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com

IAS 2021

Prelims
TEST SERIES
Test - 45
Geography
www.iasscore.in
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DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO SO

PTS2021/PPP-01/042021/45

Test No.
GENERAL STUDIES

GEOGRAPHY 45
Time Allowed: Two Hours Maximum Marks: 200

INSTRUCTIONS

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1. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAMINATION, YOU SHOULD CHECK THAT
THIS TEST BOOKLET DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNPRINTED OR TORN OR MISSING PAGES OR ITEMS,
ETC. IF SO, GET IT REPLACED BY A COMPLETE TEST BOOKLET.
2. Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to encode and fill in the Roll Number carefully
without any omission or discrepancy at the appropriate places in the OMR Answer Sheet. Any
omission/discrepancy will render the Answer Sheet liable for rejection.
O
3. You have to enter your Roll Number on the test booklet in the Box provided
alongside. DO NOT write anything else on the Test Booklet.
4. This Test Booklet contains 100 items (questions). Each item is printed in English. Each item comprises four
SC
responses (answers). You will select the response which you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case you
feel that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which you consider the best. In any case,
choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
5. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided. See directions in the
Answer Sheet.
6. All items carry equal marks.
GS

7. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet in response to various items in the Test Booklet, you have to
fill in some particulars in the Answer Sheet as per instructions sent to you with your Admission Certificate.
8. After you have completed filling in all your responses on the Answer Sheet and the examination has concluded,
you should hand over to the Invigilator only the Answer Sheet. You are permitted to take away with you the
Test Booklet.
9. Sheets for rough work are appended in the Test Booklet at the end.
10. Penalty for wrong answers:
THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A CANDIDATE IN THE OBJECTIVE
TYPE QUESTION PAPERS.
(i) There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer
has been given by the candidate, one-third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as
penalty.
(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given
answers happens to be correct and there will be same penalty as above to that question.
(iii) If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that
question.

DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED TO DO SO

1 PTS2021/PPP-01/042021/45

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1. Consider the following statements regarding 2. Agricultural activities are allowed

Volcanism: in the biosphere reserves to the local
1. Volcanism provides one of the most communities.
important clues to the location of interior Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
heating in space and time.
(a) 1 only
2. Volcanism has been important in the
development of the other terrestrial (b) 2 only
planets as well as some natural (c) Both 1 and 2
satellites.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
(a) 1 only 5. Consider the following statements:
(b) 2 only 1. The axis of the earth which is an
imaginary line, makes an angle of 66½°
(c) Both 1 and 2 with its orbital plane.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 2. At the poles, the Earth rotates at a speed
of about 1,700 km per hour, but at the

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2. Consider the following statements regarding equator the movement speed is nearly
Elements of Earth’s Crust: nothing.
1. The most abundant minerals in the 3. The planet moves slower when it is
earth’s crust are the silicates. at aphelion and faster when it is at
perihelion.
2. Oxygen is the second most abundant
element in the earth’s crust. Which of the above statement/s is/are
O incorrect?
Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(b) 2 only
SC
(c) 1 and 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) 2 only
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
6. Consider the following statements about The
3. Consider the following statements regarding English Channel:
Weathering:
1. The English Channel separates the
1. Weathering is the initial stage in the
GS

northern coast of England from the

formation of soil. southern coast of France.
2. Weathering produces other natural 2. The English Channel connects the North
resources such as clay which is used for Sea from Atlantic Ocean.
making bricks.
Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
3. Weathering weaken rocks making them
easier for mining and quarrying. (a) 1 only

Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? (b) 2 only

(a) 1 and 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2

(c) 1, 2 and 3
7. Consider the following statements regarding
(d) None of the above Temperate Cyclones:
1. The origin and development of temperate
4. Consider the following statements: cyclone is explained by the Norwegian
1. Forests provide the gene pool but cannot model.
protect commercial plant strain against 2. The temperate cyclones occur mostly in
changing conditions of climate. summer, early autumn and spring.

PTS2021/PPP-01/042021/45 2

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Which of the above statement/s is/are correct? Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (a) 1 only
(b) 2 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

8. Consider the following statements about 11. In terms of geological time scale, which of the
Iceberg A68a: following is arranged correctly from smallest
1. Iceberg A68a was calved from to largest in order of hierarchy?
Antarctica. (a) Period, Epoch, Eon, Era
2. Since its discovery, it has been drifting (b) Era, Epoch, Eon, Period
towards the remote island of South
Georgia, which is a Russia’s Overseas (c) Epoch, Period, Era, Eon
Territory (ROT). (d) Period, Epoch, Era, Eon
3. Since icebergs carry dust which fertilises

RE
ocean plankton, if it is stuck in the open 12. With reference to ocean trenches, consider the
ocean, it can draws up carbon dioxide following statements.
from the atmosphere.
1. Most of the ocean trenches are found in
Which of the above statement/s is/are the middle ocean region.
incorrect?
2. Ocean trenches are often found along
(a) 1 only O island arcs.
(b) 2 only 3. Ocean trenches are greater in magnitude
than the highest mountains on the land.
(c) 3 only
Which of the statements above is/ are correct?
(d) None of the above
2 and 3 only
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(a)
9. Match the following pairs correctly: (b) 1 and 3 only
Grasslands Region (c) 2 only
A. Prairies 1. South Africa (d) 1, 2 and 3
B. Pampas 2. Australia
C. Veld 3. Argentina 13. Which of the following factors are responsible
GS

for the growth of coral reefs?

D. Downs 4. USA
1. For coral reefs to grow, the water should
Select the correct option from the codes given be salty and sediment free.
below: 2. Coral reefs flourish better in warm
(a) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2 currents.
(b) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1 3. Corals do not develop in constantly
moving waves and tides.
(c) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
4. Shallow water is ideal for coral reefs .
(d) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Select the correct option using the code given
below:
10. Consider the following statements about
Polavaram Project: (a) 2 and 3 only
1. The Polavaram Project is essentially a (b) 2 only
diversion scheme of Krishna Waters to
(c) 1 and 4 only
Godavari Basin.
2. The Polavaram Irrigation Project will (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
confer irrigation benefits in the upland
areas of Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, 14. Consider the following statements regarding
West Godavari and Krishna Districts. Tsunami:

3 PTS2021/PPP-01/042021/45

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1. Tsunamis have extremely long (c) 2 and 3 only

wavelengths in shallow water.
(d) 1 only
2. Tsunamis have a short amplitude in the
deep sea.
18. Which of the following best describes monsoon
Which of the above statements is/ are correct? burst?
(a) 1 only (a) Dry spell in the rainy season
(b) 2 only (b) Sudden onset of the monsoons
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) Shift in the position of ITCZ
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (d) Movement of the monsoons from the
north-west to south-east India
15. Which of the following countries are located
entirely to the south of the equator? 19. Which of the following crops should be
considered as rainfed crops?
1. Kenya
1. Cotton
2. Peru
2. Soya
3. Indonesia

RE
3. Rubber
4. Bolivia
Select the correct option using the code given
5. Ethiopia
below:
6. Uruguay
(a) 3 only
7. Tanzania
(b) 1 and 2 only
Select the correct option using the code given
below.
O (c) 2 and 3 only

(a) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 4, 6 and 7 only

20. Match the following List I with List II:
SC
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
List I List II
(d) 2, 5 and 6 only
A. Nagarjuna Sagar 1. Rajasthan
Dam
16. Which of the following is the correct sequence
B. Upper Penganga 2. Karnataka
of the given hills from east to west?
Project
(a) Mikir - Kaimur - Mahadeo - Cardamom
C. Jawahar Sagar 3. Andhra Pradesh
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(b) Kaimur - Cardamom - Mahadeo - Mikir Project

(c) Mikir - Mahadeo - Kaimur - Cardamom D. Tungabhadra 4. Maharashtra
Project
(d) Kaimur - Mikir - Cardamom - Mahadeo
Select the correct option using the code given
17. Which of the following is incorrect about below:
retreating monsoon? A B C D
1. The retreating monsoon season (a) 1 3 4 2
is experienced between June and
September. (b) 3 1 2 4

2. The Southeastern coast receives a lot of (c) 3 4 1 2

rainfall during the retreating monsoon (d) 2 4 3 1
season.
3. Temperature rise during this season. 21. Consider the following:
Select the correct option using the code given 1. Laptev Sea
below: 2. Bering Sea
(a) 3 only 3. Greenland Sea
(b) 1 and 2 only 4. North Sea

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Which of the Seas given above is/are a part of 25. Consider the following,
the Arctic Ocean? 1. Ong
(a) 1 and 3 only 2. Manjra
(b) 1 and 2 only 3. Seonath
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only Which of the above is/are the tributaries of the
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only river Mahanadi?
(a) 1 and 2 only
22. Arrange the following cities from North to (b) 2 and 3 only
South direction:
(c) 1 and 3 only
1. Itanagar
(d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Shimla
3. Shillong 26. Consider the following,
4. Lucknow 1. Stacks
Select the correct answer from the options 2. Beaches

RE
given below.
3. Spit bars
(a) 2, 1, 3, 4
Which of the above is/are the Depositional
(b) 1, 2, 4, 3 landforms created by Waves?
(c) 2, 1, 4, 3 (a) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 O (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
23. People living in these parts of the World,
experience wonderful snowfall in winters and (d) 1, 2 and 3
a warm tropical climate in summers, with
SC
rainfall occurring mostly in summers. They 27. Consider the following statements,
are mostly involved in lumbering and fishing. 1. India is the largest exporter of mica in
But such climate can be experienced in only the world.
the Northern Hemisphere of the World.
Which climate is being talked about in the 2. Mica is a very good conductor that has a
paragraph? wide range of applications in the electrical
and electronics industry.
(a) China type Climate
Which of the statements given above is/are
GS

(b) Mediterranean Climate correct?

(c) British type Climate (a) 1 only
(d) Laurentian Climate (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
24. Consider the following,
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Himalayan Range State
1. Nag Tibba Himachal Pradesh 28. Consider the following statements,
2. Dafla Hills Arunachal Pradesh 1. In North India, wheat crops are generally
3. Pir Panjal Kashmir sown in June-July and harvested in
September-October
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
2. Bihar and West Bengal are the largest
matched?
millet producing states in India.
(a) 1 and 2 only
Which of the statements given above is/are
(b) 2 and 3 only correct?
(c) 1 and 3 only (a) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 only

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(c) Both 1 and 2 Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 (a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
29. With reference to Inland Waterways in India,
(c) 1 and 2 only
consider the following statements,
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
1. Inland Water Transport is recognized as
an environmentally-friendly but less fuel
efficient mode of transport than rail and 32. Consider the following statements regarding
road. Indian states bordering International
borders:
2. Inland Waterways Authority of India is
a statutory body established under the 1. Arunachal Pradesh shares the largest
provisions of National Waterways Act, land International boundary.
2016. 2. Six Indian states share a border with
Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct? 3. There are 10 states in India which share
their international border with only one
(a) 1 only country.

RE
(b) 2 only 4. The countries which touch the maximum
(c) Both 1 and 2 number of Indian states are China,
Myanmar and Bangladesh.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the given above is/are incorrect?
(a) 1,2 and 3 only
30. Consider the following,
2, 3 and 4 only
Industrial belts
O
Predominant
(b)
industry (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
1. Kollam- Agricultural (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Thiruvananthapuram processing
SC
Region 33. Consider the following statements regarding
2. Vishakhapatnam- Petrochemicals Green Revolution:
Guntur Region 1. The Green Revolution was concerned
only with Wheat in the first phase.
3. Gurgaon-Delhi- Large Iron and
Meerut Region Steel 2. Certain regions such as the Punjab,
western U.P., coastal Andhra Pradesh,
4. Hugli Industrial Jute products and parts of Tamil Nadu, received the
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Region first wave of the Green Revolution

Which of the above is/are correctly matched? package.
3. Green revolution mainly focuses on:
(a) 1 and 2 only
Expansion of agricultural land, Double-
(b) 2 and 3 only cropping in the existing farmland and
Using high-yielding crops and seeds with
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
improved genetics.
(d) 1, 2 and 4 only
Which of the given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
31. Consider the following statements regarding
El Nino: (b) 2 only
1. El Nino is a climate pattern that describes (c) 2 and 3 only
the unusual warming of surface waters
(d) 1, 2, and 3
in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
2. El Niño is a regular cycle, or predictable 34. Consider the following statements regarding
in the sense that ocean tides are. Cyclones:
3. El Nino brings rain to Central America, 1. High-pressure centers are called cyclones,
it brings droughts to Indonesia and and the associated wind movement is
Australia. said to be cyclonic.

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2. Low-pressure center is known as an 3. Double villages extend on both sides of a

anticyclone, and the flow of air associated river where there is a bridge or a ferry.
with it is described as being anti-
Which of the given above is/are correct?
cyclonic.
3. Air rises in anticyclones and ascends in (a) 1 and 3 only
cyclones. (b) 1 and 2 only
Which of the given above is/are correct? (c) 3 only
(a) 1,2 and 3 only (d) None of the above
(b) 1 and 3only
(c) 2 only 38. What are Yardangs, Deflation Hollows?

(d) None of the above (a) Desert Landforms

(b) Glacial landforms
35. Consider the following statements regarding (c) Landforms made by groundwater
oceanic relief features:
(d) Coastal landforms
1. The flat topped mountains are known as
seamounts.

RE
39. What are the reasons behind no cyclone
2. A detached elevation with shallow depths
generations in the South Atlantic and South-
are called shoal.
Eastern Pacific regions?
3. A bank is a flat topped elevation located
1. Low sea surface temperature
in the continental margins.
2. Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom
4. Marine food comes almost entirely from
continental shelves. O occurs
3. The tropospheric vertical wind shear is
Which of the statements given above is/are
much too strong
correct?
4. Absence of land in those regions
(a) 1 and 2 only
Select the correct option using the codes given
SC
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only below:
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
36. Consider the following statements:
1. Most of the Coal producing area is located (d) 1, 2 and 4 only
East of 78°E Longitude.
GS

2. Jharkhand has most coal reserves 40. Which of the following is/are correct regarding
followed by Orissa and Chhattisgarh. the Pressure Belts on Earth?
3. Assam is the largest offshore oil producing 1. Equatorial Low-Pressure Belts is a low-
state. pressure belt extending from 0 to 10°
North and South of the Equator.
Which of the above statements is/are
incorrect? 2. The winds from the subtropical region
blow towards the Equator as Trade
(a) 1 and 2 only winds and another wind blow towards
(b) 3 only Sub-Polar High-Pressure as Westerlies.
(c) 2 and 3 only 3. The Circum-Polar Low-Pressure Belts
region is marked by violent storms in
(d) 1, 2 and 3 winter.
4. On the earth’s surface, there are seven
37. Consider the following statements regarding pressure belts.
settlement patterns:
Select the correct option using the codes given
1. In Rectangular pattern houses are located below:
along a road, railway line or river.
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
2. Linear pattern are found in plain areas
or wide inter-montane valleys. (b) 3 and 4 only

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(c) 2 and 4 only Select the correct option using the code given
below:
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(a) 1 and 2 only
41. Consider the following statements about (b) 2 and 3 only
Oceanic Tides:
(c) 1 and 3 only
1. Oceanic tides are formed due to
(d) 1, 2, and 3
gravitational attraction of the moon
only.
44. Which of the following is/are the correct?
2. Tidal bulge on the surface of earth facing
opposite to the moon is formed due to 1. The crude birth rate (CBR) is expressed
centrifugal force. as number of live births in a year per ten
thousand.
3. The shape of bays and estuaries along
a coastline can magnify the intensity of 2. Natural Growth of Population is the
tides. difference between births and deaths in
a particular region between two points of
Which of the statement/s given above is/are time.
incorrect?
Select the correct option using the code given

RE
(a) 1 only below:
(b) 2 only (a) 1 only
(c) 3 only (b) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
42. Which of the following statement/s is/are
incorrect?
O
45. Which of the following is/are correct?
1. Biodiversity hotspots are regions with
1. Crops such as ragi, bajra, moong, gram
high species richness and a low degree of
and guar are grown through dryland
endemism.
SC
farming.
2. India has four biodiversity hotspots, i.e.,
2. The yield of the crops in the country is
Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas,
high post green revolution in comparison
Western Ghats and Andaman and to the international level.
Nicobar Islands.
Select the correct option using the code given
3. Malabar Civet are critically endangered
below:
endemic species to India and can be seen
in the Western Ghats. (a) 1 only
GS

Choose the correct option using the code given (b) 2 only
below? (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) 1 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only 46. Which of the following is/are correct about
precipitation?
(d) 1, 2 and 3
1. Sleet is frozen raindrops and refrozen
melted snow-water.
43. Which of the following is/are incorrect
2. Convectional rain is very common to the
statement/s about the Plate tectonic theory?
equatorial regions and interior parts of
1. McKenzie, Parker, and Morgan gave the continents.
the plate tectonic theory to explain the
3. In orographic rain windward side receive
distribution of oceans and continents on more rainfall than leeward side.
earth.
Select the correct option using the code given
2. A tectonic plate is made up of the earth’s
below:
crust.
(a) 1 only
3. The Nazca plate lies between central
America and Pacific plates. (b) 2 only

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(c) 3 only A: Ramganga

(d) 1, 2, and 3 B: Sardar Sarovar
C: Sileru
47. Consider the following statements is correct?
D: Shimshapuram
1. Chabahar port is located in Gulf of
Oman. Select the correct option using the codes given
2. The Chabahar port is being developed by below:
India and Iran only. A B C D
Select the correct option using the code given (a) 1 2 3 4
below:
(b) 2 1 3 4
(a) 1 only
(c) 2 4 1 3
(b) 2 only
(d) 1 3 4 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 50. Which of the following is correct?

RE
1. Strait of Bosporus connects the Aegean
48. Which of the following is correct about
Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Brahmaputra river system?
2. The Aegean Sea is surrounded by Turkey
1. Chemayungdung glacier (Kailas Range)
at an elevation of about 5,150 m is the and Greece only.
source of Brahmaputra river. Select the correct option using the codes given
2. Jiadhal along with Subhansiri is the right
O below:
bank tributary of river Brahmaputra. (a) 1 only
Select the correct option using the codes given
(b) 2 only
below:
(c) Both 1 and 2
(a) 1 only
SC
(b) 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

51. Which of the following volcanoes of the world
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 is/are located in the ‘Pacific-Ring of Fire’?
1. Mount Semeru
49. Match the following hydel power projects
marked in the map with the names as given 2. Mount Pinatubo
GS

below: 3. Mount Ruiz

4. Vesuvius volcano
Select the correct option using the codes given
below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

52. Which of the following pairs regarding

‘Mountain Peaks of the world’ is/are
incorrectly matched?
1. Mount Kosciuszko - Greenland
2. Mount McKinley - Australia
3. Mount Elbrus - Russia
4. Mount Aconcagua - Argentina

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Select the correct option using the codes given (c) 1 and 2 only
below:
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only 56. Consider the following statements regarding
‘Agricultural Landholding in India’:
(c) 1 and 2 only
1. Bihar has the lowest average size of
(d) 3 and 4 only operational holdings in India.
2. Uttar Pradesh has the largest number of
53. Which of the following statements regarding landholders in India.
‘Classification of Mountains on their period of
origin’ is/are correct? Which of the above statements is/are correct?
1. Laurentian Mountains are a type of Pre- (a) 1 only
Cambrian Mountains.
(b) 2 only
2. The Ural Mountains are a type of
Hercynian Mountains. (c) Both 1 and 2

3. The Rockies of Northern America and (d) Neither 1 nor 2

RE
the Himalayas belong to the same Alpine
Mountain period. 57. Which of the following statements regarding
Select the correct option using the codes given ‘Polar Vortex’ is/are correct?
below: 1. It is an area of high pressure and cold air
(a) 1 and 2 only surrounding both of the Earth’s poles.
2. The movement of airflow is counter-
(b) 2 and 3 only
clockwise that helps keep the colder air
(c) 1 and 3 only
O near the Poles
(d) 1, 2 and 3 3. The Antarctic vortex is larger and
stronger than its Arctic counterpart.
SC
54. Arrange the following ‘Islands of Indian Ocean’ Select the correct option using the codes given
in their ‘North to South Chronology’: below:
(a) Chagos – Mauritius – Keeling – Mc (a) 1 and 3 only
Donald
(b) 2 and 3 only
(b) Keeling – Chagos – Mc Donald -
Mauritius (c) 1 and 2 only

Chagos – Keeling – Mauritius – Mc (d) 1, 2 and 3

GS

(c)
Donald
58. Which of the following statement is/are ‘Cold
(d) Mauritius – Chagos – Mc Donald –
Ocean Currents?
Keeling
1. Alaska Current
55. Which of the following statements regarding 2. Canaries Current
‘Earthquake Body Waves’ is/are correct? 3. Labrador Current
1. The P-waves are similar to sound waves 4. Falkland Current
and can travel through gaseous, liquid
and solid materials. Select the correct option using the codes given
below:
2. Secondary waves can travel only through
solid materials. (a) 1, 3 and 4 only
3. The Shadow zone of ‘p-waves’ is much (b) 1 and 3 only
wider than ‘s-waves’.
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
Select the correct option using the codes given
(d) 2 and 4 only
below:
(a) 1 and 3 only
59. Consider the following statements regarding
(b) 2 and 3 only ‘Intrusive Volcanic Landforms’:

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1. The near horizontal bodies of the intrusive Which of the above statements is/are
igneous rocks are called a sill. incorrect?
2. Lacoliths are formed when lava develops (a) 1 only
into a saucer shape.
(b) 2 only
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) 1 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 63. If a hot water current flows on the west coast
of a continent which is situated in the middle
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 latitude, what will be its effects?
1. Relatively Hot summers
60. Which of the following statements is/are 2. Mild Winters
‘Depositional Landforms of Glacier activity’?
3. Arid areas
1. Aretes
Select the correct option using the code given
2. Drumlins below:

RE
3. Eskers (a) 1 only
4. Bergschrund
(b) 2 only
Select the correct option using the codes given (c) 1 and 3 only
below:
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 and 2 only O
(b) 3 and 4 only 64. Consider the following statements regarding
(c) 2 and 3 only Geomorphic process:
1. Changes in the configuration of the
(d) 1 and 4 only
surface of the earth due to several forces
SC
are known as Geomorphic Process.
61. Consider the following statements regarding 2. The reason for variation in relief is
Rocks exogenic force.
1. Gabbro is an example of Metamorphic 3. Gradation is caused by endogenic force.
rocks.
Which of the above statements is/are
2. In sedimentary rocks, the layers of incorrect?
deposits lost their characteristics after
GS

lithification. (a) 1 and 2 only

3. Process of banding is related to igneous (b) 1 and 3 only

rocks (c) 2 and 3 only
Which of the above statements is/are (d) 1, 2 and 3
incorrect?
(a) 1 and 2 only 65. Consider the following statements regarding
local winds:
(b) 1 and 3 only
1. The variation found in the absorption and
(c) 2 and 3 only transfer of heat by the land and water is
(d) 1, 2 and 3 the main reason for the origin of the land
and sea breezes.
2. A katabatic wind is a warm wind that
62. Consider the following statements regarding
occurs on the leeward side of the mountain
soils:
ranges.
1. The sand content of alluvial soils
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
decreases from the east to west.
(a) 1 only
2. Chemically, the black soils are rich in
lime, iron, magnesia and alumina. (b) 2 only

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(c) Both 1 and 2 69. Consider the following statements regarding

weathering
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
1. Carbonation and Hydration are examples
of chemical weathering.
66. Consider the following statements regarding
soil formation: 2. Physical weathering processes are small
and slow and cause less damage to the
1. The mineral matter is noticeably rocks.
weathered in horizon C of the soil
3. Water and air are must for chemical
profile. weathering.
2. In Horizon A organic materials have got
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
incorporated with the mineral matter,
nutrients and water. (a) 1 and 2 only

Which of the above statements is/are (b) 1 and 3 only

incorrect? (c) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 only

RE
70. Consider the following statements regarding
(c) Both 1 and 2 western cyclonic disturbances:
(d) Neither 1 nor 2 1. They are weather phenomena of the
winter months brought in by the westerly
67. Consider the following statements regarding flow from the Mediterranean region.
population and census 2. This phenomenon is usually associated
with clear sky, lower night temperatures
1. Better nutrition leads to ‘population
O and unusual rain.
explosion’.
Which of the above statements is/are
2. Dependency ratio represents older people
incorrect?
in a population but not children.
SC
(a) 1 only
3. Since 1981 the average annual growth
rate of population has decreased. (b) 2 only

Which of the above statements is/are correct? (c) Both 1 and 2

(a) 1 and 2 only (d) Neither 1 nor 2

(b) 1 and 3 only

71. This type of forest is found in Northern
GS

(c) 2 and 3 only latitudes between 50° and 60°N; Biome of this
type is not found in the south polar region.
(d) 1, 2 and 3 Trees of this forest type have Needle leaves
that have a minimum surface area in order to
68. Consider the following statements regarding minimize loss of moisture during winter.
Strait: Which of the following forest types is described
1. The Strait is commonly used for illegal in the above passage?
immigration into Europe. (a) Tropical Forests
2. On the northern side of the Strait Iberian (b) Boreal Forests
Peninsula is situated.
(c) Temperate Forests
3. It separates two continents.
(d) None of the above
Which of the following describes the above
given statements?
72. Consider the following characteristics of Shola
(a) The Strait of Dover Forests:
(b) The Strait of Bosphorus 1. Evergreen stunted tropical montane
forest
(c) The Strait of Gibraltar
2. Isolated patches found in the valleys,
(d) The Strait of Otranto separated by grasslands

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3. Found in higher ranges of the Western Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala
(a) 1 only
Which of the above statements is/are
(b) 1 and 2 only
incorrect?
(c) 2 and 3 only
(a) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
76. Consider the following statements regarding
(d) None of the above Oceanic Deposits:
1. Oozes are associated with terrigenous
73. Consider the following statements regarding deposits.
LADIS – Least Available Depth Information 2. Pelagic deposits consist of inorganic
System: materials.
1. It is being implemented by Ministry of 3. The bottom of the Pacific Ocean is majorly
Jal Shakti.
covered by red clay.
2. It gives real-time data on the least
available depths (LADs) to ships and Which of the above statements is/are correct?

RE
cargoes. (a) 1 and 2 only
3. Presently the information of LADs is being (b) 1 and 3 only
used by all the national waterways.
(c) 3 only
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 and 2 only O
(b) 2 only 77. Consider the following statements regarding
(c) 1 and 3 only different types of soil:

(d) 1, 2 and 3 1. Valleys of Godavari and Krishna are

dominated by Alluvial and Montane soil.
SC
74. Consider the following statements with 2. Arid soils have high infiltration
reference to Atlantic Meridional Overturning (absorption) capacity.
Circulation (AMOC): 3. Alluvial soils found in Duars have coarse
1. It is a large system of ocean currents particles.
that carry warm water from the tropics Which of the above statements is/are correct?
to regions further north.
(a) 1 and 2 only
2. Warning up of Indian ocean is one of the
GS

key driver behind AMOC. (b) 1 and 3 only

Which of the above statements is/are (c) 3 only
incorrect? (d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only 78. Consider the following statements:

(c) Both 1 and 2 1. Relief rainfall is accompanied with

lightning and thunder.
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. Convectional rainfall occurs in regions
having continental type of climate.
75. Consider the following statements regarding
3. More rainfall in Mahabaleshwar than in
phosphorous cycle:
Pune is an example of frontal rainfall.
1. A phosphorous cycle is an example of a
sedimentary cycle. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
2. Phosphorous is mainly found as (a) 1 and 2 only
phosphates in the earth’s crust. (b) 2 only
3. Tectonic upliftment and denudation are
(c) 1 and 3 only
the main processes responsible for the
phosphorus cycle. (d) None of the above

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79. With reference to Peninsular rivers, consider Which of the above statements is/are correct?
the following statements:
(a) 1 only
1. Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on Mahanadi
River. (b) 2 only
2. Krishna River rises from Trimbak (c) Both 1 and 2
Plateau of North Sahyadri. (d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Manjira is the left bank tributary of
Godavari.
83. Which of the following statements is/are correct
Which of the above statements is/are correct? regarding Insequent Drainage System?
(a) 1 and 2 only 1. These are the streams which do not follow
the regional slopes and drain across the
(b) 2 and 3 only
geological structures.
(c) 2 only
2. Those streams which originated prior to
(d) None of the above the upliftment of land surface are called
Superimposed Stream.
80. Consider the following statements regarding Select the correct answer using the codes given

RE
solstices: below:
1. The summer solstice occurs when the sun
(a) 1 only
is directly over the Tropic of Cancer.
2. Solstices occur because the Earth’s axis (b) 2 only
of rotation is tilted. (c) Both 1 and 2
3. Winter solstice marks the shortest day
Neither 1 nor 2
and longest night.
O (d)

Which of the above statements are correct? 84. Which of the following statements is/are
(a) 1 and 2 only correct regarding Fjord Coasts?
SC
(b) 1 and 3 only 1. These are formed due to submergence of
uplands carved by rivers under the sea.
(c) 2 and 3 only
2. The northern part of the western coast of
(d) 1, 2 and 3
India is an example of Fjord-coast.

81. Consider the following: Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
1. Palmyrah
GS

(a) 1 only
2. Oilpalm
3. Betelvine (b) 2 only

4. Cocoa (c) Both 1 and 2

5. Arecanut (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the above are plantation crops?
85. Consider the following statements regarding
(a) 1 and 4 only
Tropic of Capricorn:
(b) 2 and 5 only
1. Its northern hemisphere equivalent is
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only Tropic of Cancer.
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 2. It passes only through South American
and African Countries.
82. Consider the following statements regarding 3. Atacama Desert, Andes Mountains are
the Asteroids: located on Tropic of Capricorn.
1. Asteroids are found between the orbits of Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Mars and Saturn.
(a) 1 only
2. Asteroids exhibit the process of outgassing
while passing close to the sun. (b) 2 and 3 only

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(c) 1 and 3 only 89. Consider the following statements:

(d) 1, 2 and 3 1. Namcha Barwa and Nanga Parbat are
two peaks where Himalayas take a
syntaxial bend and turns southward.
86. Which of the following crops is/are most
effective in controlling soil erosion? 2. The Himalayas continues southward
from Arakan Yoma to Andaman and
1. Maize
Nicobar Islands.
2. Wheat
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
3. Pigeon Pea
(a) 1 only
4. Cotton
(b) 2 only
Select the correct answer using the code given
below: (c) Both 1 and 2
(a) 1 only (d) Neither 1 or 2
(b) 3 only
90. Consider the following statements about
(c) 2 and 3 only carbon fertilization:

RE
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 1. It increases the efficiency of water utility
in the plants.
87. Which of the following factors is/are responsible 2. It helps the plants to grow even in less
for weather formation of particular place? nutrient soil.
1. Temperature 3. The reproductive biomass growth as well
2. Atmospheric Pressure O as vegetable biomass growth usually
increased by elevated carbon dioxide.
3. Latitude
4. Precipitation Which of the above statements is/are correct?

5. Topography (a) 1 only

SC
Select the correct answer using code given (b) 2 and 3 only
below: (c) 1 and 3 only
(a) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 3 and 5 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only 91. Consider the following statements with
reference to crop seasons in India:
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
GS

1. India has three major cropping

seasons called Kharif, Rabi and Zaid.
88. Geomagnetism is the study of the dynamics of
the Earth’s magnetic field, which is produced 2. Watermelon, Toris, Cucumber are some
in the inner core. Consider the following example of Zaid Kharif crop.
statements regarding Geomagnetism: 3. The agricultural crop year in India is
1. There is a periodic reversal and excursion from July to June.
of geomagnetic field at a particular time Which of the above statements is/are correct ?
interval.
(a) 1 and 2 only
2. The rocks of similar magnetic properties
which are equidistant on both sides of (b) 1 and 3 only
mid-oceanic ridge prove the phenomenon (c) 2 only
of geomagnetism.
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only 92. Consider the following statements regarding
Heat Budget of Earth:
(b) 2 only
1. Earth is gradually heating over the years
(c) Both 1 and 2
and adding to Global Warming due to
(d) Neither 1 or 2 Heat Budget.

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2. Albedo can be defined as a measure of 2. New crust is generated in convergent

how much light that hits a surface is boundaries, while crust is destroyed in
absorbed without being reflected back. transform boundaries.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (a) 1 only
(b) 2 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

93. Which of the following theories is related to

98. Which of the following is/are the characteristic
the Origin of the Universe?
features of cyclones formed in Bay of Bengal?
(a) Nebular Hypothesis
1. The warm sea surface temperature is
(b) Binary theory favorable for cyclone formation as it is
(c) Chamberlain and Moulton theory driven by latent heat of condensation.

RE
(d) Hoyle’s concept of steady-state 2. Cyclones developed in Bay of Bengal
always move towards Andaman &
Nicobar Islands.
94. “These extend from the east of the Bhutan
Himalayas up to the Diphu pass in the east. 3. Cyclone gets strong when they hit land.
The general direction of the mountain range Select the correct answer using the code given
is from southwest to northeast. Some of the
below:
important mountain peaks of the region are
Kangtu and Namcha Barwa”. The Himalaya
O (a) 1 and 2 only
region in this quotation is:
(b) 2 and 3 only
(a) Himachal and Uttarakhand Himalayas
(c) 1 only
SC
(b) Darjiling and Sikkim Himalayas
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(c) Arunachal Himalayas
(d) Kashmir or Northwestern Himalayas 99. Consider the following statements regarding
the circulation of planetary winds:
95. Which of the following is not the tributary of 1. The planetary winds deflect according to
Brahmaputra River? the Ferrel’s Law.
GS

(a) Rango Tsangpo 2. Westerlies blow from Subpolar pressure

(b) Dihang belts to sub-tropical belts.
(c) Dibang 3. Polar easterlies blow towards the poles.
(d) Lohit Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
96. Which among the following is “not” a source of
energy that drives the endogenetic processes? (b) 2 and 3 only

(a) Rotational and Tidal Friction of Earth (c) 1 and 3 only

(b) Ultimate energy from the sun (d) 1, 2 and 3

(c) Primordial heat from Earth’s origin

100. What causes rainfall on the coastal areas of
(d) Radioactivity Tamil Nadu in the beginning of winter?
(a) South-West monsoon
97. How is the transform boundary different from
the convergent boundary of plates? (b) North Eastern monsoon
1. Unlike the transform boundary, the (c) Temperate cyclones
convergent boundary is formed when two
plates move away from each other. (d) Local air circulation

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Space for Rough Work

RE
O
SC
GS

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Test No.

IAS Prelims - 2021 45

PTS2021/PPP-01/042021/45

GENERAL STUDIES

RE
GEOGRAPHY

O
Answer Key

Q. 1 (c) Q. 21 (a) Q. 41 (a) Q. 61 (d) Q. 81 (d)

SC
Q. 2 (a) Q. 22 (c) Q. 42 (c) Q. 62 (a) Q. 82 (d)
Q. 3 (c) Q. 23 (d) Q. 43 (b) Q. 63 (b) Q. 83 (a)
Q. 4 (b) Q. 24 (b) Q. 44 (b) Q. 64 (c) Q. 84 (d)
Q. 5 (d) Q. 25 (c) Q. 45 (a) Q. 65 (a) Q. 85 (c)
Q. 6 (b) Q. 26 (b) Q. 46 (d) Q. 66 (a) Q. 86 (b)
GS

Q. 7 (a) Q. 27 (a) Q. 47 (a) Q. 67 (b) Q. 87 (d)

Q. 8 (b) Q. 28 (d) Q. 48 (c) Q. 68 (c) Q. 88 (c)
Q. 9 (a) Q. 29 (d) Q. 49 (b) Q. 69 (b) Q. 89 (c)
Q. 10 (b) Q. 30 (d) Q. 50 (b) Q. 70 (b) Q. 90 (d)
Q. 11 (c) Q. 31 (a) Q. 51 (d) Q. 71 (b) Q. 91 (b)
Q. 12 (a) Q. 32 (d) Q. 52 (c) Q. 72 (d) Q. 92 (d)
Q. 13 (d) Q. 33 (c) Q. 53 (d) Q. 73 (b) Q. 93 (d)
Q. 14 (b) Q. 34 (d) Q. 54 (c) Q. 74 (d) Q. 94 (c)
Q. 15 (b) Q. 35 (b) Q. 55 (c) Q. 75 (d) Q. 95 (b)
Q. 16 (a) Q. 36 (b) Q. 56 (b) Q. 76 (c) Q. 96 (b)
Q. 17 (d) Q. 37 (c) Q. 57 (b) Q. 77 (c) Q. 97 (d)
Q. 18 (b) Q. 38 (a) Q. 58 (c) Q. 78 (b) Q. 98 (c)
Q. 19 (d) Q. 39 (a) Q. 59 (a) Q. 79 (d) Q. 99 (a)
Q. 20 (c) Q. 40 (b) Q. 60 (c) Q. 80 (d) Q. 100 (b)

1 PTS2021/PPP-01/042021/45
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1. Correct Option: (c)  The crust is divided into huge plates that
float on the mantle, the next layer. The
Explanation: plates are constantly in motion; they move
 Both statements are correct at about the same rate as fingernails grow,
according to NASA.
Supplementary notes:
 Earthquakes occur when these plates grind
Volcanism against each other. Mountains form when
the plates collide and deep trenches form
 Volcanism is the process where deep magma when one plate slides under another plate.
erupts onto the surface or emplaces near the Plate tectonics is the theory explaining the
surface through a volcanic conduit, thereby motion of these plates.
forming various types of volcanic debris.
Volcanism occurs in several distinct geologic

settings. Most of these are associated with
3. Correct Option: (c)
the boundaries of the enormous rigid plates Explanation:
that make up the lithosphere.
 All statements are correct
 Volcanism, the eruption of internally
derived magma to form surface deposits, Supplementary notes:
provides one of the most important clues

RE
Weathering
to the location of interior heating in
space and time and to the general thermal  Weathering refers to the process of
evolution of the planet. weakening, breaking up, and disintegration
of the rock that forms the surface of the
 Although volcanism is best known on ground and that lie exposed to the weather.
Earth, there is evidence that it has been
important in the development of the  Weathering breaks down the initial
other terrestrial planets—Mercury, rock mass into smaller fragments thus
Venus, and Mars—as well as some
O preparing the rock material for the
natural satellites such as Earth’s Moon formation of the soil.
and Jupiter’s moon Io.  Weathering produces other natural
Volcanism is among the dominant endogenic resources such as clay which is used
SC

geologic processes on the Earth, Moon, Mars, for making bricks.
and Venus, and has produced significant  Other natural resource found from
resurfacing during the evolution of each of weathering is bauxite which is aluminum
these planetary bodies. ore.
 The majority of active terrestrial volcanoes  Another significance of weathering is
and related phenomena occur where two that weathering weaken rocks making
tectonic plates converge and one overrides them easier people to exploit for
GS

the other, forcing it down into the mantle to example by mining and quarrying.
be reabsorbed.

4. Correct Option: (b)

2. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Forests provide
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Given the the gene pool that can protect commercial
abundance of oxygen and silicon in the crust, plant strain against changing conditions of
the most abundant minerals in the earth’s climate.
crust are the silicates. Oxygen is the most
abundant element in the earth’s crust. Supplementary notes:

Supplementary notes: Forests’ help in Economic Development

Earth Crust  Most of the world’s paper is made from wood

and one rather reliable index to the degree
 Earth’s crust is made up of several of economic development of a country is its
elements: oxygen, 46.6 percent by weight; per capita consumption of paper.
silicon, 27.7 percent; aluminum, 8.1 percent;
 Forests contain a diversity of species,
iron, 5 percent; calcium, 3.6 percent; sodium,
habitats, and genes that are probably their
2.8 percent, potassium, 2.6 percent, and
most valuable assets. They provide the
magnesium, 2.1 percent.
gene pool that can protect commercial
 The ores used to produce silicon metal and plant strain against changing
silicon alloys are quartzite and sandstone. conditions of climate.

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 Forests serve people directly for recreation.  During one revolution around the Sun, Earth
National parks and biosphere reserves travels at an average distance of about 150
sanctuaries are a great attraction for million km. Earth revolves around the Sun
tourists. at an average speed of about 27 km (17 mi)
 Forests serve people directly for recreation. per second, but the speed is not constant.
National parks and biosphere reserves The planet moves slower when it is
sanctuaries are a great attraction at aphelion and faster when it is at
for tourists. Biosphere reserves are perihelion.
multipurpose protected areas created to  The reason the Earth (or any planet) has
deal with conservation of bio-diversity and seasons is that Earth is tilted 23 1/2oon
its sustainable use. its axis. During the Northern Hemisphere
 In biosphere reserves local area summer the North Pole points toward the
resources are developed. Agricultural Sun, and in the Northern Hemisphere
activities are allowed to the local winter the North Pole is tilted away from
communities and employment is the Sun.
provided to the people. Tourism in parks,
sanctuaries and biosphere reserves brings
revenue to the authorities that manage 6. Correct Option: (b)
them. Explanation:

RE
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The English
5. Correct Option: (d) Channel separates the southern coast of
England from the northern coast of France.
Explanation:
 Statement 2 is incorrect: At the equator, Supplementary notes:
the Earth rotates at a speed of about 1,700 The English Channel
km per hour, but at the poles the movement
speed is nearly nothing.

Supplementary notes:
O 


It is the smallest of the shallow seas covering
the continental shelf of Europe.
The English Channel separates the
Rotation & Revolution: southern coast of England from the
SC
 Rotation is the movement of the earth on northern coast of France.
its axis. The movement of the earth around  An arbitrary limit marked by a line between
the sun in a fixed path or orbit is called the Scilly Isles and the Isle of Ushant.
Revolution.
 Its location has given it immense significance
 The axis of the earth which is an over the centuries, as both a route and
imaginary line, makes an angle of 66½° a barrier during the peopling of Britain
with its orbital plane. and the emergence of the nation-states of
GS

 It takes 365¼ days (one year) to revolve modern Europe.

around the sun. We consider a year as  Tides in the English Channel generally are
consisting of 365 days only and ignore six strong, especially in the Strait of Dover.
hours for the sake of convenience.
 The weather over the English Channel is
 The portion facing the sun experiences day
highly variable. Often, but especially from
while the other half away from the sun
October to April, it is cloudy, chilly, and
experiences night. The circle that divides
wet, with strong winds and poor visibility.
the day from night on the globe is called the
circle of illumination.
 An observer in space will see that Earth
requires 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds
to make one complete rotation on its axis.
 But because Earth moves around the Sun at
the same time that it is rotating, the planet
must turn just a little bit more to reach
the same place relative to the Sun. Hence
the length of a day on Earth is actually 24
hours.
 At the equator, the Earth rotates at a
speed of about 1,700 km per hour, but
at the poles the movement speed is
nearly nothing.

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7. Correct Option: (a) to prevent their offspring from starving to

death.
Explanation:
 On the other hand, there are some
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The temperate positives of an iceberg being stuck in the
cyclones occur mostly in winter, late autumn open ocean, since icebergs carry dust
and spring. which fertilises ocean plankton, which
draws up carbon dioxide from the
Supplementary notes:
atmosphere.
Temperate Cyclones:  The giant iceberg A68, the biggest block of
 The cyclones developing in the mid and free-floating ice from Antarctica with an
high latitude, beyond the tropics are called area of about 5,800 sq. km, has been drifting
the Temperate Cyclones or Extra Tropical in the Atlantic Ocean since 2017.
Cyclones or Mid-Latitude Cyclones or
 Icebergs travel with ocean currents and
Frontal Cyclones or Wave Cyclones.
either get caught up in shallow waters or
 The origin and development temperate ground themselves.
cyclone is best explained by the
Norwegian model. It is very popularly
known as polar front theory. 9. Correct Option: (a)

RE
 According to this theory, the warm-humid Explanation:
air masses from the tropics meet the dry-  Option (a) is correct: Prairies – USA;
cold air masses from the poles and thus a Pampas – Argentina; Veld – South Africa;
polar front is formed. Downs – Australia.
 Temperate Cyclones is intense frontogenesis
involving mainly occlusion type front. Supplementary notes:


O
Individual frontal cyclones exist for about Grasslands
3 to 10 days moving in a generally west to  Prairies are enormous stretches of flat
east direction. grassland with moderate temperatures,
 The temperate cyclones occur mostly moderate rainfall, and few trees. When
SC
in winter, late autumn and spring. They people talk about the prairie, they are usually
are generally associated with rainstorms referring to the golden, wheat-covered land
and cloudy weather. in the middle of North America (USA).
 The Pampas are vast plains extending
westward across central Argentina from
8. Correct Option: (b)
the Atlantic coast to the Andean foothills,
Explanation: bounded by the Gran Chaco (north) and
Patagonia (south).
GS

 Statement 2 is incorrect: South Georgia

is a British Overseas Territory (BOT).  Veld, also spelled veldt, is a type of wide
open rural landscape in Southern Africa.
Supplementary notes:
 The Darling Downs is a farming region
Iceberg A68a on the western slopes of the Great
 A68a, an iceberg roughly the size of the state Dividing Range in southern Queensland,
of Delaware, split off from Antarctica’s Australia.
Larsen C ice shelf in July 2017. Since
then it has been drifting towards the remote 10. Correct Option: (b)
island of South Georgia, which is a British
Overseas Territory (BOT). Explanation:
 If the iceberg grounds itself near the island,  Statement 1 is incorrect: The
it could cause disruption to the local wildlife Polavaram Project is essentially a
that forages in the ocean.
diversion scheme of Godavari Waters
 As per ecologists from the British Antarctic to Krishna Basin.
Survey (BAS), which will launch a research
mission to study A68a’s impact on the Supplementary notes:
ecosystem next month, if the iceberg gets
Polavaram Project
stuck near the island, it could mean that
penguins and seals will have to travel  The Polavaram Irrigation Project is a
farther in search of food, and for some this Multipurpose one conferring Irrigation
might mean that they don’t get back in time benefits in the upland areas of

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Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West 11. Correct Option: (c)

Godavari and Krishna Districts.
Explanation:
 It also envisages drinking water supply
to Visakhapatnam Township and other  Option (c) is correct
towns and villages enroute and Industrial
Supplementary notes:
water supply to the Visakhapatnam coast
based Steel Plant and other industries in Geological Time Scale
the vicinity, generation of Hydal Power,
 The geological time scale refers to the
affording Navigation facilities, development
system of chronological measurement which
of pisciculture and providing recreation and
describes the timing and relationships
other benefits, besides urbanisation.
between events that have occurred
 The Project is located in Andhra Pradesh throughout Earth’s history.
near Polavaram village about 34 K.M.
 In terms of hierarchy, eons are divided into
upstream of Kovvur - Rajahmundry Road
eras, which are in turn divided into periods,
and 42 K.M. upstream of Sir Arthur Cotton
epochs and ages.
Barrage.
Eon - Era - Period - Epoch - Age
 It also envisages drinking water supply to
towns and villages and Industrial water  Eon - It is the broadest category of

RE
supply to the Visakhapatnam coast based geological time. Earth’s history is
Steel Plant and other industries in the characterized by four eons - in order from
vicinity. oldest to youngest, these are the Hadeon,
Archean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic.
 The present Polavaram Irrigation Project is
a modified proposal of the Ramapadasagar  Collectively, the Hadean, Archean,
Project. and Proterozoic are also sometimes
referred to as the Precambrian.
The river Godavari is one of the largest



the Indian Union.
O
Rivers in India, being the second largest in

It runs across from the Western Ghats to 

 The Cambrian period defines the
beginning of the Phanerozoic eon.
Era - Eons are subdivided into eras, the
Eastern Ghats and owes its greatness for its second longest units of geological time.
SC
sanctity, picturesque scenery and utility to The Phanerozoic eon is divided into
man. three eras - the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and
 Starting from a trickle from the lips of a cow Cenozoic.
at Triambak, the width of the river grows  Period - Eras are subdivided into units
till it is nearly 6.5 KM (4 miles) wide at of time called periods.
Dowlaiswaram. It is always spoken of as
Southern Ganga and Vriddha Ganga, The  Epoch - Periods of geological time are
subdivided into epochs. In turn, epochs
GS

last name is really befitting as Godavari is

more ancient than the Ganga as the former are divided into even narrower units of
as nearly reached its base level of erosion time called ages.
while the latter is still in its youthful stage
of development. 12. Correct Option: (a)
 The Godavari, rises in the Western Ghats
Explanation:
at Triambak near Nasik about 113 km.(70
Miles) North-East of Bombay and only 80  Statement 1 is incorrect: Mostly ocean
K,M. (50 miles) from the Arabian sea. After trenches are found closer to the continents
descending the Western Ghats, it takes a and not in the midst of oceans.
South-Easterly course across the Southern
part of Indian Peninsula and flows through
Supplementary notes:
1230 KM. (766 Miles) and falls into the Bay Ocean Trenches
of Bengal about 80 K.M. (50 Miles) East of
Rajahmundry. The total catchment area  Also known as Ocean deeps, ocean trenches
drained by the river is 3,12,812 Sq, K.M. are long, narrow depressions on the
(1,20,777 Sq. Miles) or nearly one tenth of seafloor.
India.  These are the deepest parts of the ocean,
 The main tributaries of the river are the and some of the deepest natural spots on
Manjira, the Pranhita, the Indravati and Earth.
the Sabari. The Pranhita is in its turn  These form as a result of the tectonic activity
formed by the confluence of the Wardha, the - as a feature of convergent plate boundaries,
Penganga and the Wainganga. where two or more tectonic plates meet.

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At many convergent plate boundaries, or 20–32° C. Hence corals are limited to

dense lithosphere melts or slides beneath tropical and sub-tropical zones.
less - dense lithosphere in a process called
 Absence of cold currents - Cold
subduction, creating a trench.
currents lead to upwelling of the cold
 Features of Ocean Trenches water from depth that cools the warm
surface water.
 These are the deepest parts of the
oceans.  Therefore, corals are absent on
western coast of the continents.
 They are comparatively steep sided and
have narrow basins.  Shallow water - This is so because
sunlight would be faint in deep waters,
 Majority of ocean trenches are found
causing hindrance to photosynthesis.
closer to the continents and not in the
Therefore shallow water of less than 100
midst of oceans.
ft depth is ideal.
 These are also associated with active
volcanoes and strong earthquakes.  However the water should be shallow,
it needs to be in plenty because polyp
 Ocean trenches are found in every ocean cannot survive for too long out of
basin but the deepest ocean trenches ring water.
the Pacific as part of the “Ring of Fire”

RE
which also includes active volcanoes and  Salty and sediment free water -
earthquake zones. Corals survive best in moving water
which is sediment free and clear. This
 Mariana trench is the deepest known is so because corals are sensitive to
ocean trench - more than 36,000 feet pollution and sediments. Sediment can
deep. create cloudy water and be deposited on
 Therefore, ocean trenches are greater corals, blocking out the sun and harming
the polyps.
in magnitude than the highest
O
mountains on land. (Mt. Everest -  Since salty water is required therefore
29,028 ft) corals do not survive in estuaries
 Other notable ocean trenches are (areas where rivers drain fresh water
into the ocean).
SC
Mindanao Deep (35,000 ft), Tonga
trench (31,000 ft), Japanese trench  Moving water - Constantly moving
(28,000 ft) - all of these are in the waves, tides and currents maintain
PAcific ocean. abundant supply of clear, oxygenated
water.
13. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation: 14. Correct Option: (b)
GS

 Statement 3 is incorrect: Corals best Explanation:

develop where constantly moving waves,  Statement 1 is incorrect: Tsunamis have
tides and currents maintain an abundant a long wavelength in the deep sea and in the
clear supply of clear, oxygenated water. shallow water, its wavelength gets reduced
Supplementary notes: and amplitude gets increased.

Coral Reefs Supplementary notes:

 Coral reefs are large underwater structures Tsunami

composed of the skeletons of colonial marine  A tsunami is a series of waves, with
invertebrates called coral. periods ranging from minutes to hours,
 Coral Polyps are the animals primarily caused by earthquakes or undersea volcanic
responsible for building reefs. They can eruptions.
take many forms like large reef building  Notably, these waves are generated by
colonies, graceful flowing fans, and even tremors and not by the earthquakes itself.
small, solitary organisms.
 Tsunamis are generally generated by large
 Most numerous coral reefs are present in and sudden displacements of the ocean,
the Pacific and Indian Ocean. usually caused by an earthquake below
 Conditions suitable for growth of coral or near the ocean floor. However there can
reefs be other factors as well, such as -
 The water temperature must be warm,  Volcanic eruption induced tsunamis
ie. in the temperature range of 68–90° F - These are not very frequent. Volcanic

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activities near the coastal waters may 15. Correct Option: (b)
cause situations which may lead to
tsunamis. Explanation:
 Landslides - Movement and  Option (b) is correct
displacement of waters by landslides
may lead to non-seismic tsunamis.
Supplementary notes:

 Nuclear Weapon Test - For instance,  The countries that lie entirely to the south of
the nuclear testing by the US had the equator are Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay
generated Tsunami in the Marshall and Tanzania.
island in the 1950s.  Countries through which equator
 Meteorite induced tsunamis - passes:
Meteorological conditions viz., air  The equator passes through 13
pressure disturbances may as well countries - Ecuador, Colombia,
displace bodies of water enough to Brazil, Sao Tome & Principe, Gabon,
generate Tsunamis.
Republic of the Congo, Democratic
 Characteristics of Tsunamis: Republic of the Congo, Uganda,
Kenya, Somalia, Maldives, Indonesia
 The impact of a tsunami depends upon
and Kiribati.

RE
the depth of the water.
 In deep water, the tsunami
has long wavelengths and not 16. Correct Option: (a)
necessarily increased height.
Explanation:
 However, in shallow water, the
 Option (a) is correct
wavelength is lessened and the wave
height is increased.

O
Speed of the tsunami is higher in
shallow water than the depths of
it. This is why tsunamis have the
Supplementary notes:
Mikir Hills
 Mikir Hills are hills located to the south of
maximum impact on the coast. the Kaziranga National Park, Assam.
SC
 The amplitude is small offshore and  Karbi plateau or Mikir Hills is the oldest
most tsunamis do not have a wave height known landform in Assam. Its highest peak
more than 3 metres. is Dambuchko.
 The destructive impact of tsunamis Kaimur Hills
varies from place to place. Whereas it
may be small at one place, a few miles  These form the eastern portion of the
away it can be much larger. Vindhya Range, about 483 km long,
GS

extending through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar

 There is no specific season for tsunamis
Pradesh and Bihar.
to occur.
 The range never rises more than a few
 However, for a tsunami to be impactful,
hundred metres above the surrounding
it must have the epicentre of the tremor
plains and has a maximum width of around
below oceanic waters and the magnitude
should be sufficient. 80 km.

 In deep oceans, tsunami waves do not Mahadeo Hills

dramatically increase in height. But as the  These are situated in Madhya Pradesh, in
waves travel inland, they build up to higher the northern section of the Satpura Range.
and higher heights as the depth of the ocean
decreases. Cardamom Hills
 The speed of tsunami waves depends on  Also known as Yela Mala, Cardamom hills
ocean depth rather than the distance from are part of the south Western Ghats (situated
the source of the wave. Tsunami waves may in southeast Kerala and Tamilnadu).
travel as fast as jet planes over deep waters,
only slowing down when reaching shallow  They are named after the cardamom spice
waters. grown in much of the hills’ cool elevation,
which also supports pepper and coffee.
 While tsunamis are often referred to as
tidal waves, this name is discouraged by  The Shenkottai pass separates them from
oceanographers because tides have little to Annamalai hills, which are located north of
do with these giant waves. Cardamom.

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17. Correct Option: (d) and cyclones. Such cyclonic storms are
less frequent in the Arabian Sea.
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Retreating 18. Correct Option: (b)
monsoon occurs in the months of October
and November in India. Explanation:
Supplementary notes:  Option (b) is correct

Retreating Monsoon Supplementary notes:

 The months of October and November Monsoon
are known for retreating monsoons.
 A monsoon is a seasonal reversing wind
By the end of September, the southwest
accompanied by corresponding changes
monsoon becomes weak as the low pressure
in precipitation. It also describes seasonal
trough of the Ganga plain starts moving
southward in response to the southward changes in atmospheric circulation and
march of the sun. precipitation associated with the asymmetric
heating of land and sea.
 The monsoon retreats from the western
Rajasthan by the first week of September.  Indian climatic conditions are referred to as

RE
It withdraws from Rajasthan, Gujarat, ‘monsoon’ type.
Western Ganga plain and the Central  Monsoon Burst
Highlands by the end of the month.
 The rain in the southwest monsoon
 By the beginning of October, the low season begins rather abruptly. One
pressure covers northern parts of the Bay of result of the first rain is that it brings
Bengal and by early November, it moves over down the temperature substantially.
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. By the middle This sudden onset of the moisture-laden
O
of December, the centre of low pressure is winds associated with violent thunder
completely removed from the Peninsula. and lightning, is often termed as the
 Characteristics of Retreating Monsoon “break” or “burst” of the monsoon.

The retreating southwest monsoon  The monsoon may burst in the first week
SC

season is marked by clear skies and of June in the coastal areas of Kerala,
rise in temperature. However the land Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra while
is still moist. Owing to the conditions in the interior parts of the country, it
of high temperature and humidity, the may be delayed to the first week of July.
weather becomes rather oppressive.  During the bursting of monsoons, the
This is commonly known as the ‘October day temperature registers a decline of
heat’. In the second half of October, 5°C to 8°C between midJune and mid-
the mercury begins to fall rapidly,
GS

July.
particularly in northern India.
The weather in the retreating monsoon

19. Correct Option: (d)
is dry in north India but it is associated
with rain in the eastern part of the Explanation:
Peninsula. Here, October and November
are the rainiest months of the year.  Option (d) is correct

 Southeastern coast receives a lot of Supplementary notes:

rainfall during the retreating monsoon Rainfed Agriculture
season.
 Rainfed agriculture is a type of farming that
 The widespread rain in this season is relies majorly on rainfall for water.
associated with the passage of cyclonic
depressions which originate over the  Any rain dependent area that receives more
Andaman Sea and manage to cross the than 750 mm is classified as a Rainfed area.
eastern coast of the southern Peninsula. It comprises arid and semi-arid ecosystems,
The deltas of the Godavari, Krishna and dry lands stretching from Gujarat in the
Kaveri are likely to experience cyclones. west till Eastern Madhya Pradesh; and from
A few cyclonic storms also strike the Rajasthan till the southern tip of India.
coast of West Bengal, Bangladesh and
 In India, Rainfed agriculture occupies 67
Myanmar.
percent of the net sown area, contributing
 A bulk of the rainfall of the Coromandel 44 percent of food grains and supporting 40
coast is derived from these depressions percent of the population.

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 Conditions of Rainfed Agriculture in  Sapli dam across river kayadhu in

India district Parbhani in Godavari basin.
 Climate - Mostly complex climatic Jawahar Sagar Project (Rajasthan)
deficiencies, manifested as water
scarcity; it is mostly semi-arid and dry  It is the third dam in the series of Chambal
sub-humid climate with a short and Valley Projects on the Chambal River.
occasionally intense wet season followed  It is located 29 km upstream of Kota city
by long dry season. and 26 km downstream of Rana Pratap
 Rainfall - ranging from 400 mm to 1600 Sagar dam.
mm per annum.  It is a concrete gravity dam, 45 meters high
 Therefore, it is observed that India and 393 meters long, generating 60 MW of
has enormous prevalence of rainfed power with an installed capacity of 3 units
agriculture. of 33 MW.
 Examples of rainfed crops in India Tungabhadra Project (Karnataka)
include - Cotton, Soya, Rubber, Maize,
 The Tungabhadra Dam also known as
Sesame, groundnuts, millet, coffee,
Pampa Sagar is constructed across the
sugarcane, etc.
Tungabhadra River, a tributary of the

RE
Krishna River.
20. Correct Option: (c)  Located in Vijayanagara district of
Explanation: Karnataka, it is a multipurpose dam
serving irrigation, electricity generation,
 Option (c) is correct: flood control, etc.
List I List II O
A. Nagarjuna Sagar 3. Andhra Pradesh 21. Correct Option: (a)
Dam
Explanation:
B. Upper Penganga 4. Maharashtra
Project  Statement 2 is incorrect: The Bering Sea
is part of the North Pacific Ocean.
SC
C. Jawahar Sagar 1. Rajasthan
Project  Statement 4 is incorrect: The North Sea
is part of the Atlantic Ocean.
D. Tungabhadra 2. Karnataka
Project Supplementary notes:
Supplementary notes: The Arctic Ocean
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Andhra Pradesh)  Arctic Ocean, smallest of the world’s
GS

oceans, centring approximately on the

 It is built on the river Krishna at Nagarjuna
North Pole.
Sagar which straddles the border between
Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh and  It is almost completely encircled by the
Nalgonda district in Telangana. landmasses of North America, Eurasia, and
 It is the largest stone masonry dam in the Greenland.
world.  The natural resources of the Arctic are the
 It is one of the first projects built for the mineral and animal resources within
purpose of generating hydro-electricity after the Arctic Circle that can provide utility or
India gained Independence. A lake has been economic benefit to humans.
built behind the dam, which is one of the  Living resources: These are primarily
largest man-made lakes in the world. the abundant fisheries.
 Its height is 124m; length - 4863 m and its  Mineral resources: They include major
reservoir capacity is 93,71,845 acre feet. reserves of oil and natural gas, large
Upper Penganga Project (Maharashtra) quantities of minerals including iron
ore, copper, nickel, zinc phosphates and
 Located in Maharashtra, it is an important diamonds.
project built up on the Godavari River.
 Fresh water: It is a critical renewable
 This project envisages construction of two resource that can be obtained. Several of
dams - the world’s largest rivers flow into the
 Isapur dam across river Penganga, in Arctic Ocean. This offers the opportunity
Yavatmal and for two possible developments.

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 Recently, India has unveiled a new draft “sustainable tourism” and mineral oil and
‘Arctic’ policy that, among other things, gas exploration in the Arctic region.

commits to expanding scientific research,  India has an Observer status in the Arctic
Council.

RE
O
SC
GS

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22. Correct Option: (c) Supplementary notes:

Explanation: Location of cities

 Option (c) is correctly arranged

RE
O
SC
GS

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23. Correct Option: (d)  Summer - warm

Explanation:  Due to the influence of Seas, rainfall

can be experienced throughout the
 Option (d) is the correct: China-type year, but in Asian part the rainfall
Climate, Mediterrean type Climate and is mostly seen during summers.
British time Climate can be found in the
Southern Hemisphere as well.  Vegetation:
 Predominant vegetation is cool
Supplementary notes:
temperate forest.
Laurentian-type Climate
 Location:
 Characteristics:
 North America : North-eastern
 Climate: region - eastern Canada, north-
east U.S.A., and Newfoundland.
 Winter - cold and dry, with below
freezing temperatures, snowfall  Asia: Eastern coasts of Asia - eastern
is usual. Siberia, North China, Manchuria,
Korea and northern Japan.

RE
O
SC
GS

 Important Economic Activity: Uttarakhand and Dhauldhar in Himachal

Pradesh.
 Lumbering
Supplementary notes:
 Fishing - as the area near both
American continent and Asia, is the Himalayan Ranges
meeting point of warm and cold ocean
currents, it becomes an important fishing
ground.
 Near Newfoundland - Mixing of warm
Gulf Stream and cold Labrador
currents takes place.
 Near Japan - Warm Kuroshio and
Cold Oyashio Currents meet.

24. Correct Option: (b)

Explanation:
 Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: The Lesser
Himalayan Range is known as Nag Tibba in

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25. Correct Option: (c)  Sand dunes are formed just behind the
beaches as long ridges parallel to the
Explanation: coastline.
 Option (c) is correct: Manjra is the  Bars, spits, and Lagoons
tributary of the river Godavari.
 Bars are deposits of sand and gravel
Supplementary notes: laid down by waves and currents which
separate the shoreline from the sea.
Tributaries of Mahanadi Rivers
 They act as a barrier between the
 The Mahanadi rises near Sihawa in Raipur mainland and the sea.
district of Chhattisgarh and runs through
 When one end of such a bar is attached
Odisha to discharge its water into the Bay
to the coast and another extends into the
of Bengal
sea, it is called a spit.
 Its main tributaries are the Seonath, the  Sometimes due to deposition of waves
Jonk, the Hasdeo, the Mand, the ib, the and currents, both ends of the bar join
Ong and the Tel. to enclose a part of sea water between
the coast and the bar. This enclosed part
of the sea forms a lake of saline water
26. Correct Option: (b)

RE
called a Lagoon.
Explanation:  A lagoon is generally connected with the
 Option (b) is correct: Stacks are Erosional sea through a narrow passage. Chilka
landforms created by Waves. and Pulicat lakes are examples of Lagoon
Lake.
Supplementary notes:
Landforms- Waves

Earth’s surface. Coastal landforms are
created by waves and include stacks,
O
A landform is any natural feature of the

stumps, caves, arches, bays, coves,

SC
beaches and cliffs. Cliffs are vertical or
near-vertical walls of rock along a coast.
Erosional Landforms due to Waves
 Cliffs, Terraces, Caves, and Stacks

Fig: Depositional Landforms by Waves

GS

27. Correct Option: (a)

Explanation:
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Mica is a very
good insulator that has a wide range of
applications in the electrical and electronics
industry.
Supplementary notes:
Mineral Resources in India - Mica
Fig: Erosional Landforms by Waves
 Mica is a naturally occurring non-metallic
Depositional Landforms due to Waves mineral that is based on a collection of
 Beaches and dunes silicates.

 Beaches are characteristics of shorelines  Mica is a very good insulator that has
that are dominated by deposition. a wide range of applications in the
electrical and electronics industry. It
 Beaches are temporary features which can withstand high voltage and has
are made up of sand-sized materials. low power loss factor.
 Beaches which contain excessively small  It is used in toothpaste and cosmetics
pebbles and even cobbles are called because of its glittery appearance. It also
Shingle Beaches. acts as a mild abrasive in toothpaste.

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 India is one of the foremost suppliers  Statement 2 is incorrect: Inland

of mica to the world. Waterways Authority of India is a statutory
body established under the provisions of
 Mica-bearing igneous rocks occur in
The Inland Waterways Authority of
AP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra,
India Act, 1985.
Rajasthan.
 India has a near monopoly in the Supplementary notes:
production of mica [60 % of world’s Inland Waterways
total].
 In 2020, the Minister of State for Shipping had
 Production decreased in recent times due to informed the Rajya Sabha that significant
fall in demand in the international market. savings in the cost of transportation
Fall in demand is due to better synthetic are expected by using the Inland Water
alternatives that are available Transport (IWT) mode. IWT mode is widely
recognized as an environmentally-friendly
and cost-effective mode of transport.
28. Correct Option: (d)
 Advantages of Inland waterways:
Explanation:
 Fuel and Energy Efficient: It is fuel-
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Wheat is a efficient compared to the other
rabi crop. Its seeds are sown in October-

RE
modes of transport, rail and road.
November and harvested in March-April.
 Cost of developing waterways is much
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Rajasthan is lower than rail & road.
the largest Millet producing state in India.
 Reduces transportation and transition
Supplementary notes: losses
Crops and their location  Environment Friendly

O
Rabi crops, which are also known as winter  Reduces pressure on road and rail
crops, are the crops that are grown in the
winter season (October or November).  The Inland Waterways Authority of
India Act, 1985: The Act provides for
 Their seeds are sown at the beginning the constitution of an Authority for the
SC
of the winter season and crop is regulation and development of inland
harvested at the end of the winter waterways for purposes of shipping and
season or in the spring season. navigation and for matters related to it
 The rabi crops are cultivated in the dry  The Inland Waterways Authority of India
season so timely irrigation is required to was formed in 1986. It undertakes projects
grow these crops. for development and maintenance of IWT
 Some of the main rabi crops of India include infrastructure on national waterways
wheat, gram, oat, barley, potato, and seeds through grants received from the Ministry
GS

like mustard, linseed, sunflower, coriander, of Shipping.

cumin, etc.  National Waterways Act 2016: The Act
 Millets is one of the most essential crops declared 111 rivers or river stretches, creeks,
in India’s agricultural production. Millets estuaries as National (inland) Waterways.
include Jowar, Bajra, Ragi etc. It enables the Central Government to
regulate these waterways for development
 The grain’s main origin hails from India with regard to shipping, navigation and
and Africa. transport through mechanically propelled
vessels.
 It is majorly produced in states like
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, UP, and
Gujarat followed by a couple of more states 30. Correct Option: (d)
based on their rankings.
Explanation:
 Rajasthan is on the top in the list with
a total produce of 3750.00 tonnes and a  Option (d) is correct: Gurgaon-Delhi-
share of 41.03%. Meerut region is located far away from the
mineral and power resources. Therefore
there are no prominent Iron and Steel
29. Correct Option: (d) industries in the region.
Explanation: Supplementary notes:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Inland Water Major industrial belts of India:
transport are fuel and energy efficient
modes of transport.  Hugli Industrial Region:

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 Kolkata was connected with interior  Software industry is a recent addition.

parts by railway lines and road routes.
 To the south lies the Agra-Mathura
 Development of tea plantations in industrial area which specialises in glass
Assam and northern hills of West and leather goods.
Bengal, the processing of indigo
 Mathura with an oil refinery is a
earlier and jute later coupled with the
petrochemical complex.
opening of coalfields of the Damodar
Valley and iron ore deposits of the  Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram Region:
Chotanagpur plateau, contributed
 Plantation agriculture and hydropower
to the industrial development of the
provide an industrial base to this
region. region.
 Cheap labour available from the thickly  Located far away from the mineral
populated part of Bihar, eastern Uttar belt of the country, agricultural
Pradesh and Orissa also contributed to products processing and
its development. market oriented light industries
 Cotton textile industry also grew along predominate the region.
with the jute industry.  Among them, cotton textile, sugar,

RE
 Paper, engineering, textile machinery, rubber, matchbox, glass, chemical
electrical, chemical, pharmaceuticals, fertiliser and fish-based industries are
fertiliser and petrochemical industries important.
have also developed within this region.  Food processing, paper, coconut coir
 Vishakhapatnam-Guntur Region: products, aluminium and cement
industries are also significant.
 This industrial region extends from
Visakhapatnam district to Kurnool and


Prakasam districts in the south.
O
Industrial development of this region
hinges upon Visakhapatnam and
31. Correct Option: (a)
Explanation:

Machilipatnam ports and developed  Statement 2 is incorrect: El Niño is not

SC
agriculture and rich reserves of minerals a regular cycle, or predictable in the sense
in their hinterlands. that ocean tides are.

 Coalfields of the Godavari basin provide  Statement 3 is incorrect: El Nino brings

energy. rain to South America, it brings droughts to
Indonesia and Australia.
 Ship building industry was started at
Visakhapatnam in 1941. Supplementary notes:
GS

 Petroleum refineries based on El Nino

imported petroleum facilitated the  El Nino is a climate pattern that describes
growth of several petrochemical the unusual warming of surface waters in
industries. the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
 Sugar, textile, jute, paper, fertiliser,  El Nino refers to the large-scale ocean-
cement, aluminium and light engineering atmosphere climate interaction linked
are principal industries of this region. to periodic warming in sea surface
 Gurgaon-Delhi-Meerut Region: temperatures across the central and east-
central Equatorial Pacific.
 This region is located far away from
the mineral and power resources, and  It is associated with high pressure in the
therefore, the industries are light and western Pacific.
market-oriented.  El Nino adversely impacts the Indian
 Electronics, light engineering and monsoons and hence, agriculture in India.
electrical goods are major industries of  El Nino was first recognized by Peruvian
this region. fishermen off the coast of Peru as the
 Besides, there are cotton, woollen and appearance of unusually warm water.
synthetic fabrics, hosiery, sugar, cement,  The Spanish immigrants called it El Nino,
machine tools, tractor, cycle, agricultural meaning “the little boy” in Spanish.
implements, chemical and vanaspati
industries which have developed on a  El Nino soon came to describe irregular and
large scale. intense climate changes rather than just the

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warming of coastal surface waters. The El States is a tie between China, Nepal
Nino event is not a regular cycle, they and Bangladesh each of which shares
are not predictable in the sense that a border with 5 Indian States.
ocean tides are. They occur irregularly at
 Indian States which share an
two- to seven-year intervals. It occurs more
international border with Nepal –
frequently than La Nina.
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
 The cool surface water off the Peruvian West Bengal, Sikkim.
coast goes warm because of El Nino. When
 Indian States which share an international
the water is warm, the normal trade winds
border with China – Ladakh, Himachal
get lost or reverse their direction. Hence,
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and
the flow of moisture-laden winds is directed
Arunachal Pradesh.
towards the coast of Peru from the western
Pacific (the region near northern Australia  Indian states which share an
and South East Asia). international border with Bangladesh
– West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya,
 As El Niño brings rain to South Tripura and Mizoram.
America, it brings droughts to Indonesia
and Australia.
 This causes heavy rains in Peru during the El
33. Correct Option: (c)

RE
Nino years robbing the Indian subcontinent Explanation:
of its normal monsoon rains. The larger the
temperature and pressure difference, the  Statement 1 is incorrect: The Green
larger the rainfall shortage in India. Revolution was concerned with Wheat and
Rice in the first phase.

32. Correct Option: (d) Supplementary notes:

Green Revolution
Explanation:
O
 The Green Revolution of the 1960s and
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Now the state
1970s brought about significant changes in
of West Bengal shares the largest land
the areas where it took place. The Green
International boundary which before
Revolution was a government programme
SC
was shared by the state of Jammu and
of agricultural modernisation.
Kashmir.
 It was largely funded by international
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Five Indian
agencies that were based on providing high-
states share a border with Bangladesh.
yielding varieties (HYV) or hybrid seeds
 Statement 3 is incorrect: There are along with pesticides, fertilisers, and other
11 states in India which share their inputs, to farmers.
international border with only one country.
 Green Revolution programmes were
GS

 Statement 4 is incorrect: The countries introduced only in areas that had assured
which touch the maximum number of Indian irrigation.
states are China, Nepal and Bangladesh.
 Certain regions such as the Punjab, western
Supplementary notes: U.P., coastal Andhra Pradesh, and parts of
Tamil Nadu, received the first wave of the
India and its Borders Green Revolution package.
 There are 11 states which share their  Agricultural productivity increased sharply
international border with only one because of the new technology. India was
country. These states from east to west are able to become self-sufficient in foodgrain
Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, production for the first time in decades.
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, The Green Revolution has been considered
Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan a major achievement of the government
and Gujarat. and of the scientists who contributed to the
 Jammu and Kashmir had the longest effort.
international border length of 3176  Green revolution mainly focuses on three
Km before bifurcation, but now West basic elements that include:
Bengal has the longest international
border length of 2509.7 Km. Indian  Expansion of agricultural land
state with the smallest (least) international  Double-cropping (two crops in a year) in
border length is Nagaland. the existing farmland
 The country which shares its border  Using high-yielding crops and seeds with
with the maximum number of Indian improved genetics

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 The Green Revolution in India was initiated  Upper divergence above the sea level
in the 1960s by introducing high-yielding system
varieties of rice and wheat to increase food
 Anticyclones are areas of high
production in order to alleviate hunger and
pressure. The sinking air spreads out
poverty.
when it reaches the ground, producing
a divergence at the surface. Aloft,
34. Correct Option: (d) air rushes in to fill the void, creating a
convergence aloft.
Explanation:
 Anticyclones produce a stable atmosphere.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Low-pressure Anticyclones, or highs, are also referred
centers are called cyclones, and the to as blocking highs because they tend to
associated wind movement is said to be force areas of low pressure to travel around
cyclonic. them.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: High-pressure  Anticyclones are associated with fair
center is known as an anticyclone, and the weather. As the air sinks, it warms
flow of air associated with it is described as and dries. This produces clear skies and
being anticyclonic. increases the air’s ability to transmit
radiant energy. In the summer, this means
Statement 3 is incorrect: Air descends in

RE

high temperatures due to solar heating of
anticyclones and rises in cyclones.
the surface. During the winter, this means
Supplementary notes: low temperatures due to the radiation of
heat from the surface into space.
Cyclones and Anticyclones
Low-pressure centers are called

35. Correct Option: (b)
cyclones, and the associated wind O
movement is said to be cyclonic. The Explanation:
air circulates in an anticlockwise direction
in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise  Statement 1 is incorrect: The flat topped
mountains (seamounts) are known as
in the Southern hemisphere. Cyclones are
guyots.
usually accompanied by violent storms and
SC
bad weather. Supplementary notes:
 There are two types of cyclones: Tropical Ocean relief
cyclones and Extra Tropical cyclones
(Temperate cyclones)  Ocean relief is largely due to tectonic,
volcanic, erosional and depositional
 Tropical cyclones develop in the region processes and their interactions.
between the Tropics of Capricorn and
Cancer. Extra tropical cyclones occur in  Four major divisions in the ocean relief are:
GS

temperate zones and high latitude regions, the continental shelf, the continental slope,
though they are known to originate in the the continental rise, the Deep Sea Plain or
Polar Regions. the abyssal plain.

 Tropical cyclones are violent storms and  Continental Shelf is the gently sloping
move over to the coastal areas bringing seaward extension of continental plate.
about large scale destruction caused by Massive sedimentary deposits received
violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm over a long time by the continental shelves,
surges and are the most devastating natural become the source of fossil fuels [Petroleum].
calamities in the world. Marine food comes almost entirely
from continental shelves. They provide
 Tropical cyclones originate and intensify the richest fishing grounds.
over warm tropical oceans. The conditions
favourable for the formation and  The continental slope connects the
intensification of tropical storms are: continental shelf and the ocean basins. It
begins where the bottom of the continental
 Large sea surface with temperature shelf sharply drops off into a steep slope.
higher than 27°C. The continental slope boundary indicates
 Presence of the Coriolis force. the end of the continents. Canyons and
trenches are observed in this region.
 Small variations in the vertical wind
speed.  Deep sea planes or Abyssal are gently
sloping areas of the ocean basins. These are
 A pre-existing weak low- pressure area the flattest and smoothest regions of the
or low-level-cyclonic circulation. world.

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 The trenches are relatively steep sided,  Tertiary coalfields are mainly confined
narrow basins (Depressions). These areas to extra-peninsular regions and Carbon
are the deepest parts of the oceans content is very low but is rich in moisture
and sulphur.
 A mid-oceanic ridge is composed of two
chains of mountains separated by a large  Most of the Coal producing area is
depression. [Divergent Boundary] located East of 78°E Longitude. Top 5
States in terms of total coal reserves in India
 Seamount: It is a mountain with pointed
are: Jharkhand > Odisha > Chhattisgarh >
summits, rising from the seafloor that
West Bengal > Madhya Pradesh.
does not reach the surface of the ocean.
Seamounts are volcanic in origin. These can  The oil and gas industry in India dates back
be 3,000-4,500 m tall. to 1889 when the first oil deposits in the
 Guyots: The flat topped mountains country were discovered near the town of
(seamounts) are known as guyots. Digboi in the state of Assam.

 CANYON: a deep gorge, especially one with  Assam is oldest oil producing state in India
a river flowing through it while Rajasthan is the largest onshore
oil producing state of India.
 GORGE: a steep, narrow valley or ravine
 VALLEY: a low area between hills or 37. Correct Option: (c)

RE
mountains or a depression, typically with a
river or stream flowing through it. Explanation:
 A bank is a flat topped elevation  Statement 1 is incorrect: Linear pattern:
located in the continental margins. The In such settlements houses are located
depth of water here is shallow but enough along a road, railway line, river, canal edge
for navigational purposes of a valley or along a levee.
A shoal is a detached elevation with

shallow depths. Since they project out
O  Statement 2 is incorrect: Rectangular
pattern: Such patterns of rural settlements
of water with moderate heights, they are are found in plain areas or wide intermontane
dangerous for navigation. valleys. The roads are rectangular and cut
each other at right angles.
SC
36. Correct Option: (b) Supplementary notes:
Explanation: Rural Settlements
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Rajasthan is  On the basis of forms or shapes of the
the largest offshore oil producing state of settlements: These may be a number of
India. geometrical forms and shapes such as
Linear, rectangular, circular star like,
Supplementary notes: T-shaped village, double village, cross-
GS

Coal and Oil shaped village etc.

 India is the 2th largest producer and 2nd  Linear pattern: In such settlements
largest consumer of coal in the world. houses are located along a road, railway
line, river, canal edge of a valley or
 Raniganj was the very first coalfield in India along a levee.
where coal mining started during the East
India Company i.e. in the year 1774.  Rectangular pattern: Such patterns of
rural settlements are found in plain
 Coal is the most important and abundant areas or wide intermontane valleys.
fossil fuel in India. It accounts for 55% of The roads are rectangular and cut each
the country’s energy needs. other at right angles.
 India being rich in the ancient hard rocks  Circular pattern: Circular villages develop
is a reserve of various types of mineral around lakes, tanks and sometimes the
resources. Distribution of coal in Indian village is planned in such a way that the
is in two categories: Gondwana Coalfields central part remains open and is used for
that are 250 million years old and Tertiary keeping the animals to protect them from
Coalfields that are 15 to 60 million years wild animals.
old.
 Star like pattern: Where several roads
 Gondwana coal makes up to 98% of the total converge, star shaped settlements develop
coal reserves in India and 99% of the coal by the houses built along the roads.
production in India. Gondwana coal is free
from moisture and contains phosphorus and  T-shaped, Y-shaped, Cross-shaped or
sulphur cruciform settlements: T-shaped settlements

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develop at tri-junctions of the roads (T) mountainous arid regions. Deflation

while Y-shaped settlements emerge as the hollows are an example of wind erosion
places where two roads converge on the causing deflation yet these depressions
third one and houses are built along these also tend to collect rainwater and hold
roads. Cruciform settlements develop on this water for a time depending on
the cross-roads and houses extend in all the evaporation rates through the stones.
four directions.
 Mesas and buttes: It is a flat, table-
 Double village: These settlements like land mass with a very resistant
extend on both sides of a river where horizontal top layer and very steep
there is a bridge or a ferry. sides. The hard stratum on the surface
resists denudation by both wind and
 On the basis of setting: The main types
are plain villages, plateau villages, coastal water and thus protects the underlying
villages, forest villages and desert villages. layers of rocks from being eroded away.
Continued denudation through the ages
 On the basis of functions: There may be may reduce mesas in the area so that
farming villages, fishermen’s villages, they become isolated flat-topped hills
lumberjack villages, pastoral villages etc called buttes.
 Inselberg: It means “residual mountain”.
38. Correct Option: (a) They are characterized by their very

RE
steep slopes and rather rounded tops
Explanation: and semi arid landscapes in old age.
 Option (a) is correct: Yardangs, Deflation  Mushroom Rock: The sandblasting
Hollows are kind of erosional Desert effect cuts grooves and hollows on the
Landforms. rock surface. The erosion is more near
Supplementary notes: the base where friction is greatest. This
produces rocks of mushroom shape.
Desert Landforms.
 Erosional Landforms of Desert:
Yardangs: The hard and soft rocks
O  Depositional Landforms in Deserts
 Ripple marks:The deposition of sands in
 the en surface like ripple is called ripple
of yardangs are vertical bends and
SC
marks.
are aligned in the direction of the
prevailing winds. Wind abrasion  Sand Dunes:When winds blow in the
excavates the bends of softer rocks into desert ecosystem, it takes sand with
long, narrow corridors, separating the them and transport from one place to
steep-sides over-hanging ridges of hard other places. When winds stop blowing,
rocks, called yardangs. the sand falls and gets deposited in a
low hill-like structure called sand dunes.
 Zeugen: There are tabular masses which The heap of sand in the desert is called
GS

have a layer of soft rocks laying beneath sand dunes.

a surface layer of more resistant rocks.
The sculpting effects of wind abrasion  Loess:When sands are deposited in large
wear them into a weird-looking ‘ridge areas; it is called loess
and furrow’ landscape. Mechanical
weathering initiates their formation by
opening up joints of the surface rocks. 39. Correct Option: (a)
Wind abrasion further ‘eats’ into the Explanation:
underlying softer layer so that deep
furrows are developed.  Statement 4 is incorrect: Land has
nothing to do with cyclones.
 Rock Pedestals: Rock pedestals are
landforms created by abrasion in Supplementary notes:
which grains cut away the base of rock
 In the South Atlantic and South-
structures but leaves their tips intact.
Eastern Pacific regions in tropical
This is due to wind-borne sand grains
following bouncing trajectories that carry latitudes, cyclone does not originate,
sand as high as 1m above the ground. the reasons are:

 Deflation Hollows Weathered mantle  The sea surface temperatures are

from over the rocks or bare soil, gets too cold.
blown out by persistent movement  But the primary reason that the
of wind currents in one direction. South Atlantic Ocean gets few
These depressions are called deflation tropical cyclones is First the
hollows and are commonly found in non- tropospheric (near surface to

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200mb) vertical wind shear is much surrounding the Polar region blow towards
too strong. the Equator. Centrifugal forces operating
in this region create the low-pressure belt
 Second there is typically no inter-
appropriately called the Circumpolar Low-
tropical convergence zone (ITCZ)
Pressure Belt. This region is marked by
over the ocean.
violent storms in winter.
 Without an ITCZ to provide synoptic
 Polar High-Pressure Areas are at the North
vorticity and convergence (i.e. large scale
and South Poles, between 70° to 90° North
spin and thunderstorm activity) as well
and South, the temperatures are always
as having strong wind shear, it becomes
extremely low. The cold descending air
very difficult to nearly impossible to have
genesis of tropical cyclones. gives rise to high pressures over the Poles.
These areas of Polar high pressure are
known as the Polar Highs. These regions
40. Correct Option: (b) are characterized by permanent Ice Caps.

Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Equatorial
41. Correct Option: (a)
Low-Pressure Belts is a low-pressure belt Explanation:
extending from 0 to 5° North and South of

RE
the Equator.  Statement 1 is incorrect: Oceanic tides
are formed due to gravitational attraction
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The winds from of the moon and the sun.
the subtropical region blow towards the
Equator as Trade winds and another wind Supplementary notes:
blow towards Sub-Polar Low-Pressure as
Westerlies. Oceanic Tides:
The periodical rise and fall of the sea level,
Supplementary notes:
O 
once or twice a day, mainly due to the
Pressure Belts of Earth attraction of the sun and the moon, is called
a tide.
 On the earth’s surface, there are seven
pressure belts. There is a pattern of The moon’s gravitational pull to a great
SC

alternate high and low-pressure belts over extent and to a lesser extent the sun’s
the earth. This is due to the spherical shape gravitational pull, are the major causes
of the earth, different parts of the earth are for the occurrence of tides.
heated unequally.
 Another factor is centrifugal force, which
 The Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt is a is the force that acts to counter balance the
low-pressure belt extending from 0 to gravity. Together, the gravitational pull
5° North and South of the Equator. The and the centrifugal force are responsible for
GS

sun rays are vertical here, therefore there is creating the two major tidal bulges on the
intense heating. The air expands and rises earth.
as convection current causing low pressure
to develop here. This low-pressure belt is  On the side of the earth facing the
also called as doldrums because it is a zone moon, a tidal bulge occurs while on the
of total calm without any breeze. opposite side though the gravitational
attraction of the moon is less as it is
 Subtropical High-Pressure Belts about farther away, the centrifugal force
30°North and South of the Equator causes tidal bulge on the other side.
lie in the area where the ascending
equatorial air currents descend thus  The ‘tide-generating’ force is the difference
creating an area of high pressure. The between these two forces; i.e. the
area is also called the Horse latitude. Winds gravitational attraction of the moon and the
always blow from high pressure to low centrifugal force.
pressure. So the winds from the subtropical  On the surface of the earth, nearest the
region blow towards the Equator as Trade moon, pull or the attractive force of the moon
winds and another wind blow towards Sub- is greater than the centrifugal force, and so
Polar Low-Pressure as Westerlies. there is a net force causing a bulge towards
 Circum-Polar Low-Pressure Belts are the moon. On the opposite side of the earth,
belts located between 60° and 70° in the attractive force is less, as it is farther
each hemisphere. This zone is marked away from the moon, the centrifugal force is
by the ascent of warm Subtropical air dominant. Hence, there is a net force away
over cold polar air blowing from poles. from the moon. It creates the second bulge
Due to the earth’s rotation, the winds away from the moon.

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 On the surface of the earth, the horizontal  Indo-Burma: Includes entire North-
tide generating forces are more important eastern India, except Assam and
than the vertical forces in generating the Andaman group of Islands (and
tidal bulges. Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia and southern China).
 The tidal bulges on wide continental shelves,
have greater height. When tidal bulges hit  Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group
the mid-oceanic islands, they become low. of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).
 The shape of bays and estuaries along a
coastline can also magnify the intensity  Western Ghats and Sri Lanka:
of tides. Funnel-shaped bays greatly Includes entire Western Ghats (and Sri
change tidal magnitudes. When the Lanka).
tide is channeled between islands or  Eastern Himalayas, which was originally
into bays and estuaries they are called part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity
tidal currents. Hotspot and included Bhutan, north-
eastern India and southern, central
42. Correct Option: (c) and eastern Nepal. In 2004, a hotspot
reappraisal classified the region as
Explanation: part of two hotspots: Indo-Burma and

RE
the newly distinguished Himalaya.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Biodiversity
hotspots are regions with high species Malabar Civet:
richness and a high degree of
 It is a critically endangered mammal
endemism.
endemic to India and was first reported
 Statement 2 is incorrect: India has four from Travancore, Kerala.
biodiversity hotspots, i.e., The Himalayas,
 It is nocturnal in nature and found
The Indo-Burma, Sundalands, and O exclusively in the Western Ghats.
Western Ghats and Sri lanka.
 Habitat: Wooded plains and hill slopes of
Supplementary notes: evergreen rainforests.
 Biodiversity hotspots are regions with high  Habitat/distribution: Western Ghats.
SC
species richness and a high degree of
endemism.  Threats: Deforestation and commercial
plantations are major threats.
 The British biologist Norman Myers
coined the term “biodiversity hotspot”
in 1988 as a biogeographic region 43. Correct Option: (b)
characterized both by exceptional levels of
plant endemism and by serious levels of Explanation:
habitat loss.  Statement 1 is correct, so, using
GS

 Conservation International (CI) adopted elimination method one can arrives at

Myers’ hotspots and in 1996, the the correct option which is (b).
organization made the decision to undertake  Statement 2 is incorrect: A tectonic plate
a reassessment of the hotspots concept. is made up of the earth’s lithosphere.
 According to CI, to qualify as a hotspot a  Statement 3 is incorrect: The Nazca plate
region must meet two strict criteria: lies between South America and Pacific
plates.
 It must contain at least 1,500 species of
vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world’s Supplementary notes:
total) as endemics – which is to say, it
must have a high percentage of plant PLATE TECTONICS
life found nowhere else on the planet. A  Since the advent of the concept of sea floor
hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable. spreading, the interest in the problem of
 It has to have lost at least 70% of its distribution of oceans and continents was
original habitat. (It must have 30% or revived.
less of its original natural vegetation). In  It was in 1967, McKenzie and Parker
other words, it must be threatened. and also Morgan, independently
 Biodiversity hotspots in India collected the available ideas and came
out with another concept termed Plate
 Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Tectonics.
Himalayan region (and that falling in
Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China  A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric
and Myanmar). plate) is a massive, irregularly-shaped

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slab of solid rock, generally composed Supplementary notes:

of both continental and oceanic
lithosphere. Basic Concepts of Population Geography

 Plates move horizontally over the  Growth of Population: Change of population

asthenosphere as rigid units. The in particular area between two points of
lithosphere includes the crust and top time is known as growth of population.
mantle with its thickness range varying For example, if we deduct the population
between 5-100 km in oceanic parts and of India 1991 (84.63 crore) from population
about 200 km in the continental areas. of 2001 (102.70 crore) then we shall get the
growth of population (18.07 crores) in actual
 A plate may be referred to as the continental numbers.
plate or oceanic plate depending on which of
the two occupy a larger portion of the plate.  Growth Rate of Population : This is
Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate the change of population expressed in
whereas the Eurasian plate may be called a percentage.
continental plate.  Natural Growth of Population: This is
 The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the population increased by difference
the earth’s lithosphere is divided into seven between births and deaths in a
major and some minor plates. Young Fold particular region between two points

RE
Mountain ridges, trenches, and/or faults of time.
surround these major plates. Natural Growth = Births – Deaths
The major plates are as follows:  Actual Growth of Population : This is
 Antarctica and the surrounding oceanic Births – Deaths + In Migration – Out
plate Migration
Positive Growth of Population: This
 North American (with western Atlantic
O 
happens when the birth rate is more than
floor separated from the South American
plate along the Caribbean islands) plate the death rate between two points of time or
when people from other countries migrate
 South American (with western Atlantic floor permanently to a region.
SC
separated from the North American plate
along the Caribbean islands) plate  Negative Growth of Population: If the
population decreases between two points
 Pacific plate
 of time it is known as negative growth of
 India-Australia-New Zealand plate population. It occurs when the birth rate
 Africa with the eastern Atlantic floor plate falls below the death rate or people migrate
to other countries.
 Eurasia and the adjacent oceanic plate.
GS

 There are three components of population

The Minor plates: change – births, deaths and migration.
 Cocos plate : Between Central America and  The crude birth rate (CBR) is expressed
Pacific plate as number of live births in a year per
 Nazca plate : Between South America thousand of population. It is calculated
and Pacific plate as: (Bi/P) X 1000
 Arabian plate : Mostly the Saudi Arabian  Bi = live births during the year; P=Mid
landmass year population of the area.
 Philippine plate : Between the Asiatic and  Death rate plays an active role in population
Pacific plate change. Population growth occurs not only
by increasing births rate but also due to
 Caroline plate : Between the Philippine and
decreasing death rate
Indian plate (North of New Guinea)
 Crude Death Rate (CDR) is a simple
 Fuji plate : North-east of Australia.
method of measuring mortality of any area.
CDR is expressed in terms of number of
44. Correct Option: (b) deaths in a particular year per thousand of
population in a particular region.
Explanation:
 CDR is calculated as: D/P X 1000
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The crude birth
rate (CBR) is expressed as number of live  Here, D= Number of deaths; P=Estimated
births in a year per thousand. mid-year population of that year.

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 Migration various water intensive crops such as rice,

jute and sugarcane and practise aquaculture
 Apart from birth and death there is
in the fresh water bodies.
another way by which the population
size changes. Agricultural Productivity and Yeild:
 When people move from one place to  There has been a significant increase in
another, the place they move from agricultural output and improvement in
is called the Place of Origin and the technology during the last fifty years.
place they move to is called the Place
of Destination. The place of origin  Production and yield of many crops such
shows a decrease in population while as rice and wheat has increased at an
the population increases in the place of impressive rate.
destination.  Expansion of irrigation has played a very
crucial role in enhancing agricultural output
in the country.
45. Correct Option: (a)
 Modern agricultural technology has diffused
Explanation: very fast in various areas of the country.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The yield of the Consumption of chemical fertilizers has
crops in the country is low in comparison increased by 15 times since mid-sixties.

RE
to the international level even though  However, the yield of the crops in
green revolution has tremendously the country is low in comparison to
increased the productivity. the International level. Per hectare
output of most of the crops such as
Supplementary notes:
rice, wheat, cotton and oilseeds in
 On the basis of main source of moisture India is much lower than that of
for crops, the farming can be classified as
O U.S.A., Russia and Japan. Because of
irrigated and rainfed (barani). the very high pressure on the land
resources, the labour productivity in
 There is difference in the nature of irrigated
Indian agriculture is also very low in
farming as well based on objective of
comparison to international level.
irrigation, i.e., protective or productive. The
SC
objective of protective irrigation is to protect
the crops from adverse effects of moisture 46. Correct Option: (d)
deficiency which often means that irrigation
acts as a supplementary source of water Explanation:
over and above the rainfall.  All statements are correct
 The strategy of this kind of irrigation
is to provide soil moisture to maximum Supplementary notes:
possible area. Productive irrigation is Precipitation
GS

meant to provide sufficient soil moisture

in the cropping season to achieve high  The process of continuous condensation in
productivity. In such irrigation the water free air helps the condensed particles to grow
input per unit area of cultivated land is in size. When the resistance of the air fails to
higher than protective irrigation. hold them against the force of gravity, they
fall on to the earth’s surface. So, after the
 Rainfed farming is further classified on the condensation of water vapour, the release of
basis of adequacy of soil moisture during moisture is known as precipitation.
cropping season into dryland and wetland
farming.  This may take place in liquid or solid form.
The precipitation in the form of water is
 In India, the dryland farming is called rainfall, when the temperature is
largely confined to the regions having lower than the 00C, precipitation takes
annual rainfall less than 75 cm. These place in the form of fine flakes of snow and is
regions grow hardy and drought called snowfall. Moisture is released in the
resistant crops such as ragi, bajra, form of hexagonal crystals. These crystals
moong, gram and guar (fodder crops) form flakes of snow.
and practise various measures of soil
moisture conservation and rain water  Besides rain and snow, other forms of
harvesting. precipitation are sleet and hail, though
the latter are limited in occurrence and are
 In wetland farming, the rainfall is in excess sporadic in both time and space.
of soil moisture equirement of plants during
rainy season. Such regions may face flood  Sleet is frozen raindrops and refrozen
and soil erosion hazards. These areas grow melted snow-water. When a layer of air

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with the temperature above freezing point 47. Correct Option: (a)
overlies a subfreezing layer near the ground,
precipitation takes place in the form of sleet. Explanation:
Raindrops, which leave the warmer air,
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The Chabahar
encounter the colder air below. As a result,
port is being developed by India, Iran and
they solidify and reach the ground as small
pellets of ice not bigger than the raindrops Afghanistan.
from which they are formed.
Supplementary notes:
 Sometimes, drops of rain after being
released by the clouds become solidified Chabahar Port:
into small rounded solid pieces of ice and  The port is being developed by India,
which reach the surface of the earth are Iran and Afghanistan to boost trade ties
called hailstones. These are formed by the among the three countries in the wake
rainwater passing through the colder layers. of Pakistan denying transit access to
Hailstones have several concentric layers of New Delhi.
ice one over the other.
 Chabahar Port is a seaport in Chabahar
Types of rain: located in south-eastern Iran, on the
Convectional Rain: Gulf of Oman.

RE

 The, air on being heated, becomes light  It serves as Iran’s only oceanic port, and
and rises up in convection currents. As consists of two separate ports named Shahid
it rises, it expands and loses heat and Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti.
consequently, condensation takes place
and cumulous clouds are formed. With  Located in the Sistan-Balochistan province
thunder and lightening, heavy rainfall on the energy-rich Iran’s southern coast,
takes place but this does not last long. the port can be easily accessed from India’s
O western coast, bypassing Pakistan.
 Such rain is common in the summer or
in the hotter part of the day. It is very Significance:
common in the equatorial regions
 It will give India access to Afghanistan,
and interior parts of the continents,
SC
Russia and Europe circumventing Pakistan
particularly in the northern
hemisphere.  The port and the rail project (Chabahar
 Orographic Rain: to Zahedan to Zarang near Afghanistan
border) will enhance connectivity, energy
 When the saturated air mass comes supplies and trade with central Asia.
across a mountain, it is forced to
ascend and as it rises, it expands; the  It will facilitate India’s role in
temperature falls, and the moisture is Afghanistan’s development through
GS

condensed. infrastructure and education projects.

 The chief characteristic of this sort of  It is located 76 nautical miles (less than
rain is that the windward slopes receive 150km) west of the Pakistani port of
greater rainfall. After giving rain on the Gwadar, being developed by China; this
windward side, when these winds reach makes it ideal for keeping track of Chinese
the other slope, they descend, and their or Pakistani military activity based out of
temperature rises. Then their capacity Gwadar.
to take in moisture increases and hence,
these leeward slopes remain rainless
and dry.
 The area situated on the leeward
side, which gets less rainfall is
known as the rain-shadow area. It is
also known as the relief rain.
 Cyclonic Rain:
 Cyclonic activity causes cyclonic rain
and it occurs along the fronts of the
cyclone in case of extra tropical cyclone
while in tropical cyclone it is associated
with heavy rainfall along with thunder
storm.

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48. Correct Option: (c) Supplementary notes:

Explanation: 1 Sardar Sarovar
 Both statements are correct 2 Ramganga
3 Silleru
Supplementary notes:
4 Shimshapuram
The Brahmaputra river system:
 The Brahmaputra, one of the largest
rivers of the world, has its origin in the
50. Correct Option: (b)
Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash Explanation:
range near the Mansarovar lake.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Strait of
 From here, it traverses eastward Dardanelles connects the Aegean Sea and
longitudinally for a distance of nearly 1,200 the sea of Marmara.
km in a dry and flat region of southern
Tibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo, Supplementary notes:
which means ‘the purifier.’
Aegean Sea Map:
 The Rango Tsangpo is the major right bank

RE
tributary of this river in Tibet. It emerges as
a turbulent and dynamic river after carving
out a deep gorge in the Central Himalayas
near Namcha Barwa (7,755 m).
 The river emerges from the foothills under
the name of Siang or Dihang. It enters India
west of Sadiya town in Arunachal Pradesh.
O
 Flowing southwest, it receives its main left
bank tributaries, viz., Dibang or Sikang
and Lohit; thereafter, it is known as the
Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra receives
SC
numerous tributaries in its 750 km long
journey through the Assam valley. Its
major left bank tributaries are the Burhi
Dihing and Dhansari (South) whereas the
important right bank tributaries are
the Subansiri, Kameng, Manas and
Sankosh. The Subansiri which has its
origin in Tibet, is an antecedent river.
GS

It receives water from river Jiadhal

then it meets with Brahamputra.
51. Correct Option: (d)
 The Brahmaputra enters into Bangladesh
near Dhubri and flows southward. In Explanation:
Bangladesh, the Tista joins it on its right
bank from where the river is known as the  Option (d) is correct: Vesuvius volcano is
Yamuna. located in Europe.

 It finally merges with the river Padma, Supplementary notes:

which falls in the Bay of Bengal. The
Ring of Fire Belt
Brahmaputra is well-known for floods,
channel shifting and bank erosion.  The Ring of Fire also referred to as the
 This is due to the fact that most of its Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the
tributaries are large, and bring large Pacific Ocean characterized by active
quantity of sediments owing to heavy volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
rainfall in its catchment area.  The majority of Earth’s volcanoes and
earthquakes take place along the Ring of
49. Correct Option: (b) Fire.
 Mount Semeru, also known as “The
Explanation:
Great Mountain”, is the highest volcano
 Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect. in Java, Indonesia’s. It recently erupted
Correct match is A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4 in January 2021.

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 Mount Pinatubo volcano is located Supplementary notes:

about 90 km northwest of Manila,
Classification of Mountains on their
Philippines. It erupted in 1991 for the
period of origin
first time in 600 years.
 The process of Mountain building is spread
 Mount Ruiz volcano is in the Cordillera
across different periods.
Central of the Andes in west-
central Colombia.  We classify mountains based on their period
of origin into the following categories:
 It is noted for its two eruptions in 1985
which were among the most destructive in  Pre-Cambrian Mountains: This period is
recorded history. extending from about 4.6 billion years ago
(the point at which Earth began to form) to
 Vesuvius volcano is the only active the beginning of the Cambrian Period, 541
volcano in mainland Europe and it is million years ago.
not present in the Ring of fire belt.
 Laurentian Mountains, Algoman
 Vesuvius is located on Italy’s west coast and Mountains of North America are
is most famous for the 79 AD eruption which examples of mountains of this period.
destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and
 Caledonian Mountains: These were formed
Herculaneum. during the Silurian and Devonian periods.

RE
 Examples include the mountains of
52. Correct Option: (c) Scotland, Ireland, Aravallis, Satpura
etc.
Explanation:
 Hercynian Mountains: These were
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Mount formed during the Permian and Permo-
Kosciuszko is located in Australia Carboniferous periods.

O
Statement 2 is incorrect: Mount McKinley  Examples include Tien Shan
is located in the USA. Mountains, Ural Mountains etc.
Supplementary notes:  Alpine Mountains: These were formed
during the tertiary period.
SC
Highest Mountain Peaks of World
 Examples include the Andes,
 Mount McKinley is also known as Rockies, and Himalayas etc.
Denali and is located in the USA in the
state of Alaska.
54. Correct Option: (c)
 It is the highest mountain on the North
American continent with the summit at Explanation:
20,237 feet (6,168 meters) above sea level.
Option (c) is correct
GS


 Mount Aconcagua is located in
Supplementary notes:
Argentina.
Islands of Indian Ocean
 It is the highest mountain on the South
American continent with its summit at  The Chagos Archipelago is an island
22,834 feet (6,960 meters) above sea level. group in the central Indian Ocean.
 Mount Elbrus is located in Russia.  It is located about 1,600 km south of the
southern tip of the Indian subcontinent.
 It is the highest mountain on the European
continent with its summit at 18,510 feet  It is coterminous with the British Indian
(5,642 meters) above sea level. Ocean Territory.

 Mount Kosciuszko is the highest  Keeling Islands also called as Cocos

mountain on the Australian continent. Islands is an external territory
of Australia in the eastern Indian
 Its summit is 7,310 feet (2,228 meters) Ocean.
above sea level. It is located in New South
 The islands lie nearly 3600 km west
Wales, Australia.
of Darwin, Northern Territory, on the
northern Australian coast.
53. Correct Option: (d)  Mauritius, island country in the Indian
Ocean, located off the eastern coast
Explanation:
of Africa. Its capital is Port Louis and
 All statements are correct is part of the Mascarene Islands.

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 The Territory of Heard Island and Supplementary notes:

McDonald Islands is an Australian
external territory in the Indian Ocean
Agricultural Landholding in India
comprising a volcanic group of barren  As per the tenth agricultural census of
Antarctic islands. India, the total number of land units used
for agricultural production has shown a 5%
increase in 2015-16 compared to 2010-11.
55. Correct Option: (c)
 The total number of operational holdings in
Explanation: the country has increased from 138 million
 Statement 3 is incorrect: The Shadow in 2010-11 to 146 million in 2015-16.
zone of ‘s-waves’ is wider than ‘p-waves’.  Uttar Pradesh is home to the largest
number of landholders, constituting
Supplementary notes:
16% of the total number.
Earthquake Body Waves  The percentage of landholders who are
 Earthquake waves are of two types — body women has increased from 12.79% in
waves and surface waves. 2010-11 to 13.87% in 2015-16, with a
corresponding increase of 1.2 percentage
 Body waves are generated due to the points in the operated area. It implies that

RE
release of energy at the focus and move in more and more females are participating
all directions travelling through the body of in the management and operation of
the earth. agricultural land
 P-waves are a type of body waves that  Small and marginal holdings (below two
move faster and are the first to arrive at hectares) constituted 86.21% of the total
the surface. These are also called ‘primary landholdings. It was an increase of 1.2
waves’. percentage points compared to 2010-11.
 The P-waves are similar to sound
waves. They travel through gaseous,
liquid and solid materials.
O  However, the operated area (which includes
any agricultural land, provided a part of it
used for production) has shown a decline of
1.5%.
SC
 P-waves vibrate parallel to the direction of the
wave. This exerts pressure on the material  Marginal, small and medium land holdings
in the direction of the propagation. constitute the lion’s share of the operated
area – large land holdings account for only
 S-waves are another type of body waves that
9% of the total operational area.
arrive at the surface with some time lag.
 The average size of operational holdings
 These are called secondary waves is highest in Nagaland (5 hectares) and
and can travel only through solid lowest in Kerala (0.18 hectares).
GS

materials.
The direction of vibrations of S-waves is

57. Correct Option: (b)
perpendicular to the wave direction in the
vertical plane. Explanation:
 Hence, they create troughs and crests in the  Statement 1 is incorrect: It is an area of
material through which they pass. low pressure and not high pressure.
 The zone between 105˚ and 145˚ from the Supplementary notes:
epicentre is identified as the shadow zone
for ‘p-waves’ Polar Vortex

 However, the shadow zone of ‘s-waves’  Recently the USA experienced a record-
is much wider than ‘p-waves’. The entire breaking cold wave, caused due to polar
zone beyond 105˚ from the epicentre is vortex event.
the shadow zone of ‘s-waves’.  The polar vortex is a large area of low
pressure and cold air surrounding both
of the Earth’s poles.
56. Correct Option: (b)
 It always exists near the poles, but weakens
Explanation: in summer and strengthens in winter.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Kerala has the  It is a counter-clockwise flow of air
lowest average size of operational holdings that helps keep the colder air near the
in India. Poles.

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 Many times during winter in the northern 59. Correct Option: (a)
hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand,
sending cold air southward with the jet Explanation:
stream.  Statement 2 is incorrect: Lapoliths are
 This occurs fairly regularly during saucer-shaped intrusive landforms and not
Lacoliths.
wintertime and is often associated with
large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United Supplementary notes:
States.
Intrusive Volcanic Landforms
 When the winds strengthen, the vortices
 Intrusive landforms are formed by plutonic
strengthens and is known as the positive
rocks when the lava cools inside the earth’s
phase of the oscillation.
crust. The following are the different types
 But when these winds decrease in intensity of intrusive landforms:
then the vortices weakens which is known  Lacoliths are large dome-shaped intrusive
as the “negative phase” of the oscillation. bodies with a level base and connected by a
 The Antarctic vortex is larger, stronger pipe-like conduit from below.
and has a longer lifespan than its Arctic  It resembles the surface volcanic domes
counterpart.

RE
of the composite volcano, only these are
located at deeper depths.
58. Correct Option: (c)  Lapoliths are formed when lava
develops into a saucer shape, concave
Explanation: to the sky body.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Alaska current  The near horizontal bodies of the
is a warm current. intrusive igneous rocks are called sill
Supplementary notes:
O or sheet.
 Dykes are intrusive landforms formed when
Ocean Currents the lava makes its way through cracks and
Ocean currents are the continuous flow it solidifies almost perpendicular to the
SC

of a huge amount of water in a definite ground. These are the most commonly found
intrusive forms in the western Maharashtra
direction.
area.
 They are like river flow in oceans. The ocean
 Batholiths are a large body of magmatic
currents may be classified based on their
material that cools in the deeper depth of
depth as surface currents and deep water the crust and develops in the form of large
currents. domes. They appear on the surface only
after the denudational processes remove
GS

 They can also be classified based on

temperature. the overlying materials.

 Cold currents bring cold water into warm  Batholiths are the cooled portion of magma
water areas. chambers.

 These currents are usually found on the west

coast of the continents in the low and middle 60. Correct Option: (c)
latitudes (true in both hemispheres). Explanation:
 Examples of cold currents include  Option 1 and 4 are incorrect: Aretes
Benguela current, West wind drift, and Bergschrund are glacier erosional
Humboldt (Peru) current, California landforms.
current, Canaries current, Labrador
current, Falkland current etc. Supplementary notes:

 Warm currents bring warm water into cold Glacier Landforms

water areas and are usually observed on  Different landforms are formed by the
the east coast of continents in the low and depositional and erosional activity of
middle latitudes. glaciers.
 Examples of warm currents include  The depositional landform glacier activity
Alaska current, North Atlantic Drift, includes:
Gulf Stream, Agulhas current, Brazilian  Moraines are long ridges of deposits of
current, Kuroshio current etc. glacial till.

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 Terminal moraines are long ridges  These deposits through compaction

of debris deposited at the end of the turn into rocks. This process is called
glaciers. lithification.
 Lateral moraines form along the sides  In many sedimentary rocks, the layers of
parallel to the glacial valleys. deposits retain their characteristics even
after lithification. Hence, we see a number of
 Eskers are long, narrow sinuous
layers of varying thickness in sedimentary
ridges composed of sand and gravel
rocks like sandstone, shale etc.
which mark the sites of the former
sub-glacial meltwater streams.  Sometimes minerals or materials of different
groups are arranged into alternating thin
 Drumlins are oval, elongated low
hills formed in the direction of ice to thick layers appearing in light and dark
flow. They are commonly described shades.
as having a ‘basket of eggs’  Such a structure in metamorphic rocks
topography’. is called banding and rocks displaying
 Glacial till is an unsorted glacial deposit banding are called banded rocks.
comprising a range of eroded material  Types of metamorphic rocks depend upon
forming gently undulating drift plains. original rocks that were subjected to
metamorphism.

RE
 Erosional landforms of glacier activity
include:  Metamorphic rocks are classified into two
 Cirque is a deep, long and wide troughs major groups — foliated rocks and non-
with very steep concave to vertically foliated rocks.
dropping high walls at its head as well  Gneissoid, granite, syenite, slate, schist,
as sides. These are found at the heads of marble, quartzite etc. are some examples of
glacial valleys. O metamorphic rocks.
 Aretes are pyramidal peaks formed
when 2 cirques cut back on the 62. Correct Option: (a)
opposite side of the mountain
forming a knife-edged ridge. Explanation:
SC
 The bergschrund is a deep vertical  Statement 1 is incorrect: The sand
crack formed at the head of the content of alluvial soils decreases from
glacier when it begins to leave the the west to east especially in the plains of
snowfield of a cirque. Ganga.
Supplementary notes:
61. Correct Option: (d)
Soils of India
Explanation:
The alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy
GS


 Statement 1 is incorrect: Gabbro is an loam to clay. They are generally rich in
example of igneous rocks. potash but poor in phosphorous.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: In sedimentary  In the Upper and Middle Ganga plain,
rocks, the layers of deposits retain their two different types of alluvial soils have
characteristics even after lithification. developed, viz. Khadar and Bhangar.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Process of  Khadar is the new alluvium and is deposited
banding is related to Metamorphic rocks. by floods annually, which enriches the soil
by depositing fine silts.
Supplementary notes:
 Bhangar represents a system of older
Rocks alluvium, deposited away from the flood
 Granite, gabbro, pegmatite, basalt, plains.
volcanic breccia and tuff are some of  Both the Khadar and Bhangar soils contain
the examples of igneous rocks. calcareous concretions (Kankars).
 The word ‘sedimentary’ is derived from  These soils are more loamy and clayey in
the Latin word sedimentum, which means the lower and middle Ganga plain and the
settling. Rocks (igneous, sedimentary and Brahamaputra valley.
metamorphic) of the earth’s surface are
exposed to denudational agents, and are  The sand content decreases from the
broken up into various sizes of fragments. west to east.
 Such fragments are transported by different  The colour of the alluvial soils varies from
exogenous agencies and deposited. the light grey to ash grey.

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 Its shades depend on the depth of the  Statement 3 is incorrect: Gradation is

deposition, the texture of the materials, caused by exogenic force.
and the time taken for attaining maturity.
Alluvial soils are intensively cultivated. Supplementary notes:
 Chemically, the black soils are rich Geomorphic Process
in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina.
 The endogenic and exogenic forces causing
They also contain potash. But they lack in
physical stresses and chemical actions on
phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter.
The colour of the soil ranges from deep earth materials and bringing about changes
black to grey. in the configuration of the surface of
the earth are known as geomorphic
processes
63. Correct Option: (b)
 The earth’s surface is being continuously
Explanation: subjected to by external forces originating
within the earth’s atmosphere and by
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Cool summer is
internal forces from within the earth.
characteristic of this kind of area.
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Arid area is  The external forces are known as exogenic
caused by cold current in West coasts of forces and the internal forces are known as
the continents in tropical and subtropical endogenic forces.

RE
latitudes (except close to the equator).  The actions of exogenic forces result in
Supplementary notes: wearing down (degradation) of relief/
elevations and filling up (aggradation)
Oceanic Currents of basins/ depressions, on the earth’s
 Ocean currents have a number of direct and surface.
indirect influences on human activities.  The phenomenon of wearing down of

O
West coasts of the continents in tropical and relief variations of the surface of the
earth through erosion is known as
subtropical latitudes (except close to the
equator) are bordered by cool waters. gradation.
 Their average temperatures are relatively  The endogenic forces continuously elevate
low with a narrow diurnal and annual or build up parts of the earth’s surface and
SC
ranges. hence the exogenic processes fail to even
out the relief variations of the surface of the
 There is fog, but generally the areas are
arid. earth. So, variations remain as long as the
opposing actions of exogenic and endogenic
 West coasts of the continents in the forces continue.
middle and higher latitudes are
bordered by warm waters which cause  In general terms, the endogenic forces are
a distinct marine climate. mainly land building forces and the exogenic
GS

processes are mainly land wearing forces.

 They are characterised by cool summers
and relatively mild winters with a
narrow annual range of temperatures. 65. Correct Option: (a)
 Warm currents flow parallel to the east Explanation:
coasts of the continents in tropical and
subtropical latitudes. This results in warm  Statement 2 is incorrect: The cool air,
and rainy climates. of the high plateaus and ice fields draining
into the valley is called katabatic wind.
 These areas lie in the western margins of
the subtropical anti-cyclones. Supplementary notes:
 The mixing of warm and cold currents help Mountain and Valley Winds
to replenish the oxygen and favour the
growth of planktons, the primary food for  In mountainous regions, during the day the
fish population. slopes get heated up and air moves upslope
 The best fishing grounds of the world exist and to fill the resulting gap the air from the
mainly in these mixing zones. valley blows up the valley.
 This wind is known as the valley breeze.
During the night the slopes get cooled and
64. Correct Option: (c)
the dense air descends into the valley as the
Explanation: mountain wind.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: The reason for  The cool air, of the high plateaus and
variation in relief is endogenic force. ice fields draining into the valley is

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called katabatic wind. Another type of water, which are necessary for the
warm wind occurs on the leeward side of the growth of plants.
mountain ranges.
 Horizon B: It is a transition zone between
 The moisture in these winds, while the ‘horizon A’ and ‘horizon C’, and contains
crossing the mountain ranges condense and matter derived from below as well as from
precipitate. above. It has some organic matter in
it, although the mineral matter is
 When it descends down the leeward side
of the slope the dry air gets warmed up by noticeably weathered.
adiabatic process. This dry air may melt the  Horizon C: It is composed of the loose parent
snow in a short time. material. This layer is the first stage in the
soil formation process and eventually forms
Land and Sea Breezes
the above two layers.
 The land and sea absorb and transfer heat
differently. During the day the land heats
up faster and becomes warmer than the 67. Correct Option: (b)
sea.
Explanation:
 Therefore, over the land the air rises giving
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Dependency
rise to a low pressure area, whereas the sea
ratio represents both older people and

RE
is relatively cool and the pressure over sea
children in the population.
is relatively high.
 Thus, pressure gradient from sea to land Supplementary notes:
is created and the wind blows from the Census
sea to the land as the sea breeze. In the
night the reversal of condition takes  This ‘population explosion’ happens
place. The land loses heat faster and is
O because death rates are brought down
cooler than the sea. relatively quickly through advanced
methods of disease control, public
 The pressure gradient is from the land to health, and better nutrition.
the sea and hence land breeze results
 The rate of natural increase or the growth
SC
rate of population refers to the difference
66. Correct Option: (a) between the birth rate and the death
rate. When this difference is zero (or, in
Explanation:
practice, very small) then we say that the
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The mineral population has ‘stabilised’, or has reached
matter is noticeably weathered in the the ‘replacement level’, which is the rate
horizon B of the soil profile. of growth required for new generations to
replace the older ones that are dying out.
Supplementary notes:
GS

 Sometimes,societies can experience a

Basics of Soil formation and Soil negative growth rate – that is, their fertility
Horizons levels are below the replacement rate.
 Soil is the mixture of rock debris and organic  The dependency ratio is a measure
materials which develop on the earth’s
comparing the portion of a population
surface.
which is composed of dependents
 The major factors affecting the formation (i.e., elderly people who are too old to
of soil are relief, parent material, climate, work, and children who are too young
vegetation and other life-forms and time. to work) with the portion that is in the
working age group, generally defined as 15
 Besides these, human activities also
to 64 years.
influence it to a large extent. Components of
the soil are mineral particles, humus, water  The dependency ratio is equal to the
and air. population below 15 or above 64, divided
 The actual amount of each of these depend by population in the 15-64 age group; the
upon the type of soil. Some soils are deficient ratio is usually expressed as a percentage
in one or more of these, while there are some the growth rate of India’s population has
others that have varied combinations. not always been very high.
 Between 1901–1951 the average annual
Three horizons of soil profile are:
growth rate did not exceed 1.33%, a modest
 Horizon A: It is the topmost zone, where rate of growth. In fact between 1911 and
organic materials have got incorporated 1921 there was a negative rate of growth of
with the mineral matter, nutrients and – 0.03%.

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 This was because of the influenza epidemic Iberian Peninsula in Europe from
during 1918–19 which killed about 12.5 Morocco in Africa.
million persons or 5% of the total population
of the country.  On the northern side of the Strait there
are Spain and Gibraltar (a British overseas
 The growth rate of population territory in the Iberian Peninsula), while on
substantially increased after the southern side are Morocco and Ceuta
independence from British rule going (a Spanish autonomous city in northern
up to 2.2% during 1961-1981. Africa).
 Since then although the annual growth  Its boundaries were known in antiquity as
rate has decreased it remains one of
the Pillars of Hercules.
the highest in the developing world.
 Due to its location, the Strait is commonly
 The impact of the demographic transition
used for illegal immigration from
phase is clearly seen in the graph where
they begin to diverge from each other after Africa to Europe.
the decade of 1921 to 1931.  The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait,
historically known as the Dover Narrows,
Table: The Population of India and its
is the strait at the narrowest part of the
Growth During the 20th Century
English Channel, marking the boundary
Average

RE
Total Decadal between the Channel and North Sea,
Annual
Year Population Growth separating Great Britain from continental
Growth
(in millions) Rate (%) Europe.
Rate (%)
1901 238 — —  The Strait of Bosphorus is in Istanbul,
1911 252 0.56 5.8 Turkey. The Bosphorus is the 32 km (20-
mile)-long north-south strait that joins
1921 251 –0.03 –0.3
the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea in
1931 279 1.04 11.0
O Istanbul, and separates the continents of
1941 319 1.33 14.2 Europe and Asia.
1951 361 1.25 13.3  The Strait of Otranto connects the Adriatic
1961 439 1.96 21.6 Sea with the Ionian Sea and separates Italy
SC
1971 548 2.22 24.8 from Albania. Its width at Punta Palascìa,
1981 683 2.20 24.7 east of Salento is less than 72 km. The strait
is named after the Italian city of Otranto.
1991 846 2.14 23.9
2001 1028 1.95 21.5
2011 1210 1.63 17.7 69. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
68. Correct Option: (c) Statement 2 is incorrect: Most of the
GS


Explanation: physical weathering processes are small
and slow but can cause great damage to the
 Option (c) is correct rocks.
Supplementary notes: Supplementary notes:
Strait of Gibraltar
Chemical weathering
 A group of weathering processes viz;
solution, carbonation, hydration,
oxidation and reduction act on the
rocks to decompose, dissolve or reduce
them to a fine clastic state through chemical
reactions by oxygen, surface and/or soil
water and other acids.
 Water and air (oxygen and carbon
dioxide) along with heat must be
present to speed up all chemical
reactions.
 Over and above the carbon dioxide present
 The Strait of Gibraltar, is a narrow strait in the air, decomposition of plants and
that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the animals increases the quantity of carbon
Mediterranean Sea and separates the dioxide underground.

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 These chemical reactions on various Supplementary notes:

minerals are very much similar to the
chemical reactions in a laboratory. Boreal forests or the Evergreen forests of
the North (known as Taiga in Russia)
Physical weathering
 Region: South of the Arctic tundra
 Physical or mechanical weathering processes (discussed below); Northern latitudes
depend on some applied forces. between 50° and 60°N; Biome of this
type is not found in the south polar
 The applied forces could be: (i) gravitational
region.
forces such as overburden pressure, load
and shearing stress; (ii) expansion forces  Countries: Russia has the largest area
due to temperature changes, crystal growth (two-thirds) followed by Canada. The US
or animal activity; (iii) water pressures (Alaska) and the Scandinavian countries
controlled by wetting and drying cycles. have much less.

 Many of these forces are applied both at the Distinguishing features:

surface and within different earth materials  Largest biome.
leading to rock fracture.
 Needle leaves have a minimum surface
 Most of the physical weathering processes are area in order to minimize loss of

RE
caused by thermal expansion and pressure moisture during winter.
release. These processes are small and
slow but can cause great damage to  A main global source of industrial wood and
the rocks because of continued fatigue fibre.
the rocks suffer due to repetition of
contraction and expansion. 72. Correct Option: (d)
Explanation:
70. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
O  All statements are correct

Supplementary notes:
 Statement 2 is incorrect: This
SC
phenomenon is usually associated with Shola Forests
cloudy sky, higher night temperatures and  Shola forest is the name of a particular kind
unusual rain. of forest in South India. The characteristics
Supplementary notes: of Shola forests are:
 Type: Evergreen stunted tropical
Western cyclonic disturbances
montane forest; isolated patches
 The western cyclonic disturbances found in the valleys, separated by
GS

are weather phenomena of the winter grasslands

months brought in by the westerly flow
 Occurrence: Higher ranges of the
from the Mediterranean region.
Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu,
 They usually influence the weather of the Kerala, and Karnataka; particularly
north and north-western regions of India. in the Nilgiris.
 The western disturbance brings moisture  Name: Probably derived from the Tamil
which helps in formation of clouds. word for the grove.

 Western Rajasthan and adjoining parts  Fauna: Many threatened and endemic
of Pakistan witnesses unusually high species such as the endangered Nilgiri
temperatures. tahr, tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur
and birds such as laughing thrushes and
 Cyclonic circulation resulting from the Nilgiri woodpigeons.
western disturbances add to the intensity.
 Threat: Invasive species through
 This phenomenon is usually associated plantation and afforestation projects.
with cloudy sky, higher night
temperatures and unusual rain.
73. Correct Option: (b)
71. Correct Option: (b) Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: The system
Explanation:
is being implemented by the Ministry of
 Option (b) is correct Shipping.

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 Statement 3 is incorrect: The information systems where ocean currents move

is being used by NW-1, NW-2, Indo- warm, salty water from the tropics to
Bangladesh Protocol route, and NW-3. regions further north, such as western
It will be extended for other NW later. Europe and sends colder water south.
Supplementary notes:  As warm water flows northwards in
the Atlantic, it cools, while evaporation
LADIS – Least Available Depth increases its salt content.
Information System
 Low temperature and high salt content
 The Inland Waterways Authority increase the density of the water, causing
of India (IWAI) under Ministry of it to sink deep into the ocean. The cold,
Shipping recently launched this new dense water deep below slowly spreads
portal called ‘LADIS’ – Least Available southward.
Depth Information System.
 Eventually, it gets pulled back to the surface
 The portal will ensure that the real- and warms again, and the circulation is
time data on least available depths complete.
(LADs) is disseminated for ship and
barge and cargo owners so that they  This continual mixing of the oceans and the
can undertake transportation on the distribution of heat and energy around the
national waterways in a more planned planet contributes to the global climate.

RE
way.  Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current
 The details of the LAD will be fed into the (AMOC) ensures the oceans are continually
mixed, and heat and energy are distributed
portal by respective surveyors and regional
around Earth.
in-charge deputed with Inland Waterways
Authority of India survey vessels, which  Since the past 15 years, Atlantic meridional
constantly move on national waterways. overturning circulation (AMOC) has been
weakening — a development that could

O
The Inland Waterways Authority of India
have dramatic consequences for Europe and
has designed the portal to facilitate the day
other parts of the Atlantic rim. Warming up
to day operations of inland vessels plying
of Indian Ocean is said to be a key driver
on National Waterways and to avoid any
behind this.
hindrance in service and operation.
SC
 Warming in the Indian Ocean generates
 Initially, the information of LADs will
additional precipitation, which, in
be available for national waterway 1,
turn, draws more air from other parts
national waterway 2, Indo-Bangladesh
of the world, including the Atlantic.
Protocol route and national waterway
3, along with the date of the survey.  The higher level of precipitation in the
The facility will soon be expanded to Indian Ocean will reduce precipitation in
other national waterways as well. the Atlantic and increase salinity in the
waters.
GS

 It will enhance the credibility and efficiency

of information sharing to achieve seamless
operations on National Waterways, besides 75. Correct Option: (d)
pre-empting problems that may occur
during the movement of vessels. Explanation:
 The vessel operators and cargo owners will  All statements are correct
prepare their sailing plans strictly as per
Supplementary notes:
applicable waterways related information
(Hydrographic survey reports, River Phosphorus Cycle
Notices) available on IWAI’s website.
 Phosphorus plays a central role in aquatic
ecosystems and water quality. This is the
74. Correct option: (d) nutrient considered to be the main cause of
excessive growth of rooted and free-floating
Explanation: microscopic plants in lakes.
 Both statements are correct  Unlike carbon and nitrogen, which come
primarily from the atmosphere, phosphorus
Supplementary notes: occurs in large amounts as a mineral in
Atlantic meridional overturning phosphate rocks and enters the cycle from
circulation (AMOC): erosion and mining activities.

 It is sometimes referred to as  The main storage for phosphorus is in

the “Atlantic conveyor belt” — is one the earth’s crust. Thus it is an example
of the Earth’s largest water circulation of a sedimentary cycle.

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 Tectonic upliftment and denudational  Red clay is widely distributed to the

processes are the main processes greatest depth in all the oceans. It
responsible for the phosphorus cycle. covers about 38% of the oceans. It
covers more than half of the bottom
 On land, phosphorus is usually found in
of the Pacific Ocean.
the form of phosphates. By the process
of weathering and erosion, phosphates  Terrigenous Sources:
enter rivers and streams that transport
them to the ocean.  These sediments are continental in
origin and formed due to disintegration
 In the ocean, once the phosphorus and decomposition of continental rocks.
accumulates on continental shelves in the The size of these sediments decreases
form of insoluble deposits. After millions towards the sea.
of years, the crustal plates rise from the
seafloor and expose the phosphates on  These are further divided into Gravel,
land. After more time, weathering will Sand, Clay and Mud. Mud is further
release them from rock and the cycle’s divided into three types on the basis of
geochemical phase begins again. colour - Blue Mud, Red Mud and Green
Mud.
 It is to be noted that gaseous exchanges of
phosphorous between organisms and the  Volcanic Materials:

RE
environment are negligible as compared to  These are the brown or black materials,
the gaseous cycles like carbon or oxygen. deposited as a result of volcanic
Also, the atmospheric inputs of phosphorous eruption.
are very little

77. Correct Option: (c)

76. Correct Option: (c)
Explanation:
Explanation:
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Oozes are
associated with pelagic deposits.
O  Statement 1 is incorrect: Valleys of
Godavari and Krishna are dominated by
Black soil.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Pelagic deposits
SC
  Statement 2 is incorrect: Arid soils have
consist of Organic materials.
restricted infiltration (absorption)
Supplementary notes: capacity.

Oceanic Deposits Supplementary notes:

 The unconsolidated sediments, derived Different Types of Soils
from various sources, deposited on the
 Alluvial Soils
sea floors are known as oceanic deposits.
GS

These deposits are derived from four major  The entire northern plains are made of
sources: alluvial soil. These have been deposited
by the Indus, the Ganga and the
 Organic Materials: These are also
Brahmaputra. They are also found in the
called carbonic materials as they
deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari,
include skeletons of marine organisms
and plant remains. These materials are the Krishna and the Kaveri rivers.
grouped into two categories:  It consists of various proportions of sand,
 Neretic matter includes skeletons of silt and clay. Moving inlands towards
marine organisms and remains of plants. the river valleys, soil particles appear
It is deposited mainly on the continental somewhat bigger in size.
shelves and is generally covered by  In the upper reaches of the river
terrigenous materials. valley i.e. near the place of the break
 Pelagic matters are the remains of slope, the soils are coarse. Such
of different types of algae, and are soils are more common in piedmont
mostly in the form of liquid mud, plains such as Duars, Chos and
generally known as ooze. Terai.

 Inorganic Materials:  Black Soil

 The most important among them is the  These soils are black in colour and are
red clay. Silicates of aluminium and also known as regur soils. Black soil
Oxides of iron are the main constituents is ideal for growing cotton and is also
of the red clay. known as black cotton soil.

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 They cover the plateaus of  On the opposite side, wind starts

Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, descending along the downward slope
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and becomes warm and dry. Humidity
and extend in the south east decreases on this side and a little rainfall
direction along the Godavari and occurs. This region is thus, called Rain
the Krishna valleys. Shadow region or Leeward slope.
 Arid Soils  The best example available in
India is Mahabaleshwar (rainfall
 They are generally sandy in texture and
600 cm) and Pune (rainfall 70 cm)
saline in nature. Due to the dry climate,
in the Western Ghats region which
high temperature, evaporation is faster are separated by few kilometers
and the soil lacks humus and moisture. for heavy rainfall and rain shadow
 The lower horizons of the soil are regions respectively.
occupied by Kankar because of  Cyclonic or Frontal Rainfall:
the increasing calcium content
downwards. The Kankar layer  The rainfall caused by cyclones is called
formations in the bottom horizons Cyclonic rainfall.
restrict the infiltration of water.  This type of rainfall or snowfall generally
occurs in the temperate cyclonic

RE
78. Correct Option: (b) regions.
 Cyclonic rainfall is caused due to
Explanation: ascending of moist air and adiabatic
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Convectional cooling caused by convergence of two
rainfall is accompanied with lightning and extensive air masses of entirely different
thunder. physical properties (warm and cold air
mass).

O
Statement 3 is incorrect: More rainfall in
Mahabaleshwar than in Pune is an example  In the temperate region, warm air is
of relief rainfall. lifted upward along the front where
the westerlies and polar winds meet,
Supplementary notes: whereas cold air being heavier settles
SC
Types of rainfall down.

 Convectional rainfall:  The warm air lying over cold air is cooled
and gets saturated and condensation
 When the land surface is heated, light air begins resulting into heavy rainfall.
in its contact rises up and convectional
currents are produced.
79. Correct Option: (d)
 When this warm and moist air
reaches up to a certain height, it Explanation:
GS

becomes saturated and forms dark  Statement 1 is incorrect: Sardar Sarovar

Cumulo-Nimbus clouds, which Dam is built on Narmada River.
cause heavy rainfall. This rainfall
is accompanied with lightning and  Statement 2 is incorrect: Godavari
thunder. River rises from Trimbak Plateau of North
Sahyadri.
 This type of rainfall occurs in the
equatorial belt, especially in the  Statement 3 is incorrect: Manjira is the
zone of Doldrums and regions right bank tributary of Godavari.
having continental type of climate.
Supplementary notes:
 Orographic or Relief Rainfall:
Peninsular rivers
 When warm and moist air is obstructed
by any hill or plateau, it starts ascending  Narmada river:
along the slope of the hill or plateau and  The Narmada, also called the Rewa,
gets cooled. As a result, it gets saturated is a river in central India and the fifth
and the process of condensation starts. longest river in the Indian subcontinent.
 Rainfall occurs only when cloud droplets It is the third longest river that flows
become so large due to coalescence that entirely within India, after the Godavari,
and the Krishna.
the air becomes unable to hold them.
 The slope which faces the warm and  It originates from the hills of Amarkantak
moist wind is called the windward slope. in Madhya Pradesh. It is also known
It receives heavy rainfall. as Life Line of Madhya Pradesh for its

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huge contribution to the state of Madhya  Solstices occur because Earth’s axis
Pradesh in many ways. It forms the of rotation is tilted about 23.4 degrees
famous Dhuadhar falls. relative to Earth’s orbit around the sun.
This tilt is what drives our planet’s seasons,
 The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a gravity
dam on the river near Navagam, as the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Gujarat. Four states, Gujarat, get unequal amounts of sunlight over the
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra course of a year. From March to September,
and Rajasthan, receive water and the Northern Hemisphere is tilted more
electricity supplied from the dam. toward the sun, driving its spring and
summer. From September to March, the
 It forms the traditional boundary Northern Hemisphere is tilted away, so it
between North India and South India feels autumn and winter. The Southern
and flows westwards in the rift valley Hemisphere’s seasons are reversed.
before draining through the Gulf of
Cambay into the Arabian Sea.
 Godavari River:
81. Correct Option: (d)
 The Godavari is the second longest Explanation:
river in India after the river Ganges  All statements are correct
having its source at Trimbak Plateau

RE
of North Sahyadri. Supplementary notes:
 It is known as Dakshin Ganga or Vridha Plantation Crops:
Ganga (Old Ganga).
 Plantation crops constitute a large group of
 Major tributaries are: Manjira, Penganga, crops. The major plantation crops include
Wardha, Wainganga, Indrnvati, Sabari coconut, arecanut, oil palm, cashew,
Pranhita. O tea, coffee, cocoa, rubber, Palmyrah,
 Of these tributaries, Manjira is the betelvine; the minor plantation crops
right bank tributary of Godavari. include cocoa. Their total coverage is
comparatively less and they are mostly
confined to small holdings. However, they
80. Correct Option: (d)
SC
play an important role in view of their export
potential as well as domestic requirements
Explanation:
and in employment generation and poverty
 All statements are correct alleviation programmes particularly in
rural sector.
Supplementary notes:
 India is also the largest producer and
Solstice: consumer of cashew nuts. It is estimated
that total production of cashew is around
GS

 The summer solstice occurs at the

0.57 million tonnes from an area of 0.24
moment the earth’s tilt toward the sun is
million hectares. The cultivation of vanilla
at a maximum. Therefore, on the day of
in India started in 1990s and was confined
the summer solstice, the sun appears at its
highest elevation with a noontime position mostly to Karnataka and Kerala and to a
that changes very little for several days lesser extent in Tamil Nadu, Northeast
before and after the summer solstice. region, Lakshadweep and the Andaman
and Nicobar Islands.
 The summer solstice occurs when
the sun is directly over the Tropic of  India’s production of vanilla was about 101
Cancer, which is located at 23.5° latitude Metric Tonnes from about 27,811 hectare
North and runs through Mexico, the in 2004-05. Coconut is grown in an area of
Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, and 1.93 million ha. with a production of 12,148
southern China. For every place north of million nuts and productivity of 6285 nuts
the Tropic of Cancer, the sun is at its highest per ha. India is the third largest producer
point in the sky and this is the longest day of coconut and leads 90 coconut-producing
of the year. countries of the world.
 The winter solstice marks the shortest  It occupies number one position in arecanut
day and longest night of the year. In the production. India has been considered as a
Northern Hemisphere, it occurs when the treasure house of valuable medicinal and
sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, aromatic plant species. The Government
which is located at 23.5° south of the equator of India have identified and documented
and runs through Australia, Chile, southern over 9,500 plant species considering their
Brazil, and northern South Africa. importance in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Out of these, about 65 plants have large the geological structures are called
and consistent demand in world trade. As Insequent or Inconsequent streams.
a result, horticulture is not only an integral
 Antecedent and Superimposed streams are
part of food and nutritional security, but
the best examples of insequent drainage
also an essential ingredient of economic
system.
security.
Antecedent Streams
82. Correct Option: (d)  Antecedent Streams are those which
originated prior to the upliftment of
Explanation: land surface.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Asteroids  They maintain their present courses through
are found between the orbits of Mars and
continuously cutting down their valleys.
Jupiter.
 The Indus, Satluj, Ganga, Brahmaputra
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Comets exhibit
etc. are antecedent streams
the process of Outgassing while passing
close to the sun. Superimposed Stream
Supplementary notes:  Superimposed Stream means a river which,

RE
flows on a definite geological formation and
Comets
structure, has inherited the characteristics
 Comets are the small celestial bodies of its previous form developed on the upper
orbiting the sun, made up of dust geological formation of entirely different
and non-volatile grain and ice, while structural characteristics.
passing close to the sun it releases gas.
 Whereas Son, Chambal, Subamarekha,
 This process is called outgassing. Banas etc. are superimposed streams.

O
The mixture of ice crystals and dust blows  Like antecedent stream, superimposed
from the comet nucleus in the solar wind streams are also not adjusted to regional
creating a pair of tails. geological structures and slope and thus are
 These phenomena are due to effects of solar insequent streams.
SC
radiation and the solar winds acting upon
the nucleus of the comet.
84. Correct Option: (d)
 Many a times, comets are visible to the
naked eye and present a very spectacular Explanation:
sight.  Statement 1 is incorrect: Ria-coasts are
Asteroids formed due to submergence of uplands
carved by rivers under the sea.
Asteroids are found between the orbits
GS


of Mars and Jupiter.  Statement 2 is incorrect: The northern
part of the western coast of India is a fine
 These are celestial bodies with sizes ranging example of Ria-coasts.
from a few meters to hundreds of kilometres
of diameter, revolving around the sun. Supplementary notes:
 They have originated by the disintegration Coastline:
of the planets.
 The coastline represents the cliff-line or the
 Their estimated number is around 40,000. margin of land rising above the seawater. ]
 It lies between the seashore and the
83. Correct Option: (a) shoreline.
Explanation:  Seashore represents the zone of land
between high tide and low tide, while the
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Those streams
Shoreline represents the actual landward
which originated prior to the upliftment
limit of seawater at a given point of time.
of land surface are called Antecedent
Streams.  Sea wave continuously work to bring
changes in the coastline.
Supplementary notes:
 Due to the presence of the rocks offering
Insequent Drainage System much resistance, capes are formed and if
 The streams which do not follow the rocks do not offer much resistance, then
the regional slopes and drain across bays and gulfs are formed.

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Major types of coasts are:  The Tropic of Capricorn goes through

these countries: Brazil, Paraguay,
 Fjord Coast:
Argentina, Chile, French Polynesia,
 When glaciated upland is partially Tonga, Australia, Madagascar,
submerged under the seawater, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana
fjord coast is formed. and Namibia.

 Fjord coasts have wall like margins.  Atacama Desert, Andes mountains and
Antofagasta town are located on Tropic
 The Norway coast is a fine example of of Capricorn.
fjord coast.
 Here, we find Sogne fjord which is the
longest fjord in the world.
 Ria Coast:
 Ria-coasts are formed due to
submergence of uplands carved
by rivers under the sea. Sides of
these coasts are like walls of V-shaped
valleys.

RE
 These get deeper as one move towards
the sea.
86. Correct Option: (b)
 The northern part of the western coast of
India is a fine example of Ria-coasts. Explanation:
 Dalmatian Coast:  Option (b) is correct: Pigeon Pea is most
effective in controlling soil erosion.

parallel or concordant mountains
subsides into the front sea.
O
It is formed when the coastlines of
Supplementary notes:
Soil Erosion
 It is named after Dalmatian coast of
SC
Crotia.  Pigeon pea is predominantly a crop of
tropical areas mainly cultivated in semi-
 Dalmatian coast is a long, narrow inlet arid regions of India.
parallel to the coast.
 The pigeon pea canopy was perceived to
 The best example is Dalmatian coast of protect the soil from the direct action of the
Crotia. sun and therefore prevents the soil from
becoming hardened.

85. Correct Option: (c) According to the farmers, pigeon pea

GS


forms a canopy after one year and shades
Explanation: out obnoxious weeds by suppressing their
growth.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: It passes through
South American and African Countries and  The leaf litter covers the soil, reduces
Australia also. soil erosion, improves infiltration,
prevents heating of the soil, and
Supplementary notes: enhances earthworm activity.
Tropic of Capricorn  Crops grown on the land after pigeon pea,
and especially maize, were perceived by the
 The Tropic of Capricorn or Southern tropic
farmers to look greener, grow faster, and
is one of the five major circles of latitude
yield more.
that mark maps of the Earth.
 Rotations involving pigeon pea was often
 It is the parallel of latitude at 23 degrees
regarded by farmers as a long-term soil
26′ 22″ south of the Equator, and is the
fertility management strategy.
farthest southern latitude that the sun can
appear directly overhead, occurring on the
December solstice. 87. Correct Option: (d)
 Its northern hemisphere equivalent is Explanation:
the Tropic of Cancer.
 Option (d) is correct: All of the above
 Latitudes south of the Tropic of Capricorn factors are responsible for weather formation
are in the Southern Temperate Zone. of particular place.

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Supplementary notes: Supplementary notes:

Factors responsible for weather The Himalayan Syntaxial Bend
formation
 Himalayas take southward turn in deep
 Weather is the condition of the atmosphere knee bend flexures which are called
at a particular place over a short period syntaxial bends.
of time, whereas Climate refers to the
weather pattern, using statistical data, of  One of the bend which is at Nanga Parbat
a place over a long enough period to yield continues southward and continues
meaningful averages. upto Sulieman and Kirthar range of
Pakistan while the eastern bend at
 The most important factors affecting climate
Namcha Barwa continues southward
are :
from Arkan Yoma in Myanmar to the
 Latitude, Andaman and Nicobar Island, which is
 Altitude, submerged continuation of it.

 Distance to the ocean or sea,  Syntaxial bends were formed during tertiary
diastrophism. Diastrophic movement has a
 Orientation of mountain ranges widespread impact on the sedimentation
toward prevailing winds, pattern in the Assam Arakan basin.

RE
 Ocean current,
 Temperature, 90. Correct Option: (d)
 Atmospheric Pressure Explanation:
 Precipitation,
 All statements are correct
 Topography,
Supplementary notes:
 Rainfall.
O
Carbon Fertilization

88. Correct Option: (c)  The phenomenon of increase of carbon

dioxide in the atmosphere increases the
SC
Explanation: rate of photosynthesis in plants is known
 Both statements are correct as Carbon Fertilization or Carbon Dioxide
Fertilization.
Supplementary notes:
Effects of Carbon Fertilization:
Geomagnetism
 Increases the efficiency of water utility
 Geomagnetism is the study of the dynamics in the plants: During high concentration
of the magnetic field of the earth, which is of carbon dioxide, plants maintain narrow
GS

produced in the inner core. openings of leaf surface which protect them
 The Earth’s magnetic field is a geo-axial in water loss.
dipole, with north and south magnetic
 Plants distribute a greater proportion
poles located near the geographic poles
of photosynthate to roots under high
that undergo periodic reversals and
excursions. concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
This resulted greater root production, which
 The Sea floor spreading theory propounded increases the development of mycorrhiza
by Herry Hess explains the concept of and fixation of nitrogen in root nodules.
geomagnetism. The rocks which were It helps the plants to grow even less
formed in same geological time period nutritional soil.
were equidistant on both sides of mid-
oceanic ridge.  The reproductive biomass growth as
well as vegetative biomass growth is
 According to it, the rocks formed in a
particular geological period acquired usually increased by elevated carbon
magnetic property of the earth of dioxide.
contemporary time and moved ahead due to
spreading of the seafloor.
91. Correct Option: (b)
Explanation:
89. Correct Option: (c)
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Watermelon,
Explanation: Toris, Cucumber are some example of Zaid
 Both statements are correct Rabi crop.

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Supplementary notes: Supplementary notes:

Crops Seasons Heat Budget
 There are mainly three cropping season  The earth receives a certain amount of
in India, Kharif, Rabi and Zaid. Insolation (short waves) and gives back heat
into space by terrestrial radiation (longwave
 Kharif Season –
radiation).
 Crops are sown at the beginning of
 Through this give and take, or the heat
south-west monsoon and harvested at
budget, the earth maintains a constant
the end of the south-west monsoon.
temperature.
 Sowing Season: May to July.
 This is why the earth neither warms up nor
 Harvesting Season : September to cools down despite the huge transfer of heat
October. that takes place.
 Important Crops: Jowar, Bajra, Rice, Albedo
Maize, Cotton, Groundnut, Jute,
 Albedo can be simply defined as a
Hemp, Tobacco etc.
measure of how much light that hits a
 Rabi Season – surface is reflected back without being

RE
absorbed.
 Crops need cool climate during growth
period but warm climate during the  It is a reflection coefficient and has a value
germination of seed and maturation. less than one.
 Sowing Season: October to December  When the solar radiation passes through the
atmosphere, some amount of it is reflected,
 Harvesting Season: February to
scattered and absorbed.
April O  The reflected amount of radiation is called
 Important Crops: Wheat, Barley,
as the albedo of the earth.
Gram, Linseed, Mustard, Masoor &
Peas.  The value of albedo will be different for
different surfaces.
Zaid Season –
SC

 Albedo of different surfaces
 These Crops are raised throughout
the year due to artificial irrigation.  Because of the effect of albedo, highly
developed areas such as urban cities can
 Zaid Kharif Crops:
experience higher average temperatures
 Sowing Season: August to September than the surrounding suburban or rural
areas, a phenomenon known as the “Urban
 Harvesting Season: December-
Heat Island Effect”.
January
GS

 The higher average temperature

 Important Crops: Rice, Jowar,
can be attributed to less vegetation,
Rapeseed, Cotton, Oilseeds. higher population densities, and more
 Zaid Rabi Crops: infrastructures with dark surfaces (asphalt
roads, brick buildings, etc.).
 Sowing Season: February to March.
Variation in the net budget at the earth’s
 Harvesting Season: April-May.
surface
 Important Crops: Watermelon, Toris,
 Although the earth as a whole maintains
Cucumber & other vegetables.
a balance between the insolation and the
terrestrial radiation, this is not true what
92. Correct Option: (d) we observe at different latitudes.

Explanation:  There are variations in the amount of

insolation received at different latitudes.
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Through the
give and take of heat energy, or the heat  In the tropical region, the amount of
budget, the earth maintains a constant insolation is higher than the amount of
temperature. terrestrial radiation. Hence it is a region of
surplus heat.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Albedo can be
defined as a measure of how much light  In the polar region, the heat gain is less
that hits a surface is reflected back than the heat loss. Hence it is a region of
without being absorbed. deficit heat.

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 Thus the insolation creates an imbalance of  The general direction of the mountain range
heat at different latitudes. is from southwest to northeast. Some of the
 This imbalance is nullified to some extent important mountain peaks of the region are
by winds and ocean currents, which transfer Kangtu and Namcha Barwa.
heat from surplus heat regions to deficit
heat regions.
95. Correct Option: (b)
 This process of redistribution and balancing
of latitudinal heat is commonly known as Explanation:
Latitudinal Heat Balance.  Option (b) is correct: Dihang is not the
tributary of Brahmaputra River
93. Correct Option: (d) Supplementary notes:
Explanation: Brahmaputra River System
 Option (d) is correct: Hoyle’s concept  The Brahmaputra, one of the largest
of steady-state deals with the origin of the rivers of the world, has its origin in the
Universe.
Chemayungdung glacier of the Kailash
Supplementary notes: range near the Mansarovar lake.
From here, it traverses eastward

RE
Early theories of Origin of the Earth 
longitudinally for a distance of nearly 1,200
 One of the earlier and popular arguments km in a dry and flat region of southern
was by German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Tibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo,
Mathematician Laplace revised it in 1796.
which means ‘the purifier.’
It is known as the Nebular Hypothesis.
 The Rango Tsangpo is the major right
 The hypothesis considered that the
planets were formed out of a cloud of bank tributary of this river in Tibet.

which was slowly rotating.

O
material associated with a youthful sun,  It emerges as a turbulent and dynamic river
after carving out a deep gorge in the Central
 In 1900, Chamberlain and Moulton Himalayas near Namcha Barwa (7,755 m).
considered that a wandering star approached  The river emerges from the foothills
the sun. As a result, a cigar-shaped extension
SC
under the name of Siang or Dihang.
of the material was separated from the
solar surface. As the passing star moved  It enters India west of Sadiya town in
away, the material separated from the solar Arunachal Pradesh.
surface continued to revolve around the sun
and it slowly condensed into planets.  Flowing southwest, it receives its main
left bank tributaries, viz., Dibang or
 Sir James Jeans and later Sir Harold Sikang and Lohit; thereafter, it is
Jeffrey supported this argument. At a later known as the Brahmaputra.
date, the arguments considered a companion
GS

to the sun to have been co-existing. These

arguments are called binary theories. 96. Correct Option: (b)
Hoyle’s concept of steady-state Explanation:
 It considered the universe to be roughly the  Option (b) is correct: Energy from sun
same at any point in time. is a source for exogenic process.
 However, with greater evidence becoming
Supplementary notes:
available about the expanding universe,
the scientific community at present favours Endogenic Processes
argument of expanding the universe.
 The energy emanating from within
the earth is the main force behind
94. Correct Option: (c) endogenic geomorphic processes.
Explanation:  This energy is mostly generated by
radioactivity, rotational and tidal
 Option (b) is correct: The Himalaya region
in this quotation is Arunachal Himalayas . friction and primordial heat from the
origin of the earth.
Supplementary notes:
 This energy due to geothermal gradients and
Arunachal Himalayas heat flow from within induces diastrophism
and volcanism in the lithosphere.
 These extend from the east of the Bhutan
Himalayas up to the Diphu pass in the  Due to variations in geothermal gradients
east. and heat flow from within, crustal thickness

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and strength, the action of endogenic forces ocean rises upward from near the surface.
are not uniform and hence the tectonically Because this air moves up and away from
controlled original crustal surface is the surface, there is less air left near the
uneven. surface. Another way to say the same thing
is that the warm air rises, causing an area
of lower air pressure below.
97. Correct Option: (d)
 Air from surrounding areas with higher
Explanation: air pressure pushes in to the low pressure
 Statement 1 is incorrect: Convergent area. Then that “new” air becomes warm
boundary is formed when two plates come and moist and rises, too. As the warm air
closer to each other. continues to rise, the surrounding air swirls
in to take its place. As the warmed, moist air
 Statement 2 is incorrect: New crust is rises and cools off, the water in the air forms
destroyed in convergent boundaries, while clouds. The whole system of clouds and wind
the crust is neither generated nor destroyed spins and grows, fed by the ocean’s heat and
in transform boundaries. water evaporating from the surface.
Supplementary notes:  Storms developed in Bay of Bengal
rather move towards East Coast of
Transform Boundary India under the influence of easterlies.

RE
 Where the crust is neither produced nor In the monsoon season the disturbances
destroyed as the plates slide horizontally usually form in the north of Bay of Bengal
past each other. Transform faults are the and generally move in a north-westerly
planes of separation generally perpendicular direction. The storms developing during this
to the midoceanic ridges. period are less severe, but contribute large
rainfall over the coastal districts of Odisha,
 As the eruptions do not take all along the West Bengal and also inland areas of Bihar
entire crest at the same time, there is a
O
differential movement of a portion of the
plate away from the axis of the earth. Also,
the rotation of the earth has its effect on the
separated blocks of the plate portions.

plateau and eastern Madhya Pradesh.
Cyclones usually weaken when they
hit land, because they are no longer
being “fed” by the energy from the
warm ocean waters. However, they often
SC
Convergent Boundary move far inland, dumping many inches of
 Where the crust is destroyed as one rain and causing lots of wind damage before
plate dived under another. The location they die out completely.
where the sinking of a plate occurs is
called a subduction zone.
99. Correct Option: (a)
 There are three ways in which convergence
can occur. These are: (i) between an Explanation:
GS

oceanic and continental plate; (ii) between  Statement 2 is incorrect: Westerlies are
two oceanic plates; and (iii) between two the winds blowing from the sub-tropical
continental plates. high-pressure belts towards the sub-polar
low-pressure belts.
98. Correct Option: (c)  Statement 3 is incorrect: Polar easterlies
blow out from the Polar High-Pressure
Explanation: Belts.
 Statement 2 is incorrect: Storms Supplementary notes:
developed in Bay of Bengal move towards
East Coast of India under the influence of The Planetary Winds
easterlies.
 Within the pattern of permanent pressure
 Statement 3 is incorrect: Cyclones belts on the globe, winds tend to blow from
usually weaken when they hit land, because the high-pressure belts to the low-pressure
they are no longer being “fed” by the energy belts as the planetary winds.
from the warm ocean waters.
 Instead of blowing directly from one pressure
Supplementary notes: belt to another, however, the effect of the
rotation of the earth (Coriolis Force) tends
Tropical Cyclones in India to deflect the direction of the winds. In the
 Tropical cyclones are like giant engines that northern hemisphere, winds are deflected to
use warm, moist air as fuel. That is why their right, and in the southern hemisphere
they form only over warm ocean waters near to their left, this is known as Ferrel’s Law
the equator. The warm, moist air over the of Deflection.

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 For this reason, winds blowing out from Supplementary notes:

the Sub Tropical High-Pressure Belt in the
northern hemisphere towards the Equatorial Monsoon in India
Low become North-East Trade Winds and  Tamil Nadu coast remains dry during
those in the southern hemisphere become summer season. There are two factors
the South East Trade winds. responsible for it:
 The Tamil Nadu coast is situated parallel
to the Bay of Bengal branch of southwest
monsoon.
 It lies in the rain-shadow area of the
Arabian Sea branch of the south-west
monsoon.
 Winter monsoons do not cause rainfall
as they move from land to the sea. It is
because firstly, they have little humidity;
and secondly, due to anti cyclonic circulation
on land, the possibility of rainfall from them
reduces. So, most parts of India do not have

RE
rainfall in the winter season.
 However, there are some exceptions to it:
PC: NASA Earth Observatory
 In north-western India, some
 The westerlies are the winds blowing weak temperate cyclones from the
from the sub-tropical high-pressure Mediterranean sea cause rainfall in
belts towards the sub-polar low- Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western
O
pressure belts. They blow from southwest
to north-east in the northern hemisphere
Uttar Pradesh. Although the amount
is meagre, it is highly beneficial for rabi
and north-west to south-east in the southern crops. The precipitation is in the form of
hemisphere. The westerlies are best snowfall in the lower Himalayas. It is
developed between 40° and 65°S latitudes. this snow that sustains the flow of water
SC
These latitudes are often called Roaring in the Himalayan rivers during the
Forties, Furious Fifties, and Shrieking summer months.
Sixties.
 The precipitation goes on decreasing
 The Polar easterlies are dry, cold prevailing from west to east in the plains and
winds blowing from north-east to south- from north to south in the mountains.
west direction in Northern Hemisphere The average winter rainfall in Delhi is
and south-east to north-west in Southern around 53mm.
Hemisphere.
GS

 In Punjab and Bihar, rainfall remains

 They blow out from the Polar High- between 25mm and 18mm respectively.
Pressure Belts towards the Temperate
 Central parts of India and northern
Low-Pressure Belts. These are extremely
parts of southern Peninsula also get
cold winds as they come from the tundra
winter rainfall occasionally.
and ice-cap regions.
 Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the
north-eastern parts of India also have
100. Correct Option: (b) rains between 25mm and 50mm during
these winter months.
Explanation:
 During October and November,
 Option (b) is correct: During October
northeast monsoon while crossing over
and November, northeast monsoon while
the Bay of Bengal, picks up moisture and
crossing over the Bay of Bengal, picks up
causes torrential rainfall over the Tamil
moisture and causes torrential rainfall
Nadu Coast, southern Andhra Pradesh,
over the Tamil Nadu Coast, southern
southeast Karnataka and southeast
Andhra Pradesh, southeast Karnataka and
Kerala.
southeast Kerala.

™™™™™

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