Q40. Which of the following materials is a conductor of electricity?
[SSC MTS 2022 examination, 8 May 2023, Shift 2]
(A) Glass
(B) Mica
(C) Silver
(D) Ebonite
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Silver
Explanation: Silver has very high electrical conductivity because its mobile electrons readily carry current. Glass, mica and ebonite are generally electrical insulators under ordinary conditions. The choice demonstrates the contrast between metallic and non-metallic materials.
Q39. Which of the following is NOT an alkali metal and does not belong to Group 1 of the periodic table?
[SSC MTS 2022 examination, 16 May 2023, Shift 3]
(A) Calcium
(B) Lithium
(C) Sodium
(D) Potassium
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Calcium
Explanation: Calcium belongs to Group 2 and is classified as an alkaline-earth metal. Lithium, sodium and potassium are Group 1 alkali metals, each having one valence electron. Calcium typically loses two outer electrons to form Ca²⁺.
Q38. Which statement regarding iron ore in India is NOT correct?
[MPPSC State Services Prelims 2022, held 21 May 2023]
(A) India has mainly hematite and magnetite iron-ore reserves.
(B) About 80% of India’s iron-ore reserves are located in Jharkhand and Odisha.
(C) Ballari is a major iron-ore mining area in Karnataka.
(D) Mayurbhanj is important for iron ore in Odisha.
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (B) About 80% of India’s iron-ore reserves are located in Jharkhand and Odisha.
Explanation: India’s iron resources are distributed across several states, including Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Goa. The asserted 80% concentration in only Jharkhand and Odisha is inaccurate. Ballari and Mayurbhanj are genuine iron-ore districts.
Q37. With reference to India, consider:
1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
2. It contains thorium.
3. It occurs in the entire Indian coastal sands.
4. Only government bodies can process or export it.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination (General Studies), 5 June 2022]
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 1, 2 and 4 only
(C) 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (B) 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Monazite is a phosphate mineral bearing rare-earth elements and thorium. It occurs in selected coastal placer deposits, not uniformly along all Indian coasts. Because of its radioactive constituents, processing and exports were subject to the government controls specified in the question.
Q36. Which of the following is an ore of aluminium?
[RRB Group D, 24 August 2022, Shift 1]
(A) Siderite
(B) Monazite
(C) Bauxite
(D) Hematite
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Bauxite
Explanation: Bauxite is the principal commercial ore of aluminium and consists largely of hydrated aluminium oxides. Siderite and hematite contain iron; monazite is associated with rare-earth elements and thorium. Aluminium is produced industrially after refining bauxite to alumina.
Q35. Deposits of which mineral ore are formed by decomposition of rocks rich in aluminium silicates?
[RRB Group D, 28 September 2022, Shift 3]
(A) Alumina
(B) Manganese
(C) Bauxite
(D) Iron
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Bauxite
Explanation: Bauxite commonly forms through intense weathering of aluminium-rich silicate rocks in warm, humid climates. Soluble components are removed by leaching, leaving aluminium hydroxides enriched near the surface. These lateritic deposits supply much of the world’s aluminium.
Q34. Which of the following is a non-metallic mineral?
[RRB Group D, 26 August 2022, Shift 3]
(A) Silver
(B) Lead
(C) Bauxite
(D) Mica
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (D) Mica
Explanation: Mica is a group of sheet silicate minerals valued for excellent electrical insulation and heat resistance. Silver and lead are metallic elements, while bauxite is a metal-bearing ore. Mica’s layered structure allows it to split into thin sheets.
Q33. The Gua mines of Jharkhand are associated with which mineral?
[RRB Group D, 22 August 2022, Shift 3]
(A) Iron ore
(B) Zinc
(C) Bauxite
(D) Coal
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Iron ore
Explanation: Gua, in the Singhbhum region of Jharkhand, is known for deposits of iron ore. The eastern Indian iron-ore belt has long supported nearby integrated steelworks. Hematite is one of the chief iron-bearing minerals mined in the region.
Q32. Which state produced the most bauxite in 2018–19 according to Indian Minerals Yearbook 2019?
[RRB NTPC CBT 2 (Level 3), 17 June 2022, Shift 1]
(A) Gujarat
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Odisha
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (D) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha led bauxite production during the specified 2018–19 reference year. Deposits occur in districts including Koraput and Kalahandi. Bauxite is refined into alumina before aluminium is extracted through the Hall–Héroult electrolytic process.
Q31. Which of the following is an example of a non-metallic mineral?
[RRB NTPC CBT 2 (Level 5), 15 June 2022, Shift 3]
(A) Pyrite
(B) Hematite
(C) Limestone
(D) Bauxite
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Limestone
Explanation: Limestone is a non-metallic mineral resource composed predominantly of calcium carbonate. It is extensively used for cement, lime and as a flux. Hematite is an iron ore; bauxite is an aluminium ore; pyrite is an iron sulphide.
