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GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2012
Ecology & Ecosystems
Question No. 231Interactive Test Mode
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+2-0.66

Q231. What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

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 • Environment and Ecology

Correct Answer: Option (A) — Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains.

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

Option (a) is correct: Oryx species (like the Arabian Oryx and Gemsbok) inhabit hot desert and arid plains of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The Chiru (Tibetan Antelope, Pantholops hodgsonii) lives in cold, high-altitude alpine steppes and semi-deserts of the Tibetan Plateau and Ladakh.

Option (b) is incorrect because Chiru is poached for its ultra-fine wool called 'Shahtoosh', not musk (which comes from musk deer), and antelopes have permanent horns, not shed antlers.

Option (c) is incorrect as native Oryx species do not occur in India.

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Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2012 (Q231)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicEnvironment and Ecology → Ecology & Ecosystems
Official Answer KeyOption (A) — Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains.

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Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2012 Q231

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2012 GS Paper I Question 231 (Environment and Ecology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2012 Environment and Ecology (Ecology & Ecosystems) question is Option (A): "Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains.". 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 "Environment and Ecology" and micro-topic "Ecology & Ecosystems". You can explore all repeated questions from Ecology & Ecosystems 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 Ecology & Ecosystems UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

To solve Ecology & Ecosystems 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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