World and Physical Geography Archives

421. Which one of the following is a local wind that blows out from Siberia

Which one of the following is a local wind that blows out from Siberia ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Bora” option2=”Purga” option3=”Mistral” option4=”Blizzard” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

The correct answer is B.

Purga is a specific term for a violent snowstorm or blizzard, often accompanied by strong winds and drifting snow, occurring in the tundra regions of Russia and Siberia. The wind blows out from the cold interior regions. Bora is a cold, dry wind in the Adriatic region. Mistral is a cold wind in southern France. A blizzard is a general term for a severe snowstorm, not specific to originating from Siberia as a unique local wind name like Purga. Therefore, Purga is the local wind that blows out from Siberia among the given options.

Local winds are winds that blow over a limited area and are influenced by local topography or temperature differences. They have distinct names in different regions. Examples include Loo (India), Chinook (North America), Foehn (Alps), etc.

422. Which of the following statements about Ring of Fire is/are correct?

Which of the following statements about Ring of Fire is/are correct?

1. It is a zone of convergence plate boundaries
2. It is an active seismic and volcanic zone
3. It is associated with deep trench

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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The Ring of Fire is a region around the rim of the Pacific Ocean characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
1. It is a zone of convergence plate boundaries: Correct. The Ring of Fire largely follows the boundaries of several tectonic plates, where many convergent plate boundaries exist, leading to subduction.
2. It is an active seismic and volcanic zone: Correct. The high incidence of earthquakes and volcanoes gives the region its name.
3. It is associated with deep trench: Correct. Deep oceanic trenches (like the Mariana Trench, Peru-Chile Trench, etc.) are characteristic features of convergent plate boundaries where subduction occurs, and many of the world’s deepest trenches are located within or along the Ring of Fire.
All three statements accurately describe characteristics of the Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire is a direct consequence of plate tectonics, particularly the subduction of oceanic plates beneath continental or other oceanic plates.

Approximately 90% of the world’s earthquakes and 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. It contains 452 volcanoes, more than 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes.

423. Chemical weathering of rocks is much greater in a place with

Chemical weathering of rocks is much greater in a place with

[amp_mcq option1=”cold and dry climate” option2=”hot and humid climate” option3=”hot and dry climate” option4=”cold and humid climate” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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The correct answer is (B) hot and humid climate. Chemical weathering involves chemical reactions like hydrolysis, oxidation, carbonation, etc., which break down rocks. These reactions are significantly accelerated by higher temperatures and the presence of water. A hot climate increases the rate of chemical reactions, and a humid climate provides the necessary moisture (water) for these reactions to occur.

Chemical weathering is most effective in environments with high temperatures and abundant moisture, as these conditions promote the chemical breakdown of minerals in rocks.

In cold climates, physical weathering (like freeze-thaw) is more dominant. In dry climates, both chemical and physical weathering rates are generally lower due to lack of water, although some forms of weathering like exfoliation (due to thermal expansion/contraction) can occur. Hot and dry climates might see relatively faster chemical weathering than cold climates if some moisture is available, but hot and *humid* is the most conducive environment for chemical weathering.

424. Which of the following is/are coastal erosional feature(s) ? 1. Notc

Which of the following is/are coastal erosional feature(s) ?

1. Notch
2. Sea Arch
3. Cliff
4. Hook

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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The correct answer is (A) 1, 2 and 3.
1. Notch: An undercut base of a cliff formed by wave erosion is an erosional feature.
2. Sea Arch: An archway formed in a headland by wave erosion is an erosional feature.
3. Cliff: A steep rock face often formed by the erosive action of waves on a coastline is an erosional feature.
4. Hook: A hook is a type of spit where the end is curved inwards due to wave refraction or opposing currents. A spit is a depositional feature made of accumulated sediment. Thus, a hook is fundamentally depositional.
Therefore, 1, 2, and 3 are coastal erosional features.

Coastal erosional features are shaped by the destructive forces of waves, currents, and tides on the coastline, while depositional features are built up by the accumulation of sediment.

Processes like hydraulic action, abrasion, attrition, and solution contribute to coastal erosion, leading to the formation of landforms like notches, caves, arches, stacks, stumps, cliffs, and wave-cut platforms. Depositional processes create landforms like beaches, spits, bars, tombolos, and dunes.

425. Which one of the following is NOT a coastal depositional feature ?

Which one of the following is NOT a coastal depositional feature ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Tombolo” option2=”Sand bar” option3=”Stack” option4=”Spit” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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The correct answer is (C) Stack. A stack is a vertical column of rock near the coast, formed by coastal erosion. It is typically created when a sea arch collapses. Tombolos, sand bars, and spits are all landforms created by the deposition of sand, gravel, or sediment along the coast.

Coastal landforms are shaped by either erosional or depositional processes of waves and currents. Stacks are features of coastal erosion.

Examples of coastal erosional features include cliffs, wave-cut platforms, sea caves, sea arches, and stacks. Examples of coastal depositional features include beaches, spits, bars, tombolos, and barrier islands.

426. Which one of the following is the driest desert of the world ?

Which one of the following is the driest desert of the world ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Atacama” option2=”Gobi” option3=”Sahara” option4=”Kalahari” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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The Atacama Desert in Chile is widely recognized as the driest non-polar desert in the world.

The extreme aridity of the Atacama is primarily caused by the rain shadow effect from the Andes mountains to the east and the influence of the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current along the coast, which stabilizes the atmosphere and inhibits cloud formation and precipitation.

Other large deserts listed are Gobi (Central Asia), Sahara (North Africa), and Kalahari (Southern Africa), all known for their aridity, but the Atacama is typically cited as the driest.

427. Consider the following statements : 1. The doldrums is a low pressur

Consider the following statements :

1. The doldrums is a low pressure area around Equator where the prevailing winds are calm.
2. Chinook is a hot and dry wind that blows in winter and therefore raises the temperature in a short time.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

Download PDF Attempt Online

Both statements 1 and 2 are correct. The doldrums are indeed a low-pressure belt around the equator with calm winds, and the Chinook is a hot, dry wind that can cause rapid temperature increases, often occurring in winter.

– The doldrums correspond to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where air converges and rises, leading to low surface pressure and light winds.
– The Chinook is a type of Foehn wind resulting from adiabatic warming as air descends the leeward side of a mountain range. It is known for its ability to melt snow rapidly, hence the name “snow eater”.

Foehn winds like the Chinook occur when moist air is forced up a mountain, releases moisture as precipitation on the windward side, and then descends dryly and warms adiabatically on the leeward side. This can lead to significant temperature rises in valleys and plains below.

428. Consider the following statements about Roaring Forties : 1. They ar

Consider the following statements about Roaring Forties :

1. They are strong Westerly winds found in the oceans of Southern Hemisphere.
2. The strong east to west air currents are caused by the combination of air being displaced from the Equator towards the South Pole and the earth’s rotation and abundance of landmasses to serve as wind breaks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[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

UPSC NDA-1 – 2018

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Statement 1 is correct. The Roaring Forties are strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere, predominantly over the oceans between approximately 40°S and 50°S latitude.

– Westerly winds blow from west to east.
– The strength of the Roaring Forties is due to the large temperature gradient between the pole and the equator, the Coriolis effect, and importantly, the relative absence of large landmasses in the Southern Hemisphere at these latitudes, which allows winds to circulate with less interruption.

Statement 2 is incorrect because the winds blow from west to east (Westerly), not east to west. Also, the *absence* of significant landmasses in the Southern Hemisphere is crucial to their strength, as landmasses would act as wind breaks, reducing wind speed.

429. 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 (Classification of resources)	List II (Example)
A. Basic inexhaustible resource	1. Hydel power
B. Conventional non-renewable resource	2. Coal
C. Non-conventional renewable resource	3. Solar energy
D. Non-conventional non-renewable resource	4. Natural gas

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2017

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This question asks to match different classifications of resources with their examples. The classifications relate to whether resources are renewable or non-renewable, and whether they are conventionally used or considered basic/inexhaustible or non-conventional.

Let’s match the lists based on standard resource classifications:
A. Basic inexhaustible resource: These are resources available in unlimited quantities and are continuously replenished, like solar energy. Solar energy (3) fits this description.
B. Conventional non-renewable resource: These are widely used resources that exist in finite quantities and are not replenished on a human timescale, primarily fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal (2) is a clear example.
C. Non-conventional renewable resource: These are renewable resources that are not traditionally used on a large scale or are derived from less conventional methods. While Hydel power (1) from large dams is often considered conventional, smaller hydro or other renewables like wind, geothermal, biomass fit ‘non-conventional renewable’. Given the options, and having matched A and B, Hydel power is the only renewable option left that hasn’t been matched with A. So, C likely matches with Hydel power (1) in this context, despite the ambiguity of ‘conventional’ for large hydro.
D. Non-conventional non-renewable resource: This category is less standard. Non-renewable resources like natural gas (4) are typically considered conventional. The pairing of D with Natural gas (4) seems incorrect based on standard definitions. However, if we follow the matches derived from A, B, and C (A-3, B-2, C-1), the remaining option for D is 4. The code 3 2 1 4 corresponds to option A.

Assuming there might be a specific classification framework used by the question setter or a slight imprecision in the categories/examples provided for option D, based on the clear matches for A and B, and the likely match for C within the given options, option A (3 2 1 4) is the most plausible answer structure. The classification of large-scale Hydel power as ‘non-conventional renewable’ might be debatable in some contexts, and ‘Natural gas’ as ‘non-conventional non-renewable’ is generally inaccurate (it’s conventional non-renewable). However, based on the provided options and common exam patterns where some pairings might be less precise, we select the best fit.

430. Spruce and Cedar are tree varieties of

Spruce and Cedar are tree varieties of

[amp_mcq option1=”Equatorial forest” option2=”Temperate coniferous forest” option3=”Monsoon forest” option4=”Temperate deciduous forest” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2016

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The correct answer is B) Temperate coniferous forest.

Spruce and Cedar are characteristic tree species found in temperate coniferous forests, also known as Boreal forests or Taiga in colder regions. These forests are dominated by evergreen, cone-bearing trees adapted to cold climates and relatively poor soils.

– Equatorial forests (tropical rainforests) are characterized by high biodiversity, broad-leaved evergreen trees, and high rainfall and temperatures year-round.
– Monsoon forests (tropical deciduous forests) are found in regions with a distinct wet and dry season, and many trees shed their leaves during the dry season.
– Temperate deciduous forests are characterized by trees that shed their leaves annually in autumn, found in regions with distinct seasons and moderate rainfall. Examples include oak, maple, and beech.