UPSC 2013 › Geography

15 questions · 2013 · answers as per the UPSC key

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Topics: Atmosphere & Climatology (3)Economic & Mineral Geography (3)Indian Agriculture & Land Use (2)Oceanography (2)Physical Geography & Geomorphology (2)Astronomy & Earth–Sun System (1)Indian Rivers & Water Resources (1)World Physical Geography (1)

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? Geographical Feature : Region

(a) Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia
(b) Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa
(c) Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa
(d) Okavango Basin : Patagonia
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Answer: (b) Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa

Variations in the length of daytime and night-time from season to season are due to

(a) the earth's rotation on its axis
(b) the earth's revolution round the sun in an elliptical manner
(c) latitudinal position of the place
(d) revolution of the earth on a tilted axis
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Answer: (d) revolution of the earth on a tilted axis

The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?

  1. It occupies a linear rift valley.
  2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
  3. The land slopes to the west from Central India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None
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Answer: (a) 1 only
UPSC 2013 · Q16 · Geography › Oceanography · Save

On the planet Earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion

(a) is found in the atmosphere as moisture and clouds
(b) is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c) exists as groundwater
(d) exists as soil moisture
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Answer: (c) exists as groundwater

Consider the following:

  1. Electromagnetic radiation
  2. Geothermal energy
  3. Gravitational force
  4. Plate movements
  5. Rotation of the earth
  6. Revolution of the earth

Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
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Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in

(a) desert margins, liable to strong wind action
(b) low flat plains, close to stream courses, liable to flooding
(c) scrublands, liable to spread of weed growth
(d) None of the above
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Answer: (d) None of the above
UPSC 2013 · Q54 · Geography › Oceanography · Save

The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where

(a) warm and cold atmospheric currents meet
(b) rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea
(c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet
(d) continental shelf is undulating
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Answer: (c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet

The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the reason/reasons?

  1. Thermal difference between land and water
  2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans
  3. Presence of strong winds in the interior
  4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: (a) 1 only

Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of Indian coal?

  1. High ash content
  2. Low sulphur content
  3. Low ash fusion temperature

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?

  1. They are generally red in colour.
  2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
  3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
  4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3 only
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Answer: (c) 1 and 4

Consider the following statements :

  1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
  2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
  3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
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Answer: (b) 2 only

Consider the following crops :

  1. Cotton
  2. Groundnut
  3. Rice
  4. Wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?

(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4
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Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

“Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The above statement best describes which of the following regions?

(a) African Savannah
(b) Central Asian Steppe
(c) North American Prairie
(d) Siberian Tundra
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Answer: (b) Central Asian Steppe

During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the

  1. Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky
  2. Lightning that separates the nimbus clouds
  3. Violent upward movement of air and water particles

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above produces the thunder
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Answer: (d) None of the above produces the thunder

Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?

(a) Engineering
(b) Paper and pulp
(c) Textiles
(d) Thermal power
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Answer: (d) Thermal power