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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2012
Human & Political Geography
Question No. 5Interactive Test Mode
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Q5. Electrically charged particles from space traveling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?

Electrically charged particles from space traveling at speeds of several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?

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 2012 • Geography

Correct Answer: Option (A) — The Earth’s magnetic field diverts them towards its poles.

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

The Earth's magnetic field (magnetosphere) deflects solar wind and cosmic charged particles, funneling them toward the magnetic poles where they collide with atmospheric gases to produce auroras, thus shielding life on the surface.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2012 (Q5)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicGeography → Human & Political Geography
Official Answer KeyOption (A) — The Earth’s magnetic field diverts them towards its poles.

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2012 Q5

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper I Question 5 (Geography)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2012 Geography (Human & Political Geography) question is Option (A): "The Earth’s magnetic field diverts them towards its poles.". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2012 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Geography" and micro-topic "Human & Political Geography". You can explore all repeated questions from Human & Political Geography 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 Human & Political Geography UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve Human & Political Geography 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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