1. Which of the following lakes of India are Lagoons?
- Chilka Lake
- Pulicat lake
- Wular Lake
- Koneru Lake
- Lonar Lake
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 4
[D] Only 1, 3 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 & 4 ]
Notes:
Chilka Lake in Orissa is a Lagoon or swamp lake. Similar Lakes in Lagoon category are Pulicat Lake of Tamilnadu and Koneru Lake of Andhra Pradesh. The wular lake of Kasmir and other Himalayan lakes are known as wandering lakes.Lonar Lake which is located in Maharastra is a crater lake made by volcanic eruption, Nanital, Bhimtal, Samtal, Khurptal Punatal, these lakes which are located in Shivalik Hills are Glacier Lakes, Loktak lake is located in Manipur and is largest freshwater lake in northeastern India. Lake Pichola of Rajasthan located in Udaipur is a artificial fresh water lake. Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan located some 60-65 kms from Ajmer is largest Salt Lake in India.
2. Consider the following states:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Mizoram
- Manipur
- Nagaland
Which of the following sequences represents these states in order of their decreasing share in the length of India’s international border with Myanmar?
[A] 1 3 2 4
[B] 1 4 2 3
[C] 1 4 3 2
[D] 1 2 3 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1 2 3 4]
Notes:
Arunachal Pradesh shares the longest border with Myanmar (520 km), followed by Mizoram (510 km), Manipur (398 km), and Nagaland (258 km). Therefore, the correct descending order by border length is: Arunachal Pradesh > Mizoram > Manipur > Nagaland, justifying the sequence in option 4.
3. Which of the following is / are features of all Rainfed areas of India?
- Annual rainfall less than 350 mm
- Single crop grown in one crop year
- Scarce mineral resources
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 2
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ None of them]
Notes:
Annual Rainfall less than 350 mm would be a feature of dryland / arid regions such as desert. Many crops are grown in double cropping in rainfed areas. The rainfed areas are both mineral resources rich as well as poor.
4. Consider the following statements:
- Most rivers of the Deccan Plateau flow from west to east.
- The altitude of the Deccan Plateau is higher in the south than in the north.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Both 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
The Deccan Plateau has greater altitude in the south (over 1,000 metres) compared to the north (about 500 metres). Its general slope is from west to east, which causes most major rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna, and Tungabhadra to flow eastward. Thus, both statements are correct.
5. Which of the following statements regarding Lateritic soils in India is/are correct?
- Lateritic soils are rendered infertile by the presence of excess iron.
- In India, Lateritic soils are observed mainly in Western states.
- Lateritic soils generally have high silt/clay ratio.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
Statement 1 is correct as excess iron makes lateritic soils less fertile. Statement 2 is incorrect; in India, lateritic soils are mainly found in Southern and North-Eastern states, not Western states. Statement 3 is correct—lateritic soils are noted for a high silt to clay ratio due to intense leaching under heavy rainfall.
6. Which of the following statements correctly explain why laterite soils are not considered fertile?
- They are coarse grained and non-retentive of moisture
- They lack humus
- They are highly acidic in nature
- They have excess iron
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] 1, 2 & 3
[C] 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Laterite soils are coarse grained, non-retentive of moisture, lack humus, are highly acidic, and contain excess iron. All these characteristics reduce fertility as they limit water and nutrient retention, reduce nutrient availability, and can cause nutrient toxicity. Thus, statements 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all correct.
7. With reference to Black soils found in India, consider the following statements:
- It is of volcanic origin
- It has self-aerating properties
- It is best suitable for sugarcane and cotton
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Black soils in India are of volcanic origin, developed from basalt rocks. They have self-aerating properties due to the swelling and cracking of montmorillonite clay. These soils are highly suitable for growing crops like sugarcane and cotton, owing to their moisture retention capacity and fertility. Hence, all three statements are correct.
8. Consider the following statements:
- X is a soil known for its self-ploughing quality and the capacity to hold moisture
- Y is a soil formed by the weathering of old crystalline rocks, lacking in humus
Identify X and Y from the given options:
[A] X-Black Soil, Y-Red Soil
[B] X-Black Soil, Y-Alluvial Soil
[C] X-Red Soil, Y-Laterite Soil
[D] X-Laterite Soil, Y-Black Soil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [X-Black Soil, Y-Red Soil]
Notes:
X is Black Soil, known for its self-ploughing nature and high moisture retention, making it ideal for crops like cotton. Y is Red Soil, produced by weathering of ancient crystalline rocks and generally poor in humus and nutrients. Black Soil is widespread in the Deccan plateau; Red Soil is typical in southern and eastern India.
9. Which of the following is / are correct statements about the alluvial soils found in India?
- Alluvial soil is most common soil in India
- Alluvial soil is an in-situ soil
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:
Alluvial soils are ex-situ soils. In fact all soils of India except alluvial and some other forest soils are in-situ (formed where they are found) while alluvial is transported from somewhere else (ex-situ).
10. Consider the following statements about Kul Irrigation technique:
- The technique is most prevalent in southern India
- The method involves natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from a given area
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
First statement is incorrect because the technique is most prevalent in Himalayan region. Second statement is incorrect because the technique involves contribution to farming, which utilises kuls (diversion channels) to carry water from glacier to village.
