UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  Geography for UPSC CSE  >  UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: On 21st June, the Sun
(a)
does not set below the horizon at the Arctic Circle
(b) 
does not set below the horizon at Antarctic Circle
(c) 
shines vertically overhead at noon on the Equator
(d) 
shines vertically overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (a)

  • 21st June is the longest day of the year as countries lying to the north of the equator, including India, witness ‘Summer Solstice’.The ‘summer solstice’ occurs exactly when the earth’s axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun at its maximum of 23 degrees 26’.During ‘summer solstice’, the Northern Hemisphere witnesses its longest day of the year while the Southern Hemisphere sees its shortest day.
  • On the June solstice, the Earth’s North Pole is at its maximum tilt toward the sun. At this time, the sun appears directly overhead at 23.5 degrees north latitude, along the Tropic of Cancer.
  • Around the Arctic Circle, the location of sunrise and sunset start to converge in the northern sky, until eventually the sun never sinks below the horizon. Hence, the appearance of the midnight sun.

Q2: Consider the following pairs:

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (a)

  • Pandharpur is a holy place of Shri.Vitthal and Shri.Rukmini. It is also known as the Southern Kashi of India and Kuldaivat of Maharashtra State. The Chandrabhaga (Bhima) river flows through the City.Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas.
  • Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India located near Hospet town in the Karnataka state, on south bank of Tungabhadra river.

Q3: Consider the following States:

  1. Chhattisgarh
  2. Madhya Pradesh
  3. Maharashtra
  4. Odisha

With reference to the States mentioned above, in terms of percentage of forest cover to the total area of State, which one of the following is the correct ascending order?
(a) 
2-3-1-4
(b) 2-3-4-1
(c) 3-2-4-1
(d) 3-2-1-4

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (c)
India state of forest report 2017

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

Hence, correct ascending order- (3-2-4-1)


Q4: Consider the following pairs:

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a)
1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  • The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea positioned between the eastern coastline of Italy, and countries of the Balkan Peninsula, from Slovenia, South through Croatia, Montenegro, and to Albania. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
  • The Black Sea is an inland sea located between far-southeastern Europe and the far- western edges of the continent of Asia and the country of Turkey. It's bordered by Turkey, and by Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched. this rules out options a, c and d, leaving the correct answer to be option B through elimination method.
  • Caspian Sea is an enclosed body of water between Asia and Europe. It is bordered by Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Morocco’s Mediterranean coast represents the westernmost edge of the Northern African coast. The coastline features the Strait of Gibraltar that marks the link between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

There are six countries (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti) bordering the Red Sea.


Q5: Consider the following pairs

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

Which of the pairs correctly matched?
(a) 
1, 2 and 4
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 2 and 5
(d) 3 and 5

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (a)

  • An important glacier of Yamuna river basin is Bandarpunch Glacier in the Garhwal division of the Himalayas. It is 12 km long situated on the Northern slopes of Bandarpunch West, Khatling peak and Bandarpunch peak the glacier is formed by three cirque glaciers and then join the river of Yamuna. Hence, 1 is correctly matched
  • Bara Shigri is the largest glacier located in Lahaul Spiti region in Chandra Valley, Himachal Pradesh. It is a 30-km long glacier, the second longest glacier in the Himalayas after Gangotri. It flows northwards and feeds the Chenab river. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  • Milam Glacier in Munsiyari, Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand is the source of Gori Ganga River and not of Mandakini River. Gori Ganga is also an important tributary of Kali River. Hence, Statement 3 is not correct.
  • At an altitude of roughly 5,400 meters (17,700 feet), the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir is a forbidding place. At much lower altitudes, the glacier’s impact is benign: it is the source of the Nubra River, a tributary of the Indus River flowing into Pakistan and the Arabian Sea. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
  • The Zemu glacier is the largest in the Eastern Himalayas in Sikkim. It is at the base of the Kanchendzonga and is one of the sources for the Teesta not Manas river. Teesta is a tributary of the Brahmaputra.Hence, Statement 5 is not correct.

Q6: What is common to the places known as Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati?
(a)
Recently discovered uranium deposits
(b) Tropical rain forests
(c) Underground cave systems
(d) Water reservoirs

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (d)
Aliyar (Tamil Nadu) Isapur (Maharashtra) and Kangsabati (West Bengal) are water reservoirs, where water level reached much below the normal capacity.


Q7: Why are dewdrops not formed on a cloudy night?
(a
) Clouds absorb the radiation released from the Earth’s surface.
(b) Clouds reflect back the Earth’s radiation.
(c) The Earth’s surface would have low temperature on cloudy nights.
(d) Clouds deflect the blowing wind to ground level.

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  • Dew is a type of precipitation where water droplets form on the ground, or on objects near the ground in a process called condensation of moisture. The favorable weather elements for dew include clear skies, light wind, decent soil moisture, and low night-time dew point depressions.
  • Dew forms when the temperature becomes equal to the dew point. This often happens first at ground level for two reasons. First, longwave emission causes the earth's surface to cool at night.Cloud cover prevent this from happening as it reflect's earth's radiation.
  • Condensation requires the temperature to decrease to the dew point. Second, the soil is often the moisture source for the dew. Warm and moist soils will help with the formation of dew as the soil cools overnight.

Q8: With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:

  1. Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country.
  2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
  3. Stale Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (a)
Sand is a minor mineral, as defined under section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act). Hence statement 1 is correct. Section 15 of the MMDR Act empowers state governments to make rules for regulating the grant of mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith. The regulation of grant of mineral concessions for minor minerals is, therefore, within the legislative and administrative domain of the state governments. Under the power granted to them by section 15 of the MMDR Act, State Governments have framed their own minor minerals concession rules. Hence statement 2 in incorrect. section 23C of theMMDR Act, 1957 empowers state governments to frame rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation and storage of mineralsand for purposes connected therewith. Control of illegal mining is, therefore, under the legislative and administrative jurisdiction of state governments. Hence statement 3 is correct.


Q9: With reference to the cultivation of Kharif crops in India in the last five years, consider the following statements:

  1. Area under rice cultivation is the highest.
  2. Area under the cultivation of jowar is more than that of oilseeds.
  3. Area of cotton cultivation is more than that of sugarcane.
  4. Area under sugarcane cultivation has steadily decreased.

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (a)

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE


The document UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE is a part of the UPSC Course Geography for UPSC CSE.
All you need of UPSC at this link: UPSC
180 videos|475 docs|198 tests

Top Courses for UPSC

FAQs on UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography - Geography for UPSC CSE

1. What are the topics covered in the UPSC Prelims Geography exam?
Ans. The UPSC Prelims Geography exam covers various topics such as physical geography, human geography, economic geography, environmental geography, and world geography. It includes questions on landforms, climate, agriculture, population, urbanization, industries, natural resources, and international relations among other related areas.
2. How can I prepare for the UPSC Prelims Geography exam?
Ans. To prepare for the UPSC Prelims Geography exam, you can follow these steps: 1. Understand the syllabus and exam pattern. 2. Read standard textbooks on geography, such as NCERT books. 3. Make notes and revise regularly. 4. Practice solving previous year question papers and mock tests. 5. Stay updated with current affairs related to geographical events. 6. Refer to additional reference books for in-depth understanding. 7. Join coaching classes or online courses for expert guidance, if needed.
3. What are some important geographical concepts to focus on for the UPSC Prelims exam?
Ans. Some important geographical concepts to focus on for the UPSC Prelims exam are: 1. Plate tectonics and geological processes. 2. Climatic zones and their characteristics. 3. Types of vegetation and ecosystem. 4. Major rivers, their origins, and tributaries. 5. Types of soils and their distribution. 6. Demographic patterns and migration. 7. Economic activities and sectors. 8. International organizations and agreements related to geography. 9. Environmental issues and conservation measures. 10. Geopolitical events and their impact on global geography.
4. Are map-based questions asked in the UPSC Prelims Geography exam?
Ans. Yes, map-based questions are asked in the UPSC Prelims Geography exam. Candidates are required to have a good understanding of map reading and interpretation. Questions may be related to identifying geographical features, locating important cities, rivers, mountains, or understanding the spatial distribution of various phenomena. It is important to practice map-based questions to improve your skills in this area.
5. How much weightage does the Geography section carry in the UPSC Prelims exam?
Ans. The Geography section in the UPSC Prelims exam carries a significant weightage. It is a part of the General Studies Paper-I, which has a total of 100 questions. Geography questions usually constitute around 10-15% of the total questions. Therefore, it is essential to prepare well for this section to secure a good score in the exam.
180 videos|475 docs|198 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

study material

,

Important questions

,

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

,

Free

,

past year papers

,

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

,

Semester Notes

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

Extra Questions

,

Sample Paper

,

MCQs

,

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2019: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Objective type Questions

,

ppt

,

Summary

,

practice quizzes

,

Exam

,

mock tests for examination

,

pdf

,

Viva Questions

,

video lectures

;