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General Studies 2023 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Explain

GS Paper I — Q6

How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? (Answer in 150 words) 10

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

फियोर्ड कैसे बनते हैं? वे दुनिया के कुछ सबसे सुरम्य क्षेत्रों का निर्माण क्यों करते हैं? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

Fjords are deep, narrow coastal inlets created through glacial erosion and subsequent marine submergence.

Formation Mechanism During the Ice Age, advancing alpine glaciers excavated and over-deepened pre-existing river valleys through plucking and abrasion, sculpting steep-sided U-shaped troughs well below sea level. Post-glacial warming triggered ice retreat and rising sea levels (eustatic changes), which inundated these deep valleys with seawater.

Picturesque Appeal Their scenic beauty arises from the stark juxtaposition of towering, near-vertical cliff walls plunging directly into pristine, tranquil waters that generate mirror-like reflections. Additionally, glacial hanging valleys and truncated spurs release spectacular cascading waterfalls along the fjord margins.

Global Examples and Significance Prominent examples include Norway’s Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord, and New Zealand’s Milford Sound (India lacks fjords due to its non-glacial tropical coastline). Designated globally as UNESCO World Heritage sites, fjords anchor valuable eco-tourism, though their delicate ecosystems require sustainable management against mounting climate vulnerability and marine warming.

What "Explain" is asking you to do

Make the working of something clear — what sets it off, what follows from what, and what it produces. Explain is the Commission's mechanism word: it dominates the technical papers and the “explain why” stems, where the marks sit in the causal chain and not in the label.

Structure that answers it

State what it is → the initiating condition → the chain of cause, step by step → an instance where it plays out → what the chain produces

Where marks are lost

Describing what something looks like instead of why it works that way. Naming the stages without linking them reads as description too.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS1 Geography: Physical Mechanism & Human Outcome. explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Clear mechanism (glacial + sea level) and specific aesthetic features (steep walls, water).

Key points expected

  • Glacial erosion of pre-existing river valleys
  • U-shaped cross-section formation
  • Post-glacial sea level rise (transgression)
  • Steep, overhanging rock walls

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Explain the glacial erosion mechanism and the aesthetic factors creating picturesque landscapes. 10 marks · 150 words

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • Glacial erosion of pre-existing river valleys
    • U-shaped cross-section formation
    • Post-glacial sea level rise (transgression)
    • Steep, overhanging rock walls

    Loses marks

    • Describing river erosion instead of glacial
    • Ignoring the sea-level rise component
    • Vague aesthetic description without physical features

    Earns more

    • Mention of specific regions (Norway, New Zealand)
    • Reference to 'fjord' etymology (Norwegian)
    • Distinction from river valleys (V-shaped)

    Extra mark

    • 30-second sketch of U-shaped vs V-shaped valley
    • Specific example: Sognefjord or Geirangerfjord

Practice this exact question

Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.

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