Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Geography (04 October 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Geography

1. Consider the following statements regarding Sea floor:

1. Volcanic eruptions are common along the mid-oceanic ridges.
2. The age of the rocks decreases as one moves away from the crest.
3. The ocean crust rocks are much younger than the continental rocks.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Sea floor spreading is verified using these phenomena:

  1. It was realised that all along the mid-oceanic ridges, volcanic eruptions are common and they bring huge amounts of lava to the surface in this area. The sediments on the ocean floor are unexpectedly very thin.
  2. The age of the rocks increases as one moves away from the crest.
  3. The ocean crust rocks are much younger than the continental rocks.
  4. The sediments on the ocean floor are unexpectedly very thin.
  5. The deep trenches have deep-seated earthquake occurrences while in the mid-oceanic ridge areas, the quake foci have shallow depths.

Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

2. Consider the following statements regarding Thermosphere:

1. In thermosphere temperature decreases very rapidly with increasing height.
2. Radio waves transmitted from the earth are reflected back to the earth by this layer.
3. The space shuttle and the International Space Station both orbit Earth within the thermosphere.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The thermosphere is a layer of Earth’s atmosphere. The thermosphere is directly above the mesosphere and below the exosphere. It extends from about 90 km to between 500 and 1,000 km above our planet. This layer helps in radio transmission. In fact, radio waves transmitted from the earth are reflected back to the earth by this layer. The space shuttle and the International Space Station both orbit Earth within the thermosphere! This is also where you’ll find low Earth orbit satellites. It is called the thermosphere because temperatures can reach up to 1,500 degrees Celsius. However, despite the high temperatures, the pressure is very low, so satellites don’t suffer heat damage. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

3. Which of the following are the conditions for the emergence of a tropical cyclone?

1. Unstable condition through the Troposphere
2. Strong Coriolis force
3. Strong vertical wind
4. Large and continuous supply of warm and moist air

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) All of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Some initial conditions for the emergence of a tropical cyclone are:

  1. Large and continuous supply of warm and moist air that can release enormous latent heat.
  2. Strong Coriolis force that can prevent filling of low pressure at the centre (absence of Coriolis force near the equator prohibits the formation of tropical cyclone between 0°-5° latitude).
  3. Unstable condition through the troposphere that creates local disturbances around which a cyclone develops.
  4. Finally, absence of strong vertical wind wedge, which disturbs the vertical transport of latent heat.

4. Which of these drainage patterns is formed when streams flow in different directions from a central peak or dome like structure?

(a) Dendritic
(b) Radial
(c) Rectangular
(d) Trellis

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The Dendritic pattern develops where the river channel follows the slope of the terrain. The stream with its tributaries resembles the braches of a tree, thus the name dendritic. A river joined by its tributaries, at approximately right angles, develops a trellis pattern. A trellis drainage pattern develops where hard and soft rocks exist parallel to each other. A rectangular drainage pattern develops on a strongly jointed rocky terrain. The radial pattern develops when streams flow in different directions from a central peak or dome like Structure. Hence, option (b) is correct.

5. Most of the world’s deserts are located in the western margins of continents in the subtropics. This is because:

1. The tropical easterly winds become dry by the time they reach the western margins of the continents.
2. Presence of warm ocean currents along the western shores of continents.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

Explanation: The prevailing winds in the tropics are tropical easterly winds. The tropical easterly winds become dry by the time they reach the western margins of the continents and so they bring no rainfall. Thus, the region becomes devoid of moisture which causes dry conditions leading to formation of deserts. The presence of cold ocean currents along the western shores of continents leads to the development of high pressure over the water surface. Hence, statement 1 is correct.