General Studies 2021 GS Paper I 15 marks 250 words Compulsory Explain

Q15

How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth ? Explain. (Answer in 250 words) 15

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आर्कटिक की बर्फ और अंटार्कटिक के ग्लेशियरों का पिघलना किस तरह अलग-अलग ढंग से पृथ्वी पर मौसम के स्वरूप और मनुष्य की गतिविधियों पर प्रभाव डालते हैं ? स्पष्ट कीजिए । (250 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए)

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Directive word: Explain

This question asks you to explain. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'explain' requires clear causal linkages between polar melting and its differential impacts. Structure as: brief introduction noting polar distinctiveness → separate sections on Arctic vs Antarctic effects on weather patterns → separate sections on human activities → integrated conclusion. Maintain comparative lens throughout rather than treating regions in isolation.

Key points expected

Arctic amplification: albedo feedback, jet stream weakening, mid-latitude extreme weather (cold waves, heat domes)
Antarctic effects: AMOC disruption potential, Southern Ocean carbon sink weakening, sea level rise from ice sheet instability
Human activities: Arctic—shipping routes (Northern Sea Route), resource extraction, indigenous livelihoods; Antarctic—limited direct human activity but global fisheries, research stations, tourism implications
Differential timescales: Arctic summer ice-free projections vs Antarctic multi-century ice sheet dynamics
Indian relevance: monsoon teleconnections via Arctic warming, coastal vulnerability to Antarctic ice loss
Distinction in mechanisms: Arctic as ocean-ice system vs Antarctic as land-ice system driving different feedback loops

Evaluation rubric

Dimension	Weight	Max marks	Excellent	Average	Poor
Demand-directive understanding	20%	3	Explicitly frames answer around 'how' and 'differently'—clearly distinguishes Arctic (fast, ocean-based, atmospheric teleconnections) from Antarctic (slow, land-based, oceanic/global scale) mechanisms without conflating the two	Addresses both regions but treats them sequentially without sustained comparative analysis; misses the 'differently' aspect of the question	Describes polar melting generically without regional distinction or confuses Arctic and Antarctic processes; fails to address weather patterns and human activities as separate categories
Content depth & accuracy	20%	3	Accurately explains albedo effect, jet stream dynamics, AMOC risks, ice sheet vs sea ice distinction; includes specific feedback mechanisms (water vapor, cloud radiative) with scientific precision	Correct basic concepts but oversimplified mechanisms; vague on causal chains or conflates sea ice loss with land ice melt consequences	Scientifically inaccurate statements (e.g., Antarctic sea ice driving immediate weather patterns, Arctic affecting monsoons directly without mechanism); major factual errors on ice volumes or rates
Structure & flow	20%	3	Logical progression: introduction with polar contrast → Arctic weather then human activities → Antarctic weather then human activities → integrated conclusion; smooth transitions maintaining 250-word discipline	Functional structure but rigid or unbalanced (e.g., Arctic-heavy, Antarctic cursory); abrupt shifts between weather and activities without thematic linkage	Disorganized or fragmented; no clear sectioning; exceeds word limit significantly or leaves sections incomplete; repetitive or circular arguments
Examples / case-law / data	20%	3	Specific data: Arctic warming at 2-4x global rate, 2022 Antarctic Conger Ice Shelf collapse, Northern Sea Route traffic growth, Indian monsoon correlation studies; Indian context like Mumbai/Coastal vulnerability	Generic references ('recent years', 'some studies') without specifics; or examples present but not tied to differential impacts; missing Indian relevance	No concrete examples or data; hypothetical scenarios; irrelevant examples (e.g., Greenland solely without Antarctic counterpart); outdated or invented statistics
Conclusion & analytical edge	20%	3	Synthesizes differential impacts into unified climate risk framework; notes interconnectedness despite regional differences; forward-looking on policy (Antarctic Treaty, Arctic Council) or India's strategic interests	Summary restatement without synthesis; generic climate change warning; no distinctive analytical insight or policy relevance	Missing conclusion; abrupt ending; or conclusion introducing new unsubstantiated claims; moralistic rather than analytical closing

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