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Trap Type Practice

Similar Sounding

Two or more options look almost identical — a name, date, or term differs by one word. UPSC tests precise recall, not vague recognition.

85
Questions
11
Years
7
Subjects
8%
of All PYQs

By Subject

Economics
17
Polity
16
Environment
14
History
12
Science & Tech
11
Geography
10
Art & Culture
5

Practice Similar Sounding Questions

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Sample Questions (2025)

2025 Q1Science & Tech
Consider the following types of vehicles : I. Full battery electric vehicles II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles III. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Candidates may think 'fuel cell electric hybrid' is not a separate category from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, or may confuse 'alternative powertrain' as applying only to fully electric vehicles, leading them to pick (b) Only two.
2025 Q6Science & Tech
What is the common characteristic of the chemical substances generally known as CL-20, HMX and LLM-105, which are sometimes talked about in media?
(a) These are alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants
(b) These are explosives in military weapons
(c) These are high-energy fuels for cruise missiles
(d) These are fuels for rocket propulsion
Answer: (b)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Options (c) and (d) sound plausible because 'high-energy' compounds are associated with both explosives and propulsion. Candidates may confuse explosives with propellants/fuels. CL-20 and HMX are specifically explosives, not fuels.
2025 Q23History
The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was
(a) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
(b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
(c) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
(d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand
Answer: (b)
Trap: Similar Sounding
Option (a) describes a 'mot' or leather bucket system (another ancient device). Option (c) describes a basic bullock-driven mechanism. Candidates may confuse Araghatta with these other irrigation devices. Araghatta is specifically the Persian wheel with earthen pots on spokes.
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