Physical Geography of India

NCERT Questions: STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY Set 3 ( Prelims 2016 )

geography

8 April 2016

In Civil Services IAS Exam, Geography has important place because of the large number of questions used to be asked by UPSC in IAS Prelims Exam. Particularly the subject also gives an edge to other subjects like Environment and Ecology and some parts of its syllabus also much correlation with Science and Technology.

For the aspirants of IAS Prelims Exam, here, we have provide Multiple Choice Questions of Indian Geography which will help aspirants to gain strength during their Preparation of IAS Prelims Exam 2016

1. Which of the following is/are true about Darjeeling, Shimla and Himalayas?

1. It is known for Duar formations.
2. Various types of orchids are famous here.
3. Higher reaches are inhabited by Lepcha tribes.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

The higher reaches of this region are inhabited by Lepcha tribes while the southern part, particularly the Darjiling Himalayas, has a mixed population of Nepalis, Bengalis and tribals from Central India. The ‘duar formations’ are important, which have also been used for the development of tea gardens. Sikkim and Darjiling Himalayas are also known for their scenic beauty and rich flora and fauna, particularly various types of orchids.

2. Which of the following is/are important rivers of Arunachal Himalayas?

1. Kangtu
2. Kameng
3. Subansiri

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation:

Important mountain peaks of the region are Kangtu and Namcha Barwa. Some of the important rivers are the Kameng, the Subansiri, the Dihang, the Dibang and the Lohit. These are perennial with the high rate of fall, thus, having the highest hydro-electric power potential in the country.

3. Which of the following is/are not tribal communities of Arunachal Himalayas?

1. Bhotia
2. Lepcha
3. Nagas

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.1, 2 and 3
d.None

Answer: b

Explanation:

An important aspect of the Arunachal Himalayas is the numerous ethnic tribal community inhabiting in these areas. Some of the prominent ones from west to east are the Monpa, Daffla, Abor, Mishmi, Nishi and the Nagas. Most of these communities practise Jhumming.

4. Which one of the following Himalayas is aligned in North- South direction?

a.Eastern Himalayas
b.Arunachal Himalayas
c.Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas
d.Himachal and Uttranchal Himalayas

Answer: a

Explanation:

The Eastern Hills and Mountains are part of the Himalayan mountain system having their general alignment from the north to the south direction. They are known by different local names. In the north, they are known as Patkai Bum, Naga Hills, the Manipur hills and in the south as Mizo or Lushai hills.

5. Which of the following is/are physiographic significance of Manipur?

1. Loktak lake
2. Molassis basin
3. Barak river

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

The Barak is an important river in Manipur and Mizoram. The physiography of Manipur is unique by the presence of a large lake known as ‘Loktak’ lake at the centre, surrounded by mountains from all sides. Mizoram which is also known as the ‘Molassis basin’ which is made up of soft unconsolidated deposits.

6. Consider the following statements 

1. Heavy materials of rocks and boulders deposited by river forms Bhabar.
2. Swampy and marshy land facilitating natural vegetation is Bhangar.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: a

Explanation: 

Bhabar is a narrow belt ranging between 8-10 km parallel to the Shiwalik foothills at the break-up of the slope. As a result of this, the streams and rivers coming from the mountains deposit heavy materials of rocks and boulders, and at times, disappear in this zone. South of the Bhabar is the Tarai belt, with an approximate width of 10-20 km where most of the streams and rivers re-emerge without having any properly demarcated channel, thereby, creating marshy and swampy conditions known as the Tarai. This has a luxurious growth of natural vegetation and houses a varied wild life.

7. Consider the following statements

1. Khadar is old alluvial deposits south of tarai belt.
2. Bhangar is new alluvial deposits south of Tarai belt.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: d

Explanation: 

The south of Tarai is a belt consisting of old and new alluvial deposits known as the Bhangar and Khadar respectively. These plains have characteristic features of mature stage of fluvial erosional and depositional landforms such as sand bars, meanders, oxbow lakes and braided channels.

8. Consider the following statements

1. Haryana and Delhi form water divide between Indus and Ganga river system.
2. Brahmaputra river takes 900 turn southward at Dhubri.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation: 

The states of Haryana and Delhi form a water divide between the Indus and the Ganga river systems. As opposed to this, the Brahmaputra River flows from the northeast to the southwest direction before it take an almost 90° southward turn at Dhubri before it enters into Bangladesh.

9. Consider the following statements 

1. Patlands are lavacapped flat land masses subjected to denudation for long period.
2. Karnataka plateau and Malwa plateau are examples of patlands.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

The Peninsular India is made up of a series of patland plateaus such as the Hazaribagh plateau, the Palamu plateau, the Ranchi plateau, the Malwa plateau, the Coimbatore plateau and the Karnataka plateau, etc. Patlands is local name for lava-capped flat land masses like table whose top layer is flat and resistant and slopes are very steep.

10. Which of the following is/are true about peninsular plateau?

1. Elevation of plateau is from west to east.
2. It is the oldest and most stable landmass of India.
3. It is characterised by presence of black soil in western and north western part of India.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a.Only 1
b.Only 1 and 2
c.Only 2 and 3
d.1,2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

peninsular plateau is one of the oldest and the most stable landmass of India. The general elevation of the plateau is from the west to the east, which is also proved by the pattern of the flow of rivers. The western and northwestern part of the plateau has an emphatic presence of black soil.

11. Consider the following statements 

1. Peninsular plateau has hardily undergone upliftment and submergence.
2. North western part of plateau has complex relief of ravines and gorges.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: b

Explanation:

Peninsular plateau has undergone recurrent phases of upliftment and submergence accompanied by crustal faulting and fractures. These spatial variations have brought in elements of diversity in the relief of the peninsular plateau. The northwestern part of the plateau has a complex relief of ravines and gorges. The ravines of Chambal, Bhind and Morena are some of the well-known examples.

12. Consider the following statements 

1. Deccan plateau is bordered by Delhi ridge in the North West.
2. Peninsular Plateau is bordered by Maikal range and Mahadeo hills in North.

Select the correct answer from the following codes

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:d

Explanation: 

The Deccan Plateau  is bordered by the Western Ghats in the west, Eastern Ghats in the east and the Satpura, Maikal range and Mahadeo hills in the north. Peninsular plateau is the irregular triangle. Delhi ridge in the northwest, (extension of Aravalis), the Rajmahal hills in the east, Gir range in the west and the Cardamom hills in the south constitute the outer extent of the peninsular plateau.