World and Physical Geography

351. Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Application of lime makes the soil acidic.” option2=”High acidity in soil is typical of humid climate.” option3=”Increasing soil acidity results in declining soil fertility.” option4=”Arid climate is characterized by alkaline soil.” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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Let’s analyze each statement about soil acidity:
A) Application of lime (usually calcium carbonate, CaCO₃, or calcium oxide, CaO, which reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂) is a common agricultural practice used to *reduce* soil acidity and increase pH, making the soil more alkaline or neutral. Therefore, applying lime does not make the soil acidic; it makes it less acidic. This statement is not correct.
Lime is applied to soil to neutralize acidity (increase pH), not to make it acidic.
B) High acidity in soil is typical of humid climates where high rainfall leads to leaching of basic cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺) from the topsoil, leaving behind acidic ions like H⁺ and Al³⁺.
C) Increasing soil acidity can lead to declining soil fertility because essential plant nutrients (like phosphorus) become less available, and potentially toxic elements (like aluminum and manganese) become more soluble and available at low pH levels.
D) Arid climates are characterized by low rainfall, which limits the leaching of basic cations. Evaporation can also bring dissolved salts to the surface, often resulting in the accumulation of carbonates and other salts that contribute to alkalinity. Hence, arid soils are often alkaline or saline.
Since the question asks for the statement that is *not* correct, option A is the answer.

352. Which one of the following pairs of properties of typical air masses i

Which one of the following pairs of properties of typical air masses is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Maritime Equatorial: Warm oceans in the equatorial zone” option2=”Maritime Polar: Warm oceans in the tropical zone” option3=”Continental Tropical: Less warm oceans in the tropical zone” option4=”Continental Polar: Moist oceans in the polar zone” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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Air masses are classified based on their source region’s latitude (determining temperature: Equatorial (E), Tropical (T), Polar (P), Arctic/Antarctic (A)) and the surface type (determining moisture: Maritime (m) over oceans, Continental (c) over land). A Maritime Equatorial air mass forms over warm oceans in the equatorial region, making it warm and moist.
Air masses are classified by temperature (based on latitude of origin) and moisture content (based on surface type of origin). Maritime Equatorial (mE) air masses originate over warm equatorial oceans.
Let’s examine the other options:
B) Maritime Polar (mP): Forms over cold oceans in polar regions, typically cold and moist. The description “Warm oceans in the tropical zone” refers to mT (Maritime Tropical).
C) Continental Tropical (cT): Forms over warm land in the tropics, typically warm and dry. The description “Less warm oceans in the tropical zone” is incorrect.
D) Continental Polar (cP): Forms over cold land in polar regions, typically cold and dry. The description “Moist oceans in the polar zone” refers to mP (Maritime Polar).
Only option A accurately describes the characteristics and source region of a Maritime Equatorial air mass.

353. 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
(Low-Latitude Climate)		 List II
(Characteristic)
A. Wet Equatorial 1. Uniform temperatures, mean near 27 °C
B. Monsoon and trade wind coastal 2. Marked temperature cycle with very high temperature before the rainy season
C. Wet-dry tropical 3. Temperatures show an annual cycle with high temperature in the high-Sun season
D. Dry tropical 4. Strong temperature cycle, with intense temperature during high-Sun season

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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The correct option is D, 1 3 2 4.
Let’s match the low-latitude climate types with their characteristics:
A. Wet Equatorial (e.g., Amazon Basin, Congo Basin): Characterized by uniformly high temperatures throughout the year, typically averaging around 27 °C, and high rainfall year-round. This matches characteristic 1. (A-1)
B. Monsoon and trade wind coastal (e.g., Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia): Influenced by seasonal wind shifts bringing heavy rainfall (monsoons) or consistent rainfall from trade winds. Temperatures show an annual cycle, with warmer temperatures during the high-Sun season, but moderated by humidity and rainfall. This matches characteristic 3. (B-3)
C. Wet-dry tropical (Savanna, e.g., East Africa, parts of Brazil): Features distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures have a marked annual cycle, with the highest temperatures often occurring just before the onset of the rainy season, when it is hottest and driest. This matches characteristic 2. (C-2)
D. Dry tropical (Desert, e.g., Sahara Desert, Arabian Desert): Characterized by extremely low rainfall and high temperatures. Temperatures exhibit a strong annual and diurnal cycle, with intense heat during the high-Sun season. This matches characteristic 4. (D-4)
Thus, the correct matching is A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4, which corresponds to option D (1 3 2 4).
These climate types are typically found between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. They are differentiated based primarily on their annual rainfall distribution and the resulting vegetation patterns, which in turn influence temperature characteristics. The Köppen climate classification system provides a more detailed framework for defining these climate types.

354. Which one of the following gases is found in highest quantity in

Which one of the following gases is found in highest quantity in Exosphere?

[amp_mcq option1=”Hydrogen” option2=”Helium” option3=”Nitrogen” option4=”Oxygen” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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The correct option is A, Hydrogen.
The exosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth’s atmosphere, extending upwards from the thermosphere and gradually thinning into space. The gases in this region are extremely sparse. Due to their very low atomic mass, hydrogen and helium are the most abundant constituents, as they are light enough to reach these high altitudes and potentially escape Earth’s gravity. Hydrogen is generally considered the dominant gas in the outermost reaches of the exosphere. Heavier gases like nitrogen and oxygen are much more concentrated in the lower atmospheric layers.
The exosphere is characterized by extremely low density and consists primarily of hydrogen, helium, and some heavier atoms and molecules near its base. This region marks the transition between Earth’s atmosphere and the vacuum of outer space. Temperature in the exosphere is highly variable and not representative of heat content due to the low particle density.

355. An up fold in rock is:

An up fold in rock is:

[amp_mcq option1=”graben” option2=”horse” option3=”anticline” option4=”syncline” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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The correct option is C, anticline.
In structural geology, an up fold in rock layers, where the limbs dip away from the hinge and the oldest strata are typically in the core, is called an anticline. Conversely, a down fold, where the limbs dip towards the hinge and the youngest strata are in the core, is called a syncline. Graben and horst are fault-related structures; a graben is a down-dropped block bounded by normal faults, and a horst is an uplifted block bounded by normal faults.
Folds in rock strata result from compressional forces acting on the Earth’s crust. Anticlines and synclines often occur together in fold belts. The shape of the fold can vary from gentle waves to tight, overturned folds.

356. Which one of the following statements is not correct?

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Temperatures decrease from the equator to poles” option2=”Temperatures in equatorial regions change substantially from January to July” option3=”Large land masses located in the subarctic and arctic zones develop centres of extremely low temperatures in winter” option4=”Highlands are always colder than surrounding low lands” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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Statement B is not correct. Temperatures in equatorial regions exhibit very little seasonal variation because the sun’s rays are always close to vertical throughout the year. Seasonal temperature changes are much more pronounced at higher latitudes due to the varying angle of sunlight and length of day/night.
This question tests knowledge of geographical factors influencing temperature distribution and variation across the globe.
Statement A is correct; average temperatures generally decrease with increasing latitude. Statement C is correct; large landmasses in high latitudes experience extreme cold winters due to continentality and long periods without sunlight. Statement D is correct; temperature generally decreases with increasing altitude due to the atmospheric lapse rate.

357. Which one of the following describes the Lithosphere?

Which one of the following describes the Lithosphere?

[amp_mcq option1=”Upper and lower mantle” option2=”Crust and upper mantle” option3=”Crust and core” option4=”Mantle and core” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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The Lithosphere is defined as the rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is situated above the asthenosphere, which is a more ductile layer of the upper mantle.
Understanding the layered structure of the Earth (Crust, Mantle, Core) and the physical properties of these layers (Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, Mesosphere, etc.) is key.
The lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates that move over the asthenosphere. The thickness of the lithosphere varies, being thinner under oceanic crust and thicker under continental crust.

358. Which one of the following combinations of stalactites and stalagmites

Which one of the following combinations of stalactites and stalagmites occurrences is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”Stalactites hang as icicles of different diameters and stalagmites hang from the floor of the caves” option2=”Stalactites hang as icicles of different diameters and stalagmites rise up from the floor of the caves” option3=”Stalactites rise up from the floor of the caves and stalagmites hang as icicles of different diameters” option4=”Stalactites hang as icicles of different diameters and stalagmites also hang as icicles of different diameters” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2015
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Stalactites are formations that hang from the ceiling of caves, typically formed by the slow dripping of mineral-rich water, often appearing like icicles. Stalagmites are formations that rise up from the floor of caves, formed by the accumulation of material from the dripping water from above.
The distinction between stalactites (hanging) and stalagmites (rising) is a common geological concept.
These formations are types of speleothems, usually found in limestone caves, formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate dissolved in water.

359. Which of the following statements regarding tropical cyclones is/are c

Which of the following statements regarding tropical cyclones is/are correct?
1. These storms develop during the summer and autumn in every tropical ocean except the South Atlantic and eastern South Pacific Oceans.
2. Tropical cyclones that occur in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific Oceans are known as typhoons.
3. Tropical cyclones that occur in the Indian and South Pacific Oceans are called cyclones.

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
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Statement 1 and Statement 3 are correct.
Tropical cyclones develop in most tropical oceans during the summer and autumn seasons, with the exception of the South Atlantic and southeastern South Pacific Oceans, where conditions are generally not conducive. These storms are given different regional names: ‘hurricanes’ in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific, ‘typhoons’ in the western North Pacific, and ‘cyclones’ in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.
Statement 1 is correct because while conditions for tropical cyclone formation exist in many tropical oceans, they are typically absent in the South Atlantic (due to wind shear) and the eastern South Pacific (due to cold water and wind shear). Statement 2 is incorrect as typhoons occur in the western North Pacific; hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific. Statement 3 is correct as the term ‘cyclone’ is used in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.

360. Which of the following statements regarding the World Climate Types an

Which of the following statements regarding the World Climate Types and their relation with Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is/are correct?
1. Tropical Wet Climate is one of the world’s rainiest due to the dominance of the ITCZ over it.
2. Tropical Savanna Climate experiences a distinctive alternation of wet and dry seasons, caused chiefly by the seasonal shift in latitude of the subtropical highs and ITCZ.
3. The Tropical Monsoonal Climate experiences heavy rainfall as a consequence of the nearness of the ITCZ for much of the year.

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2024
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Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
Statement 1 is correct. The Tropical Wet Climate (e.g., Amazon basin, Congo basin) is located near the equator where the ITCZ is dominant year-round or for most of the year. The ITCZ is a zone of low pressure and convergence, leading to significant convection and heavy, consistent rainfall. Statement 2 is correct. The Tropical Savanna Climate is typically located poleward of the Tropical Wet climate. It experiences distinct wet and dry seasons caused by the seasonal migration of the ITCZ (bringing rain during the high-sun season when it’s overhead) and the subtropical high-pressure belts (bringing dry conditions during the low-sun season when they are dominant). Statement 3 is correct. The Tropical Monsoonal Climate is characterized by a significant seasonal reversal of winds, leading to heavy rainfall during the wet season. The ITCZ plays a crucial role in the monsoonal circulation by creating a thermal low over land during the summer, which draws in moisture-laden winds from the ocean. The nearness and seasonal shift of the ITCZ are fundamental to the development of the monsoon trough and associated heavy rainfall.
The ITCZ is a band of low pressure that encircles the Earth near the equator, where trade winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge. Its position shifts seasonally with the sun’s zenith, moving poleward in the summer hemisphere.
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