Geography

545 questions asked in UPSC Prelims.

2013 · Q72 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the 1. Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky 2. Lightning that separates the nimbus clouds 3. Violent upward movement of air and water particles Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3
(c)1 and 3
(d)None of the above produces the thunder

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Official answer(d) None of the above produces the thunder

2013 · Q77 GeographyEconomic & Mineral Geographymoderate

Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?

(a)Engineering
(b)Paper and pulp
(c)Textiles
(d)Thermal power

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Official answer(d) Thermal power

2012 · Q42 GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Useeasy

Which of the following is the chief characteristic of 'mixed farming'?

(a)Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops
(b)Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field
(c)Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together
(d)None of the above

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Official answer(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

2012 · Q43 GeographyBiogeography & Natural Vegetationmoderate

A particular State in India has the following characteristics : 1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan. 2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover. 3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State. Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?

(a)Arunachal Pradesh
(b)Assam
(c)Himachal Pradesh
(d)Uttarakhand

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Official answer(a) Arunachal Pradesh

2012 · Q44 GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Usemoderate

Consider the following crops of India : 1. Cowpea 2. Green gram 3. Pigeon pea Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?

(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2012 · Q45 GeographyOceanographymoderate

Consider the following factors : 1. Rotation of the Earth 2. Air pressure and wind 3. Density of ocean water 4. Revolution of the Earth Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

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

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Official answer(b) 1, 2 and 3

2012 · Q47 GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Useeasy

Consider the following crops of India : 1. Groundnut 2. Sesamum 3. Pearl millet Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?

(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2012 · Q48 GeographyIndian Physical Geographyeasy

When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following : 1. Deep gorges 2. U-turn river courses 3. Parallel mountain ranges 4. Steep gradients causing landsliding Which of the above can be said to be the evidences for Himalayas being young fold mountains?

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

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Official answer(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

2012 · Q49 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth's surface, because 1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth's surface 2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere 3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2012 · Q85 GeographyAstronomy & Earth–Sun Systemeasy

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

(a)direction facing the polestar
(b)direction opposite to the polestar
(c)direction keeping the polestar to his left
(d)direction keeping the polestar to his right

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Official answer(c) direction keeping the polestar to his left

2012 · Q88 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. The duration of the monsoon decreases from southern India to northern India. 2. The amount of annual rainfall in the northern plains of India decreases from east to west. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2012 · Q89 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologyeasy

Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region?

(a)Rainfall throughout the year
(b)Rainfall in winter only
(c)An extremely short dry season
(d)A definite dry and wet season

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Official answer(d) A definite dry and wet season

2011 · Q14 GeographyPopulation & Demographyeasy

India is regarded as a country with “Demographic Dividend”. This is due to

(a)Its high population in the age group below 15 years
(b)Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years
(c)Its high population in the age group above 65 years
(d)Its high total population

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Official answer(b) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years

2011 · Q27 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

A layer in the Earth’s atmosphere called Ionosphere facilitates radio communication. Why? 1. The presence of ozone causes the reflection of radio waves to Earth. 2. Radio waves have a very long wavelength. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2011 · Q39 GeographyWorld Political Geography & Bordersmoderate

Southeast Asia has captivated the attention of global community over space and time as a geostrategically significant region. Which among the following is the most convincing explanation for this global perspective?

(a)It was the hot theatre during the Second World War
(b)Its location between the Asian powers of China and India
(c)It was the arena of superpower confrontation during the Cold War period
(d)Its location between the Pacific and Indian oceans and its pre-eminent maritime character

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Official answer(d) Its location between the Pacific and Indian oceans and its pre-eminent maritime character

2011 · Q52 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino ? 1. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2011 · Q58 GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Useeasy

With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced. 2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming. 3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a)1 only
(b)2 and 3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

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Official answer(c) 1 and 3 only

2011 · Q71 GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Useeasy

Among the following States, which one has the most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop an export-oriented industry in this field?

(a)Andhra Pradesh
(b)Arunachal Pradesh
(c)Madhya Pradesh
(d)Uttar Pradesh

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Official answer(b) Arunachal Pradesh

2011 · Q78 GeographyPhysical Geography & Geomorphologymoderate

Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?

(a)It greatly increases the crop production
(b)It makes some soils impermeable
(c)It raises the water table
(d)It fills the air spaces in the soil with water

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Official answer(b) It makes some soils impermeable

2011 · Q89 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why? 1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere. 2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(a) 1 only

2011 · Q90 GeographyTransport & Infrastructure Geographymoderate

Between India and East Asia, the navigation-time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following? 1. Deepening the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia. 2. Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(b) 2 only

2011 · Q93 GeographyIndian Agriculture & Land Useeasy

The lower Gangetic plain is characterised by humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?

(a)Paddy and cotton
(b)Wheat and jute
(c)Paddy and jute
(d)Wheat and cotton

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Official answer(c) Paddy and jute

2011 · Q94 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

What could be the main reason/reasons for the formation of African and Eurasian desert belt? 1. It is located in the sub-tropical high pressure cells. 2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents. Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(a) 1 only

2011 · Q95 GeographyAtmosphere & Climatologymoderate

The jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation? 1. There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere. 2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

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Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2011 · Q97 GeographyIndian Physical Geographydifficult

The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a "U" turn in its course to flow into India. This "U" turn is due to

(a)uplift of folded Himalayan series
(b)syntaxis bending of geologically young Himalayas
(c)geo-tectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains
(d)Both (a) and (b) above

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Official answer(b) syntaxis bending of geologically young Himalayas