11. Tornadoes are characterized by:
- High speed winds
- Hail, rain and severe thunderstorms
- Low pressure area at centre
Select the correct option from codes given below:
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 & 3 Only
[C] 1 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
A tornado is characterized by rotating air that often contains dust and debris and quickly spirals. It has low pressure area at centre and brings severe rain with thunderstorms.
12. Which Heat Zone is being described based on the following characteristics:
- The Sun is never directly overhead.
- Climate is mild, typically ranging from warm to cool.
- Four distinct annual seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—occur in this region.
Select the correct answer from the options given below:
[A] Torrid Zone
[B] Torrid as well as Frigid Zone
[C] Frigid Zone
[D] Temperate Zone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Temperate Zone]
Notes:
The Temperate Zone is recognized by four well-defined seasons, a mild climate with temperature variations, and the Sun never being directly overhead. Unlike the Torrid Zone, which is hot, and the Frigid Zone, which is very cold with little seasonal variation, the Temperate Zone offers moderate weather patterns, making option 4 the correct answer.
13. Consider the following statements:
- Latosols are the soils of humid tropical and equatorial regions.
- Podzol soils are associated with the regions of cool humid climate with a fairly well-distributed rainfall.
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:
Both Latosols and Podzol soils are correctly matched to their climatic zones. Latosols develop in humid tropical and equatorial regions due to intense weathering and leaching. Podzols are found in cool, humid climates with ample rainfall, typically under coniferous forests, characterized by significant leaching and horizon differentiation due to acidic organic matter.
14. Consider the following statements about Tsunamis:
- Tsunamis are tidal waves
- They are much more frequent in the Pacific Ocean
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: B [2 Only]
Notes:
Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the ocean water. A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are not tidal waves. Tsunamis are much more frequent in the Pacific Ocean.
15. Which of the following is/are correct about soil present in the taiga region?
- The soil is young and little developed
- Poor in nutrients
- Acidic in nature
Select the correct option from codes given below:
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The soil is acidic in nature due to the falling pine needles; the forest floor has only lichens and some moss growing on it. Leaching of soils results in infertility of soil as minerals are washed away in the lower horizons. This leaching of the minerals makes them inaccessible to the tree roots.
16. Which of the following are sources of Earth’s internal heat?
- Radio-active decay
- Gravitation
- Orbital characteristics of the Earth-Moon & Earth-Sun system
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 & 2
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] 1 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 & 2]
Notes:
Earth’s internal heat is mainly derived from radioactive decay and residual heat due to gravitational accretion. Radioactive decay produces about 80% of Earth’s heat, while gravitational energy from accretion accounts for about 20%. Orbital characteristics contribute to tidal energy, not Earth’s internal heat.
17. Consider the following geographical features and their respective location:
- The Coral Triangle – Indo-Pacific
- Sargasso Sea – Atlantic
- Cape Whale Coast – Arctic
Which of the above is/are correct?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 3 Only
[C] 2 & 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ 1 & 2 Only ]
Notes:
The Coral Triangle is a geographical area in the Indo-Pacific region which refers to a roughly triangular area of the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor. The region is famous for reef-building corals. Cape Whale Coast is a place in the Atlantic Ocean that can easily be called ‘Heaven on Earth’. The Sargasso Sea is a region in the gyre in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the only sea on Earth which has no coastline.
18. Consider the following statements regarding the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS):
- It is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
- It shares a small territory in North East India.
- The region is marked by subsistence or near-subsistence agricultural lifestyles.
- The GMS possesses considerable coal, oil and gas reserves.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1, 3 and 4
[C] Only 1, 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 3 and 4]
Notes:
Statements 1, 3, and 4 are correct: the GMS is a recognized biodiversity hotspot, its economy is heavily based on subsistence agriculture, and it holds significant reserves of coal, oil and gas. However, statement 2 is incorrect, as the GMS covers major parts of Southeast Asia and does not extend into North East India.
19. Consider the following countries:
- Bolivia
- Madagascar
- South Africa
Through which of the above does the Tropic of Capricorn pass?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 3
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] 1, 2 & 3
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Tropic of Capricorn passes through Madagascar and South Africa, but not through Bolivia. Although Bolivia is close to the Tropic of Capricorn, it lies entirely north of this latitude. Hence, only Madagascar and South Africa are correct.
20. Consider the following statements regarding the Coriolis Force:
- The Coriolis force is an apparent force caused by the Earth’s rotation and revolution.
- It is responsible for the deflection of winds towards the right in the Northern Hemisphere and towards the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
- It causes the deflection of the south-east trade winds which enter the Indian Peninsula as the south-west monsoon.
Which of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2 and 3]
Notes:
The Coriolis force is caused by the Earth’s rotation, not its revolution, hence statement 1 is incorrect. It is indeed responsible for wind deflection towards the right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as for the deflection of south-east trade winds entering India as the south-west monsoon (statements 2 and 3 are correct).
