World and Physical Geography

441. The luxuriant growth of natural vegetation in tropical rainforest is d

The luxuriant growth of natural vegetation in tropical rainforest is due to

  • 1. fertile soil.
  • 2. hot and wet climate throughout the year.
  • 3. intense sunlight for photosynthesis.
  • 4. seasonal change to facilitate nutrient absorption.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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Tropical rainforests are characterized by consistently high temperatures and abundant rainfall throughout the year.
Statement 2 (hot and wet climate throughout the year) provides the ideal temperature and moisture conditions for rapid plant growth. Statement 3 (intense sunlight for photosynthesis), due to their location near the equator, ensures high energy input for primary production. Statement 1 (fertile soil) is generally incorrect; rainforest soils are often poor in nutrients as rapid decomposition and uptake mean most nutrients are stored in the biomass, not the soil. Statement 4 (seasonal change) is incorrect; tropical rainforests exhibit minimal seasonal temperature and rainfall variation compared to other biomes, and nutrient cycling is continuous.
The combination of high temperature, high humidity, and intense sunlight creates a highly productive environment for vegetation growth. The limiting factor is usually not climate or light, but rather nutrient availability, which is compensated for by efficient nutrient cycling within the ecosystem.

442. ‘Yakuts’ are the nomadic herders of

‘Yakuts’ are the nomadic herders of

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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The Yakuts (Sakha people) are an ethnic group native to the Sakha Republic in Northeast Asia, a region characterized by harsh climates and diverse biomes including taiga and tundra.
Traditionally, the Yakuts practiced horse breeding, cattle rearing, and in the northern regions, reindeer herding. Reindeer herding is strongly associated with the Tundra and northern Taiga environments. Gobi, Sahara, and Kalahari are deserts in other continents and are not associated with the Yakuts.
The Sakha Republic (Yakutia) is the largest subnational entity in the world by area and covers vast territories of Siberia, extending into the Arctic regions which include significant Tundra zones. Their traditional lifestyle, particularly reindeer herding, places them in the context of the Tundra biome.

443. To a perpendicular to the plane of ecliptic, Earth’s axis of rotation

To a perpendicular to the plane of ecliptic, Earth’s axis of rotation makes an angle of 23½ degrees. Had this angle been zero degree, which one among the following would result ?
A) There would have been no season
B) The length of day and night would have been the same throughout the year
C) The length of the day and night would have been the same all over the earth
D) All of the above

[amp_mcq option1=”There would have been no season” option2=”The length of day and night would have been the same throughout the year” option3=”The length of the day and night would have been the same all over the earth” option4=”All of the above” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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If Earth’s axis of rotation made an angle of zero degrees with the perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic, it would mean the axis is perpendicular to the orbital plane. This configuration would eliminate the tilt that causes seasons. With no tilt, the sun’s rays would be directly overhead at the equator throughout the year. Consequently, every point on Earth would experience approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness every day of the year, and there would be no significant seasonal variations in temperature or day length at any given latitude.
The tilt of Earth’s axis of rotation (currently 23.5 degrees) is the primary cause of seasons, varying day lengths throughout the year at latitudes away from the equator, and varying angles of incidence of solar radiation.
A zero-degree tilt would mean the terminator (the line separating day from night) would always pass through the poles. This would result in uniform day/night lengths of 12 hours everywhere on Earth throughout the year and the absence of distinct seasons.

444. Rain shadow effect is associated with

Rain shadow effect is associated with

[amp_mcq option1=”Cyclonic rainfall” option2=”Orographic rainfall” option3=”Convectional rainfall” option4=”Frontal rainfall” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2015
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The correct answer is Orographic rainfall. The rain shadow effect is a direct consequence of orographic lift and precipitation.
Orographic rainfall occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range. As the air rises, it cools, condenses, and precipitates on the windward side of the mountains. By the time the air descends on the leeward side, it has lost most of its moisture and warms up, creating a dry area known as a rain shadow.
Cyclonic rainfall is associated with low-pressure systems (cyclones). Convectional rainfall occurs due to intense heating of the ground, causing air to rise, cool, and condense. Frontal rainfall occurs where two different air masses meet along a front. Only orographic rainfall directly leads to the distinct wet windward side and dry leeward (rain shadow) side of a mountain range.

445. Which one of the following is a gravity transported soil?

Which one of the following is a gravity transported soil?

[amp_mcq option1=”Alluvial” option2=”Eolian” option3=”Colluvial” option4=”Glacial” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
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The correct answer is Colluvial.
Colluvial soil is soil that has been transported and deposited by gravity. This occurs on slopes where material moves downwards due to processes like creep, landslides, rockfalls, and sheetwash.
Alluvial soil is transported by flowing water (rivers, streams). Eolian soil is transported by wind (e.g., loess, sand dunes). Glacial soil is transported by glaciers (e.g., till, moraines).

446. Which of the following statements about the ‘Blue Line’ is correct ?

Which of the following statements about the ‘Blue Line’ is correct ?

  • 1. It is a learning ecosystem created by the UN System Staff College.
  • 2. It is a line of withdrawal, set by the UN for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon.

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=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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Statement 1 is incorrect. The ‘Blue Line’ is not a learning ecosystem created by the UN System Staff College. Statement 2 is correct. The ‘Blue Line’ is a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425. It serves as a practical line for security purposes.
The ‘Blue Line’ is a UN-defined border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.
The Blue Line was established in May 2000 by UN cartographers. It is not an official international border but was drawn to verify Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. Tensions often arise along the Blue Line due to various points of contention and incidents. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is deployed in the area to monitor the line and maintain stability.

447. Which one of the following is the thinnest layer of the Earth ?

Which one of the following is the thinnest layer of the Earth ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Inner Core” option2=”Outer Core” option3=”Mantle” option4=”Crust” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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The Earth’s layers, from outside to inside, are the Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core. The Crust is the outermost and thinnest layer.
The relative thicknesses of Earth’s main layers are: Crust (5-70 km), Mantle (~2900 km), Outer Core (~2300 km), and Inner Core (~1220 km).
The thickness of the crust varies significantly; it is thinner under oceans (oceanic crust) and thicker under continents (continental crust). Despite this variation, it remains the thinnest layer compared to the mantle and core.

448. Fold Mountains are formed in which type of tectonic settings ?

Fold Mountains are formed in which type of tectonic settings ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Divergent” option2=”Convergent” option3=”Transform” option4=”Rifting” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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Fold Mountains are primarily formed at convergent tectonic plate boundaries. When two continental plates collide, neither subducts significantly; instead, the crust is compressed, folded, and uplifted to form large mountain ranges like the Himalayas, Alps, and Andes. Collision or subduction at convergent boundaries generates immense pressure that causes the rock layers to buckle and fold.
– Convergent boundaries involve plates moving towards each other.
– Compression forces at convergent boundaries lead to folding and faulting of crustal rocks.
– Divergent boundaries involve plates moving apart.
– Transform boundaries involve plates sliding past each other.
Other mountain types include block mountains (formed by faulting and uplift/subsidence of crustal blocks, often at divergent or transform boundaries), volcanic mountains (formed by accumulation of volcanic material, often at convergent or divergent boundaries), and erosional mountains (remnants of dissected plateaus).

449. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil p

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a typical soil profile from top to bottom ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Topsoil, Humus, Eluviation zone, Subsoil, Weathered parent material” option2=”Subsoil, Topsoil, Humus, Weathered parent material, Eluviation zone” option3=”Humus, Subsoil, Topsoil, Eluviation zone, Weathered parent material” option4=”Humus, Topsoil, Eluviation zone, Subsoil, Weathered parent material” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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A typical soil profile is divided into horizons (layers). From top to bottom, the commonly recognized horizons are O (organic/humus), A (topsoil – mineral soil mixed with humus), E (eluviation/leaching layer below A in some soils), B (subsoil – accumulation of leached material), C (weathered parent material), and R (bedrock). Option D, starting with Humus (part of or above O), then Topsoil (A), followed by Eluviation zone (E), Subsoil (B), and finally Weathered parent material (C), represents the correct sequential arrangement of these specific layers in a typical soil profile from the surface downwards.
– Soil profile is a vertical cross-section showing soil horizons.
– Key horizons: O, A, E, B, C, R.
– Humus is organic matter, typically in O or mixed with A.
– Eluviation (E) is leaching from upper layers, Illuviation (accumulation) is in B.
The characteristics of each soil horizon (color, texture, structure, chemical composition) differ due to various soil-forming processes like weathering, leaching, accumulation of organic matter, etc.

450. Which one of the following types of coral reefs are developed along th

Which one of the following types of coral reefs are developed along the edges of continental shelves and separated by lagoon ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Patch reefs” option2=”Fringing reefs” option3=”Barrier reefs” option4=”Atoll reefs” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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Coral reefs develop in different forms. Fringing reefs grow directly from the coastline. Barrier reefs are separated from the coast by a lagoon, which can be quite wide and deep. Atoll reefs are ring-shaped reefs enclosing a central lagoon, often formed around submerged volcanic islands. Patch reefs are isolated, small reefs. The description “developed along the edges of continental shelves and separated by lagoon” best fits the definition of Barrier reefs.
– Fringing reef: directly attached to the coast.
– Barrier reef: separated from the coast by a lagoon.
– Atoll reef: ring around a lagoon.
– Patch reef: isolated reef within a lagoon or platform.
Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems built by colony-forming corals. They are found in warm, shallow, clear marine waters. The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the world’s largest barrier reef system.
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