Q39 · UPSC Prelims 2025 · Set A · Science and Technology

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Consider the following pairs:Plant DescriptionI.Cassava : Woody shrubII.Ginger : Herb with pseudostemIII.Malabar spinach : Herbaceous climberIV.Mint : Annual shrubV.Papaya : Woody shrubHow many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

A Only two
B Only three
C Only four
D All the five

Correct answer: (b) Only three

Explanation

  1. A

    Only two

    Only two. Three pairs hold. That under-counts.

  2. B

    Only three

    Only three. I Cassava — woody shrub (tapioca). II Ginger — herb with a pseudostem of leaf sheaths. III Malabar spinach (Basella) — herbaceous climber. IV Mint is a perennial herb spreading by rhizomes, not an annual shrub. V Papaya is a large herb with a succulent stem, not a woody shrub.

  3. C

    Only four

    Only four. That would need mint or papaya to be right. Both fail.

  4. D

    All the five

    All five. Mint and papaya are the two mismatches.

Summary. Official key is (b) only three pairs. Cassava is a woody shrub, ginger a herb with a pseudostem, Malabar spinach a herbaceous climber. Mint is a perennial herb, not an annual shrub; papaya is a giant herb, not a woody shrub. (a) under-counts; (c)(d) keep mint or papaya.

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