Test: Geography MCQ (June 2024 Current Affairs) - UPSC MCQ

1. Rangelands cover about 47% of the Earth's surface. This statement is correct.
2. Rangelands are often characterized by low and erratic precipitation, not high and consistent precipitation. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.
3. Rangelands indeed provide habitats for wildlife and support various ecosystem services such as grazing, watershed health, and recreational opportunities, making Statement 3 correct.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C.

The Big Bang Theory, proposed by Edwin Hubble in 1920, suggests that the universe began as a single point and then expanded and stretched to grow to its current size. This theory has been supported by various astronomical observations and is a fundamental concept in the field of cosmology, explaining the origin and evolution of the universe.

The RRTS is estimated to significantly reduce air pollution in the NCR by encouraging more people to use public transportation, thereby decreasing the reliance on private vehicles. This shift towards a more sustainable mode of transport helps in reducing overall emissions and improving the quality of air in the region.

- Statement 1 is incorrect. Tonga is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, not Micronesia.

- Statement 2 is correct. Tonga is surrounded by Fiji, Samoa, and Vanuatu, among others.

- Statement 3 is correct. The economy of Tonga does heavily rely on remittances from Tongans living abroad, particularly in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

- Statement-I: The Idukki Dam on the Periyar is indeed the largest dam and hydroelectric project in Kerala, which is factually correct.

- Statement-II: The Periyar River does flow into the Vembanad Lake before ultimately draining into the Arabian Sea, which is also a fact.

- Explanation: Both statements are individually correct and stand true; however, Statement-II does not directly explain or relate to Statement-I, making Option B the correct choice.

- Statement-I: The Periyar River indeed drains an area of 5,398 sq km, which is a verifiable fact.

- Statement-II: While the Periyar River is often referred to as the 'Lifeline of Kerala,' it is not typically known as the 'Lifeline of Tamil Nadu,' making this statement incorrect.

- Explanation: Statement-I is accurate in terms of the river's drainage area, but Statement-II is incorrect in its characterization of the river's significance. Hence, Option C is the correct choice.

- Statement 1 is correct. The Hunga Tonga eruption did alter the way atmospheric waves travel, affecting high and low-pressure systems globally.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The effects of the altered atmospheric wave patterns are expected to persist for years to come, not just a few months.

- Statement 3 is correct. Climate models did predict the impact of the Hunga Tonga eruption on the ozone layer two years in advance.

1. Warm air source: Caribbean Sea - Correct. Warm, moist air from the Caribbean Sea is pushed towards the Andes mountains.

2. Cool air descent: From the Andes Mountains - Correct. Cooler air descends from the Andes mountains, contributing to the formation of lightning.

3. Lightning capital of the world: Catatumbo River area - Correct. The area where Catatumbo lightning occurs is known as the "lightning capital of the world."

4. Oldest water body: Lake Maracaibo - Correct. Lake Maracaibo is among the oldest water bodies on the planet.

1. Great Pyramid of Giza - Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Correct. The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

2. Pyramid of Menkaure - Presence of the Sphinx: Incorrect. The Sphinx is located near the Pyramid of Khafre, not the Pyramid of Menkaure.

3. Ahramat Branch - Located in modern-day Cairo: Incorrect. The Ahramat Branch is a now-vanished branch of the Nile and is not specifically located in modern-day Cairo.

4. Pyramids of Egypt - Built during Old and Middle Kingdom periods: Correct. The pyramids of Egypt were built during the Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom periods.

1. The UNCCD is indeed one of the three Rio Conventions. The other two are the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Thus, Statement 1 is correct.
2. The UNCCD does not focus exclusively on tropical rainforests; it primarily addresses drylands, which include arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.
3. The permanent Secretariat of the UNCCD is located in Bonn, Germany, making Statement 3 correct.

Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Statement-I correctly emphasizes the significance of critical minerals in various industries. These minerals are indeed crucial for sectors like high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transportation, and defense. Statement-II, however, does not accurately represent the relationship between the specified royalty rates and the critical minerals as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2023. While royalty rates are relevant to mineral extraction, the Act and royalty rates are not explicitly connected in the provided context.

Unlike traditional railways or metros, RRTS trains operate on a separate, elevated track. This separation from road traffic congestion ensures reliable travel times, reduces delays, and enhances the overall efficiency of the transit system.

- Statement-I: The Periyar River being the longest river in Kerala is a factual statement.

- Statement-II: The Periyar River does indeed rise in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, providing an accurate description of its origin.

- Explanation: Both statements are accurate, and Statement-II provides the geographical context that explains why the Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. Therefore, Option A is the correct choice.

1. Pyramid of Khafre - Pharaoh Khafre: Correct. The Pyramid of Khafre was built for Pharaoh Khafre.

2. Great Pyramid of Giza - Largest pyramid built: Correct. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest pyramid ever built.

3. Pyramid of Menkaure - Built for Pharaoh Khufu: Incorrect. The Pyramid of Menkaure was built for Pharaoh Menkaure, not Pharaoh Khufu.

4. Ahramat Branch - Used for transporting materials to pyramids: Correct. The Ahramat Branch was used for transporting workers and materials to the pyramids.

Statement-I accurately reflects the provision in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act 2023 that opens up mining and exploration opportunities for certain minerals previously considered atomic. Statement-II complements this by correctly stating that the central government conducts auctions for specific important and strategic minerals, as outlined in the Act. Hence, both statements are correct, with Statement-II providing an additional detail regarding the auctioning process for these minerals.