World and Physical Geography

111. Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of

Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of equatorial forests?

  1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
  2. Coexistence of a large number of species
  3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

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All three statements describe characteristic features of equatorial forests (tropical rainforests). The presence of tall, closely set trees with a continuous canopy (leading to stratification), extremely high biodiversity with a large number of coexisting species, and the abundance of epiphytes are all unique or highly pronounced characteristics of this biome compared to others.
Equatorial forests are known for their high temperature and rainfall year-round, leading to dense vegetation, complex vertical structure (canopy layers), and exceptional species richness. These conditions also favour the growth of plants that live on others, like epiphytes.
The multi-layered structure of the forest, from the emergent layer to the understorey and forest floor, is a direct consequence of the dense canopy. The high biodiversity is attributed to a stable climate over long periods and complex ecological interactions. Epiphytes thrive in the humid conditions, utilizing the trees for support and access to sunlight.

112. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regio

The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where

[amp_mcq option1=”warm and cold atmospheric currents meet” option2=”rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea” option3=”warm and cold oceanic currents meet” option4=”continental shelf is undulating” correct=”option3″]

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The most important fishing grounds of the world are typically found where warm and cold oceanic currents meet. This is because the meeting of currents causes upwelling, bringing nutrient-rich cold water from the ocean depths to the surface. This nutrient supply supports a large growth of plankton, which forms the base of the marine food web, leading to high populations of fish and other marine life.
The convergence of different oceanic currents, especially warm and cold ones, is a major factor in creating productive marine environments suitable for large-scale fishing. Upwelling associated with these areas is key to nutrient availability.
Examples of major fishing grounds located at the convergence of currents include the Grand Banks off Newfoundland (meeting of the warm Gulf Stream and the cold Labrador Current) and the North Sea (meeting of the North Atlantic Drift and polar waters). The continental shelf is also important because it is shallow enough for sunlight penetration, supporting photosynthesis, but the current mixing provides the significant boost in productivity.

113. Consider the following: Electromagnetic radiation Geothermal energy

Consider the following:

  1. Electromagnetic radiation
  2. Geothermal energy
  3. Gravitational force
  4. Plate movements
  5. Rotation of the earth
  6. Revolution of the earth

Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2, 3 and 4 only” option2=”1, 3, 5 and 6 only” option3=”2, 4, 5 and 6 only” option4=”1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6″ correct=”option4″]

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The correct option is D, as all the listed factors are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth.
– Electromagnetic radiation (primarily from the Sun): Drives climate, weather systems, erosion (through wind, water, ice), photosynthesis (biological weathering), and thermal expansion/contraction (physical weathering).
– Geothermal energy: Drives plate tectonics, volcanic activity, earthquakes, formation of mountains and ocean basins, and heat flow influencing subsurface processes.
– Gravitational force: Causes mass movements (landslides, rockfalls), erosion by rivers (pulling water downhill), formation of tides (along with moon), and influences atmospheric circulation and ocean currents.
– Plate movements: Directly responsible for earthquakes, volcanism, mountain building (orogeny), creation of rift valleys, and continental drift, constantly reshaping the Earth’s crust.
– Rotation of the earth: Causes Coriolis effect (influencing weather patterns, currents), contributes to tides (along with gravity), and diurnal temperature variations causing weathering.
– Revolution of the earth: Along with axial tilt, causes seasons, influencing weather patterns, rates of weathering and erosion, formation and melting of ice/snow, and biological activity.
The Earth’s surface is constantly being altered by both internal (endogenic) and external (exogenic) processes. Geothermal energy and Plate movements are primarily endogenic forces. Electromagnetic radiation, Gravitational force, Rotation, and Revolution of the earth drive exogenic processes like weathering, erosion, and mass wasting, and also influence weather and climate which shape the surface. All these factors interact in complex ways to create the dynamic surface we see.

114. On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and gla

On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion

[amp_mcq option1=”is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds” option2=”is found in freshwater lakes and rivers” option3=”exists as groundwater” option4=”exists as soil moisture” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC IAS – 2013
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The correct option is C, stating that out of the remaining freshwater (after ice caps and glaciers), the largest proportion exists as groundwater.
– Approximately 68.7% of the Earth’s freshwater is stored in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow.
– The remaining freshwater (about 31.3%) is primarily found underground as groundwater (about 30.1%).
– A much smaller amount of freshwater exists on the surface (lakes, rivers, swamps, about 1.2%) and in the atmosphere (moisture and clouds, a very small percentage) and as soil moisture (also a small percentage, part of the surface/other category).
– Specifically, groundwater accounts for the vast majority of available liquid freshwater on Earth.
Although surface water in lakes and rivers is the most visible form of freshwater and the easiest to access, it constitutes only a tiny fraction of the total freshwater resources. Groundwater is a crucial source for drinking water and irrigation globally.

115. Variations in the length of daytime and nighttime from season to seaso

Variations in the length of daytime and nighttime from season to season are due to

[amp_mcq option1=”the earth’s rotation on its axis” option2=”the earth’s revolution round the sun in an elliptical manner” option3=”latitudinal position of the place” option4=”revolution of the earth on a tilted axis” correct=”option4″]

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The correct option is D, stating that the variation in the length of daytime and nighttime from season to season is due to the revolution of the earth on a tilted axis.
– The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
– As the Earth revolves around the sun, this tilt causes different parts of the Earth to be inclined towards or away from the sun at different times of the year.
– When a hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it receives more direct sunlight and experiences longer days and shorter nights (summer). When it is tilted away from the sun, it receives less direct sunlight and experiences shorter days and longer nights (winter).
– The Earth’s rotation on its axis causes the daily cycle of day and night, but not the seasonal variation in their lengths.
– The elliptical orbit affects the Earth’s distance from the sun, influencing the intensity of sunlight and subtly affecting orbital speed, but the seasonal variation in day length is primarily due to the axial tilt.
– Latitudinal position influences the *magnitude* of the variation; the variation is minimal at the equator and maximal at the poles, but the underlying cause is the axial tilt and revolution.
This tilt is responsible for the occurrence of seasons and the varying angle of the sun in the sky throughout the year, in addition to the variation in day length.

116. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? Geographica

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

Geographical FeatureRegion
(a) Abyssinian Plateau: Arabia
(b) Atlas Mountains: North-Western Africa
(c) Guiana Highlands: South-Western Africa
(d) Okavango Basin: Patagonia

[amp_mcq option1=”Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia” option2=”Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa” option3=”Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa” option4=”Okavango Basin : Patagonia” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
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The pair “Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa” is correctly matched. The Atlas Mountains are a mountain range in the Maghreb region of North-Western Africa, stretching through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
(a) Abyssinian Plateau is located in Ethiopia, East Africa, not Arabia.
(c) Guiana Highlands are located in northern South America.
(d) Okavango Basin (including the delta) is located in Southern Africa (primarily Botswana, Namibia, Angola), not Patagonia (which is in South America).
Accurate geographical knowledge is crucial for matching features with their correct regions. Knowing the approximate locations of major geographical features like plateaus, mountains, basins, and highlands is important for such questions.

117. Which of the following countries does NOT share boundary with Ukraine

Which of the following countries does NOT share boundary with Ukraine ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Romania” option2=”Moldova” option3=”Poland” option4=”Lithuania” correct=”option4″]

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Lithuania does not share a direct land boundary with Ukraine. Ukraine shares borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. Lithuania shares borders with Poland, Latvia, Belarus, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast).
Understanding the geography of Eastern Europe is key. Lithuania is located to the northwest of Ukraine, separated by Belarus and Poland.
Ukraine is the second-largest country by area in Europe. Its strategic location has historically made its borders significant.

118. With reference to ‘South Coast of Australia’ which of the following st

With reference to ‘South Coast of Australia’ which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  • 1. It is situated along the Indian Ocean
  • 2. It experiences rain during its winter months of December and January

Select the answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
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The correct answer is A) 1 only.
Statement 1 is correct. The southern coast of Australia, including the Great Australian Bight and areas to its west, lies along the Indian Ocean (which some classifications consider part of the Southern Ocean). Statement 2 is incorrect. December and January are summer months in the Southern Hemisphere (including Australia). Parts of the South Coast of Australia, particularly in Western Australia and South Australia, experience a Mediterranean climate characterized by dry summers and wet winters (June to August). Therefore, significant rainfall typically occurs during the Australian winter, not summer (Dec/Jan).
The climate along the South Coast of Australia varies. Western parts have a Mediterranean climate, while central and eastern parts can be more arid or have different rainfall patterns. However, the statement specifies “winter months of December and January”, which are summer months in Australia, making the statement false for the typical Mediterranean climate areas along the south coast known for winter rainfall.

119. Which one among the following countries is NOT a part of the Arabian P

Which one among the following countries is NOT a part of the Arabian Peninsula ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Kuwait” option2=”Oman” option3=”Libya” option4=”Yemen” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
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The correct answer is C) Libya.
The Arabian Peninsula is located in Western Asia, bordered by the Red Sea to the west, the Arabian Sea to the south, and the Persian Gulf to the east. Countries that are typically considered part of the Arabian Peninsula include Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Libya is geographically located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north.
Libya is part of the Maghreb region of North Africa. While it shares cultural and historical ties with the broader Arab world, its geographical location places it outside the Arabian Peninsula. Kuwait, Oman, and Yemen are all located within the geographical boundaries of the Arabian Peninsula.

120. Consider the following statements regarding the temperature of the Ear

Consider the following statements regarding the temperature of the Earth’s surface:

  • 1. The temperature of a surface is determined by net radiation
  • 2. Net radiation produces a radiant energy flow that can heat or cool a surface
  • 3. Net radiation balance is usually positive during the daytime and negative during night time
  • 4. Soil surface loses energy as temperature increases during the daytime

Which of the statements given above are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 and 4 only” option3=”1, 2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
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The correct answer is C) 1, 2 and 3 only.
Statements 1, 2, and 3 accurately describe aspects of the Earth’s surface temperature and net radiation. The temperature of a surface is fundamentally determined by the balance of incoming and outgoing energy fluxes, which is often dominated by radiation (net radiation). A positive net radiation leads to a net gain of energy and thus heating, while a negative net radiation leads to a net loss of energy and thus cooling. During the daytime, incoming solar radiation is high, typically resulting in a positive net radiation balance. At night, with no incoming solar radiation, the surface loses energy primarily through longwave radiation, leading to a negative net radiation balance.
Statement 4 is incorrect. During the daytime, as the soil surface temperature increases due to a positive net energy balance, the rate of outgoing longwave radiation and other energy losses (like sensible and latent heat) increases. However, the surface is *gaining* energy overall (positive net radiation minus other fluxes) which *causes* the temperature to increase. The statement “loses energy as temperature increases during the daytime” is misleading and contradicts the fact that the surface is heating up due to a net energy gain.
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