Test yourself

Understanding Society

Class 11 · Society

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.

Ch 3 · Environment and Society

Prelims 2018 · Q86

Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

(a)Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
(b)It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
(c)Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
(d)None of the above

Show answer

UPSC's answer: (b)

NCERT answers it: Class 11 Understanding Society, Ch 3 (Environment and Society); Class 12 Biology, Ch 13 (Biodiversity and Conservation).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 11 Understanding Society, ch 3: Prosopis juliflora (vilayati kikar) came from South America and has spread all over north India. Class 12 Biology, ch 13: such alien species can turn invasive and push out native species. Answer (b).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 86 ↗

← 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.