World and Physical Geography

371. Which of the following positions of Sun, Earth and Moon is/are suitabl

Which of the following positions of Sun, Earth and Moon is/are suitable for Spring Tide ?

  • 1. SYZYGY Conjunction
  • 2. SYZYGY Opposition
  • 3. Quadrature

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is C) 1 and 2.
Spring tides are extreme tides (higher high tides and lower low tides) that occur when the gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon are aligned, reinforcing each other. This alignment happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in a straight line, a configuration known as Syzygy. Syzygy occurs in two positions:
1. **Conjunction:** The Moon is between the Sun and the Earth (during the New Moon phase).
2. **Opposition:** The Earth is between the Sun and the Moon (during the Full Moon phase).
Quadrature occurs when the Moon is at a 90-degree angle relative to the Sun-Earth line (during the First and Third Quarter Moon phases), resulting in weaker tides known as neap tides.
The gravitational pull of both the Sun and the Moon affects Earth’s tides. When they pull in the same direction (Syzygy – Conjunction or Opposition), their effects combine, leading to spring tides. When they pull at right angles (Quadrature), their effects partially cancel out, leading to neap tides.

372. If it is 12 noon in New Delhi, what will be the time in London, UK ?

If it is 12 noon in New Delhi, what will be the time in London, UK ?

[amp_mcq option1=”6:30 A.M.” option2=”6:30 P.M.” option3=”5:30 A.M.” option4=”5:30 P.M.” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is A) 6:30 A.M.
New Delhi, India observes Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30. London, UK primarily observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is UTC+0. During parts of the year, the UK observes British Summer Time (BST), which is UTC+1. Assuming the question refers to the standard time difference (UTC vs UTC+5:30), New Delhi is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of London. To find the time in London, subtract 5 hours and 30 minutes from the time in New Delhi. If it is 12:00 noon in New Delhi, subtracting 5 hours gives 07:00, and subtracting another 30 minutes gives 06:30.
The calculation is: 12:00 (New Delhi time) – 5 hours 30 minutes (time difference) = 06:30. Since 12 noon is in the middle of the day, 06:30 will be in the morning. Therefore, it is 6:30 A.M. in London.

373. Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneou

Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneous rock ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Laccolith” option2=”Batholith” option3=”Lopolith” option4=”Phacolith” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is B) Batholith.
Intrusive igneous rocks form when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth’s surface. Among the given options, a batholith is the largest and typically the deepest type of intrusive igneous rock body. Batholiths are massive, irregular plutonic bodies that form deep within the crust and are often considered the root of mountain ranges. Laccoliths, lopoliths, and phacoliths are generally smaller and form at shallower depths compared to batholiths, often causing deformation of overlying strata.
– Laccoliths are dome-shaped intrusions that push overlying layers upwards.
– Lopoliths are saucer-shaped intrusions.
– Phacoliths are lens-shaped intrusions conforming to the crests or troughs of folded rock layers.
– Batholiths are typically vast, extending over 100 square kilometers, and are uncovered by erosion of the overlying rock.

374. Which one of the following is found in the innermost part of the Earth

Which one of the following is found in the innermost part of the Earth ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Conrad discontinuity” option2=”Moho discontinuity” option3=”Guttenberg discontinuity” option4=”Lehmann discontinuity” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is D) Lehmann discontinuity.
The Earth is structured in layers: crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. Discontinuities are boundaries where seismic waves change speed due to changes in material properties. The Lehmann discontinuity is located at a depth of approximately 5150 km and separates the liquid outer core from the solid inner core. Since the inner core is the innermost part of the Earth, the Lehmann discontinuity is found at the boundary of this innermost region.
– The Conrad discontinuity is a theoretical or regional boundary within the continental crust.
– The Moho discontinuity (Mohorovičić discontinuity) is the boundary between the Earth’s crust and the mantle (around 35-70 km under continents, 5-10 km under oceans).
– The Guttenberg discontinuity (also known as the Wiechert–Gutenberg discontinuity or Core–mantle boundary) is the boundary between the Earth’s mantle and the outer core (around 2900 km depth).

375. In the soil-forming regime, which one of the following occurs in a reg

In the soil-forming regime, which one of the following occurs in a region where evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation significantly ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Calcification” option2=”Laterization” option3=”Podsolization” option4=”Gleization” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
Soil-forming regimes are characteristic processes that occur in specific environmental conditions (primarily climate and vegetation) and lead to the development of different soil types. A region where evapotranspiration significantly exceeds precipitation is characterized by a dry climate, typical of arid or semi-arid environments.
– Calcification: Occurs in arid/semi-arid regions where precipitation is insufficient to leach soluble salts, particularly calcium carbonate, from the soil profile. Calcium accumulates in the upper horizons or forms a hardpan (caliche) due to upward capillary movement of water followed by evaporation.
– Laterization: Occurs in hot, humid climates with high rainfall, leading to intense leaching and accumulation of iron and aluminum oxides.
– Podsolization: Occurs in cool, humid climates, typically under coniferous forests, resulting in the leaching of iron, aluminum, and organic matter from upper horizons and their accumulation in lower horizons.
– Gleization: Occurs in waterlogged, anaerobic conditions, leading to the reduction of iron and characteristic grey/blue colours and mottles.
In regions where evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation, there is a net upward movement of water through capillary action in the soil profile. This water often carries dissolved minerals, including calcium. As the water evaporates at or near the surface, the dissolved minerals are left behind, leading to their accumulation. This process of calcium carbonate accumulation is known as calcification, which is characteristic of soils in dry climates.

376. Consider the following statements: 1. Distance between the longitude

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. Distance between the longitudes becomes zero on North Pole and South Pole.
  • 2. Distance between the longitudes is maximum on the Equator.
  • 3. Number of longitudes is more than number of latitudes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
All three statements regarding longitudes and latitudes are correct.
Longitudes are imaginary lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole. They are furthest apart at the equator and converge at the poles, where the distance between them becomes zero. The equator is the largest circle of latitude, and the distance between longitudes is maximum here. There are 360 degrees of longitude (180° East and 180° West from the Prime Meridian, including 0° and 180°). Latitudes are imaginary circles parallel to the equator. There are 181 lines of latitude (0° at the equator, 1° to 90° North, and 1° to 90° South). Thus, the number of longitudes (360) is greater than the number of latitudes (181).
Lines of latitude are parallel and the distance between consecutive degrees of latitude is approximately constant (about 111 km or 69 miles). Lines of longitude are not parallel; their distance varies from maximum at the equator to zero at the poles.

377. Which one among the following is the northernmost geographical locatio

Which one among the following is the northernmost geographical location ?

[amp_mcq option1=”New Delhi” option2=”Kathmandu” option3=”Thimphu” option4=”Dhaka” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
To determine the northernmost geographical location among the given options (which are all capital cities), we need to compare their latitudes.
A) New Delhi, India: Approximately 28.6° N latitude.
B) Kathmandu, Nepal: Approximately 27.7° N latitude.
C) Thimphu, Bhutan: Approximately 27.5° N latitude.
D) Dhaka, Bangladesh: Approximately 23.7° N latitude.
Comparing the latitudes, New Delhi (28.6° N) has the highest latitude, meaning it is located furthest north among the given options.
This question tests geographical knowledge, specifically the relative latitudes of major cities/capitals in South Asia.
Latitude lines measure distance north or south of the Equator. Higher north latitudes mean locations are closer to the North Pole. While all listed cities are in South Asia, their positions relative to the Tropic of Cancer and Himalayan foothills vary, affecting their latitude.

378. The process of Podsolization is predominantly found in :

The process of Podsolization is predominantly found in :

[amp_mcq option1=”Equatorial forest” option2=”Monsoon forest” option3=”Taiga forest” option4=”Mediterranean forest” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is C) Taiga forest.
Podsolization is a soil-forming process that occurs in cool, humid climates, typically under coniferous forests (Taiga) or heathland vegetation. The acidic litter from coniferous trees releases organic acids which, combined with heavy rainfall, lead to the leaching (removal) of base cations, iron, and aluminum from the upper soil horizons (specifically the A and E horizons). These leached materials are then deposited in the illuvial (B) horizon, creating a distinct profile with a greyish-white or ash-coloured E horizon over a reddish-brown or black B horizon. Equatorial forests experience laterization, monsoon forests experience different leaching and deposition patterns, and Mediterranean forests are often subject to calcification or rubefaction due to dry summers and different vegetation.
Soils formed by podsolization are called Podsols. They are generally acidic and low in fertility, posing challenges for agriculture without significant amendments. The term “Podsol” comes from Russian words meaning “under ash,” referring to the characteristic greyish-white E horizon.

379. Which one of the following is not a cold current ?

Which one of the following is not a cold current ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Western Australian Current” option2=”Eastern Australian Current” option3=”Benguela Current” option4=”Peru Current” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is B) Eastern Australian Current.
Ocean currents can be classified as warm or cold based on their temperature relative to the surrounding water, which in turn influences the climate of adjacent landmasses. Warm currents typically flow from the equator towards the poles, while cold currents flow from the poles towards the equator. The Western Australian Current, Benguela Current, and Peru Current are all prominent cold currents flowing towards the equator along the western coasts of continents in the Southern Hemisphere (or South America in the case of Peru). The Eastern Australian Current, however, flows southwards along the east coast of Australia and is a warm current originating from tropical waters.
Cold currents bring cold water to warmer regions, often leading to arid conditions on adjacent coasts (e.g., Atacama Desert near Peru Current, Namib Desert near Benguela Current). Warm currents bring warm water to colder regions, generally leading to more humid and mild conditions on adjacent coasts (e.g., the British Isles influenced by the North Atlantic Drift).

380. Which one of the following is the correct arrangement of the given pla

Which one of the following is the correct arrangement of the given planets in descending order of their density (in gm/cm³)?

[amp_mcq option1=”Earth > Jupiter > Venus > Saturn” option2=”Jupiter > Earth > Saturn > Venus” option3=”Earth > Venus > Jupiter > Saturn” option4=”Earth > Venus > Saturn > Jupiter” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is C.
Planets can be broadly classified into terrestrial (rocky) planets and Jovian (gas giant) planets. Terrestrial planets (like Earth and Venus) are generally much denser than gas giants (like Jupiter and Saturn) because they are primarily composed of rock and metal, while gas giants are mostly hydrogen and helium.
Approximate average densities in g/cm³:
– Earth: ~5.52
– Venus: ~5.24
– Jupiter: ~1.33
– Saturn: ~0.69 (Saturn is less dense than water!)
Arranging these in descending order: Earth > Venus > Jupiter > Saturn.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5