Prelims - Smart Questions Solving Technique - ELIMINATING BASED ON FAMILIAR TERMS

The Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms method is a highly effective strategy in the UPSC CSE Prelims when you recognize some familiar terms or concepts in the question but are unsure of the complete answer. By identifying familiar terms, you can often eliminate options that include unfamiliar or irrelevant information, allowing you to narrow down the choices and increase the likelihood of selecting the correct answer.

This method works because:

• Familiar terms give clues about the subject or concept that is being tested. If a term is well-known or commonly associated with a particular concept, it can guide you in eliminating options that don't fit.
• Unfamiliar terms or options that contain concepts unrelated to the question can often be ruled out, making the remaining options more likely to be correct.
• Recognizing patterns or associations between familiar terms and their relevant fields can help you quickly dismiss irrelevant or incorrect options.

Let’s break this down step by step and explore how this method can be applied with examples from UPSC CSE Prelims questions.

How to Apply the Method:

1.        Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts in the Question and Options

o    Look for terms or concepts that you recognize. These could be historical figures, scientific principles, geographical regions, or terms related to governance or policy.

2.        Step 2: Compare the Familiar Terms with the Given Options

o    Use the familiar term as a clue to eliminate options that contain unrelated or incorrect terms.

3.        Step 3: Eliminate the Options that Contain Unfamiliar or Irrelevant Terms

o    If an option contains terms that are unfamiliar or don’t seem related to the familiar term, eliminate that option.

4.        Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer

o    After eliminating options based on familiar terms, you'll be left with a smaller set of choices, making it easier to pick the correct answer.

Question: With reference to the Harappan civilization, consider the following statements:

1.        Harappan cities had well-planned drainage systems.

2.        Harappan cities used iron tools extensively.

3.        The Harappan civilization was primarily an urban civilization.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• Harappan civilization is a familiar term, and you likely know that Harappan cities are famous for their urban planning and drainage systems. You may also be aware that iron tools were not used by the Harappans, as they belonged to the Bronze Age.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Statement 1 talks about well-planned drainage systems, which is a known feature of Harappan cities. This statement is familiar and correct.
• Statement 2 mentions iron tools, which you can eliminate based on the knowledge that Harappans did not use iron.
• Statement 3 says Harappan civilization was primarily urban, which is a correct and familiar fact.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate A (1 and 2 only) and C (2 and 3 only) because Statement 2 is incorrect.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is B (1 and 3 only) since both statements 1 and 3 are familiar and correct.

Final Answer: B (1 and 3 only).

Question: Which of the following is a correct description of 'Convectional Rainfall'?

A) Rainfall caused by air rising and cooling rapidly due to high temperatures.

B) Rainfall caused by the meeting of warm and cold air masses.

C) Rainfall caused by mountains obstructing air flow and forcing it to rise.

D) Rainfall caused by moisture-laden winds moving over large water bodies.

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• The term "Convectional Rainfall" is familiar, and you might know that convectional rainfall occurs in hot and humid climates where air rises due to intense heat and cools to form clouds and rain.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Option A mentions air rising and cooling rapidly due to high temperatures, which aligns with your understanding of convectional rainfall.
• Option B refers to the meeting of warm and cold air masses, which is associated with frontal rainfall, not convectional rainfall.
• Option C talks about mountains obstructing air flow, which describes orographic rainfall.
• Option D refers to moisture-laden winds moving over water bodies, which doesn't match the concept of convectional rainfall either.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate B, C, and D because they describe different types of rainfall.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is A (Rainfall caused by air rising and cooling rapidly due to high temperatures).

Final Answer: A.

Question: Consider the following statements about the term ‘Amendment’ in the context of the Indian Constitution:

1.        The Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution under Article 368.

2.        Fundamental Rights cannot be amended by the Parliament.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• The term “Amendment” is familiar in the context of Article 368 of the Indian Constitution. You might know that the Parliament can amend the Constitution under this article, including Fundamental Rights, following the Kesavananda Bharati case.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Statement 1 correctly mentions that the Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution under Article 368.
• Statement 2 says Fundamental Rights cannot be amended, which is incorrect, as they can be amended, but not beyond the basic structure of the Constitution (as held in the Kesavananda Bharati case).

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate B (2 only) and C (Both 1 and 2) since Statement 2 is incorrect.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is A (1 only) since Statement 1 is familiar and correct.

Final Answer: A (1 only).

Question: Which of the following is an example of a direct tax in India?

A) Goods and Services Tax (GST)

B) Income Tax

C) Customs Duty

D) Excise Duty

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• “Income Tax” is a familiar term, and you likely know that it is a form of direct tax imposed on an individual's income. Other taxes like GST, Customs Duty, and Excise Duty are commonly known as indirect taxes.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Option B (Income Tax) is a well-known direct tax.
• Option A (GST) is an indirect tax.
• Option C (Customs Duty) is an indirect tax on imported goods.
• Option D (Excise Duty) is also an indirect tax on the production of goods.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate A, C, and D because they are all indirect taxes.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is B (Income Tax).

Final Answer: B (Income Tax).

Question: Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 2 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• The terms “Carbon Credit”, “Repo Rate”, and “Fiscal Deficit” are likely familiar.
• Carbon Credit is related to environmental conservation.
• Repo Rate is related to banking and finance, particularly the rate at which banks borrow from the central bank.
• Fiscal Deficit is related to government finances and not international trade.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Pair 1 (Carbon Credit - Environmental conservation) is correctly matched.
• Pair 2 (Repo Rate - Banking and finance) is also correctly matched.
• Pair 3 (Fiscal Deficit - International trade) is incorrect, as Fiscal Deficit refers to the difference between government spending and revenue, not international trade.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate C (2 and 3 only) and D (1, 2, and 3) because Pair 3 is incorrect.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is B (1 and 2 only).

Final Answer: B (1 and 2 only).

Question: Consider the following statements regarding the Kyoto Protocol:

1.        The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2.        India was not a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• Kyoto Protocol is a familiar term, and you likely know it is an international agreement focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• You may also know that India was a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, as many countries participated in the agreement.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Statement 1 correctly states the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol (reducing greenhouse gases).
• Statement 2 is incorrect, as India was indeed a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate B (2 only) and C (Both 1 and 2) since Statement 2 is wrong.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is A (1 only).

Final Answer: A (1 only).

Question: Which of the following rivers flow into the Arabian Sea?

1.        Godavari

2.        Narmada

3.        Krishna

4.        Tapi

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1, 2, and 3 only

B) 2 and 4 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• Narmada and Tapi are familiar rivers, and you might know they flow into the Arabian Sea on the western side of India.
• Godavari and Krishna are also familiar, but you may know they flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Option B (2 and 4 only) includes Narmada and Tapi, which are the correct rivers that flow into the Arabian Sea.
• Option A includes Godavari and Krishna, which you know flow into the Bay of Bengal, making this option incorrect.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate A, C, and D because they include rivers that do not flow into the Arabian Sea.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is B (2 and 4 only).

Final Answer: B (2 and 4 only).

Question: Which of the following is an example of a fundamental duty under the Indian Constitution?

A) Right to Equality

B) Protection of the sovereignty and integrity of India

C) Right to Freedom of Religion

D) Right to Constitutional Remedies

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• Fundamental duties are familiar, and you may recognize that duties such as protecting the sovereignty and integrity of India are included in Article 51A of the Constitution.
• The terms Right to Equality, Right to Freedom of Religion, and Right to Constitutional Remedies refer to fundamental rights, not duties.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Option B (Protection of the sovereignty and integrity of India) is clearly a fundamental duty.
• The other options are related to fundamental rights, which are distinct from duties.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate A, C, and D because they refer to fundamental rights rather than duties.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is B (Protection of the sovereignty and integrity of India).

Final Answer: B.

Question: Consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• The names James Watt, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison are likely familiar, as are their associated inventions.
• James Watt is famously credited with improving the steam engine.
• Alexander Graham Bell is known for inventing the telephone.
• Thomas Edison is credited with the invention of the light bulb.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• All the pairs (1, 2, and 3) are correctly matched.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Since all the pairs are correct, eliminate options that leave out any of the pairs, such as A (1 and 2 only), B (1 and 3 only), and C (2 and 3 only).

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is D (1, 2, and 3).

Final Answer: D (1, 2, and 3).

Question: Which of the following statements about the Nobel Peace Prize is correct?

A) It is awarded by the United Nations.

B) It can only be awarded to individuals.

C) It was established by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1895.

D) It is awarded for contributions in the field of literature.

Step-by-Step Application of Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms:

Step 1: Identify Familiar Terms or Concepts.

• Nobel Peace Prize is a familiar term, and you might know that it was established by Alfred Nobel in 1895. It is not awarded by the United Nations, and it can be awarded to both individuals and organizations. The Nobel Peace Prize is not related to literature; the Nobel Prize for Literature is separate.

Step 2: Compare Familiar Terms with the Options.

• Option C (Established by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1895) is the correct statement.
• Option A incorrectly states that the United Nations awards it.
• Option B is incorrect because the prize can also be awarded to organizations.
• Option D is incorrect because the Nobel Peace Prize is not for literature.

Step 3: Eliminate Options with Unfamiliar or Incorrect Terms.

• Eliminate A, B, and D as they are incorrect.

Step 4: Narrow Down to the Correct Answer.

• The correct answer is C (It was established by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1895).

Final Answer: C.

The Eliminating Based on Familiar Terms method helps you make educated guesses when you recognize familiar terms or concepts. To apply this method:

• Focus on the terms you know and understand their associations.
• Eliminate options that contain unfamiliar, incorrect, or irrelevant terms.
• Use your general knowledge and reasoning to narrow down the choices.

By practicing this technique, you can improve your accuracy and confidence in tackling questions during the UPSC CSE Prelims.