wants India to rid herself of cannot be answered by using
certain past bonds because either Statement alone.
(a) he is not able to see the relevance (d) Choose this option if the Question
of the past cannot be answered even by using
(b) there is not much to be proud of both Statements together.

16
77. Three generous friends, each with
some money, redistribute the money as
follows: Sandra gives enough money to
David and Mary to double the amount
of money each has. David then gives
enough to Sandra and Mary to double
their amounts. Finally, Mary gives
enough to Sandra and David to double
their amounts. If Mary had 11 rupees
at the beginning and 17 rupees at the
end, what is the total amount that all
three friends have?
(a) 105
(b) 60
(c) 88
(d) 71

78. What is the smallest number which

when divided by 10, 12 and 15 leaves a
remainder of 6, 8 and 11, respectively?
(a) 54
(b) 44
(c) 55
(d) 56

79. If a number N is divided by 96 the

remainder obtained is 41. What is the
remainder when the same number is
divided by 16.
(a) 12
(b) 13
(c) 9
(d) 6

80. If $ means ‘divided by’; @ means

‘multiplied by’; # means ‘minus’, then
the value of 20#24$3@2#2 is?
(a) 0
(b) 1
(c) 2
(d) 3

17