IASNOVA
We have picked few questions from 2018 and 2017 Prelims papers and given explanations about how to make an intellectual guess.
Q- Consider the following statements:
Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables-
1.Individuals of a country to accumulate more capital.
2.Increasing the knowledge, skill levels and capacities of the people of the country.
3.Accumulation of tangible wealth.
4.Accumulation of intangible wealth.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: C
Explanation-
Generally,every one knows that human capital means developed and skilled human resources.Its the ability imbibed by the population of a country.
Going by this definition, the first statement is wrong,as it simply means accumulation of money rather than skilling of Humans.That capital accumulation may not be a product of skilled human resource.For example,capital accumulation by selling immovable property.
Second statement is simply a part of the definition of human capital.
Third statement is similar to first statement. A person may sell an agricultural land and buy a flat in a city.There is no role of human capital.Nor does it imply skilling of humans.
Fourth statement means acquiring imatngible wealth,wealth which cannot be seen,it includes skill set,knowledge about software,traditional medcinies.It involves a learning process and hence leads to skilling of human I e Human Capital is formed.
So statements 2 and 4 are correct.
Q-With reference to the circumstances in Indian agriculture, the concept of “Conservation Agriculture” assumes significance” Which of the following fall under the Conservation Agriculture?
1.Avoiding the monoculture practices
2.Adopting minimum tillage
3.Avoiding the cultivation of plantation crops
4.Using crop residues to cover soil surface
5.Adopting spatial and temporal crop sequencing/crop rotations
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5
Answer: C
Explanation-
Let’s solve it by elimination method-
Statement 2, 4 and 5 are correct as per general wisdom,basic NCERT textbooks and common sense.
Now only options B and C contain 2,4 and 5 together.
If there is any scope of confusion,it is due to statement 1 because monoculture practices are not considered good agricultural practices.
But no option contains statements 1,2,4,5 together.
Coming back to options B and C-
B statement speaks of avoiding plantation crops.”Conservation agriculture” is an over arching term and it includes all types of crops. If plantation crops don’t fall under the ambit of conservation agriculture,the purpose of conservation agriculture will be defeated as many areas in the world are under plantation crops cultivation.
Therefore,logically,only option C should be correct.
Q- With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements
1.It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2.It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3.It aims to align the competencies of the un-regulated workforce of the count, to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Explanation-
Kaushal Vikas means skill development.There is a separate ministry for skill development,so there is no sense in placing it under Labour ministry.
Statements 2 and 3 are obvious interpretations of skill development.
Regulated work force is generally imparted skills by the hiring body.
Un regulated work force ,after acquiring skills may enter regulated workforce.
Q- Consider the following statements:
1.Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters.
2.More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
3.Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation-
Statement 1 speaks about tropical waters and statement 2 gives examples of tropical waters such as Indonesia and Philippines.
So,either both 1 and 2 will be correct or both will be wrong.
So any option which includes both 1 and 2 will be correct or any option which doesn’t include both 1 and 2.
Statement C contains -1 and 3.As we said earlier,the correct option should include either both 1 and 2 or neither 1 and 2.So option C is wrong.
Statement 3 validity can be marked correctly only by those who have read about Coral biodiversity being richer than tropical forests.
Q-Consider the following:
1.Areca nut
2.Barley
3.Coffee
4.Finger millet
5.Groundnut
6.Sesamum
7.Turmeric
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has announced the Minimum Support Price for which of the above?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 7 only
(b) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7
Answer: B
Explanation-
Commodities such as coffee are kept out of the MSP purview mainly because they are considered a cash crop and are largely exported.
Coffee is point no 3.
Only B option does not include 3.Rest all include coffee.By elimination method,one can easily mark the correct answer as B even if he/she is not aware about other crops.
Q-Which of the following statements best describes “carbon fertilization”?
(a) Increased plant growth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(b) Increased temperature of Earth due to increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(c) Increased acidity of oceans as a result of increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
(d) Adaptation of all living beings on Earth to the climate change brought about by. The increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Answer – A
Explanation-
The word fertilisation itself means a process leading to production / reproduction.
Going by its literal meaning,only option A should be correct.
Q-With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct?
1.UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
2.Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
3.UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 only
Solution: B
Explanation-
In this question statements 1 and 3 are easy to decipher that they are correct.
In statement 2,the word “only” makes it an extreme statement,so in a case we had to make a guess,we would consider it wrong.
Now,let us make clear that we are not saying that such statements will be always wrong.It may depend on the particular question.We are suggesting to be careful with statements with words which denote extremity such as “only” in this case.
Use your own wisdom in such statements.
Q-Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991?
1.Share of agriculture in GDP increased enormously.
2.Share of India’s exports in world trade increased.
3.FDI inflows increased.
4.India’s foreign exchange reserves increased enormously.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution: B
In this question,the last statement is correct despite having word “enormously” which denotes extremity.We have put this here to show that extremities may not be always wrong statements.In our analysis,we found that generally extreme statements are wrong,not always.So personal wisdom has also to be used depending on the question.
Note-
The above questions and explanations are just to show that some questions can be approached correctly by using logic,common sense and related knowledge.Its equally true that a very factual paper has less scope for intellectual guessing. Still there are some questions which can be solved by elimination methods even in a factual paper like last year’s.
In economics,many questions can be answered correctly by approaching them through basic definitions of the terms used in the question.
Don’t get tensed after seeing few tough questions.May be you get some of them right by applying logic during those 2 hours.Those 2 hours are very crucial.You should try to recall all related information and try to get the correct answer.But don’t waste too much time in answering a single question.We have uploaded this article as a guide to show how intellectual guess is done.Intellectual guess is result of related information about the topic.
We would like to add that don’t take the methods explained above as thumb rule,because everything depends totally on the particular question.The way to make an intellectual guess or use elimination method will differ from question to question,so use your own wisdom while solving the questions .Don’t let intellectual guess over ride your knowledge.It means ,that if you are sure about a particular statement,don’t mark it wrong due to preconceived notions,for example,the notion that extreme statements are generally wrong.It is quite obvious that no one will do so,but we are making it clear for benefit of aspirants.
