UPSC Prelims Mock Test – Geography 2

Q1. Consider the following ocean currents:

1. Labrador
2. Alaska
3. Canaries
4. Falkland

Which of the ocean currents given above are cold ocean currents?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer – C

• Ocean currents are the continuous flow of a huge amount of water in a definite direction. Cold currents bring cold water into warm water areas. Examples of cold currents include the Benguela current, West wind drift, Humboldt (Peru) current, California current, Canaries current, Labrador current, Falkland current etc. Alaska current is a warm current.

Q2. Which of the following factors favor the growth of coral reefs?

1. Sediment free water
2. Warm Ocean Currents
3. Shallow continental shelf

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer – D

• Coral reefs are large underwater structures composed of the skeletons of colonial marine invertebrates called coral polyps. Conditions suitable for the growth of coral reefs:

1. Warm water
2. Absence of cold ocean currents
3. Shallow water for sunlight to reach
4. Saline and sediment-free water

Q3. Which of the following is the consequence of illegal sand mining?

1. Loss livable land
2. Increased emission
3. Lowering of water table
4. Loss of biodiversity

Choose the answer using the code given below
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer – D

• Apart from those in question other consequences are change in river course and Damage to river infrastructure like bridges due to increased sediment load. Increased emissions due to Transport and extra cement production

Q4. Which of the pairs given below is/are correctly matched?

Biosphere Reserve State

1. Nokrek: Meghalaya
2. Pachmarhi: Gujarat
3. Simplipal: Odisha

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer – D

Biosphere Reserve: State

1. Nokrek: Meghalaya
2. Pachmarhi: Madhya Pradesh
3. Simplipal: Odisha

• The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the northeast of India on the Tura Range, which forms part of the Meghalaya Plateau. The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is a non-use conservation area and biosphere reserve in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The conservation area was created in 1999 by the Indian government. It also contains animals from the Himalayan peaks and from the lower western ghats. Similipal, which derives its name from the ‘Simul’ (Silk Cotton) tree, is also a national park and a Tiger Reserve situated in the northern part of Orissa’s Mayurbhanj district.

Q5. In which of the following places mangrove vegetation is found?

1. Mahanadi delta
2. Loktak lake
3. Keoladeo national park

Select the correct options from the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct In India, the mangrove forests spread over 6,740 sq. km which is 7 percent of the world’s mangrove forests. They are highly developed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sunderbans of West Bengal. Other areas of significance are the Mahanadi, the Godavari, and the Krishna deltas. These forests too, are being encroached upon, and hence, need conservation.

Q6. Consider the following statement about the role of the Easterly jet stream in the Indian monsoon:

1. The easterly jet stream steers the tropical depressions into India.
2. These depressions play a significant role in the distribution of monsoon rainfall over the Indian subcontinent.
3. The tracks of these depressions are the areas of lowest rainfall in India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer – A

• Statement 1 is correct: The easterly jet stream steers the tropical depressions into India.
• Statement 2 is correct: These depressions play a significant role in the distribution of monsoon rainfall over the Indian subcontinent.
• Statement 3 is not correct: The tracks of these depressions are the areas of highest rainfall in India. The frequency at which these depressions visit India, their direction and intensity, all go a long way in determining the rainfall pattern during the southwest monsoon period.

Q7. Which of the following rivers has origin outside India?

1. Jhelum
2. Sutlej
3. Son
4. Kosi

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

Answer – C

• The Jhelum, an important tributary of the Indus, rises from a spring at Verinag situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the southeastern part of the valley of Kashmir. The Satluj originates in the ‘Raksas tal’ near Mansarovar at an altitude of 4,555 m in Tibet where it is known as Langchen Khambab. The Son is a large south bank tributary of the Ganga, originating in the Amarkantak plateau. The Kosi is an antecedent river with its source to the north of Mount Everest in Tibet, where its main stream Arun rises.

Q8. Identify the river using the following information:

1. It passes through the Shipki La on the Himalayan ranges and enters the Punjab plains
2. It feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal project.
3. It meets the Beas near Harike.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Satluj
(b) Ganga
(c) Ravi
(d) Ghaggar

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: Satluj passes through the Shipki La on the Himalayan ranges and enters the Punjab plains. It is an antecedent river. It is a very important tributary as it feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal project. Beas enters the Punjab plains where it meets the Satluj near Harike.

Q9. Consider the following statement about the river Indus:

1. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu in the Kailash mountain range.
2. Lohit and Dhansiri are tributaries of the Indus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – A

• The Indus System: It is one of the largest river basins of the world, covering an area of 11,65,000 sq. km (in India it is 321, 289 sq. km and a total length of 2,880 km (in India 1,114 km). Statement 1 is correct: The Indus, also known as the Sindhu, is the westernmost of the Himalayan rivers in India. It originates from a glacier near Bokhar Chu (31°15′ N latitude and 81°40′ longitude) in the Tibetan region at an altitude of 4,164 m in the Kailash Mountain range. In Tibet, it is known as Singi Khamban; or Lion’s mouth.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Lohit and Dhansiri are rivers in the North East.

Q10.Which of the following are depositional landforms?

1. Flat valley
2. V-shaped valley
3. Braided channels
4. Ox-bow lakes

Select the correct answers using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer – D

• Option (d) is correct Himalayan rivers pass through the giant gorges carved out by the erosional activity carried on simultaneously with the uplift of the Himalayas. Besides deep gorges, these rivers also form V-shaped valleys, rapids and waterfalls in their mountainous course. While entering the plains, they form depositional features like flat valleys, ox-bow lakes, flood plains, braided channels, and deltas near the river mouth.

Q11. Consider the following features of a section of Himalayas:

1. Absence of Shiwalik formation
2. Thick soil cover and well-distributed rainfall throughout the year.
3. Inhabited by Lepcha tribes
4. Tea Gardens

Identify the correct section of the Himalayas using the code given below:
(a) The Arunachal Himalayas
(b) The Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas
(c) The Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas
(d) The Kashmir Himalayas

Answer – C

• Option (c) is correct The Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas: The higher reaches of this region are inhabited by Lepcha tribes while the southern part, particularly the Darjiling Himalayas, has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. The British, taking advantage of the physical conditions such as moderate slope, thick soil cover with high organic content, well-distributed rainfall throughout the year and mild winters introduced tea plantations in this region.As compared to the other sections of the Himalayas, these along with the Arunachal Himalayas are conspicuous by the absence of the Shiwalik formations. In place of the Shiwaliks here, the ‘duar formations’ are important, which have also been used for the development of tea gardens

Q12. Consider the following statements:

1. The Eastern and the Western Ghats meet each other at the Nilgiri hills.
2. Eastern Ghats are comparatively lower in elevation and more continuous than the
   Western Ghats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – C

• Statement 1 is correct: The Eastern and the Western Ghats meet each other at the Nilgiri hills.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Western Ghats are comparatively higher in elevation and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats. Their average elevation is about 1,500 m with the height increasing from north to south. Most of the Peninsular rivers have their origin in the Western Ghats. Eastern Ghats comprising the discontinuous and low hills are highly eroded by the rivers such as the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna, the Kaveri, etc. Some of the important ranges include the Javadi hills, the Palconda range, the Nallamala hills, the Mahendragiri hills, etc.

Q13. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched?

Pass: Situated between

1. Zoji La: Kashmir Valley with Ladakh
2. Banihal : Nubra valley to Leh
3. Khardung La: Kashmir Valley with Jammu

Select the correct options from the code given below:
(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer – A

• Option (a) is correct: Some of the important passes of the region are Zoji La on the Great Himalayas, Banihal on the Pir Panjal, Photu La on the Zaskar and Khardung La on the Ladakh range. Zoji La connects Kashmir Valley to Ladakh, Banihal connects Jammu to Kashmir, and Khardung La connects Nubra Valley to Leh.

Q14. With reference to river Bhogdoi, consider the following statements:

1. It is a south-bank tributary of Brahmaputra.
2. It originates from the Garo Hills in Meghalaya and drains in the Bay of Bengal.

Which of the above statements is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 or 2

Answer – A

• Statement 1 is correct: The Bhogdoi River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra in India. It is an interstate river (flowing between Assam and Nagaland) and joins the Dhansiri River near its confluence with the Brahmaputra.
• Statement 2 is not correct: It originates in the Naga Hills it flows through the City of Jorhat and then it merges with another river and its name becomes Gelabill. It drains into Bay of Bengal as it merges into Brahmaputra which has its drainage into it.

Q15. Arrange the following islands in the Indian Ocean from South to North:

1. Mauritius
2. Socotra
3. Maldives
4. Seychelles

Select the correct answers from the codes given below:
(a) 2-3-4-1
(b) 2-4-3-1
(c) 1-4-3-2
(d) 1-3-4-2

Answer – C

Q16. Which of the following can be the possible benefits of Seaweeds?

1. It is a vital food for marine organisms.
2. It can be used as fertilizer for plants.
3. It reduces coastal eutrophication.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer- D

• All the 3 statements are correct. Seaweed, or macroalgae, refers to several species of macroscopic, multicellular, marine algae. Seaweed species such as kelps provide essential nursery habitat for fisheries and other species and thus protect food sources; other species, such as planktonic algae, play a vital role in capturing carbon, producing up to 90% of Earth’s oxygen.

Q17. With reference to Sun Spots, consider the following statements:

1. Sunspots are regions where the solar magnetic field is very strong.
2. Sunspots appear darker than their surroundings because they are a few thousand degrees cooler than their surroundings.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – C

• Statement 1 is correct: Sunspots are regions where the solar magnetic field is very strong.
• Statement 2 is correct: Sunspots appear darker than their surroundings because they are a few thousand degrees cooler than their surroundings. Most of the visible surface of the Sun has a temperature of about 5400 degrees C, but in a big sunspot the temperature can drop to about 4000 degrees C

Q18. Tharu tribals, recently seen in the news, primarily belong to

(a) Terai Lowlands
(b) Western Ghats
(c) North-eastern India
(d) Andaman Islands

Answer – A

• The Tharu community belongs to the Terai lowlands, amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. The Tharus live in both India and Nepal. In the Indian terai, they live mostly in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The word tharu is believed to be derived from sthavir, meaning followers of Theravada Buddhism.

Q19. Consider the following statements:

1. This is the most widely used coal and contains more than 50 percent carbon.
2. It is usually of black color.
3. Its calorific value is high and has less moisture.

Which of the following coal is being described above?
(a) Anthracite
(b) Lignite
(c) Bituminous
(d) Peat

Answer – C

• Bituminous coal is the second highest quality of coal content ranging from 76-86%. It is the most abundant type, and one of the longest-buried fossil fuels. Therefore, its energy density is relatively high at 27 MJ/kg. The high carbon and low moisture make it ideal for the production of steel and cement as well as in electricity generation and coke production.

Q20. Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve is located in

(a) Rajasthan
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Chhattisgarh

Answer – A

• Mukundra Tiger Reserve (TR), popularly known as Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Kota, Rajasthan.

Q21. State of World Population Report 2021, is released by:

(a) World Bank
(b) World Economic Forum
(c) United Nations Population Fund
(d) International Labour Forum

Answer – C

• State of World Population Report 2021 titled ‘My Body is My Own’ was launched by United Nations Population Fund.

Q22. Consider the following rivers:

1. Brahmani
2. Nagavali
3. Subarnarekha
4. Vamsadhara

Which of the above rises from the Eastern Ghats?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer- B

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Brahmani, known as South Koel in its upper reaches, rises near Nagri village in Ranchi district of Jharkhand.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Nagavali river originates in the Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal, in the Kalahandi district of the Indian state Odisha. Langulya is another name for the Nagavali River.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Subernarekha River originates in the Chhotnagpur Plateau near Nagri village in the Ranchi District of Jharkhand.
• Statement 4 is correct: Vamsadhara River rises in the Eastern Ghats of Orissa State and enters Srikakulam District in Bhamini Mandal and finally falls into the Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam.

Q23. Which of the following given below are minor tectonic plates?

1. Nazca plate
2. Antarctica plate
3. Pacific plate
4. Philippine plate

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer – A

Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how major landforms are created as a result of Earth’s subterranean movements. In plate tectonics, Earth’s outermost layer, or lithosphere—made up of the crust and upper mantle—is broken into large rocky plates. These plates lie on top of a partially molten layer of rock called the asthenosphere. Due to
the convection of the asthenosphere and lithosphere, the plates move relative to each other.
The major tectonic plates are:

1. India-Australia-New Zealand plate
2. Pacific plate, Hence, Statement 3 is incorrect.
3. North American Plate
4. South American Plate
5. Africa along with the eastern Atlantic floor plate

Q24. Which of the following factors contribute to the occurrence of tides?

1. The gravitational pull of the sun
2. The gravitational pull of the moon
3. Centrifugal force due to earth rotation

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer – D

• The periodical rise and fall of the sea level, once or twice a day, is called a tide. The moon’s gravitational pull to a great extent and to a lesser extent the sun’s gravitational pull, are the major causes for the occurrence of tides. Hence,
• Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Another factor is centrifugal force, which is the force that acts to counterbalance gravity. Hence, Statement 3 is correct. Together, the gravitational pull and the centrifugal force are responsible for creating the two major tidal bulges on the earth

Q25. With reference to the rainfall pattern in India, consider the following statements:

1. Over the Northern plains, the quantity of rainfall decreases as we move towards
   West.
2. In the peninsular region, rainfall decreases from the coast to the interior parts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer – C

• Rainfall in India is highly uneven over a period of time in a year.
  Statement 1 is correct: As we move from East to West, the quantity of rainfall decreases over the Northern plains. For example, rainfall at Kolkata is 120 cm, Allahabad 91 cm, and Delhi 56cm.
• Statement 2 is correct: In the peninsular region, rainfall decreases from the coast to the interior parts. In North-East India, the rainfall increases with altitude.

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