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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2021
Biodiversity & Conservation
Question No. 203Interactive Test Mode
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+2-0.66

Q203. Consider the following animals: 1. Hedgehog 2. Marmot 3. Pangolin To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protects its/their vulnerable parts?

Consider the following animals:

  1. Hedgehog
  2. Marmot
  3. Pangolin

To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protects its/their vulnerable parts?

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
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Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

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Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2021 • Environment and Ecology

Correct Answer: Option (D) — 1 and 3

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified
  • Hedgehog (1): Possesses a coat of stiff spines. When threatened, powerful orbicularis muscles contract, pulling the hedgehog's body into a tight spiny sphere protecting its face and belly.
  • Marmot (2): Marmots are large ground squirrels that retreat into deep burrows and defend themselves with strong jaws/teeth; they do not curl into a ball.
  • Pangolin (3): Covered in tough keratin scales, pangolins curl into an impregnable tight ball to shield their vulnerable underbelly when threatened.

Thus, 1 and 3 roll up for defense.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021 (Q203)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicEnvironment and Ecology → Biodiversity & Conservation
Official Answer KeyOption (D) — 1 and 3

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2021 Q203

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2021 GS Paper I Question 203 (Environment and Ecology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2021 Environment and Ecology (Biodiversity & Conservation) question is Option (D): "1 and 3". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2021 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Environment and Ecology" and micro-topic "Biodiversity & Conservation". You can explore all repeated questions from Biodiversity & Conservation in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Biodiversity & Conservation UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve Biodiversity & Conservation questions in UPSC Prelims, identify extreme modifiers, verify core NCERT conceptual definitions, and eliminate mutually contradictory statement pairs before locking your final option.

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