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UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: The vegetation of the savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions?

  1. Burrowing animals and termites
  2. Fire
  3. Grazing herbivores
  4. Seasonal rainfall
  5. Soil properties

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 
1 and 2
(b) 4 and 5
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 5

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (c)

  • The forest development in such areas is kept in check due to certain conditions including:
  • Fire: Uncontrolled burning of grassland leads to wildfires. Hence, 2 is correct. Grazing Herbivores: Overgrazing by animals leads to desertification and removal of vegetation cover. Hence, 3 is correct.
  • Seasonal Rainfall: Savanna regions have two distinct seasons - a wet season and a dry season. There is very little rain in the dry season. In the wet season vegetation grows, including lush green grasses and wooded areas. Hence, 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.


Q2: With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements:

  1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
  2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  • There is more freshwater stored in the ground than rivers, lakes, ponds on the surface. Some of the water flowing in rivers also comes from seepage of groundwater into river beds. Water from precipitation continually seeps into the ground to recharge aquifers. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • Of total freshwater, over 68 percent is locked up in ice and glaciers mainly in the polar regions and Greenland. Another 30 percent of freshwater is in the ground. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.


Q3: Consider the following statements:

  1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree.
  2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia.
  3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce.
  4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa.
  5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a
1, 2, 4 and 5
(b) 3, 4, and 5
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 5

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  • Moringa (Moringa oleifera), also known as drumstick tree, belongs to the family Moringaceae and is a handsome softwood tree, native to India, occurring wild in the sub-Himalayan regions of Northern India and now grown world wide in the tropics and sub-tropics. The pod of moringa is a very popular vegetable in South Indian cuisine and valued for their distinctly inviting flavour. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a hardwood tree. It is native to Africa but also grows in India, Pakistan, and many other tropical regions. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Moreover, in India most of the Tamarind is collected as Minor Forest Produce with Minimum Support Price. Tamarind is also actively exported from India. Hence, statements 3 and 4 are correct.
  • Biodiesel is derived from the tamarind seed through the transesterification process as potential alternative feedstock for the diesel engine. Hence, statement 5 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q4: The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of
(a) 
brown forest soil
(b) fissure volcanic rock
(c) granite and schist
(d) shale and limestone

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)
Black soil, also known as regur soil or black cotton soil, is ideal for growing cotton. Black soil is typical of the Deccan trap (Basalt) region spread over northwest Deccan plateau and is made up of lava flows (fissure volcanic rock). Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.


Q5: How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming?

  1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant.
  2. Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming.
  3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions.
  4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming.

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  • Permaculture is a totally integrated design system that is modelled on nature. Permaculture farming promotes multi cropping and integrated farming systems, whereas chemical farming is more suitable for monoculture cropping due to use of crop specific inputs like irrigation, chemical fertiliser and harvesting methods. Hence, 1 is correct.
  • Chemical farming makes the soil less fertile over time due to use of chemical fertilizers, which can lead to serious problems like soil salinisation. But such problems do not occur in permaculture farming as it relies on organic fertilizers. Hence, 2 is correct.
  • The concept of permaculture involves well-designed systems that do not produce waste and tries to copy well-designed systems. Permaculture tries to take into account local conditions like arid climate, which helps in developing a suitable system to ensure sustainable production. In case of chemical farming, intense use of chemical fertilizers and irrigation make the soil less fertile over time, thus restricting its practice in semi- arid regions. Thus, conventional chemical farming is not suitable for semi-arid regions. Hence, 3 is not correct.
  • Mulching is a long-established horticultural practice that involves spreading a layer of material on the ground around plants to protect their roots from heat, cold, or drought or to keep the fruit clean.The material used for covering is called ‘mulch’. Mulching is usually practiced while cultivating commercially important crops, fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, nursery saplings, etc. Mulching is an important component of permaculture farming for promoting maximum efficiency. Whereas, conventional chemical farming does not consider it as essential. Hence, 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.


Q6: With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements:

  1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
  2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
  3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  • Palm oil is edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees. Oil palm trees are native to Africa but were brought to South-East Asia over 100 years ago as an ornamental tree crop. The tree grows best in tropical climates with abundant water. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
  • Palm oil is used in cosmetics products like lipstick and perfumes. It is one of the most cost-effective cosmetics ingredients. Due to its high fatty acid content, it can be used to make surfactants, emulsifiers and emollients. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel, which can be used in compression ignition engines, i.e., diesel engines without any modifications. Hence, statement 3 is correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q7: With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus directly. Among the following, which one is such a river that joins the Indus direct?
(a)
Chenab
(b) Jhelum
(c) Ravi
(d) Sutlej

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (d)

  • The Jhelum joins the Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan. The Ravi joins the Chenab near Sarai Sidhu.
  • Satluj is joined by the Chenab in Pakistan. Thus, Satluj receives the collective drainage of the Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers. It joins the Indus a few kilometres above Mithankot. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q8: With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of
(a)
glaciers
(b) mangrove areas
(c) Ramsar sites
(d) saline lakes

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (d)
A salt lake or saline lake is a landlocked body of water that has a concentration of salts and other dissolved minerals significantly higher than most lakes. Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are saline lakes of Rajasthan. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.


Q9: Consider the following rivers:

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

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (b)

  1. The Brahmani river, also known as South Koel, rises near Nagri village in Ranchi district of Jharkhand. Hence, 1 is not correct.
  2. The Nagavali river originates in the Eastern Ghats near Lakhbahal, located in the Kalahandi district of Odisha. Langulya is another name for Nagavali River. Hence, 2 is correct.
  3. Subarnarekha river originates in the Chota Nagpur Plateau near Nagri village in Ranchi district of Jharkhand. Hence, 3 is not correct.
  4. Vamsadhara river rises in the Eastern Ghats of Orissa and enters Srikakulam district in Bhamini Mandal and finally falls into the Bay of Bengal near Kalingapatnam. Hence, 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.


Q10: Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?
(a)
Sugarcane
(b) Sunflower
(b) Pearl millet
(d) Red gram

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (a)

Sugarcane is an important cash crop cultivated in India. It is the least water efficient crop. The water requirement for sugarcane is 1800-2200 mm/season. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.


Q11: Consider the following statements:

  1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.
  2. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.

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

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (c)

  • Warmer water is transported westward in the ocean by the Northeast trade winds in the Northern hemisphere of the tropical zone. So, in tropical zones, the western section of ocean is warmer than eastern sections due to trade winds. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The Westerlies play an important role in carrying the warm, equatorial waters and winds to the western coasts of continents (that is eastern section of the Oceans in the temperate zone). Thus, in temperate zones, westerlies make the eastern section of the ocean warmer than the western sections. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.


Q12: “Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees.” This is the most likely description of
(a) 
coniferous forest
(b) dry deciduous forest
(c) mangrove forest
(d) tropical rainforest

UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE  View Answer

Ans: (d)

In tropical rainforest biomes, hot, moist atmosphere and all the dead plant material create the perfect conditions in which bacteria and other microorganisms can thrive. This leads to rapid decomposition of leaf litter material. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.


The document UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions 2021: Geography | Geography for UPSC CSE is a part of the UPSC Course Geography for UPSC CSE.
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