UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 20
Consider the following :
- Cashew
- Papaya
- Red sanders
How many of the above trees are actually native to India ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct Option: A (Only one)
Explanation: Red sanders is native to India’s Eastern Ghats. Cashew and papaya originated in tropical America and reached India through later exchanges.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Incorrect/False - Cashew is native to northeastern Brazil.
2. Incorrect/False - Papaya is native to tropical America.
3. Correct/True - Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is endemic to parts of southern India.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Correct-exactly 1 of the 3 listed items satisfy the condition.
B. Incorrect-it counts 2, but only 1 qualify; item(s) 1, 2 do not.
C. Incorrect-it counts 3, but only 1 qualify; item(s) 1, 2 do not.
D. Incorrect-incorrectly includes 1 (Cashew is native to northeastern Brazil.); incorrectly includes 2 (Papaya is native to tropical America.); refers to item 4 which is not among the listed items; omits correct item 3 (Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is endemic to parts of southern India.).
Review note: Option D in the source says “1, 2 and 4”, though only three trees are listed.