Physical Geography (UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

21. Consider the following climatic conditions (northern hemisphere): [1998]

Temp. °C Rainfall cm.
J 3.94.7
F 4.45.7
M 8.38.2
A 14.49.2
M 20.09.2
J 23.317.7
J 27.814.5
A  27.814.0
S 27.812.7
O 18.37.0
N 12.25.0
D 6.73.5

These are most likely to be found in the natural regions of:

Correct Answer: (a) China type
Solution:The climatic conditions, which are given in the table denotes the climatic condition of China type climate. Warm moist summer and cool dry winter.
China type climate
Summer
• Intense heating within interiors (Tibet, desert region) sets up a region of low pressure in summer attracting tropical Pacific air stream (South-East Monsoon).
• Monsoon does not ‘burst’ as suddenly, nor ‘pour’ as heavily as in India.
• Typhoons form mostly in late summer, from July to September.
Winter
• In winter, there is intense pressure over Siberia and the continental polar air stream flows outwards as the North-West Monsoon, bitterly cold and very dry.
• There is little rain but considerable snow on the windward slopes.
• Another climatic feature associated with the China type of climate in southern China is the occurrence of typhoons.

22. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: [1998]

List-I (Special characteristic)List-II (Name of planet)
A. Smallest planet of the solar system1. Mercury
B. Largest planet of the solar system2. Venus
C. Planet second from the Sun in the3. Jupiter
D. Planet nearest to the Sun4. Pluto
5. Saturn

 

ABCD
(a)2351
(b)3512
(c)4123
(d)4321

 

 

Correct Answer: (d)
Solution:A. The smallest planet of the solar system is-Pluto
B. The largest planet of the solar system is-Jupiter
C. The planet second from the Sun in the solar system is-Venus
D. Planet nearest to the Sun is - Mercury.

23. Physical regions marked as 1, 2, 3, & 4 on the given map are respectively: [1999]

Correct Answer: (a) Andes, Brazilian Shield, Guyana Highlands & Amazon Basin
Solution:In the given figure:
  • Andes is marked as '1', which is located at the western coast of South America.
  • Brazilian shield is marked as '2', this area is located at the eastern part of South America. The shield extends over 8.5 million square.
  • Guyana highland is marked as '3' Guyana highland is a plateau and low mountain region of South America located north of Amazon river and South of Orinoco river.
  • Amazon basin is marked as '4', it is the tropical rain forest in the world. Amazon river drains more than half of Brazil, part of Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

24. Which one of the following types of coal contains a higher percentage of carbon than the rest? [1999]

Correct Answer: (d) Anthracite
Solution:

Peat
• First stage of transformation.
• Contains less than 40 to 55 per cent carbon == more impurities.
• Contains sufficient volatile matter and lot of moisture [more smoke and more pollution].
• Left to itself, it burns like wood, gives less heat, emits more smoke and leaves a lot of ash.

Lignite
• Brown coal.
• Lower grade coal.
• 40 to 55 per cent carbon.
• Intermediate stage.
• Dark to black brown.
• Moisture content is high (over 35 per cent).
• It undergoes SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION [Bad. Creates fire accidents in mines]

Bituminous Coal
• Soft coal; most widely available and used coal.
• Derives its name after a liquid called bitumen.
• 40 to 80 per cent carbon.
• Moisture and volatile content (15 to 40 per cent)
• Dense, compact, and is usually of black colour.
• Does not have traces of original vegetable material.
• Calorific value is very high due to high proportion of carbon and low moisture.
• Used in production of coke and gas.

Anthracite Coal
• Best quality; hard coal.
• 80 to 95 per cent carbon.
• Very little volatile matter.
• Negligibly small proportion of moisture.
• Semi-metallic lustre.
• Ignites slowly == less loss of heat == highly efficient.
• Ignites slowly and burns with a nice short blue flame. [Complete combustion == Flame is BLUE == little or no pollutants. Example: LPG]
• In India, it is found only in Jammu and Kashmir and that too in small quantity.

25. Which one of the following scholars suggested the earth's origin from gases & dust particles? [1999]

Correct Answer: (d) O. Schmidt
Solution:

O. Schmidt in 1943 gave Interstellar Dust Hypothesis for the origin of the earth and solar system.
• According to this theory, the initial universe comprised of stars & randomly distributed matter filling up the space in between.
• According to Schmidt, this dark matter, started to revolve around the primitive rotating sun and gradually the dark matter stars accreting & condensing & thus forming the solar system.
• Though Schmidt did not explain the mode of origin of these dark matters. These dark matters were called ‘inter-stellar dusts’ by Schmidt.
• This theory may be considered as explaining the processes that preceded the Nebular accretionary process of Laplace & Kant.

26. In the given map, which one of the following pairs of ocean currents are shown? [1999]

Correct Answer: (d) Benguela & Guinea
Solution:

Benguela is a cold current flows from south to north along the west coast of Africa. Guinea current is a warm current flowing east of Guinea along the west coast of Afric
The Benguela Current is a large, northward-flowing ocean current that makes up the eastern part of the South Atlantic Ocean gyre. The current stretch about from Cape Point in the south to the Angola-Benguela border in the north. The prevailing south easterly trade winds propel the stream. The Benguela Upwelling System is formed when south-easterly winds induce coastal upwelling inshore of the Benguela Current proper.
Guinea Current, surface oceanic current of the Atlantic Ocean, the eastward continuation of the Atlantic Equatorial Countercurrent, off the western coast of Africa near the Gulf of Guinea. The warm, highly saline Guinea Current reaches a depth of less than 660 feet (200 m).

27. Which one of the areas marked as A, B, C & D in the given figure of the cyclone, witnesses heavy torrential short duration rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms? [1999]

Correct Answer: (b) B
Solution:In the given figure 'B' lies between two cyclone zone 'A' and 'D'. At the 'B' marked region rainfall would be accompanied by thunder storms.
About the Cyclones
• Cyclones are intense atmospheric systems with a low-pressure center surrounded by spiraling winds.
• They form over warm ocean waters, where heat and moisture fuel rising air, creating strong convection currents.
• Cyclones are classified based on their location and intensity, such as hurricanes in the Atlantic, typhoons in the Pacific, and tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean.
• Cyclones are categorized into tropical and extratropical types. Tropical cyclones occur in warm regions and bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, often leading to widespread destruction. Extratropical cyclones, forming in temperate zones, influence weather systems like rain and snowstorms.
• Cyclones have significant environmental and economic impacts, including destruction of infrastructure, loss of lives, and changes in ecosystems.
• However, they also play a role in redistributing heat and moisture across the planet. Understanding cyclone dynamics is vital for accurate forecasting and disaster preparedness to mitigate their effects

28. Consider the following temperature & rainfall data: [1999]

MonthTemperature (°C)Rainfall (cm)
January6.714.0
February6.713.2
March7.211.4
April8.99.4
May11.18.1
June13.98.1
July15.09.6
August15.012.2
September13.910.4
October11.114.4
November8.914.0
December7.816.8

 

Correct Answer: (d) Mediterranean type  
Solution:The given data shows the climatic condition of Mediterranean type. In this climatic zone the temperature varies from 7-15 °C and rainfall varies from 6 - 16 cm.

• The Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate is primarily found around the Mediterranean Basin, but also occurs in regions like southern California, central Chile, parts of South Africa, and southwestern Australia.
• It is influenced by the subtropical high-pressure system, resulting in dry summers and wet winters.
• During the summer months, high-pressure systems dominate, bringing clear skies, high temperatures, and minimal rainfall. In contrast, the winter season is marked by lower pressure, which brings cooler temperatures and more precipitation.
• These seasonal variations contribute to the development of unique vegetation, such as olive trees, vineyards, and shrubs like chaparral and maquis.
• Mediterranean climates support diverse ecosystems, including rich biodiversity, fertile agricultural land, and scenic landscapes.
• However, due to its arid summers and seasonal rainfall, regions with a Mediterranean climate are susceptible to drought and wildfire risks, making sustainable land management essential for maintaining ecological balance

29. At which one of the following positions shown in the diagram will the height of the ocean tide be maximum? [1999]

Correct Answer: (d) M₄
Solution:M₄ position of the diagram the height of the tide is at maximum, because in this position earth, moon and sun lies in a straight line.
• Tides are the regular, predictable rise and fall of ocean water levels along coastlines, caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun on Earth’s oceans, combined with Earth’s rotation.
• The gravitational pull of the moon is the primary force driving tides, while the sun also contributes, though to a lesser extent. When the moon’s gravity pulls on Earth’s oceans, it creates a bulge of water, causing the high tide.
• The areas perpendicular to the bulge experience low tide, as the water is pulled away. The Earth’s rotation causes different locations to pass through these high and low tide phases throughout the day.
• Tides occur in cycles, typically every 12 hours and 25 minutes, creating two high and two low tides daily (semi-diurnal tide).
• In some regions, tides may be diurnal (one high and one low tide per day). Tides are crucial for coastal ecosystems, navigation, and marine life.

30. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: [1999]

List-I (Timber)List-II (Country)
A. Cedar1. Myanmar
B. Douglas Fir2. Canada
C. Mahogany3. Mexico
D. Teak4. Honduras

 

ABCD
(a)3214
(b)3241
(c)2341
(d)2314

 

Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:
  • Cedro Blanco means white cedar and is also known as Mexican white cedar or cedar-of-Goa is a species of cypress native to Mexico and Central America.   
  • Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga Menzies) is an evergreen conifer of the pine family (Pinaceae). ... Menzies occurs in Canada.
  • Mahogany is a straight-grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus Swietenia, indigenous to the Americas and part of the pantropical chinaberry family.  
  • Teak (Tectonagrandis) is a tropical hardwood tree species placed in the flowering plant family Lamiaceae. Some forms of teak are known as Burmese teak.