Minimalist IAS
← Science & Environment
English हिंदी

Test yourself

Exploration

Class 9 · Science & Environment

Ch 12 · Patterns in Life: Diversity and Classification

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

Prelims 2016 · Q22

In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the 'Great Indian Hornbill' in its natural habitat?

  1. (a)Sand deserts of northwest India
  2. (b)Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir
  3. (c)Salt marshes of western Gujarat
  4. (d)Western Ghats
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 9 Exploration, Ch 12 (Patterns in Life: Diversity and Classification).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 9 Exploration, ch 12: the Great Hornbill is one of four hornbills of Pakke, a forest in Arunachal Pradesh, and these birds nest only in large, old trees. Deserts, the high Himalayas and salt marshes have no such forests. Answer (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 22 ↗

Prelims 2018 · Q94

In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?

  1. (a)Arunachal Pradesh
  2. (b)Manipur
  3. (c)Meghalaya
  4. (d)Nagaland
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 9 Exploration, Ch 12 (Patterns in Life: Diversity and Classification).

The one fact NCERT doesn't give: Pakhui and Pakke are two names for the same protected area in East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh; it was made a tiger reserve in 2002.

Class 9 Exploration, ch 12: the Pakke Tiger Reserve is a forest in Arunachal Pradesh. Answer (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 94 ↗

Prelims 2026 · Q23

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience?

  1. 1.Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts.
  2. 2.Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into freshwater aquaculture zones.
  3. 3.By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio-shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.

Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)1 and 2
  3. (c)2 and 3
  4. (d)3 only
Show answer

UPSC's provisional answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 India: Physical Environment, Ch 5 (Natural Vegetation); Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Ch 6 (Landforms and their Evolution); Class 9 Exploration, Ch 12 (Patterns in Life: Diversity and Classification).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 11 India: Physical Environment, ch 5: mangroves grow in salt marshes, tidal creeks and estuaries, so they are neither salt-sensitive nor freshwater stores (1, 2 false). Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography, ch 6: mangroves absorb storm and tsunami waves (3). Answer (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2026), question 23 ↗

← Back to the books

Spotted an error? Tell us — we fix it and record the change here.

NCERT textbooks are published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Every file comes from NCERT's own website; a full book is joined into one PDF on the reader's device. Minimalist IAS does not store or edit any NCERT file.

Previous-year questions are from UPSC's question papers and answer keys (final keys; for 2026, the provisional key) published on upsc.gov.in.

Minimalist IAS is not affiliated with NCERT or UPSC. Books by other publishers are named for reference only.

NCERT can move or replace a file at any time. We re-check every link each month; if one breaks, tell us.