Geography: CUET Mock Test - 8 - CUET MCQ

India accounts for about 2.45% of the world's surface area.

Key Points

• India, the seventh-largest country by land area, covers approximately 3.28 million square kilometers.
• The total surface area of the Earth is about 510 million square kilometers, which means India's land area is a small fraction of the global total.
• The percentage of 2.45% represents India's significant but relatively small geographical footprint on the global scale.
• This geographical area of India includes diverse terrain, ranging from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the coastal plains in the south.
• Despite its relatively small size in terms of global land area percentage, India is the second-most populous country in the world, highlighting a high population density.

Additional Information

• India's diverse ecosystems range from the Thar Desert in the west to the wettest place on Earth, Mawsynram, in the northeast.
• It has a coastline of about 7,517 kilometers, touching the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal.
• The country's geographical diversity supports a wide range of flora and fauna, making it one of the world's 17 mega-diverse countries.

The correct answer is 2015 -16.

Key Points

• The Jal Kranti Abhiyan was launched by the Government of India to consolidate water conservation and management through a holistic and integrated approach.
• The campaign aims to make water conservation a public movement and bring about a significant change in the way water is used and conserved.
• It was initiated to enhance water security, especially in rural areas, through various interventions including rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks, reuse of water and recharging of structures, watershed development, and intensive afforestation.
• The Abhiyan also seeks to promote efficient water use for irrigation and better crop choice to maximize the per unit water productivity.
• The mission was launched in response to the urgent need for water conservation in India, where many regions face severe water scarcity.

Additional Information

• The Abhiyan also focuses on empowering village communities to manage their water resources and ensuring the involvement of various stakeholders in the management of water resources.
• It was a step forward towards creating a Jan Andolan for water, thereby making water conservation a people's movement and integrating it into the national consciousness.

Sadiya-Dhubri.

India's National Waterways are a part of its initiative to promote inland water transport and reduce the pressure on road and rail networks. Each waterway has a unique stretch that serves specific logistical and connectivity purposes.

Key Points

• Sadiya-Dhubri
  • This is the correct answer for National Waterway 2 (NW2).
  • National Waterway 2 stretches from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam, covering a distance of about 891 kilometers.
  • It navigates across the Brahmaputra river. NW2 is crucial for the northeastern region of India, providing an economic and efficient mode of transport for cargo and passengers.
  • This waterway enhances connectivity not only within Assam but also with other northeastern states and neighboring countries such as Bhutan.

Additional Information

• Prayagraj-Haldia
  • This stretch is known as National Waterway 1 (NW1).
  • It is one of the most significant waterways in India, extending from Haldia in West Bengal to Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Spanning around 1620 kilometers, NW1 is navigable by mechanized vessels and plays a crucial role in transporting bulk goods and passengers in the Ganga River basin.
  • It's essential for the economic development of the region, facilitating trade to and from the northeastern states as well as Nepal and Bangladesh through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol route.
• Kottapuram-Kollam
  • This stretch corresponds to National Waterway 3 (NW3), often referred to as the West Coast Canal or Kerala Waterway.
  • It extends from Kottapuram to Kollam in Kerala, including the Udyogmandal and Champakara canals, covering a distance of about 205 kilometers.
  • It is the first National Waterway in India to be developed with a 24-hour navigational facility along its entire stretch. NW3 plays a vital role in transporting men and material along the densely populated and industrially active coast of Kerala.
• Patna-Haldia
  • This option seems to be a variant or part of National Waterway 1 (NW1) mentioned earlier and could cause confusion by its listing.
  • There is no distinct National Waterway named "Patna-Haldia" as Patna is within the stretch of NW1 (Haldia to Prayagraj).
  • Hence, while Patna and Haldia are significant points on National Waterway 1, there isn't a separate waterway designated as Patna-Haldia.

Mormugao

Key Points

• Mormugao
  • This is the correct answer. The Mormugao port is one of the premier iron ore exporting ports of India, located in Goa on the west coast.
  • It is situated at the mouth of the Zuari River, making it strategically important for mineral exports.
  • The port handles many of the country's mineral and iron ore exports.
  • Its location on the Zuari estuary allows it to serve international trade and local economic activities in the state of Goa.

Additional Information

• Kandla
  • Kandla port, officially known as Deendayal Port, is located in the Kutch District of Gujarat state in western India.
  • It is one of India's major ports on the west coast, primarily developed to ease the pressure on the port of Mumbai post-partition.
  • Kandla is a tidal port that plays a crucial role in the country's grain exports, as well as imports of oil and chemicals.
  • It is located on the Gulf of Kutch and is vital for western India's economic activities, but is not situated at the Zuari estuary.
• New Mangalore
  • The New Mangalore Port is situated in Karnataka, also on the west coast of India.
  • It lies north of the confluence of the Gurupura (Phalguni) and Netravathi rivers and primarily deals with the export of Karnataka's major commodities such as iron ore concentrates, manganese, coffee, and cashew nuts.
  • The port acts as an important link for the export and import trade of Karnataka and the inland regions. However, it is not located at the Zuari estuary.
• Paradip
  • Paradip Port is a deep-water port located in Odisha, along the eastern coast of India, at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal.
  • It handles a vast array of cargo, including crude oil, iron ore, and coal, making it one of the major ports contributing to the mineral export-import trade in the eastern part of India.
  • It plays a pivotal role in serving the eastern and central parts of the country but is not associated with the Zuari estuary.

The correct option is ' Bihar'.

Key Points

• "Bihar":
  • As per the Census of India 2011, Bihar had the highest population density among all Indian states.
  • Population density is calculated as the number of people living per unit area of land, and Bihar's high density is indicative of a large population living in a relatively small geographical area.
  • This high density has implications for resource allocation, urban planning, and governance in the state.

Additional Information

• "West Bengal":
  • Although West Bengal is one of the densely populated states in India, it did not have the highest population density as per the Census of India 2011.
  • It is known for its large urban population, particularly in and around the city of Kolkata.
• "Uttar Pradesh":
  • Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, but when it comes to population density, it was not the highest as per the 2011 Census.
  • The state's large geographic area helps moderate its population density.
• "Goa":
  • Goa, being the smallest state in terms of area, has a relatively low population, making its population density also lower compared to Bihar.
  • It is known for its tourist-friendly coastal region and higher per capita income.

In conclusion, Bihar's high population density as per the Census of India 2011 highlights the challenges and considerations for resource management, urban development, and governance in densely populated regions.

The correct answer is the Suez Canal

Key Points

• Panama Canal
  • It is an artificial 82 km (51 mi) waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.
  • It divides North and South America.
  • It facilitates major trade between Asia and the U.S. 
  • The Panama Canal had a record fiscal year 2021 with more tonnage transported through the waterway than ever before.

Additional Information

• Suez Canal
  • It is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
  • The Suez Canal facilitates the maximum international trade among the given options
  • It is a popular trade route between Europe and Asia.
  • The canal is operated and maintained by the state-owned Suez Canal Authority (SCA) of Egypt.
  • Approximately 12% of global trade passes through the Suez canal, representing 30% of all global container traffic, and over USD $1 trillion worth of goods per annum.
• The English Channel is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Southern England from northern France.
  • It links to the southern part of the North Sea by the Strait of Dover at its northeastern end.
• The Kiel Canal is a 98 km long freshwater canal.
  • It is in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.
  • The canal was finished in 1895, but was later widened.
  • It links the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel-Holtenau.

The correct answer is over-irrigation.

Key Points

• In Punjab the major cause of land degradation is over-irrigation.
• Since a large number of farmers now use tubewells for the irrigation of their fields, they potentially over irrigate the land to save the frequency of irrigation and also to make the soil suitable for higher moisture required crops.
• This leads to an increased level of salinity in the soil which degrades the quality of the soil.
• Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also face land degradation due to over-irrigation.

Additional Information

• Overgrazing is the main cause of land degradation in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat.
• Deforestation caused due to mining activities is another major cause of land degradation in states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh.
• Intensive cultivation can lead to a decrease in soil fertility. The decline in organic matter, nutrients, and degradation of physical properties of soil is found in soils that are intensively cultivated with cereal crops like rice and maize. This is a common phenomenon in hill states of the North East.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• Migration is a response to the uneven distribution of opportunities over space.
• People tend to move from place of low opportunity and low safety to the place of higher opportunity and better safety.
• This, in turn, creates both benefits and problems for the areas, people migrate from and migrate to.
• Consequences can be observed in economic, social, cultural, political and demographic terms

It connects markets and production centers.
Transport helps connect places where goods are produced to places where they are consumed, facilitating trade and commerce. Without it, businesses would struggle to distribute goods and services efficiently.

Airways
Air transport is preferred for lightweight, high-value, and perishable goods such as medical supplies, electronics, and fresh food due to its speed and efficiency.

Moving liquids and gases
Pipelines are mainly used for transporting liquids (oil, water) and gases (natural gas, LPG) over long distances. They provide an uninterrupted flow, reducing transport costs.

It connects major industrial regions.
The Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network connects India’s four major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, improving trade, travel, and regional connectivity.

Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world, stretching over 9,000 km across Russia, connecting St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

It has lower operational costs.
Water transport is cheaper than rail or road transport because water reduces friction, requiring less energy to move goods over long distances

The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal shortens the sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, reducing travel time by approximately 13,000 km, benefiting global trade.

Answer:
C) The Mediterranean-Indian Ocean route is important for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Explanation:

• Option A is incorrect because water transport is slower than air and road transport.

• Option B is incorrect because the Panama Canal reduces the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

• Option C is correct as the Mediterranean-Indian Ocean route connects Europe, Asia, and Africa, which is vital for trade.

• Option D is incorrect because inland waterways like the Mississippi River play an important role in domestic trade.

Rhine River
The Rhine River is a key inland waterway in Europe, connecting Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, supporting trade and industry.

It connects major economic regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The Mediterranean-Indian Ocean route links major economic hubs such as Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, facilitating international trade.

Masai (A): A pastoral nomadic group in East Africa, primarily in Kenya and Tanzania, known for herding cattle. This matches (i) "East Africa."
Bedouins (B): Nomadic herders in the Arabian Desert (Saudi Arabia, Jordan), relying on camels and goats. This aligns with (ii) "Arabian Desert."
Mongols (C): A Pastoral nomadic group in Central Asia (Mongolia), famous for horse-based herding. This fits (iii) "Central Asia."
Sami (D): Indigenous people in Northern Europe (Norway, Sweden, Finland) who herd reindeer in Arctic regions. This corresponds to (iv) "Northern Europe."
Thus, the correct pairing is (A)-i, (B)-ii, (C)-iii, (D)-iv, making option b) the correct answer.

Trawling (A): Uses large nets dragged along the ocean floor to catch bottom-dwelling fish (e.g., cod). This matches (i) "Large nets dragged on the ocean floor."
Line Fishing (B): Involves a single line with a hook and bait to catch fish (e.g., tuna). This aligns with (ii) "Fishing with a single hook and line."
Purse Seining (C): A technique where a net encircles a school of fish (e.g., sardines) and is pulled tight like a purse. This fits (iii) "A net encircles a school of fish and is pulled tight."
Aquaculture (D): Fish farming in controlled environments like ponds or tanks (e.g., shrimp farming). This corresponds to (iv) "Fish farming in controlled environments."
Thus, the correct pairing is (A)-i, (B)-ii, (C)-iii, (D)-iv, making option b) the correct answer.

Mediterranean Agriculture (A): Found in regions like Spain and Italy, it produces olives, grapes, and citrus fruits due to a mild, wet winter and dry summer climate. This matches (i).
Prairie Farming (B): Large-scale wheat cultivation in the prairies of North America (e.g., USA, Canada) using mechanized farming. This aligns with (ii).
Monsoon Agriculture (C): Practiced in South Asia (e.g., India), it relies on seasonal monsoon rains for crops like rice. This fits (iii).
Horticulture (D): Intensive cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers (e.g., apple orchards in Himachal Pradesh). This corresponds to (iv).
Thus, the correct pairing is (A)-i, (B)-ii, (C)-iii, (D)-iv, making option b) the correct answer.

Iron and Steel Industry (A): Produces steel and alloys used in construction, machinery, etc. (e.g., Tata Steel). This matches (4).
Textile Industry (B): Manufactures fabric and clothing (e.g., cotton shirts). This aligns with (2).
Chemical Industry (C): Produces pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and chemicals (e.g., medicines). This fits (3).
Paper Industry (D): Produces paper and printing materials (e.g., notebooks). This corresponds to (1).
Thus, the correct pairing is (A)-4, (B)-2, (C)-3, (D)-1, making option a) the correct answer.

(A) Incorrect – Human Development goes beyond economic progress and includes social and environmental well-being.
(B) Correct – The Welfare Approach emphasizes government interventions to provide basic necessities.
(C) Correct – The Capabilities Approach, introduced by Amartya Sen, focuses on expanding individual choices rather than just economic growth.
(D) Incorrect – The Income Approach views national income as a key factor but not the only measure of development.
(E) Incorrect – Human Development is measured at both national and global levels, with countries ranked in annual HDI reports.

(A) Incorrect – High GNI does not always mean high human development, as social factors like health and education also play a role.
(B) Correct – The Human Poverty Index (HPI) measures deprivations in health, education, and living standards, helping assess poverty beyond income levels.
(C) Correct – The Gender Development Index (GDI) evaluates gender disparities in human development.
(D) Incorrect – Countries with low HDI usually have low literacy rates and weaker education systems.
(E) Incorrect – Sustainable human development requires social and environmental considerations, not just economic growth.

(A) Correct – Countries with high HDI have strong education and healthcare systems, contributing to better quality of life.
(B) Correct – Developing countries struggle with lower HDI rankings due to poor access to healthcare, education, and lower income levels.
(C) Incorrect – Sustainable development focuses on economic, social, and environmental progress, not just economy.
(D) Correct – Life expectancy is an indicator of health and living standards, as longer lifespans reflect better healthcare.
(E) Incorrect – The concept of human development was introduced by Mahbub ul Haq, not Mahatma Gandhi.

(A) Correct – The Human Development Index (HDI) is based on health, education, and income as key factors.
(B) Incorrect – Some countries with high HDI may not have high per capita income if they prioritize social well-being.
(C) Correct – The Gender Inequality Index (GII) measures inequalities in education, labor force, and political representation.
(D) Correct – The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) includes health, education, and standard of living, beyond just income.
(E) Incorrect – The HDI ranges from 0 to 1, not 0 to 10.

Demographic transition theory can be used to describe and predict the future population of any area. The theory tells us that population of any region changes from high births and high deaths to low births and low deaths as society progresses from rural agrarian and illiterate society to urban industrial and literate society. These changes occur in stages which are collectively known as the demographic cycle.

Building people's capabilities in the area of education is important in enlarging their choices.For example, an uneducated child cannot make the choice to be a doctor because his/her choice has got limited due to lack of education. Similarly, very often poor people cannot choose to take medical treatment for disease because their choice is limited by their lack of resources. It is interesting to see to which group most of the school dropouts belong to. This should, then lead to an understanding of the reasons for such behaviour. In India, a large number of women and persons belonging to socially and economically backward groups drop out of school. This shows how the choices of these groups get limited by not having access to knowledge.

Manganese is an important raw material for smelting of iron ore and also used for manufacturing ferro alloys. Manganese deposits are found in almost all geological formations, however, it is mainly associated with the Dharwar system. Odisha is the leading producer of Manganese. Major mines in Odisha are located in the central part of the iron ore belt of India.

Movement in search of pastures is undertaken either over vast horizontal distances or vertically from one elevation to another in the mountainous regions. The process of migration from plain areas to pastures on mountains during summers and again from mountain pastures to plain areas during winters is known as transhumance. In mountain regions such as Himalayas, Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis and Bhotiyas migrate from plains to the mountains in summers and to the plains from the high altitude pastures in winters. Similarly, in the tundra regions, the nomadic herders move from south to north in summers and from north to south in winters.