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Trap Type Practice

Common Misconception

UPSC exploits widespread but incorrect beliefs. The trap option sounds right because most textbooks oversimplify the topic, but the precise answer requires deeper understanding.

280
Questions
11
Years
7
Subjects
25%
of All PYQs

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Economics
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56
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39
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36
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9

Practice Common Misconception Questions

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Sample Questions (2025)

2025 Q3Science & Tech
In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements : I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Graphite is used in battery anodes, not cathodes. Candidates who know all four are 'battery materials' but don't distinguish cathode vs anode will pick (d) All four.
2025 Q4Environment
Consider the following : I. Cigarette butts II. Eyeglass lenses III. Car tyres How many of them contain plastic?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Many candidates don't realise cigarette butts (cellulose acetate filters) and car tyres (synthetic rubber/polymers) contain plastic. They may think only eyeglass lenses are plastic, picking (a).
2025 Q16Environment
With reference to 'Direct Air Capture', an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration. II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing. III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) I and II only
(b) III only
(c) I, II and III
(d) None of the above statements is correct
Answer: (c)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement II seems surprising - using captured CO2 for plastic production and food processing (CO2 is used in carbonation, dry ice, etc.) sounds unusual in the context of DAC. Candidates may dismiss II and pick (b) III only.
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