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UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - UPSC MCQ


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29 Questions MCQ Test Geography for UPSC CSE - UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 for UPSC 2024 is part of Geography for UPSC CSE preparation. The UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 questions and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus.The UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 MCQs are made for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, notes, meanings, examples, exercises, MCQs and online tests for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 below.
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UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 1

Consider the following statements:

  1. Spring tides occur twice a month.
  2. There is a seven day interval between the spring tides and neap tides.

Which of the above statements is/ are NOT correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 1

Rather, the term is derived from the concept of the tide "springing forth." Spring tides occur twice each lunar month all year long without regard to the season. Neap tides, which also occur twice a month, happen when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other.  Statement 1 is correct.

There is a seven day interval between the spring tides and neap tides. At this time the sun and moon are at right angles to each other and the forces of the sun and moon tend to counteract one another. Statement 2 is correct.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 2

Which of the following statement is NOT correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 2

Answer: c)

Explanation: Major ocean currents are greatly influenced by the stresses exerted by the prevailing winds and coriolis force. The oceanic circulation pattern roughly corresponds to the earth’s atmospheric circulation pattern. The air circulation over the oceans in the middle latitudes is mainly anticyclonic (more pronounced in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere). The oceanic circulation pattern also corresponds with the same. At higher latitudes, where the wind flow is mostly cyclonic, the oceanic circulation follows this pattern.

 

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UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 3

Upward and downward movement of ocean water is known as the :

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 3



Explanation:

  • Definition: Upward and downward movement of ocean water is known as tides.


  • Causes: Tides are primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth's water.


  • Types of Tides: There are mainly two types of tides: high tide and low tide, which occur approximately twice a day.


  • High Tide: High tide is when the water level rises to its highest point, and it is usually followed by low tide.


  • Low Tide: Low tide is when the water level drops to its lowest point, exposing more of the shoreline.



UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 4

Which of the following has the highest proportion of water?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 4

Answer: a)

Explanation: Groundwater 0.68%, Lakes 0.01%, Soil Moisture 0.005%, Atmosphere 0.001%, Streams and Rivers 0.0001%, Biosphere 0.00004%.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 5

Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 5

Answer: c)

Explanation: The continental shelf is the extended margin of each continent occupied by relatively shallow seas and gulfs. It is the shallowest part of the ocean showing an average gradient of 1° or even less. The shelf typically ends at a very steep slope, called the shelf break.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 6

Consider the following statements:

  1. Seamount is a mountain with pointed summits, rising from the seafloor.
  2. Seamounts are of coral origin.

Which of the above statements is/ are correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 6

Seamount It is a mountain with pointed summits, rising from the seafloor that does not reach the surface of the ocean. Seamounts are volcanic in origin. These can be 3,000-4,500 m tall. The Emperor seamount, an extension of the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, is a good example.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 7

Which of the following factors affect the distribution of temperature of ocean water?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 7

Answer:  d)

Explanation: The factors which affect the distribution of temperature of ocean water are Latitude, Unequal distribution of land and water, Prevailing wind and Ocean currents.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 8

Consider the following statements:

  1. About 90 per cent of the total volume of water is found below the thermocline in the deep ocean.
  2. In thermocline zone, temperatures approach 0° C

Which of the above statements is/ are NOT correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 8

Sure, let's break down each statement:

  1. About 90 per cent of the total volume of water is found below the thermocline in the deep ocean.

This statement is generally correct. The thermocline is a layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly with depth. Below the thermocline is the deep ocean, where temperatures are more uniform. So, most of the water volume in the ocean is indeed found below the thermocline.

  1. In the thermocline zone, temperatures approach 0°C.

This statement is not correct. The thermocline is characterized by a rapid change in temperature with depth, but it does not necessarily approach 0°C. The temperature in the thermocline can vary depending on factors such as location, depth, and season.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

  1. Only 2.

 

 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 9

Which of the following factors affect ocean salinity?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 9

Answer: d)

Explanation: Factors affecting ocean salinity are mentioned below:

(i) The salinity of water in the surface layer of oceans depends mainly on evaporation and precipitation.

(ii) Surface salinity is greatly influenced in coastal regions by the fresh water flow from rivers, and in Polar Regions by the processes of freezing and thawing of ice.

(iii) Wind, also influences salinity of an area by transferring water to other areas.

(iv) The ocean currents contribute to the salinity variations. Salinity, temperature and density of water are interrelated. Hence, any change in the temperature or density influences the salinity of water in an area.

 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 10

The actual amount of the water vapour present in the atmosphere is known as _______

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 10

Answer: a)

Explanation: The actual amount of the water vapour present in the atmosphere is known as the absolute humidity. It is the weight of water vapour per unit volume of air and is expressed in terms of grams per cubic metre.

 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 11

Which of the following INCORRECT about cirrus clouds?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 11

Answer: c)

Explanation: Cirrus clouds are formed at high altitudes (8,000 - 12,000m). They are thin and detatched clouds having a feathery appearance. They are always white in colour.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 12

Which one of the following process is responsible for transforming liquid into vapour?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 12

Evaporation happens when a liquid substance becomes a gas. When water is heated, it evaporates. The molecules move and vibrate so quickly that they escape into the atmosphere as molecules of water vapor.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 13

“The, air on being heated, becomes light and     rises up in convection currents. As it rises, it expands and loses heat and consequently, condensation takes place and cumulous clouds are formed. With thunder and lightening, heavy rainfall takes place but this does not last long.”The above paragraph shows which of the following type of rainfall?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 13

Answer: c)

Explanation: The, air on being heated, becomes light and    rises up in convection currents. As it rises, it expands and loses heat and consequently, condensation takes place and cumulous clouds are formed. With thunder and lightening, heavy rainfall takes place but this does not last long. Such rain is common in the summer or in the hotter part of the day. It is very common in the equatorial regions and interior parts of the continents, particularly in the northern hemisphere.

 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 14

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone normally occurs:

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 14

Near the equator, from about 5° north and 5° south, the northeast trade winds and southeast trade winds converge in a low pressure zone known as the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 15

"Eskimos" are associated with which geographical region?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 15

Eskimos are the indigenous circumpolar people who have traditionally inhabited the northern circumpolar region from eastern Siberia (Russia) to Alaska (United States), Canada, and Greenland (Denmark).

Polar Region: The part of the Earth's surface forms a cap over a pole; characterized by a frigid climate. There are two main polar regions in the world, which are the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Arctic Circle and Arctic Tundra are found at the North Pole, and it covers nearly 5 million square miles of the top of the Northern Hemisphere.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 16

The direction of wind around a low pressure in northern hemisphere is:

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 16

In the Northern Hemisphere, wind flows in an anticlockwise direction around areas of low pressure. This is due to the Coriolis effect, which is a result of the Earth's rotation.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 17

​Cyclones are called “Willy-Willies” in

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 17

Answer: a)

Explanation: They are known as Cyclones in the Indian Ocean, Hurricanes in the Atlantic, Typhoons in the Western Pacific and South China Sea, and Willy-willies in the Western Australia.

 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 18

Consider the following statements about occluded front.

  1. It occurs when an air mass is fully lifted above the land surface.
  2. It occurs in middle latitudes.

Which of the above statements is/ are correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 18

Answer: c)

Explanation: If an air mass is fully lifted above the land surface, it is called the occluded front. The fronts occur in middle latitudes and are characterised by steep gradient in temperature and pressure.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 19

The sun is directly overhead at noon on 21st June at:

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 19

The correct option is Option C.
At that time, sun's rays are overhead at the tropic of cancer (23.5°N). The Tropic of Cancer passes through the middle of India. It remains till the end of May in India. Before summer solstice i.e., 21st June, monsoon starts in India which brings a cooling effect to the climate of India.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 20

The atmosphere is mainly heated by the:

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 20
Explanation:

  • Short wave solar radiation: Short wave solar radiation from the sun enters the Earth's atmosphere, but it is not the main source of heating for the atmosphere.

  • Reflected solar radiation: Reflected solar radiation is the sunlight that is bounced back into space by clouds, snow, ice, and other reflective surfaces. It does not contribute significantly to heating the atmosphere.

  • Long wave terrestrial radiation: The Earth absorbs the short wave solar radiation and re-emits it as long wave terrestrial radiation. This long wave radiation is the main source of heating for the atmosphere. It is also known as terrestrial radiation or infrared radiation.

  • Scattered solar radiation: Scattered solar radiation occurs when particles in the atmosphere disperse sunlight in different directions. While some of this scattered radiation may contribute to heating, it is not the primary source of atmospheric heating.


Therefore, the correct answer is Long wave terrestrial radiation as it is the main source of heating for the atmosphere.
UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 21

 Tropical cyclones do not form over equator. This is because

1.    Equator is a zone of wind convergence.

2.    The temperature over equator is too high.

3.    There are no fronts over equator.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 21

Answer: d)

Explanation: Tropical cyclone does not form over the equator because the coriolis force is zero at the equator. Even though equator is a zone of wind convergence, it has nothing to do with tropical cyclone as such. Temperature is highest north and south of equator and not exactly at equator. Fronts are required for formation of temperate cyclone and not tropical ones. So even though statement 3 is correct it is not a reason.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 22

With reference to laterite soil, consider the following statements:

1.    They are the result of intense leaching.

2.    They are poor in organic matter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 22

Answer c)

Explanation: Laterite soil is primarily found in the tropical regions which receive heavy seasonal rainfall. High rainfall encourages the leaching of soil where lime and silica are leached away and a soil rich in oxides of aluminum predominate and abundance laterite is called bauxite. Due to the presence of iron oxides the colour of laterite soil is basically red. This soil is poor in organic matter and lime content.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 23

 Monsoon in India is said to be essentially pulsating in nature. This means

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 23

Answer: b)

Explanation: They occur in wet spells of few days duration at a time.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 24

Deltas of eastern India are shrinking due to

1.    Huge amount of sediments being deposited.

2.    Groundwater mining.

3.    Construction of large dams.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 24

 Answer: c)

Explanation: Deltas shrink due to lack of sediments and not due to huge amount of sediments. A proliferation of large dams that starve deltas of sediment, groundwater mining that causes land compaction, and artificial levees that affect river courses, have been responsible for the subsiding of major Indian deltas including Ganga-Brahmaputra, Krishna-Godavari, Brahmani and Mahanadi

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 25

With reference to International Date Line (IDL), consider the following statements:

1. A traveller crossing the International Date Line from east to west gains a day and while crossing the dateline from west to east he loses a day.

2. The International Date Line I the mid-Pacific curves from the normal 180-degree meridian at the Bering Strait, Fiji, Tonga and other islands to prevent confusion of the day and date in some of the groups that are cut through by the meridian. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 25

- Crossing the International Date Line from east to west, you gain a day. From west to east, you lose a day. This is due to the way time zones are structured globally.
- The International Date Line isn't a straight line. It deviates around the Bering Strait, Fiji, Tonga, and other islands to avoid splitting countries or islands into different days, minimizing confusion.
- Both statements are accurate, confirming why the correct answer is D: Both 1 and 2.

Correct answer is D.

 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 26

If the surface air pressure is 1,000 mb, the air pressure at 1 km above the surface will be:

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 26

C is the correct option.
If the surface air pressure is 1,000 mb, the air pressure at 1 km above the surface will be: The air pressure decreases by 1 mb for every increase bof 10 m in height
Since, height increased = 1 km
Air pressure decrease by units = 1000/10 = 100 units

Hence, pressure at 1 km above will be
1000 - 100 = 900 mb
 

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 27

Which one of the following is the source region for the formation of air masses?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 27

The correct option is Option C.
Air masses are formed when the air above huge homogeneous areas acquires the characteristics of the area. This leads to the air having little horizontal variations in form. Accordingly,
C is correct, as it is a cold, large and homogeneous mass of land.
A is incorrect, as the size of the forested areas are not large enough to create air-mass
B is incorrect, as Himalayas do not constitute a homogeneous platform.
D is incorrect due to regional variations across the Deccan Plateau.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 28

Which of the following affects atmospheric pressure?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 28

The pressure exerted by air on the surface of the earth is called as atmospheric pressure. The pressure varies from region to region.

UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 29

Which one of the following is the source region for the formation of air masses?

Detailed Solution for UPSC MCQ: Physical Geography- 1 - Question 29

Continental Polar air masses form over large, high- latitude land masses, such as northern Canada or Siberia. cP air masses are cold and extremely dry. Wintertime cooling over these land areas cause the atmosphere to become very stable.

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