World and Physical Geography

71. Consider the following description: Annual and daily range of temper

Consider the following description:

  • Annual and daily range of temperatures is low.
  • Precipitation occurs throughout the year.
  • Precipitation varies between 50 cm – 250 cm.

What is this type of climate?

[amp_mcq option1=”Equatorial climate” option2=”China type climate” option3=”Humid subtropical climate” option4=”Marine West coast climate” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2024
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Let’s analyze the characteristics:
– Annual and daily range of temperatures is low: This implies consistent temperatures throughout the year and little variation between day and night. This is characteristic of regions where insolation is consistent and there is high humidity and cloud cover to prevent rapid heat gain/loss, such as the equatorial region.
– Precipitation occurs throughout the year: This indicates a lack of distinct dry seasons.
– Precipitation varies between 50 cm – 250 cm: While 50 cm is low for typical rainforests, the *range* covers typical equatorial rainfall (often >150-200 cm).

Let’s evaluate the options:
A) Equatorial climate: Located around the equator, characterized by high temperatures year-round, low annual temperature range, low daily temperature range (due to humidity/cloud cover), and high, often daily, rainfall throughout the year. Rainfall amounts are typically high (150-250+ cm/year). This fits the description very well, especially the low temperature ranges and year-round precipitation.
B) China type climate (Humid Subtropical): Has hot, humid summers and mild winters. Experiences significant seasonal temperature variations (higher annual range) and rainfall is often concentrated in the summer, although it can be significant year-round.
C) Humid subtropical climate: Same as China type. Does not fit “low annual range of temperatures”.
D) Marine West coast climate: Characterized by mild temperatures year-round (low annual range) and significant precipitation. However, precipitation is often concentrated in winter, and while it can occur year-round, the “throughout the year” and low *daily* range points strongly towards the equatorial climate.

Considering all points, the Equatorial climate is the best fit.

Low annual and daily temperature range coupled with year-round precipitation are defining characteristics of the Equatorial climate.
Equatorial climates are found within approximately 5-10 degrees latitude of the equator. The consistent high temperatures cause significant evaporation, leading to high humidity and convectional rainfall almost daily. The constant cloud cover and high humidity prevent large temperature swings between day and night.

72. With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is

With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.
  • Its percentage is maximum at the poles.

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
UPSC IAS – 2024
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Statement 1: Water vapour is the gaseous state of water and is a greenhouse gas. Its concentration in the atmosphere varies greatly but is generally highest near the Earth’s surface due to evaporation from water bodies and plants. As altitude increases, temperature and pressure decrease, limiting the amount of water vapour the air can hold (dew point decreases). Therefore, the amount of water vapour typically decreases significantly with altitude. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: The amount of water vapour the air can hold is strongly dependent on temperature. Warmer air can hold much more water vapour than cold air. The poles are very cold regions. Consequently, the absolute amount and percentage of water vapour in the atmosphere are generally lowest at the poles and highest in warm, humid tropical and equatorial regions. This statement is incorrect.
Water vapour concentration is inversely related to altitude and directly related to temperature; it is highest near the surface and in warm regions.
Although its percentage is low at the poles, water vapour still plays a role in the polar climate, and changes in Arctic water vapour are being studied in the context of Arctic amplification (warming). Globally, water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas.

73. Consider the following statements: 1. In a seismograph, P waves are

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves.
  • 2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.

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 IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is C) Both 1 and 2.
Statement 1 is correct. P waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that travel fastest through the Earth’s layers. S waves (Secondary waves) are shear waves and travel slower than P waves. Therefore, P waves arrive at a seismograph before S waves from the same earthquake event.
Statement 2 is correct. P waves are longitudinal waves, meaning the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth in the direction of wave propagation. S waves are transverse waves, meaning the particles vibrate perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of wave propagation.
P waves can travel through solids, liquids, and gases, while S waves can only travel through solids. This difference in behavior was crucial in understanding the Earth’s internal structure, particularly the liquid outer core which stops S waves.

74. Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The temperature cont

Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-II : The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

[amp_mcq option1=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I” option2=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I” option3=”Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect” option4=”Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
Statement II is correct. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land surfaces. This means that water requires more energy to raise its temperature by one degree compared to land. Conversely, water also loses heat more slowly than land.
Statement I is correct. Because of the difference in specific heat, land surfaces heat up much faster and to higher temperatures than oceans during the day and summer, and cool down much faster and to lower temperatures during the night and winter. This differential heating and cooling leads to greater temperature variations over land compared to oceans. Consequently, the temperature contrast (difference) between continents and oceans tends to be larger in summer (hot land vs. moderate ocean) and winter (cold land vs. moderate ocean) than in spring or autumn. Generally, the magnitude of the contrast is considered greater in summer.
Statement II explains Statement I. The higher specific heat of water is the fundamental reason why oceans moderate temperatures more effectively than continents, leading to the observed differences in temperature variability and the resulting seasonal contrast.
This principle is also responsible for the difference between continental climates (large temperature ranges) and maritime climates (small temperature ranges). Coastal areas benefit from the moderating effect of the ocean.

75. With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following s

With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.” option2=”Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.” option3=”Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.” option4=”Infrared waves are a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is C) Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
Statement C is correct. Water vapour is a potent greenhouse gas and strongly absorbs infrared radiation, particularly the outgoing longwave radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface. Water vapour is indeed concentrated in the lower atmosphere (troposphere). This absorption is a key mechanism of the greenhouse effect.
Statement A is incorrect; the total amount of insolation at the equator is roughly double (not 10 times) the average received at the poles over a year, due to the lower angle of incidence at the poles and longer atmospheric path. Statement B is incorrect; while infrared is part of insolation, it constitutes roughly half (around 49-50%) of the total solar radiation received at the top of the atmosphere, not two-thirds. Visible light constitutes about 43%. Statement D is incorrect; infrared waves have longer wavelengths than visible light and are not part of the visible spectrum. The visible spectrum ranges from approximately 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red), while infrared radiation has wavelengths from about 700 nm up to 1 mm.

76. Consider the following countries : 1. Bulgaria 2. Czech Republic 3. Hu

Consider the following countries :
1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. Romania
How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only two” option2=”Only three” option3=”Only four” option4=”Only five” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is A) Only two.
To answer this question, one needs to know the land borders of Ukraine with the listed countries. Ukraine shares land borders with seven countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. From the given list:
1. Bulgaria: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Romania and the Black Sea).
2. Czech Republic: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Poland and Slovakia).
3. Hungary: Shares a land border with Ukraine.
4. Latvia: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Belarus and Lithuania).
5. Lithuania: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Belarus and Poland).
6. Romania: Shares a land border with Ukraine.
Therefore, only Hungary and Romania from the list share a land border with Ukraine.
The other countries bordering Ukraine are Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. Geographical knowledge of Eastern Europe is required to answer this type of question.

77. Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?

Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?

[amp_mcq option1=”Cameroon” option2=”Nigeria” option3=”South Sudan” option4=”Uganda” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The Congo Basin is a vast geographical region in Central Africa, primarily defined by the drainage basin of the Congo River. It encompasses parts of several countries. Among the given options:
A) Cameroon: Southern and eastern parts of Cameroon lie within the Congo Basin.
B) Nigeria: Primarily located in the Niger River basin, west of the Congo Basin.
C) South Sudan: Located in the Nile River basin, northeast of the Congo Basin.
D) Uganda: Located primarily in the Nile River basin and around Lake Victoria, east of the Congo Basin.
Therefore, Cameroon is part of the Congo Basin.
– The Congo Basin is the drainage area of the Congo River.
– It covers a large part of Central Africa, known for its dense rainforest.
– Countries within the basin include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
The Congo Rainforest within the basin is the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, playing a crucial role in global climate regulation and biodiversity.

78. About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufa

About three-fourths of world’s cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by

[amp_mcq option1=”Argentina” option2=”Botswana” option3=”the Democratic Republic of the Congo” option4=”Kazakhstan” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the world’s dominant producer of cobalt. It accounts for over 70% of the global supply, making it the primary source for this metal crucial for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and electronics.
– Cobalt is a key component in many types of rechargeable batteries.
– Global supply of cobalt is highly concentrated.
– The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest producer by a significant margin.
The high concentration of cobalt production in the DRC raises concerns about supply chain security, ethical sourcing (due to issues like child labor in artisanal mining), and political stability in the region.

79. In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occur

In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the :

[amp_mcq option1=”First half of the month of June” option2=”Second half of the month of June” option3=”First half of the month of July” option4=”Second half of the month of July” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the Summer Solstice, normally occurs in the second half of the month of June.
The Summer Solstice occurs around June 20th or 21st each year, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted most directly towards the Sun.
Conversely, the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere (Winter Solstice) occurs around December 21st or 22nd. In the Southern Hemisphere, the longest day is around December 21st or 22nd, and the shortest day is around June 20th or 21st.

80. Consider the following countries : Azerbaijan Kyrgyzstan Tajiki

Consider the following countries :

  1. Azerbaijan
  2. Kyrgyzstan
  3. Tajikistan
  4. Turkmenistan
  5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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Based on the geographical locations, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan share borders with Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is landlocked and borders six countries: Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast.
Azerbaijan borders Iran, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and the Caspian Sea. Kyrgyzstan borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Neither Azerbaijan nor Kyrgyzstan share a border with Afghanistan.
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