Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Geography (07 June 2023)

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

Subject : Geography

1. Consider the following pairs:

1. Calderas Depression by explosive volcanoes
2. Deccan Flood basalt provinces traps
3. Dykes Large dome shaped intrusive bodies
4. Plutonic Rocks Cooling at the surface

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair
(b) Only two pairs
(c) Only three pairs
(d) All four pairs

Answer: (B)

Explanation:

  • Calderas are most explosive volcanoes that when they erupt tend to collapse on themselves rather than building tall structure. Hence, pair 1 is correctly matched.
  • Flood Basalt Provinces are volcanoes that outpour highly fluid lava that flows for long distances. The Deccan trap of India, presently covering most of Maharashtra plateau, is a much larger flood basalt province. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
  • Dykes are formed when the lava makes its way through cracks and solidifies almost perpendicular to the ground. Hence, pair 3 is incorrectly matched.
  • Plutonic Rocks: The lava that is released during volcanic eruptions on cooling develops into igneous rocks. When this cooling of lava takes place in the crust results into formation of plutonic rocks. Hence, pair 4 is incorrectly matched.

2. Consider the following statements:

Statement-1: The value of gravity is greater at the poles and less at the equator.
Statement-2: Temperature, pressure and density increase with the increase in the depth of the surface inside the earth.

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1
(c) Statement-1 is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The force of gravity is not the same at different latitudes on the surface of the earth. The force of gravity is greater at the poles and less at the equator. The distance of the equator from the center of the earth is more and that of the poles is less, so the value of gravity is more at the poles than at the equator. The value of gravity varies according to the mass of the substance. The uneven distribution of substances within the earth also affects this variation. Hence, both statements are correct but Statement-2 is not the correct explanation for Statement-1.

3. Consider the following:

1. Tidal force
2. Gravitational force
3. Polar fleeing force
4. Force generated by convection currents in the mantle part.

Which of the given above force are responsible for continental drift according to Wegener?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: According to Wegener, there were two causes of continental drift:

  1. Polar Fleeing Force
  2. Tidal Force

Polar Fleeing Force is related to the rotation of the earth. The shape of the Earth is not like a perfect sphere, but it bulges at the equator. This bulge is due to the rotation of the Earth. The second force is the tidal force, which is related to the attraction of the Sun and the Moon, which causes tides in the oceans. Wegener believed that over the course of millions of years these forces became dominant and capable of displacement. Hence, option (a) is correct.

4. The earth as a whole neither accumulates heat nor loses it due to solar insolation because:

(a) Circulation of magma inside the earth and primordial heat maintain the temperature of the earth.
(b) There is a strong conventional wind current blowing in the earth’s atmosphere.
(c) Radioactive decay in the core regulates surface temperature.
(d) The earth, in turn, radiates back solar insolation received from the sun.

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The earth receives almost all of its energy from the sun. The earth, in turn radiates back to space the energy received from the sun. As a result, the earth neither warms up nor does it get cooled over a period of time. Hence, statement (b) is correct.

5. Which of the following are the important features of extratropical cylones?

1. They originate only over the seas or oceans.
2. They require a frontal system to get activiated.
3. Since, they can move only vertically above, they must be carried laterally by jet streams to be effective.

How many statements given above are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The extratropical cyclones cover a larger area and can originate over the land and sea. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
  • These cyclones have a clear frontal system which is not present in the tropical cyclones. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • The wind velocity in a tropical cyclone is much higher and is more destructive. The extratropical cyclones move from west to east, but tropical cyclones move from east to west. No jet streams are required for its movement. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.