IAS Prelims Exam: Physical Geography of India NCERT Questions: STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY Set 4

In terms of the questions asked in IAS Prelims Exam, the subject Geography is one of the most important subjects of UPSC IAS syllabus. The geography is scientific in its orientation and hence the IAS Aspirants having Arts background find it very difficult to prepare the geography for the IAS Prelims Exam

For the aspirants of IAS Prelims Exam, here, we have provide Multiple Choice Questions of Indian Geography which will help aspirants to gain strength during their Preparation of IAS Prelims Exam 2016

1. Which of the following is/are true about Western Ghats?

1. Western Ghats are higher in elevation compared to Eastern Ghats.
2. Western Ghats are continuous, while Eastern Ghats are discontinuous.
3.  Western Ghats are called Anaimalai hills and cardamom Hills in Kerala.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

Western Ghats are comparatively higher in elevation and more continuous than the Eastern Ghats. Western Ghats are locally known by different names such as Sahyadri in Maharashtra, Nilgiri hills in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Anaimalai hills and Cardamom hills in Kerala.

2. Which of the following is/are important ranges of Eastern Ghats?

1. Cardomom hills 
2. Javadi hills
3. Nallamalla hills

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation:

Some of the important ranges of Eastern Ghats are the Javadi hills, the Palconda range, the Nallamala hills, the Mahendragiri hills, etc. The Eastern and the Western Ghats meet each other at the Nilgiri hills. Cardomom hills lie in Western ghats.

3. Which of the following is/are true about Central Highlands?

1.  It is Classic example of relict mountains.
2. It is composed of Metamorphic Rocks.
3. Most of the tributaries of Yamuna have their origin in Central Highlands.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

Central Highlands forms the northernmost boundary of the Deccan plateau. It is a classic example of the relict mountains which are highly denuded and form discontinuous ranges. This region has undergone metamorphic processes in its geological history, which can be corroborated by the presence of metamorphic rocks such as marble, slate, gneiss, etc. Most of the tributaries of the river Yamuna have their origin in the Vindhyan and Kaimur ranges which is located in central Highlands.

4. Which of the following minerals are found in Meghalaya Plateau?

1. Uranium
2. Coal
3. Iron ore

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

Similar to the Chotanagpur plateau, the Meghalaya plateau is also rich in mineral resources like coal, iron ore, sillimanite, limestone and uranium.

5. Consider the following statements 

1. Cherapunji records high rainfall in India.
2. Cherapunji is devoid of Permanent vegetative cover even though it receives high rainfall.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation: 

Cherapunji area receives maximum rainfall from the south west monsoon. As a result, the Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapunji displays a bare rocky surface devoid of any permanent vegetation cover.

6. Consider the following statements

1. Western coastal plain are submergent and it is narrow belt.
2. Western coastal plain are devoid of deltas and kayals.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a

Explanation: 

The western coastal plains are an example of submerged coastal plain. Because of this submergence it is a narrow belt and provides natural conditions for the development of ports and harbours. The western coastal plains are narrow in the middle and get broader towards north and south. The rivers flowing through this coastal plain do not form any delta.

7. Consider the following statements

1. Eastern coastal plain does not favour development natural port.
2. Eastern coastal plain are broader and emergent.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation: 

As compared to the western coastal plain, the eastern coastal plain is broader and is an example of an emergent coast. There are well developed deltas here, formed by the rivers flowing eastward in to the Bay of Bengal. These include the deltas of the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri. Because of its emergent nature, it has less number of ports and harbours. The continental shelf extends up to 500 km into the sea, which makes it difficult for the development of good ports and harbours.

8. Which of the following is/are significance of Kayals?

1. Facilitate fishing
2. Special attraction for tourist
3. Facilitate development of natural port.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Malabar coast has got certain distinguishing features in the form of ‘Kayals’ (backwaters), which are used for fishing, inland navigation and also due to its special attraction for tourists. Every year the famous Nehru Trophy Vallamkali (boat race) is held in Punnamada Kayal in Kerala.

9. Which of the following is/are principal island groups of Bay of Bengal?

1. Ritchie Archipelago
2. Minicoy Islands
3. Barren Islands

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

The Bay of Bengal island groups consist of about 572 islands/islets. These are situated roughly between 6°N-14°N and 92°E -94°E. The two principal groups of islets include the Ritchie’s archipelago and the Labrynth Island. The entire group of island is divided into two broad categories – the Andaman in the north and the Nicobar in the south. They are separated by a water body which is called the Ten degree channel.

10. Consider the following statements 

1. Barren Island in Nicobar Islands has important highest peak of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
2. Saddle peak has the only active volcano in India.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: d

Explanation: 

It is believed that these islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains. However, some smaller islands are volcanic in origin. Barren Island, the only active volcano in India is also situated in the Nicobar Islands. Some important mountain peaks in Andaman and Nicobar islands are Saddle peak (North  Andaman – 738 m), Mount Diavolo (Middle Andaman – 515 m), Mount  Koyob (South Andaman – 460 m) and
Mount Thuiller (Great Nicobar – 642 m).

11. Which of the following is/are true about Andaman and Nicobar islands?

1. It has equatorial vegetation.
2. It is of volcanic origin and devoid of Coral deposits
3. It receives only monsoonal rainfall

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: a

Explanation:

The coastal line of Andaman and Nicobar Island has some coral deposits, and beautiful beaches. These islands receive convectional rainfall and have an equatorial type of vegetation.

12. Which of the following is/are true about Islands of Arabian Sea?

1. It is built mainly of coral deposits.
2. Eleven degree channel separates entire group into two.
3. These islands are located in Kerala and Konkan coast

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: b

Explanation:

The islands of the Arabian Sea include Lakshadweep and Minicoy. These are scattered
between 8°N-12°N and 71°E -74°E longitude. These islands are located at a distance of 280 km-480 km off the Kerala coast. The entire island group is built of coral deposits. There are approximately 36 islands of which 11 are inhabited. Minicoy is the largest island with an area of 453 sq. km. The entire group of islands is broadly divided by the Eleventh degree channel, north of which is the Amini Island and to the south of the Canannore Island.