Civil Services Prep

Prelims 2012 · Geography · Question 85

A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located the polestar. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the

  1. direction facing the polestar
  2. direction opposite to the polestar
  3. direction keeping the polestar to his left
  4. direction keeping the polestar to his right

Answer

direction keeping the polestar to his left

  • Key fact: The Polestar indicates north.
  • (a) Facing the polestar: He would walk north, not east. Incorrect.
  • (b) Opposite to the polestar: He would walk south, not east. Incorrect.
  • (c) Keeping the polestar to his left: If north is on the left, he is facing east. So this is the correct way to reach a village 5 km east. Correct.
  • (d) Keeping the polestar to his right: If north is on the right, he is facing west, not east. Incorrect.

Revised conclusion: My earlier reasoning was mistaken. The correct answer is (c).

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