Q20. Which of the following minerals produces green colour in fireworks?
[SSC CGL 2020 Tier I, 20 August 2021, Shift 1]
(A) Sodium
(B) Copper
(C) Barium
(D) Zinc
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Barium
Explanation: Barium compounds emit a characteristic green colour under suitable flame conditions, so they are used in pyrotechnic colour formulations. Sodium produces strong yellow emission, while copper compounds can produce blue or blue-green effects.
Q19. Consider the minerals:
1. Bentonite;
2. Chromite;
3. Kyanite;
4. Sillimanite.
Which are officially designated as major minerals in India?
[UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination (General Studies), 2020]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 4 only
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 2, 3 and 4 only
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (D) 2, 3 and 4 only
Explanation: Chromite, kyanite and sillimanite were treated as major minerals in the relevant classification, whereas bentonite was notified as a minor mineral. The distinction concerns India’s legal regulation of mineral resources rather than merely their chemical composition.
Q18. Which of the following is NOT an iron ore?
[SSC CGL, 5 March 2020, Shift 2]
(A) Siderite
(B) Haematite
(C) Cuprite
(D) Magnetite
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Cuprite
Explanation: Cuprite is copper(I) oxide, Cu₂O, and is an ore of copper. Siderite is iron carbonate, hematite is iron(III) oxide and magnetite is mixed-valence iron oxide. The question tests whether an ore is correctly matched with its metal.
Q17. Which of these mineral–mining town pairs is NOT correctly matched:
1. Copper–Chitradurga;
2. Iron ore–Ballari;
3. Manganese–Bhilwara;
4. Lime–Katni?
[UPPSC Civil Services (General Studies) Paper I, 2020]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 3 only
(D) 2 and 4
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) 3 only
Explanation: The paper identifies manganese–Bhilwara as the incorrect match. Ballari is a prominent Karnataka iron-ore centre and Katni is associated with limestone. Regional mineral questions require distinguishing actual mining districts from plausible-looking but incorrect associations.
Q16. Which mineral of Chhattisgarh has the largest deposit in the country?
[CGPSC Civil Services (General Studies) Paper I, 2019]
(A) Coal
(B) Iron ore
(C) Tin ore
(D) Limestone
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Tin ore
Explanation: The examination identifies tin ore, particularly associated with Bastar and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. The principal ore of tin is cassiterite, SnO₂. Tin is used for tinplate coatings, solders and bronze alloys with copper.
Q15. Which one of the following materials contains calcium?
[UPPSC Civil Services (General Studies) Paper I, 2019]
(A) China clay
(B) Corundum
(C) Gypsum
(D) Talc
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (C) Gypsum
Explanation: Gypsum is calcium sulphate dihydrate, CaSO₄·2H₂O, and is used in plaster, cement and soil treatment. China clay is an aluminium silicate, corundum is aluminium oxide, and talc is a hydrated magnesium silicate.
Q14. Which of the following metals is the most reactive?
[SSC CGL, 6 June 2019, Shift 1]
(A) Copper
(B) Calcium
(C) Iron
(D) Zinc
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (B) Calcium
Explanation: Calcium stands above zinc, iron and copper in the usual school-level reactivity series. It readily loses electrons to form Ca²⁺ and can react with water to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen. Copper is much less reactive.
Q13. Which of the following elements is a metalloid?
[SSC CGL, 4 June 2019, Shift 1]
(A) Silicon
(B) Tin
(C) Bismuth
(D) Phosphorus
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Silicon
Explanation: Silicon has properties intermediate between typical metals and non-metals. It behaves as a semiconductor and forms predominantly covalent structures. Tin and bismuth are metals, while phosphorus is a non-metal; silicon is therefore the metalloid.
Q12. Which metal is generally used for coating brass utensils to prevent copper contamination?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination, 2018]
(A) Tin
(B) Zinc
(C) Aluminium
(D) Lead
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (A) Tin
Explanation: Tin lining, traditionally called kalai, creates a protective inner surface on certain copper and brass utensils. The coating reduces direct contact between food and the underlying copper alloy. Tin is relatively corrosion-resistant under ordinary kitchen conditions.
Q11. Which metal interferes with the development and maturation of red blood cells?
[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II (Science), 1 November 2018]
(A) Mercury
(B) Lead
(C) Cadmium
(D) Arsenic
𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫: (B) Lead
Explanation: Lead is a toxic heavy metal that interferes with enzymes used in haem synthesis, impairing haemoglobin production. Significant exposure may cause anaemia and neurological injury. This toxicological property differentiates lead from metals used for beneficial biological functions.
