Q6moderatePartial Truth
Consider the following materials :
1. Agricultural residues
2. Corn grain
3. Wastewater treatment sludge
4. Wood mill waste
Which of the above can be used as feedstock for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (c)
Trap: Partial Truth
Students may exclude corn grain thinking SAF only comes from waste/residue feedstocks (second-generation biofuels). However, corn-based ethanol (first-gen) can also be converted to SAF. Similarly, wastewater sludge seems unusual but is a valid feedstock. The trap is assuming SAF must come from non-food sources only.
Q8easy
Which one of the following words/phrases is most appropriately used to denote "an interoperable network of 3D virtual worlds that can be accessed simultaneously by millions of users, who can exert property rights over virtual items" ?
(a) Big data analytics
(b) Cryptography
(c) Metaverse
(d) Virtual matrix
Answer: (c)
Q11moderateCommon Misconception
With reference to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), consider the following statements :
1. RTGs are miniature fission reactors.
2. RTGs are used for powering the onboard systems of spacecrafts.
3. RTGs can use Plutonium-238, which is a by-product of weapons development.
Which of the statements given above are correct ?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the critical trap. RTGs do NOT use fission reactions. They use the natural radioactive decay of isotopes (like Pu-238) to generate heat, which is then converted to electricity via thermoelectric effect. Students confuse 'nuclear' with 'fission'. RTGs are NOT reactors of any kind.
Q12moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I :
Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars.
Statement-II :
Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
The intuitive but wrong assumption is that bigger stars live longer because they have more fuel. In reality, giant stars burn through fuel much faster due to higher nuclear reaction rates, so they live SHORTER lives, not longer. Dwarf stars (like red dwarfs) are extremely long-lived. This reversal of intuition is the core trap.
Q13easy
Which one of the following is synthesised in human body that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow ?
(a) Nitric oxide
(b) Nitrous oxide
(c) Nitrogen dioxide
(d) Nitrogen pentoxide
Answer: (a)
Q14moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following activities :
1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft
2. Monitoring of precipitation
3. Tracking the migration of animals
In how many of the above activities can the radars be used ?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Radar detects objects by radio wave reflection — it can monitor precipitation (Doppler weather radar) and track animal migration (bird migration tracked by radar). However, narcotics identification requires chemical detection (X-rays, ion mobility spectrometry, sniffer dogs), not radar. Students may confuse airport scanning technologies with radar.
Q15moderateCommon Misconception
Consider the following aircraft :
1. Rafael
2. MiG-29
3. Tejas MK-1
How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft ?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Rafale is 4.5 gen (not 5th gen), MiG-29 is 4th gen, and Tejas MK-1 is 4th/4.5 gen. Students often assume the expensive Rafale purchased by India must be 5th gen. True 5th gen fighters are F-22, F-35, J-20, Su-57. The question tests whether students know the generation classification precisely.
Q16easyAbsolute Qualifier
In which of the following are hydrogels used ?
1. Controlled drug delivery in patients
2. Mobile air-conditioning systems
3. Preparation of industrial lubricants
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymer networks used in biomedical applications (drug delivery, wound dressings, contact lenses). Students may think hydrogels have broader industrial applications like cooling systems or lubricants because 'hydro' suggests water-based applications. But mobile AC uses refrigerants, not hydrogels, and lubricants are oil-based.
Q17easy
Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen ?
(a) Hydrogen peroxide
(b) Hydronium
(c) Oxygen
(d) Water vapour
Answer: (d)
Q18easy
Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following ?
(a) Irrigation of terraced crop fields
(b) Lift irrigation of cereal crops
(c) Long duration energy storage
(d) Rainwater harvesting system
Answer: (c)
Q19moderateCommon Misconception
"Membrane Bioreactors" are often discussed in the context of :
(a) Assisted reproductive technologies
(b) Drug delivery nanotechnologies
(c) Vaccine production technologies
(d) Wastewater treatment technologies
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Students familiar with biotechnology may associate 'bioreactor' with vaccine production or cell culture, leading them to pick (c). However, Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) are specifically a wastewater treatment technology combining biological treatment with membrane filtration. The misconception is applying biotech terminology to environmental engineering.
Q47moderateAbsolute Qualifier
Consider the following :
1. Battery storage
2. Biomass generators
3. Fuel cells
4. Rooftop solar photovoltaic units
How many of the above are considered "Distributed Energy Resources" ?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (d)
Trap: Absolute Qualifier
Students might exclude battery storage thinking it is not a 'resource' but a storage device, or exclude biomass generators thinking they are centralized. DERs include any small-scale energy generation or storage near the point of use. The scope confusion between 'energy resource' and 'energy storage' can trip even well-prepared aspirants.
Q62hardCommon Misconception
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct ?
1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (d)
Trap: Common Misconception
Statement 1 is the trap — Mitra Shakti is a joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka, NOT Bangladesh. The name 'Mitra Shakti' (Friendly Power) specifically refers to India-Sri Lanka military cooperation. Students who don't track bilateral exercises may assume any South Asian country. Exercise with Bangladesh is called 'Sampriti'.