Physical Geography (UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

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

Temp. °C	Rainfall cm.
J 3.9	4.7
F 4.4	5.7
M 8.3	8.2
A 14.4	9.2
M 20.0	9.2
J 23.3	17.7
J 27.8	14.5
A 27.8	14.0
S 27.8	12.7
O 18.3	7.0
N 12.2	5.0
D 6.7	3.5

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

(a) China type
(b) equatorial type
(c) hot desert type
(d) monsoon type

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.

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 system	1. Mercury
B. Largest planet of the solar system	2. Venus
C. Planet second from the Sun in the	3. Jupiter
D. Planet nearest to the Sun	4. Pluto
	5. Saturn

	A	B	C	D
(a)	2	3	5	1
(b)	3	5	1	2
(c)	4	1	2	3
(d)	4	3	2	1

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]

(a) Andes, Brazilian Shield, Guyana Highlands & Amazon Basin
(b) Andes, Guyana Highlands, Brazilian Shield & Amazon Basin
(c) Amazon Basin, Guyana Highlands, Brazilians Shield & Andes
(d) Guyana Highlands, Brazilian Shield Andes & Amazon Basin

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]

(a) Bituminous coal
(b) Lignite
(c) Peat
(d) Anthracite

Correct Answer: (d) Anthracite

Solution:Anthracite is a dense, shiny coal that has a high carbon content. Very little volatile matter is present in it. It gives a clean flame while burning. Anthracite contains 91% of carbon; is very little volatile and has almost smokeless burning.

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

(a) James Jeans
(b) H. Alfven
(c) F. Hoyle
(d) O. Schmidt

Correct Answer: (d) O. Schmidt

Solution:O. Schmidt in 1943 gave Interstellar Dust Hypothesis for the origin of the earth and solar system.

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

(a) Benguela & Falkland
(b) Canary & Humboldt
(c) Agulhas & Guinea
(d) Benguela & Guinea

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

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]

(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D

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.

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

Month	Temperature (°C)	Rainfall (cm)
January	6.7	14.0
February	6.7	13.2
March	7.2	11.4
April	8.9	9.4
May	11.1	8.1
June	13.9	8.1
July	15.0	9.6
August	15.0	12.2
September	13.9	10.4
October	11.1	14.4
November	8.9	14.0
December	7.8	16.8

(a) St. Lawrence type
(b) China type
(c) West European type
(d) Mediterranean type

Correct Answer: (c) West European 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.

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

(a) M₁
(b) M₂
(c) M₃
(d) M₄

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.

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. Cedar	1. Myanmar
B. Douglas Fir	2. Canada
C. Mahogany	3. Mexico
D. Teak	4. Honduras

	A	B	C	D
(a)	3	2	1	4
(b)	3	2	4	1
(c)	2	3	4	1
(d)	2	3	1	4

Correct Answer: (b)