Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Geography (23 August 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 Plate tectonics:

1. Plate tectonics theory is contrary to continental drift theory.
2. It is the theory that Earth’s outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle.
3. The driving force behind plate tectonics is convection in the mantle.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Plate tectonics is the modern version of continental drift, a theory first proposed by scientist Alfred Wegener in 1912. Wegener didn’t have an explanation for how continents could move around the planet, but researchers do now. Plate tectonics is thus said to be the unifying theory of geology. The driving force behind plate tectonics is convection in the mantle. Hot material near the Earth’s core rises, and colder mantle rock sinks. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

2. The energy emanating from within the earth is the main force behind endogenic geomorphic processes. This energy is mostly generated by:

1. Radioactivity inside the earth
2. Tidal friction
3. Primordial heat from the origin of the earth

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The energy emanating from within the earth is the main force behind endogenic geomorphic processes. This energy is mostly generated by radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction and primordial heat from the origin of the earth. Hence, all are correct.

3. Air closer to the Earth’s surface is heavier because of:

(a) High air pressure at lower atmosphere
(b) Jet air circulation in upper atmosphere
(c) Gravitational forces acting on air
(d) None of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of the atmosphere pushing down on itself and on the surface below it. Atmospheric pressure decreases with height above the surface of a planet because there is less total mass in the atmosphere above a reference point as the height of the reference point increases. This is explained by the heaviness of air closer to the earth. Air is heaviest at sea level because the air molecules are pressed together due to gravity. Hence, option (c) is correct.

4. Consider the following statements:

1. The ideal conditions for the formation of dew are clear sky, calm air, high relative humidity, and cold and long nights.
2. For the formation of the frost, dew point should be at or above the freezing point.
3. For the formation of dew, dew point should be below the freezing point.

How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Answer: (A)

Explanation: When the moisture is deposited in the form of water droplets on cooler surfaces of solid objects, it is known as dew. The ideal conditions for its formation are clear sky, calm air, high relative humidity, and cold and long nights. For the formation of dew, it is necessary that the dew point is above the freezing point. Frost forms on cold surfaces when condensation takes place below freezing point, i.e. the dew point is at or below the freezing point. The excess moisture is deposited in the form of minute ice crystals instead of water droplets. Hence, only statement 1 is correct.

5. Consider the following statements:

1. The number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea before and after the monsoon has increased over the years and is attributed to climate change.
2 The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea generates half of the world’s cyclones.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

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

Answer: (B)

Explanation: The IPCC report shows that the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea before and after the monsoon has increased over the years and is attributed to climate change. The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea generate only 7 per cent of the world’s cyclones. However, their impact are huge as some of the most densely populated regions of the world, including some mega-cities, are susceptible. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.