Q73 · UPSC Prelims 2017 · Set A · Science and Technology

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Consider the following pairs:Commonly used/consumed materials - Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them1.Lipstick - Lead2.Soft drinks - Brominated vegetable oils3.Chinese fast food - Monosodium glutamateWhich of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A 1 only
B 2 and 3 only
C 1 and 3 only
D 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    Option (a) is 1 only. Lipstick can contain lead as a contaminant, but the other two pairs are also valid controversy pairings. Restricting the answer to lipstick alone is incomplete. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    2 and 3 only

    Option (b) is 2 and 3 only. It drops the correctly matched lipstick–lead pair. This option is therefore wrong.

  3. C

    1 and 3 only

    Option (c) is 1 and 3 only. Brominated vegetable oils have been used as clouding agents in some citrus soft drinks and have been controversial. Omitting pair 2 is wrong. This option is not the key.

  4. D

    1, 2 and 3

    All three stem pairs are correctly matched: lead in some lipsticks; brominated vegetable oils in some soft drinks; monosodium glutamate in much Chinese-style fast food (a flavour enhancer that is controversial for some consumers). That is why 1, 2 and 3 is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) 1, 2 and 3. The question’s pairs flag unwanted or debated chemicals in everyday products. Lead has been reported in cosmetics; BVO in some sodas; MSG in many Chinese fast-food preparations. None of the three pairings is a mismatch. The full set is therefore correct.

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