UPSC Prelims 2007 Q128: Science & Technology – Science & Technology History
Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List - I (Person)
A. John
C. Mather
B. Michael Griffin
C. Paul G. Allen
D. Piers Sellers
List - II (Known as)
1. Co - founder of Microsoft
2. Space walker
3. Administrator of NASA
4. Nobel Prize winner, 2006 in Physics
Codes:
- (a) A - 4 B - 1 C - 3 D - 2
- (b) A - 2 B - 3 C - 1 D - 4
- (c) A - 4 B - 3 C - 1 D - 2
- (d) A - 2 B - 1 C - 3 D - 4
Answer: (c) A - 4 B - 3 C - 1 D - 2
Explanation
Matching people with their roles
| Person | Known as |
|---|---|
| A. John C. Mather | 4. Nobel Prize in Physics, 2006 (with George Smoot) — for the COBE findings on cosmic microwave background |
| B. Michael Griffin | 3. Administrator of NASA (2005-2009) |
| C. Paul G. Allen | 1. Co-founder of Microsoft (with Bill Gates, 1975) |
| D. Piers Sellers | 2. Space walker — NASA astronaut; did spacewalks on shuttle missions to the ISS |
Answer: (c) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Griffin headed NASA; he did not co-found Microsoft.
- (b) Incorrect. Mather won the Nobel Prize; he was not a space walker.
- (c) CORRECT. Mather-Nobel 2006, Griffin-NASA, Allen-Microsoft, Sellers-spacewalker.
- (d) Incorrect. Mather is the Nobel laureate, not a spacewalker.
Key point
Mather (Nobel Physics 2006, COBE), Griffin (NASA chief), Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder), Piers Sellers (astronaut-spacewalker).
Remember
John Mather won the 2006 Physics Nobel for COBE results.
Common mistakes
- Not linking Mather to COBE and the 2006 Physics Nobel.
- Thinking Paul Allen was a NASA figure because he later funded SpaceShipOne.
- Guessing without anchors — Paul Allen-Microsoft is the easiest anchor.
Exam tip
Start with the easiest pair (Allen-Microsoft = C-1). That cuts options to (b) and (c); Mather-Nobel then picks (c).
Sources
- Nobel Prize — Physics 2006
- NASA — Administrators list and astronaut biographies