CDS 2026 (I) General Knowledge, question 70

Topic: Geography

Answers by SolvedPaper. UPSC has not released the official answer key for this paper yet. We will update it when they do.

Q70

Consider the following statements about Mechanical Weathering :

  1. More compact and highly consolidated rocks are least affected by freeze-thaw weathering.

  2. Shattering of rocks is more common in hot deserts.

  3. Crystalline rocks are often prone to exfoliation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 1 only
  3. (c) 2 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3Correct answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

  1. Statement 1 is correct: compact rock has few cracks for water to enter, so freezing and thawing affect it least.
  2. Statement 2 is correct: large day and night temperature swings in hot deserts shatter rocks.
  3. Statement 3 is correct: crystalline rocks such as granite peel off in curved sheets, which is exfoliation.