World and Physical Geography

1. Pyrenees Mountains form a natural border between which of the followin

Pyrenees Mountains form a natural border between which of the following two countries ?

Germany and Switzerland
Norway and Sweden
Hungary and Romania
Spain and France
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The Pyrenees Mountains form a prominent natural barrier and border between the Iberian Peninsula (primarily Spain and Andorra) and mainland Europe (primarily France).
– The Pyrenees Mountains separate Spain and France.
– They form a natural border.
The mountain range stretches approximately 491 kilometers (305 miles) from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. The Principality of Andorra is nestled in the eastern part of the mountain range, bordered by both Spain and France.

2. The “Suez Canal” connects which of the following two water bodies ?

The “Suez Canal” connects which of the following two water bodies ?

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
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The correct answer is Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.
The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
The Suez Canal provides a direct route for shipping between Europe and Asia, avoiding the long circumnavigation of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. It was completed in 1869.

3. The “Northern Sea Route” is a shipping route that connects the Atlanti

The “Northern Sea Route” is a shipping route that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through which one of the following regions ?

Arctic Ocean
Indian Ocean
Mediterranean Sea
South China Sea
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The correct answer is Arctic Ocean.
The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is a shipping route defined in Russian legislation as extending from the Novaya Zemlya archipelago to the Bering Strait. It primarily runs along Russia’s Arctic coast through the Arctic Ocean.
The NSR is gaining attention due to climate change melting Arctic ice, potentially making it a viable commercial shipping route that significantly shortens transit times between Europe and Asia compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal.

4. In fieldcraft, distance is underestimated when 1. the light is brigh

In fieldcraft, distance is underestimated when

  • 1. the light is bright
  • 2. the object is large in relation to its surroundings
  • 3. there is compressed/low-lying ground between the observer and the object
  • 4. looking uphill

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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The correct answer is D because all the conditions listed in the statements contribute to the underestimation of distance in fieldcraft.
– Bright light causes objects to appear closer than they are, leading to underestimation.
– A large object appears closer, especially when there are fewer reference points or its size is disproportionate to typical objects in the environment.
– Compressed or low-lying ground between the observer and the object removes visual references, making the object seem closer.
– Looking uphill makes distances appear shorter due to the foreshortening effect and the effort involved in viewing upwards.
Other factors that can lead to underestimation of distance include looking across water or a valley, looking through clear air, and looking from a height. Factors that lead to overestimation include looking in poor light, looking at a small object, looking across varied ground, and looking downhill.

5. Which one among the following is not an area of Marine West Coast

Which one among the following is not an area of Marine West Coast Climate?

South-Eastern Australia
North-West Europe
New Zealand
North-West Africa
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North-West Africa is primarily characterized by a Mediterranean climate, not a Marine West Coast Climate.
The Marine West Coast climate (Köppen: Cfb) is characterized by mild summers, cool winters, and consistent precipitation throughout the year. It is typically found on the west coasts of continents between 40° and 60° latitude.
North-West Europe (e.g., UK, Ireland, coastal Norway, France) is a classic region for Marine West Coast climate. New Zealand, being islands in the mid-latitudes, also has significant areas with Marine West Coast climate. Parts of South-Eastern Australia (e.g., Tasmania, Victoria) also experience this climate type. North-West Africa (e.g., Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) is located at lower latitudes and experiences a Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa/Csb), characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, which is distinct from the year-round precipitation pattern of the Marine West Coast climate.

6. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I
(Natural disaster)

List-II
(Category)

A. Blizzards 1. Terrestrial
B. Soil erosion 2. Atmospheric
C. Tsunami 3. Biological
D. Locusts 4. Aquatic

Code :

A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
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Matching the natural disasters with their categories:
A. Blizzards are severe snowstorms characterized by strong winds, which are atmospheric phenomena. Thus, Blizzards (A) match with Atmospheric (2).
B. Soil erosion is the denudation of the upper layer of soil, a process occurring on the Earth’s surface, hence a terrestrial phenomenon. Thus, Soil erosion (B) matches with Terrestrial (1).
C. Tsunami is a series of giant waves caused by large-scale disturbances, most commonly underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. As it is a phenomenon related to water bodies, it is categorized as aquatic. Thus, Tsunami (C) matches with Aquatic (4).
D. Locusts are migratory insects that form swarms and can cause massive damage to crops. This involves biological organisms causing a disaster, hence a biological phenomenon. Thus, Locusts (D) match with Biological (3).
The correct matching is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3, which corresponds to option C.
Natural disasters can be broadly categorized based on their origin, such as atmospheric, terrestrial, aquatic, and biological.
Other examples include: Atmospheric (cyclones, droughts, heat waves), Terrestrial (earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions), Aquatic (floods, storms, sea-level rise), Biological (epidemics, pest infestations). Some disasters can overlap categories or have cascading effects across categories.

7. The magnitude of an earthquake is measured by :

The magnitude of an earthquake is measured by :

Tiltmeter
Richter scale
Seismograph
Seismometer
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The magnitude of an earthquake, which represents the energy released at the earthquake’s source, is measured using scales like the Richter scale or, more commonly today, the Moment Magnitude Scale.
– **Richter scale (B):** An early scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes based on the amplitude of the largest seismic wave recorded.
– **Seismograph (C) / Seismometer (D):** These are instruments used to detect and record the ground motion caused by seismic waves from an earthquake. The data recorded by a seismograph is used to calculate the magnitude and locate the earthquake, but the instrument itself measures motion, not magnitude directly.
– **Tiltmeter (A):** An instrument used to measure very small changes in the inclination of the ground surface, often used to monitor volcanic activity or ground deformation.
While the Richter scale is well-known, the Moment Magnitude Scale is now the preferred method for measuring earthquake magnitude globally, especially for larger earthquakes, as it provides a more accurate estimate of the total energy released. Both are scales used to quantify magnitude, distinct from the instruments used to record seismic waves.

8. With reference to the Galapagos Islands, which of the following statem

With reference to the Galapagos Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. They are formed due to volcanic activity
  • 2. They are part of the South American nation, Peru
  • 3. They are situated in the Pacific Ocean

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 2 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
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Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while Statement 2 is incorrect.
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands located in the Pacific Ocean (Statement 3). They were formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago (Statement 1).
The Galapagos Islands are a province of Ecuador (Statement 2 is incorrect), located approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the coast of the country. The islands are famous for their unique biodiversity, studied by Charles Darwin, which influenced his theory of evolution by natural selection.

9. Lake Balkhash is situated in which one of the following countries ?

Lake Balkhash is situated in which one of the following countries ?

Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Russia
Turkmenistan
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Lake Balkhash is located in Kazakhstan.
It is the largest lake in Kazakhstan and the 15th largest in the world.
Lake Balkhash is unique because its western part consists of fresh water, while its eastern part is saline, separated by a narrow strait. The primary inflow is the Ili River. The lake faces significant environmental challenges due to water diversion from its tributaries.

10. Which of the following countries are not situated along the coast of t

Which of the following countries are not situated along the coast of the Baltic Sea ?

Latvia and Poland
Latvia and Russia
Sweden and Russia
Sweden and Norway
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Norway is not situated along the coast of the Baltic Sea.
Countries bordering the Baltic Sea include Sweden, Finland, Russia (specifically its exclave Kaliningrad and the coast near St. Petersburg), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and Denmark.
Norway has an extensive coastline but faces the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, and the Barents Sea, not the Baltic Sea. Sweden borders the Baltic Sea on its east coast.
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