Geography

CDS 202521 questions

1. Q1

   The 'Durand Line' is a border demarcation that separates which of the following countries?

   • AAfghanistan and Iran
   • BAfghanistan and Pakistan
   • CIndia and Pakistan
   • DAfghanistan and China
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Afghanistan and Pakistan

   The Durand Line, demarcated in 1893 by Sir Mortimer Durand, is the international boundary between Afghanistan and present-day Pakistan. It does not separate Afghanistan from Iran or China, nor India from Pakistan.

2. Q2

   Amsterdam-St. Paul Plateau is located in which one of the following oceanic regions?

   • AArctic Ocean
   • BNorth Atlantic Ocean
   • CSouthern Indian Ocean
   • DSouth Pacific Ocean
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Southern Indian Ocean

   The Amsterdam-St. Paul Plateau is a submarine volcanic plateau in the southern Indian Ocean, associated with the islands of Amsterdam and Saint-Paul near the Southeast Indian Ridge. It is not located in the Arctic, Atlantic or Pacific.

3. Q3

   Which one of the following pairs of City and Lake is not correctly matched?

   • ABuffalo : Erie
   • BDetroit : Superior
   • CMilwaukee : Michigan
   • DToronto : Ontario
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) Detroit : Superior

   Detroit lies on the Detroit River linking Lakes St. Clair/Huron and Erie, not on Lake Superior, so the pairing Detroit-Superior is incorrect. Buffalo-Erie, Milwaukee-Michigan and Toronto-Ontario are all correctly matched Great Lakes cities.

4. Q4

   Which of the following statements with reference to lines of latitudes is/are correct? 1. The distance between two successive latitudes changes slightly from the equator to the poles. 2. If parallels of latitude are drawn at an interval of one degree, the total number of parallels thus drawn, including the equator, will be 179. Select the answer using the code given below:

   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

   Because the Earth is an oblate spheroid, the ground distance covered by one degree of latitude changes slightly from equator to poles, so statement 1 is correct. Drawn at 1° intervals, there are 90 parallels north, 90 south, and the equator, but excluding the two poles (which are points) gives 89 + 89 + 1 = 179 parallels, making statement 2 correct too.

5. Q5

   Arrange the following major elements present in the Earth's crust, in ascending order, in weight percentage: 1. Aluminium 2. Calcium 3. Silicon 4. Oxygen Select the answer using the code given below:

   • A3, 4, 1, 2
   • B4, 3, 1, 2
   • C2, 1, 3, 4
   • D1, 2, 3, 4
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) 2, 1, 3, 4

   By weight percentage in the Earth's crust, Oxygen (~46%) and Silicon (~28%) dominate, followed by Aluminium (~8%) and Calcium (~3.6%). In ascending order this gives Calcium, Aluminium, Silicon, Oxygen, i.e. 2, 1, 3, 4.

6. Q6

   Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Island/Nation): A. Comoros B. Baffin Island C. Sri Lanka D. Andaman Islands List-II (Tectonic Plate): 1. North American Plate 2. African Plate 3. Eurasian Plate 4. Indo-Australian Plate Code: (a) A-3 B-4 C-1 D-2 (b) A-3 B-1 C-4 D-2 (c) A-2 B-4 C-1 D-3 (d) A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3

   • AA-3 B-4 C-1 D-2
   • BA-3 B-1 C-4 D-2
   • CA-2 B-4 C-1 D-3
   • DA-2 B-1 C-4 D-3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3

   Comoros sits on the African Plate, Baffin Island on the North American Plate, Sri Lanka on the Indo-Australian Plate, and the Andaman Islands on the Eurasian (Burma) Plate, giving A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3. Only option (d) matches this arrangement.

7. Q7

   Which of the following statements with reference to Richter scale is/are correct? 1. It is the intensity scale of an earthquake. 2. Richter indicates the amount of energy released during the earthquake. Select the answer using the code given below:

   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) 2 only

   The Richter scale is a magnitude scale that measures the amount of energy released at the earthquake's focus, so statement 2 is correct. It is not an intensity scale (intensity, i.e. the effect of shaking at the surface, is measured by the Modified Mercalli scale), so statement 1 is wrong.

8. Q8

   Which of the following statements with reference to Glacial trough is/are correct? 1. Alpine glaciers strip valleys of their soil, regolith and sediment to form glacial troughs. 2. When the sea level is below the floor of a glacial trough, the seawater enters as the ice front recedes, creating a fiord. Select the answer using the code given below:

   • A1 only
   • B2 only
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) 1 only

   Alpine glaciers erode valleys of their soil, regolith and sediment to carve U-shaped glacial troughs, so statement 1 is correct. A fiord forms when the sea level is ABOVE the trough floor so seawater floods the valley as ice recedes; the statement says 'below the floor', which is incorrect, so only 1 is right.

9. Q9

   Consider the following statements with reference to Mid-latitude deciduous forests: 1. Mid-latitude deciduous forests consist largely of trees that drop their leaves during the summer season. 2. Mid-latitude deciduous forests are native to eastern North America and Western Europe. 3. In Asia, the Mid-latitude deciduous forests occur as a belt between the boreal forest to the north and steppe lands to the south. 4. Beech, Hickory and Walnut are common examples of trees found in Mid-latitude deciduous forests. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   • A1, 2 and 3
   • B1, 2 and 4
   • C1, 3 and 4
   • D2, 3 and 4
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) 2, 3 and 4

   Mid-latitude deciduous trees shed their leaves in autumn/winter, not summer, so statement 1 is wrong. Statements 2, 3 and 4 are correct: these forests are native to eastern North America and Western Europe, form an Asian belt between boreal forest and steppe, and include beech, hickory and walnut.

10. Q10

    Arrange the following permanent gases present in the atmosphere in ascending order: 1. Helium 2. Hydrogen 3. Neon 4. Xenon Select the answer using the code given below:

    • A3, 1, 2, 4
    • B3, 1, 4, 2
    • C2, 4, 1, 3
    • D2, 4, 3, 1
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) 2, 4, 1, 3

    Among these trace atmospheric gases, abundance increases in the order Hydrogen, Xenon, Helium, Neon, with Neon being the most abundant and Helium next, per the standard atmospheric composition table. This gives the ascending sequence 2, 4, 1, 3.

11. Q11

    The pattern of planetary winds largely depends upon which of the following factors? 1. Latitudinal variation of atmospheric heating 2. The distribution of continents and oceans 3. The rotation of earth Which of the above is/are correct?

    • A1 only
    • B1 and 2 only
    • C2 and 3 only
    • D1, 2 and 3
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3

    Planetary (prevailing) wind patterns arise from the unequal latitudinal heating of the atmosphere (which sets up pressure belts), are modified by the differing distribution of continents and oceans, and are deflected by the Earth's rotation through the Coriolis force. Hence all three factors are correct.

12. Q12

    Which of the following statements with reference to Water Vapour in the atmosphere is/are correct? 1. It has a role to play in the stability and instability in the air. 2. It acts like a blanket allowing the earth to neither become too cold nor too hot. Select the answer using the code given below:

    • A1 only
    • B2 only
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

    Water vapour supplies latent heat and influences whether rising air remains stable or becomes unstable, so statement 1 is correct. As a greenhouse gas it absorbs both incoming and outgoing radiation, acting like a blanket that moderates Earth's temperature, so statement 2 is also correct.

13. Q13

    Consider the following pairs with reference to world climate types and their characteristics: (Climate) : (Characteristic) I. Tropical wet and dry : Winter dry season II. Mid-latitude steppe : Mid-latitude semi-arid or dry III. Humid sub-tropical : No dry season, warm summer IV. Marine west coast : No dry season, severely cold summer How many of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    • A1
    • B2
    • C3
    • D4
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) 3

    Tropical wet and dry (Aw) has a dry winter, mid-latitude steppe is a semi-arid/dry type, and humid sub-tropical has no dry season with warm summers, so pairs I, II and III are correct. Marine west coast climate has mild/warm summers, not 'severely cold summer', so pair IV is wrong, leaving 3 correct matches.

14. Q14

    Identify the climate type based on the given below characteristics: 1. The annual precipitation is low and is around 15 cm. 2. The development of pronounced winter anticyclones and their weakening in summer sets in monsoon-like reversal of wind in this region. 3. Polewards, summer temperatures are low. Select the answer from the options given below:

    • ASubtropical steppe
    • BHumid sub-tropical climate
    • CCold climate with dry winters
    • DTundra climate
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) Cold climate with dry winters

    Low annual precipitation (~15 cm), strong winter anticyclones that weaken in summer producing a monsoon-like wind reversal, and low poleward summer temperatures describe a cold climate with dry winters (Dw type, as in interior/eastern Asia). This distinguishes it from subtropical steppe, humid sub-tropical and tundra climates.

15. Q15

    Consider the following statements with reference to the Cotton textile industry in India: 1. Cotton textile industry has, over time, spread to other parts of the country, beyond Gujarat and Maharashtra. 2. Raw cotton is not a weight-losing raw material. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • A1 only
    • B2 only
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) Both 1 and 2

    The cotton textile industry, originally concentrated in Gujarat and Maharashtra, has spread to Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere, so statement 1 is correct. Raw cotton is a pure, non-weight-losing raw material, so the industry is not tied to cotton-growing areas, making statement 2 correct as well.

16. Q16

    Indore city in Madhya Pradesh is situated in which one of the following regions?

    • ABundelkhand
    • BMahakoshal
    • CMalwa Plateau
    • DNimar Region
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) Malwa Plateau

    Indore lies on the Malwa Plateau of western Madhya Pradesh. It is not part of Bundelkhand, Mahakoshal or the Nimar region, which are separate physiographic-cultural regions of the state.

17. Q17

    Which among the following Classes of Towns in India holds the highest percentage of Urban Population as per the Census 2011?

    • AClass II
    • BClass III
    • CClass IV
    • DClass VI
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (B) Class III

    Among the town classes listed, Class III towns (population 20,000-49,999) accounted for the largest share of India's urban population among the given options in Census 2011. Class I towns hold the overall largest share (~70%) but were not an option; among the smaller classes offered, Class III leads over Class II, IV and VI.

18. Q18

    The Golden Quadrilateral Highway does not pass through which of the following cities? 1. Bhubaneshwar 2. Jaipur 3. Lucknow 4. Indore Select the answer using the code given below:

    • A1 and 2
    • B1 and 3
    • C2 and 3
    • D3 and 4
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) 3 and 4

    The Golden Quadrilateral links Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai-Kolkata; Bhubaneswar lies on the Kolkata-Chennai arm and Jaipur on the Delhi-Mumbai arm, so both are on the route. Lucknow and Indore lie away from these corridors, so the highway does not pass through them, making 3 and 4 correct (D).

19. Q19

    Consider the following statements with reference to location of Major Ports in India: 1. Deendayal Port is situated at the head of Gulf of Khambhat. 2. Cochin Port is situated at the head of Vembanad Kayal. 3. Mormugao Port is situated at the entrance of the Zuari estuary. 4. Paradip Port is situated in the Godavari delta. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    • A1 and 2
    • B1 and 3
    • C2 and 3
    • D3 and 4
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) 2 and 3

    Deendayal (Kandla) Port lies at the head of the Gulf of Kutch, not Khambhat, and Paradip Port is in the Mahanadi delta, not the Godavari, so statements 1 and 4 are wrong. Cochin Port at the head of Vembanad Kayal and Mormugao at the mouth of the Zuari estuary are correct, giving 2 and 3 (C).

20. Q20

    Which one among the following is not an atmospheric natural disaster?

    • ADrought
    • BHailstorm
    • CFrost
    • DAvalanche
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (D) Avalanche

    Drought, hailstorm and frost are atmospheric (climatic) hazards driven by weather conditions. An avalanche is a mass-movement/geological disaster involving the sudden downhill flow of snow and debris, so it is not atmospheric (D).

21. Q21

    Which of the statements about the dams on the Chenab river is/are correct? 1. Salal dam, Aalal dam and Baglihar dams are on the Chenab river. 2. Baglihar dam has a greater height than Salal dam. 3. Salal dam is operated by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation and Baglihar dam is operated by NHPC Limited. Select the answer using the code given below :

    • A1 and 2
    • B2 and 3
    • C2 only
    • D3 only
    Show answer & solution

    Correct answer: (C) 2 only

    Statement 1 is wrong as there is no 'Aalal dam' on the Chenab (Salal, Baglihar and Dulhasti are the known ones). Statement 3 reverses the operators - Salal is run by NHPC and Baglihar by the J&K State Power Development Corporation. Only statement 2 is correct, as Baglihar (~144 m) is taller than Salal (~113 m), giving C.