Test: Geography MCQs (July2024 Current Affairs) - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1: Correct. Marathwada lies in the rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats, receiving significantly less rainfall (600-800 mm) compared to the western side of the Western Ghats (2,000-4,000 mm).

2. Statement 2: Correct. Sugarcane in Marathwada requires almost daily irrigation, consuming 61% of the region's irrigation water while occupying only 4% of the cropped area. This heavy water usage limits the availability of water for other crops more suited to the region's climate.

3. Statement 3: Incorrect. The rain-shadow effect results in lower rainfall in Marathwada, not higher. The moist winds lose most of their moisture by the time they descend on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, leading to significantly lower rainfall in regions like Marathwada.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

- Statement 1 is correct: The new study indicates that spiral galaxies may have formed much earlier than previously anticipated, suggesting they evolved around the same time as other types of galaxies.

- Statement 2 is incorrect: The research utilized data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, not the Hubble Space Telescope, to analyze the galaxies.

- Statement 3 is correct: The study found that the proportion of galaxies with spiral shapes increased significantly from about 8% to 48% between 3 billion and 7 billion years after the Big Bang.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C.

1. Aphelion – Earth is farthest from the Sun: Correct. Aphelion is the point in Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun, occurring around 3 to 6th July each year.

2. Perihelion – Earth is closest to the Sun: Correct. Perihelion is when Earth is closest to the Sun, occurring around January 3 annually.

3. Tunguska Event – Asteroid impact in 1908: Correct. The Tunguska Event refers to the massive explosion caused by an asteroid impact over Siberia on June 30, 1908.

4. International Asteroid Day – Commemorates the first asteroid discovery: Incorrect. International Asteroid Day commemorates the anniversary of the Tunguska asteroid impact over Siberia, not the first asteroid discovery.

Pairs 1, 2, and 3 are correctly matched, while pair 4 is incorrectly matched. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

1. Spiral Galaxies - Correctly matched. Spiral galaxies do have flattened disks with spiral arms. Examples include the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy.

2. Elliptical Galaxies - Incorrectly matched. Elliptical galaxies have a smooth, oval, or round shape, little gas and dust, and are mostly composed of old stars, not a disk but no arms. An example is the Messier 87 galaxy.

3. Lenticular Galaxies - Incorrectly matched. Lenticular galaxies are intermediate between spiral and elliptical galaxies. They have a disk but no arms, not a smooth, oval shape with little gas and dust. The Sombrero Galaxy is an example of a lenticular galaxy.

4. Irregular Galaxies - Correctly matched. Irregular galaxies have no regular shape and can be dwarf or large. The Large Magellanic Cloud is an example of an irregular galaxy.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched, while pairs 2 and 3 are incorrectly matched.

Statement-I correctly defines aphelion as the point in Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun. Statement-II accurately describes perihelion as the point in Earth's orbit when it is closest to the Sun. These two statements complement each other in explaining the Earth's orbital positions in relation to the Sun, with perihelion and aphelion being key astronomical terms that reflect these positions. The correct answer is (a) as both statements are factually accurate and mutually explanatory in defining the Earth's orbital extremes.

1. Aphelion occurs when Earth is farthest from the Sun, typically around July 3 to July 6 each year: This statement is correct. Aphelion is the point in Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun, and it typically occurs between July 3 and July 6 each year. According to NCERT, aphelion occurs on July 4.

2. During aphelion, the Earth's distance from the Sun is approximately 147.5 million kilometers: This statement is incorrect. At aphelion, the Earth's distance from the Sun extends to approximately 152.5 million kilometers. The distance of 147.5 million kilometers corresponds to perihelion, when Earth is closest to the Sun.

3. The difference in solar radiation received by Earth at aphelion compared to perihelion is about 3%: This statement is correct. The variation in solar radiation due to Earth's elliptical orbit is about 3%, with aphelion causing a slight reduction in sunlight reaching Earth.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The Kerala Migration Survey 2023 report primarily emphasizes highlighting significant changes and emerging patterns in emigration and return migration from Kerala. This survey provides valuable insights into the shifting trends of migration, focusing on various aspects such as total emigrants, returnees, destinations, reasons for migration, and the impact on the state's economy.

Stromatolites played a crucial role in Earth's history by introducing oxygen into the atmosphere through photosynthesis. This process gradually changed the composition of the atmosphere from being carbon dioxide-rich to oxygen-rich, paving the way for the development of more complex life forms.

• Statement 1: Correct. The Kerala Migration Survey 2023 reported that the number of emigrants from Kerala was estimated at 2.2 million.
• Statement 2: Correct. The proportion of women emigrants increased from 15.8% in 2018 to 19.1% in 2023.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. The emigration to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries accounted for 93.8% of Kerala's emigrants in 1998, not in 2023. In 2023, this proportion decreased significantly to 19.5%.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

Statement-I is accurate as living stromatolites are indeed found in only a few specific locations like salty lagoons or bays on Earth. Statement-II is also correct. Stromatolites provide ancient records of life on Earth through fossil remains dating back over 3.5 billion years. The reason Statement-II explains Statement-I is that the existence of living stromatolites in specific environments ties back to their historical significance and their role as ancient records, showcasing the continuity of stromatolite formations from ancient times to the present day.

Statement-I correctly describes the integration of AI, deep learning, and machine learning in the BCNN model for forecasting El Niño and La Niña phases up to 15 months. Statement-II further explains how the BCNN model aims to enhance predictions by considering the relationship between these phases and the associated oceanic and atmospheric changes. Therefore, both statements are accurate, and Statement-II logically elaborates on Statement-I, making option (a) the correct choice.

Sugarcane production in regions with low rainfall presents challenges due to its high water requirements, consuming a substantial amount of irrigation water. This heavy water usage not only limits the irrigation of other more suitable crops for the region but also exacerbates water scarcity issues. In areas like Marathwada with limited rainfall, cultivating sugarcane can strain water resources, affecting the overall agricultural sustainability and water availability for other essential crops.

1. International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) - Correctly matched. The IIMAD focuses on global migration issues, including challenges faced by refugees, diasporic migrants, and migrant workers.

2. Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN) - Correctly matched. The BCNN was indeed developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) to predict the onset of El Niño and La Niña phases.

3. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - Incorrectly matched. In 2023, the GCC countries accounted for 19.5% of Kerala's emigrants, not 93.8%. The 93.8% figure was from 1998.

4. El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) - Correctly matched. ENSO involves temperature fluctuations in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, influencing the overlying atmosphere.

Therefore, pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

1. Marathwada: High annual rainfall of 2,000-4,000 mm - Incorrect. Marathwada lies in the rain-shadow region and receives significantly less rainfall, about 600-800 mm annually.

2. Sugarcane: Requires 1,500-2,500 mm of water during its growing season - Correct. Sugarcane has a high water requirement, needing 1,500-2,500 mm of water during its growing season.

3. Rain-shadow effect: Causes higher rainfall on the eastern side of the Western Ghats - Incorrect. The rain-shadow effect causes higher rainfall on the western side of the Western Ghats and significantly lower rainfall on the eastern side, including regions like Marathwada.

4. South China Sea: Significant for global shipping and fishing - Correct. The South China Sea is strategically important for global shipping, with one-third of all global shipping passing through it, and it is also a rich fishing ground.

Thus, pairs 2 and 4 are correctly matched.

The designation of June 30 as International Asteroid Day was triggered by the anniversary of a significant asteroid impact event known as the Tunguska Event, which occurred on June 30, 1908. This event, considered the largest asteroid impact in recorded history, involved an asteroid exploding above the Tunguska region of central Siberia, flattening millions of trees over a vast area without leaving a crater. This historical event led to the recognition of June 30 as a day to raise awareness about asteroid impact hazards and crisis communication actions related to potential asteroid threats to Earth.