UPSC IAS & State PSC Civil Services Prelims Practice Set 1

UPSC IAS & State PSC Civil Services Prelims Practice Set 1: Most important MCQs / Practice Test for UPSC CSE and State PSC preliminary examination general studies paper.

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UPSC IAS & State PSC Prelims Practice Set 1

1. Robert Bruce Foote, who discovered ﬁrst Palaeolithic tool in India, was a/an?

(a) Geologist

(b) Archaeologist

(d) Historian

Ans. (a & b)

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Robert Bruce Foote was a British geologist and archaeologist. He is considered as the father of Indian pre-history. He was associated with the Geological Survey of India and documented the antiquities of the Stone Age. Hence, both options (a) and (b) can be considered as correct.

2. The three-age system, divided into stone, bronze and iron from the collection of Copenhagen museum was coined by –

(a) Thomson

(b) Lubbock

(d) Childe

Ans. (a)

The three age system- Stone, Bronze and Iron from the collection of Copenhagen museum was coined by Christian Jurgensen Thomsen.

3. With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with?

(a) Archaeological excavations

(b) Establishment of English Press in Colonial India

(d) Construction of railways in Colonial India

Ans. (a)

Alexander Rea, A.H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with archaeological excavations. They primarily worked in the ﬁeld of South Indian history.

4. According to the excavated evidence, the domestication of animal began in?

(a) Lower Palaeolithic period

(b) Middle Palaeolithic period

(d) Mesolithic period

Ans. (d)

According to the excavated evidence, the domestication of animals began in the Mesolithic period. The earliest pieces of evidence of domestication of animals in India have been found at Adamgarh (Narmadapuram, M.P.) and Bagor (Bhilwara, Rajasthan).

5. In Mesolithic context, evidence of animal domestication has been found at?

(a) Langhnaj

(b) Birbhanpur

(d) Chopani Mando

Ans. (c)

6. From which one of the following sites bone implements have been found?

(a) Chopani-Mando

(b) Kakoria

(d) Sarai Nahar Rai

Ans. (c & d)

A large number of implements made of bones and horns have been found from the Mesolithic site, Mahadaha and Sarai Nahar Rai (located in Pratapgarh district of U.P.). The book titled ‘Puratattva Vimarsh ‘Written by Dr. Jai Narayan Pandey describes various pointed objects and ornaments made of bones which have been reported from Sarai Nahar Rai, Damdama and Mahadaha.

7. Bone ornaments in the Mesolithic context in India have been obtained from?

(a) Sarai Nahar Rai

(b) Mahadaha

(d) Chopani Mando

Ans. (a & b)

8. Arrange the following Mesolithic sites geographically in order from west to east –

1. Paisra

2. Lekhahia

3. Birbhanpur

4. Mahadaha

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Code :

(a) 4, 2, 3 and 1

(b) 1, 4, 3 and 2

(d) 2, 4, 1 and 3

Ans. (c)

Mesolithic sites in order from west to east geographically– Mahadaha (Pratapgarh, UP), Lekhahia (Mirzapur, UP), Paisra (Bihar) and Birbhanpur (W. Bengal)

9. Three human skeletons in a single grave were recovered at?

(a) Sarai Nahar Rai

(b) Damdama

(d) Langhnaj

Ans. (b)

Damdama is a Mesolithic site in Pratapgarh district Uttar Pradesh. In Damdama, 41 human graves were found. Out of these graves, 5 are double burial. One triple burial grave is also found here. A grave with four human skeletons has been found at Sarai Nahar Rai.

10. The cultivation of cereals ﬁrst started in?

(a) Neolithic Age

(b) Mesolithic Age

(d) Proto-Historic Age

Ans. (a)

Grains were ﬁrst ever produced in Neolithic Age. It was the time when people were introduced to agriculture. Koldihwa and Mehrgarh were the two Neolithic archaeological sites from where clear pieces of evidence of rice and wheat have been found.

11. The earliest evidence of man in India is found in?

(a) Nilgiri Hills

(b) Shiwalik Hills

(d) Narmada Valley

Ans. (d)

In India, the ﬁrst evidence of man was found in Narmada valley region of Madhya Pradesh. It was discovered in 1982.

12. The ﬁrst Human Fossil was found from which River Valley of India?

(a) Ganga Valley

(b) Yamuna Valley

(d) Tapti Valley

Ans. (c)

13. The ﬁrst cereal used by man was:

(a) Wheat

(b) Rice

(d) Sorghum

Ans. (c)

There are mainly eight types of food grains consumed by modern human society, namely barley, wheat, maize, millet, sorghum, mustard, oat and rice. These plants were present in the form of weed in diﬀerent areas, which were later grown as seed by a human being at diﬀerent places, in diﬀerent times.

Although, barley was the ﬁrst grain to be cultivated by human beings during 8000 B.C. in western Asian countries located between the northeast Mediterranean Sea and Iran. Later, in the same area, wheat was also cultivated around 8000 B.C.

14. The earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian sub- continent comes from?

(a) Koldihwa

(b) Lahuradeva

(d) Tokwa

Ans. (b)

According to the latest research, the earliest evidence of agriculture in Indian sub-continent has been reported from the Lahuradeva site in Sant Kabir Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. The evidence of human activity and beginning of rice cultivation at this site dates back to around 9000-7000 B.C. Signiﬁcantly before this research, the earlier evidence of wheat was found at Mehrgarh (located in Balochistan, Pakistan) belonging to around 7000 B.C. and the earliest evidence of rice is known to be near the bank of the river Belan, district Prayagraj, from where rice bran was found dating back to 6500 B.C. With above reference, if Lahuradeva is one option, then it will be the correct answer, but if Lahuradeva is not an option, then Mehrgarh would be the right answer.

15. The earliest evidence of agriculture in the Indian Sub- continent has been obtained from?

(a) Brahmagiri

(b) Burzahom

(d) Mehrgarh

Ans. (d)

16. The earliest evidence of Agriculture in Indian subcontinent is found at?

(a) Lothal

(b) Harappa

(d) Mundigak

Ans. (c)

17. During the Neolithic Age the earliest evidence of the origin of agriculture has been found at which of the following place in the North-Western region of Indian sub-continent?

(a) Munidgak

(b) Mehargarh

(d) Balakot

Ans. (b)

18. The earliest evidence of animal domestication and agriculture in India has come from

(a) Anjira

(b) Damb Sadat

(d) Mehrgarh

Ans. (d)

19. With reference to the cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh, which of the following statement/s is/are correct?

(1) The oldest evidence of agriculture in the global context has been obtained from many excavated sites in this region.

(2) The oldest cultivated food grains are barley and paddy.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Code –

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans (c)

Uttar Pradesh has been blessed with a rich cultural heritage since prehistoric times. It is noteworthy that Koldihwa situated in the Belan river valley region of the state, has been considered to be the oldest evidence of paddy cultivation in the world for a long time. Similarly, Lahuradeva, which currently presents the oldest evidence of paddy cultivation, is also a part of Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

Hence statement (1) is correct. Evidence of the oldest agriculture grains barley and paddy has been found from many excavated sites of Uttar Pradesh, evidence of barley and paddy has been found from Mahagada and evidence of paddy has been found from Koldihwa.

20. Name the site which has revealed the earliest evidence of settled life?

(a) Dholavira

(b) Kile Gul Mohammad

(d) Mehrgarh

Ans. (d)

21. Which among the following sites provides evidence of domestication of animals in the Mesolithic period?

(a) Odai

(b) Bori

(d) Lakhnia

Ans. (c)

The earlest pieces of evidence of domestication of animals in India have been found at Adamgarh (Narmadapuram, M.P.) and Bagor (Bhilwara, Rajasthan).

22. Which one of the following periods is also known as Chalcolithic Age?

(a) Old Stone Age

(b) New Stone Age

(d) Iron Age

Ans. (c)

Copper Age is also known as the Chalcolithic age. The age in which instruments of copper were used in addition to stone, is called as Copper Age.

23. Consider the following statements pertaining to the Ahar Civilization:

A. The natives of Ahar knew copper smelting

B. Rice was unknown to them

C. Metal work was one of the means of economy of the Ahar

D. Black – Red coloured pottery have been found here, on

Which generally white coloured geometrical designs have been carved?

Choose the correct option –

(a) A, C and D are correct

(b) A and B are correct

(d) C and D are correct

Ans (a)

Ahar civilization belonged to chalcolithic period and ﬂourished around the Mewar region of Rajasthan. They used copper tools and evidence of copper smelting is present too.

Hence (A) and (C) statements are correct. Rice was known to them hence (B) is wrong. Mostly black-red coloured pottery decorated with white geometric design has been found here.

Hence (D) is also correct.

24. The cultural remains from Stone Age to Harappan Civilization have been obtained from which one of the following ancient sites?

(a) Amri

(b) Mehrgarh

(d) Kalibangan

Ans (b)

The cultural remains from Stone Age to Harappan Civilization have been obtained from Mehrgarh located in Balochistan (Pakistan).

25. Excavation at Navadatoli was conducted by?

(a) K.D.Bajpai

(b) V.S. Wakankar

(d) Mortimer Whéeler

Ans. (c)

Navadatoli has revealed excellent evidence of both round and rectangular residential structures which are located near Khargone (Madhya Pradesh). The former measures about 3m in diameter and the latter 2m × 2.2m. The roofs were probably made of hay, branches and leaves and were supported on massive wooden posts, 22cm in diameter, raised at regular intervals around the huts. The open spaces between the posts were provided with mud-plastered bamboo screens. The house ﬂoors were made up of silt clay and river gravel, with the surface coated with lime. The huts were provided with one or two-mouthed ‘chulhas’ as well as storage jars and other earthen vessels. This site was excavated by Mr. H.D. Sankalia, Professor of Deccan College, Pune. This site was the most extensive excavated Chalcolithic site of Indian sub-continent, which is determined to be between 1500 B.C. and 1300 B.C.

26. In which state, the Navadatoli is located?

(a) Gujarat

(b) Maharashtra

(d) Madhya Pradesh

Ans. (d)

27. Megaliths have been identiﬁed as-

(a) Caves for hermits

(b) Burial sites

(d) None of the above

Ans. (b)

The megaliths usually refer to the burials made up of large stones in graveyards away from the habitation area. A large fraction of these is assumed to be associated with burial or post-burial rituals including memorials for those whose remains may or may not be available. Few types of these are; Chamber tomb, Dolmens, Stone alignment, Stone circle (cromlech), Pit-circles, etc.

28. Ash mound is associated with the Neolithic site at?

(a) Budihal

(b) Sangana Kallu

(d) Brahmagiri

Ans. (b)

The ‘Ash mounds’ have been found from a Neolithic site Sangana Kallu located in Bellari district in Karnataka. They have also been found in Piklihal and Utnur. These ash mounds are the burnt relics of seasonal camps of Neolithic herdsmen community.

29. ‘Bhimbetka’ is famous for?

(a) Rock Paintings

(b) Buddhist Statues

(d) Origin of Son River

Ans. (a)

The rock shelters of Bhimbetka are located in Raisen (M.P.). UNESCO has included the shell pictures of Bhimbetka in the list of its world heritage site. These caves exhibit the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent and include the pictures of an elephant, sambhar, deer, etc. There are 500 pictures in approx. 700 rock shelters.

30. Which one of the following places is famous for pre- historic paintings?

(a) Ajanta

(b) Bhimbetka

(d) Amravati

Ans. (b)

31. Where are the caves of Bhimbetka situated?

(a) Bhopal

(b) Pachmarhi

(d) Abdullahganj-Raisen

Ans. (d)

32. In India, from which rock-shelter, pictures has been found the most?

(a) Ghagharia

(b) Bhimbetka

(d) Adamgarh

Ans. (b)

33. Which of the following Indian Archaeologists ﬁrst visited ‘Bhimbetka Caves’ and discovered prehistoric signiﬁcance of its rock paintings?

(a) Madho Swaroop Vatsa

(b) H.D. Sankalia

(d) V.N. Mishra

Ans. (c)

‘Bhimbetka Caves’ are located in Raisen District of MP. They are best example of Rock Painting of prehistoric era. It was discovered by V.S. Wakankar in 1957. It is a UNESCO world heritage site for its prominent prehistoric Rock Paintings.

34. Bhimbetka was discovered by

(a) Dr. H.D. Sankhalia

(b) Dr. Shyam Sundar Nigam

(d) Dr. Rajbali Pandey

Ans (c)

35. The Ochre-coloured Pottery (O.C.P.) was christened at:

(a) Hastinapur

(b) Ahichhatra

(d) Red Fort

Ans. (a)

Discovery and Naming (Christen) of OCP was done by B.B. Lal in 1950-52 at Hastinapur. Ochre-Coloured Pottery (known to archaeologists as OCP) as the name implies, its main distinguishing feature was its ochre colour, which gives it a ﬁrst appearance of being badly ﬁred. Other characteristics are its porous character and the fact that it is invariably worn out at the edges.

36. In the Chalcolithic period people of Maharashtra buried their dead under the ﬂoor of their houses in the following orientation:

(a) North to South position

(b) East to West position

(d) West to East position

Ans. (a)

The people of Jorwe culture lived in large rectangular houses with wattle and daub walls and thatched roof. They believed in life after death and therefore buried the dead inside the houses under the ﬂoor. Children were buried in two urns that were joined mouth-to-mouth and set horizontally in the pit, while adults were placed in a supine position with the head towards the north (north to south). These sites were found in Daimabad, Inamgaon, Chandoli, Nevasa, etc.

37. Which of the following sites has yielded skeleton of the dog along with human skeleton in burial?

(a) Brahmagiri

(b) Burzahom

(d) Maski

Ans. (b)

The Burzahom site is a prehistoric settlement in the village of the same name in Kashmir valley. Both human and animal skeletons were found here with trepanning (bored hole) marks.

In many pits, bones of dogs and antlered deer were found along with human skeletons. The skeletons of humans were found in the burial pits in a sitting position along with bones of animals.

The ﬁrst excavation at the Burzahom site was carried out by Helmut de Terra and Dr. Thomas Paterson in the year 1935.

38. The evidence of burying the dog with human body is found from which of the following places?

(a) Burzahom

(b) Koldihwa

(d) Mando

Ans. (a)

39. The evidence of pit dwelling has been obtained from?

(a) Burzahom

(b) Koldihwa

(d) Sangana Kallu

Ans. (a)

40. Correctly match the following:

(I) (II)

A. Paleolithic Age (i) Bhimbetka Caves

B. Mesolithic Age (ii) Burzahom

C. Neolithic Age (iii) Banas Valley

D. Chalcolithic Age (iv) Sohan/Soan River Valley

Code:

A B C D

(a) (i) (ii) (iv) (iii)

(b) (iv) (i) (ii) (iii)

(d) (i) (iv) (iii) (ii)

Ans. (b)

Paleolithic Age: Sohan/Soan River Valley

Mesolithic Age: Bhimbetka Caves

Neolithic Age: Burzahom

Chalcolithic Age: Banas Valley

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UPSC IAS & State PSC Prelims Practice Set 1

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