Explanation
- A
Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
Both II and III correct and both explain I. III fails: clay has porosity; its permeability is low.
- B
Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I
Both correct, only one explains. Still needs III to be true.
- C
Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
Only one of II and III is correct and that explains I. II holds: chalk is porous and can hold water, which is why it is permeable in Statement I. III’s ‘clay is not at all porous’ is the absolute that fails. Clay can be porous and still impermeable.
- D
Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Neither. Porous chalk is the explanation for I.
Summary. Official key is (c): only one of II and III is correct, and that one explains I. Chalk is porous and permeable; clay is impermeable but it is not ‘not at all porous’ — clay can be porous yet impermeable because pores are tiny. So III fails, II holds and explains I. (a)(b) keep III; (d) drops II.
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
-
2023 · Q65 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves. 2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2025 · Q7 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: Statement I: As regards returns from an investment in a company, generally, bondholders are considered to be relatively at lower risk than stockholders. Statement II: Bondholders are lenders to a company whereas stockholders are its owners. Statement III: For repayment purpose, bondholders are prioritized over stockholders by a company. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?