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Past Questions
When the urban periphery grows at the cost of the inner city, it is called
A)
Suburbanisation
B)
Reurbanisation
C)
Gentrification
D)
Counterurbanisation
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
According to Weber’s industrial location theory, location of industry is determined by
A)
Transport cost
B)
Labour cost
C)
Agglomeration economies
D)
All of these
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
Which of the following best characterizes the Green Revolution?
A)
The Green Revolution relied solely on technology to increase crop yields.
B)
The Green Revolution resulted in increased biodiversity worldwide, especially in places where monocropping and high-yield varietals were prevalent.
C)
The Green Revolution was able to increase crop yields and food production in many locations throughout the world, but its impact on the environment, geopolitics, and the world economy has yet to be fully understood.
D)
There have been no major famines since the agricultural practices of the Green Revolution took hold in the 1960s
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
The term ‘population implosion’ refers to
A)
Rapid declining population
B)
Rapid increasing population
C)
Birth rate is less than death rate
D)
Birth rate and death rate are equal
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
Electoral geographers study how people in an area are likely to vote, which can be most conclusively linked to the
A)
physical landscape of the area
B)
election monitors that visit the area
C)
ballots that the people use in the area
D)
ethnicity of populations outside the area
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
_____________ patterns of rural settlements are commonly found in plain areas or wide inter montane valleys.
A)
Circular
B)
Star like
C)
Rectangular
D)
T-shaped village
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?
A)
Punjab
B)
Haryana
C)
Kerala
D)
Uttaranchal
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
The rank-size rule does not work when one considers the distribution of
A)
All of the citizens in a given country
B)
All of the cities in a given country
C)
All of the counties, provinces, or parishes within a given state
D)
All of the polities within a given region
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
Which continent has the most landlocked states?
A)
Asia
B)
Africa
C)
North America
D)
Europe
The selected option matches the standard concept or established geography definition.
The average annual temperature of the ocean water is about
A)
10oF
B)
18oF
C)
15oF
D)
6oF
There is a critical typographical error in the provided options of the exam paper. The options are listed as 'oF' (degrees Fahrenheit), but the numerical values (10, 18, 15, 6) correspond to degrees Celsius (°C). In oceanography, the average annual temperature of the world's ocean water is generally cited as approximately 15°C to 17°C (depending on whether surface or mixed-layer averages are used). Converting 15°C to Fahrenheit would result in 59°F, which is not listed. However, in the context of standard Geography/Oceanography competitive exams, the value '15' is the recognized average temperature in Celsius. Therefore, option 'c' is the intended correct answer, treating 'oF' as a typo for '°C'.
The other name for simple cylindrical projection is
A)
Cylindrical equi-distance projection
B)
Clylindrical equal area projection
C)
Natural cylindrical projection
D)
Cylindrical orthomorphic projection
In cartography, a 'Simple Cylindrical Projection' is a map projection where the parallels and meridians are represented as straight lines intersecting at right angles, forming a grid of squares (if the standard parallel is the equator). The defining characteristic of the simple cylindrical projection is that the scale along the meridians is kept true (constant) from the equator to the poles. Because the distance between parallels is maintained consistently, it is formally known as the Cylindrical Equidistant Projection (or Equi-distance projection).
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Cylindrical equal area projection: This refers to projections like the Lambert Cylindrical Equal-Area, where the spacing between parallels decreases toward the poles to maintain area proportionality.
- c. Natural cylindrical projection: This is not a standard technical term for the simple cylindrical projection; 'conformal' or 'equal-area' are the standard descriptors.
- d. Cylindrical orthomorphic projection: 'Orthomorphic' is another term for 'conformal' (shape-preserving). The most famous example is the Mercator projection, where the spacing between parallels increases toward the poles to preserve angles, unlike the simple cylindrical projection.
Which of the following is a probability sampling method?
A)
Purposive
B)
Systematic
C)
Snow ball
D)
Convenience
In statistics, sampling methods are broadly divided into two categories: Probability Sampling and Non-Probability Sampling.
1. Probability Sampling: Every member of the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected. This ensures the sample is representative and allows for statistical generalization. Examples include Simple Random Sampling, Stratified Sampling, Cluster Sampling, and Systematic Sampling.
2. Non-Probability Sampling: Selection is based on non-random criteria (like convenience or judgment), meaning not every individual has a chance of being included. This is often used for exploratory research.
Analyzing the options:
- a. Purposive Sampling: A non-probability method where the researcher chooses participants based on specific characteristics.
- b. Systematic Sampling: A probability method where elements are selected from an ordered sampling frame using a fixed, periodic interval (e.g., every 10th person). Since the starting point is random and the interval is fixed, it is a probability method.
- c. Snowball Sampling: A non-probability method used when populations are hard to reach; existing subjects recruit future subjects from among their acquaintances.
- d. Convenience Sampling: A non-probability method where the sample is taken from a group that is easy to contact or reach.
Population density can be shown accurately by
A)
Choropleth maps
B)
Isopleth maps
C)
Dot maps
D)
Flow diagram
Population density refers to the distribution of people over a specific area. To determine the most accurate method for showing this, we evaluate the options:
1. **Dot maps (Correct):** These are the most accurate for showing population distribution and density because they represent individual units (e.g., 1 dot = 1,000 people). They show exactly where people are located within a region, revealing clusters and voids, rather than averaging the population over an entire administrative unit.
2. **Choropleth maps (Incorrect):** These use shading or coloring to represent data. However, they rely on pre-defined administrative boundaries (like districts). This creates a 'uniformity fallacy,' where the entire district is shaded one color, implying the population is spread evenly across that area, which is rarely true.
3. **Isopleth maps (Incorrect):** These use lines to connect points of equal value (like contour lines). While they can be used for population density, they require a high density of precise data points and involve interpolation, making them less 'accurate' for raw population distribution than dot maps.
4. **Flow diagrams (Incorrect):** These are used to show the movement of objects or people from one location to another (e.g., migration), not the static density of a population in a given area.
‘The number eight is half of sixteen’ is an example for
A)
Nominal scale
B)
Ratio scale
C)
Ordinal scale
D)
Interval scale
To determine the correct scale of measurement, we must analyze the mathematical relationship described in the statement: 'The number eight is half of sixteen'. This statement describes a proportional relationship (a ratio).
1. **Ratio Scale**: This is the most informative scale. It possesses all the properties of the interval scale (ordered categories and equal intervals) but also has a 'true zero' point. Because there is a true zero, we can meaningfully say that one value is 'twice as much' or 'half' of another. In this case, 8 is exactly 0.5 times 16, which is a ratio operation.
2. **Nominal Scale**: This is used for labeling variables without any quantitative value (e.g., Gender, Color). It cannot support mathematical operations like 'half'.
3. **Ordinal Scale**: This involves ranking or ordering (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd). While it shows which is larger, it does not specify the exact distance between values, so you cannot say one is 'half' of another.
4. **Interval Scale**: This has ordered categories with equal distances between them (e.g., Temperature in Celsius). However, it lacks a true zero point. Because zero is arbitrary in an interval scale, ratios are not meaningful (e.g., 20°C is not 'twice as hot' as 10°C).
Since the statement explicitly uses a proportional relationship ('half'), it must be a Ratio scale.
G layer is found in
A)
Mesosphere
B)
Ionosphere
C)
Exosphere
D)
Stratosphere
The G layer (also known as the G region) is a specific layer of ionized gas found within the Ionosphere. The Ionosphere is a region of the upper atmosphere (extending from approximately 60 km to 1,000 km) where solar radiation strips electrons from atoms, creating a layer of ions and free electrons. This region is further subdivided into several layers based on electron density and altitude, typically categorized as the D, E, and F layers (with F often split into F1 and F2). In some specialized atmospheric models and older literature regarding ionospheric plasma, the 'G layer' refers to the higher reaches of the ionosphere/thermosphere transition.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Mesosphere: This is the layer below the ionosphere (roughly 50-85 km) where temperatures decrease with height; it does not contain the G layer.
- Exosphere: This is the outermost fringe of the atmosphere where molecules are so sparse they can escape into space; it is beyond the primary ionized layers.
- Stratosphere: This is the layer containing the ozone layer (roughly 10-50 km), characterized by temperature inversion, and is far too low to contain the ionized G layer.
Which of the following is an example for epeirogenetic movement?
A)
Subsidence
B)
Landslide
C)
Soil creep
D)
Mudflow
Epeirogenetic movements (from the Greek 'epieros' meaning continent and 'genesis' meaning origin) are large-scale vertical movements of the Earth's crust. Unlike orogenic movements, which cause folding and faulting to create mountains, epeirogenetic movements result in the broad uplift or subsidence of continental masses without significant deformation of the rock strata.
1. **Subsidence (Option a):** This is a primary example of epeirogenetic movement. It refers to the downward sinking of a large area of the Earth's crust, which can lead to the formation of basins or the flooding of land by the sea.
2. **Landslide (Option b):** This is a mass wasting process caused by gravity, occurring on a local scale, not a tectonic movement of the crust.
3. **Soil creep (Option c):** This is the slowest form of mass wasting where soil moves downslope incrementally; it is a surface process, not a crustal movement.
4. **Mudflow (Option d):** This is a rapid form of mass wasting involving a mixture of debris and water; it is an external geomorphic process, not an internal tectonic movement.
Which of the following factors affects the distribution of insolation?
A)
Transparency of atmosphere
B)
Vegetation
C)
Soils
D)
Water bodies
Insolation (Incoming Solar Radiation) refers to the solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface. The distribution and intensity of insolation are primarily governed by factors that determine how much radiation is intercepted, reflected, or absorbed before reaching the surface.
1. **Transparency of the Atmosphere (Correct):** This is a critical factor. The atmosphere contains gases, water vapor, and aerosols (dust, smoke). If the atmosphere is transparent (clear), more solar radiation reaches the surface. If it is opaque (cloudy or polluted), a significant portion of insolation is reflected back into space or absorbed, thereby directly affecting the distribution of energy on the ground.
2. **Vegetation, Soils, and Water bodies (Incorrect):** While these factors are extremely important in Climatology, they affect the **Albedo** (reflectivity) and the **Heat Budget** (how the surface absorbs and re-emits heat) *after* the insolation has already arrived. They influence the 'surface temperature' and 'terrestrial radiation,' but they do not determine the 'distribution of incoming solar radiation' itself, as that is determined by astronomical factors (angle of sun, duration of daylight) and atmospheric conditions.
The dominant chemical constituents in ‘Sima’
A)
Silica and magnesium
B)
Silica and manganese
C)
Silica and ferrium
D)
Silica and aluminium
The term 'Sima' is a portmanteau derived from the dominant chemical components of the Earth's lower crust and upper mantle. It is composed of 'Si' (Silica) and 'Ma' (Magnesium). Sima rocks, such as basalt, are denser and richer in iron and magnesium compared to the continental crust.
Breakdown of options:
- Option (a) Silica and magnesium: Correct. This defines the composition of the Sima layer.
- Option (b) Silica and manganese: Incorrect. Manganese is a trace element, not a primary constituent of the Sima layer.
- Option (c) Silica and ferrium: Incorrect. While iron (ferrum) is present in Sima rocks, the standard geological nomenclature for the 'Sima' layer specifically highlights Magnesium.
- Option (d) Silica and aluminium: Incorrect. This describes 'Sial' (Si + Al), which constitutes the upper continental crust.
The upper surface of the ground water in an unconfined aquifer is known as
A)
Ground water table
B)
Ground surface
C)
Aquifer
D)
Aquiclude
In hydrology, an unconfined aquifer is one where the upper boundary is the water table, which is at atmospheric pressure. The 'Ground water table' (or simply water table) is defined as the upper surface of the zone of saturation. Above this level is the unsaturated zone (vadose zone), and below it is the saturated zone.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Ground surface: This refers to the actual top layer of the earth's crust (soil/rock), which is usually above the water table.
- c. Aquifer: This is the general term for a geological formation (rock or sediment) that can store and transmit groundwater; it is the entire body, not just the upper surface.
- d. Aquiclude: This is an impermeable body of rock or clay that prevents the flow of groundwater; it acts as a barrier rather than a surface level.
Frequency distributions are mostly used for the analysis of
A)
Qualitative data
B)
Quantitative data
C)
Both qualitative and quantitative data
D)
None of these
A frequency distribution is a tabular summary of data showing the number (frequency) of items in each of several non-overlapping classes.
1. Quantitative Data: Frequency distributions are commonly used for numerical data. For example, in a 'grouped frequency distribution,' continuous data (like height or weight) is divided into intervals (classes), and the number of observations falling into each interval is recorded.
2. Qualitative Data: Frequency distributions are also used for categorical or nominal data. For example, if a researcher records the eye color of 100 people, the distribution would list the categories (Blue, Brown, Green) and the frequency (count) of people in each category. This is often referred to as a 'categorical frequency distribution.'
Since frequency distributions are a fundamental tool for organizing and summarizing both types of data to identify patterns, the correct answer is both qualitative and quantitative data.
Which of the following is a purposive sampling method?
A)
Snow ball
B)
Random
C)
Stratified
D)
Systematic
In statistics and research methodology, sampling methods are broadly divided into two categories: Probability Sampling and Non-Probability Sampling.
1. **Purposive Sampling** (also known as judgmental or selective sampling) is a type of **Non-Probability Sampling** where the researcher relies on their own judgment when choosing members of the population to participate in the study. The goal is to select a sample that is most representative or useful for the specific purpose of the research.
2. **Snowball Sampling** (Option a) is a specific form of purposive sampling. It is used when the target population is hard to reach (e.g., homeless people, people with rare diseases). The researcher finds one or two participants and then asks them to refer other people they know who meet the criteria. Because the selection is based on specific characteristics and referrals rather than random chance, it is a purposive/non-probability method.
3. **Random Sampling** (Option b), **Stratified Sampling** (Option c), and **Systematic Sampling** (Option d) are all types of **Probability Sampling**. In these methods, every member of the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected, which eliminates researcher bias and allows for statistical generalization to the whole population.
Scanner resolution is expressed in
A)
DPI
B)
DPF
C)
DIP
D)
DPM
Scanner resolution refers to the level of detail an optical scanner can capture from a document or image. It is measured in DPI, which stands for 'Dots Per Inch'. This metric indicates the number of individual dots of ink or pixels that a scanner can place or read within a linear inch. A higher DPI value means the scanner can capture finer details, resulting in a higher-resolution image.
Analysis of other options:
- b. DPF: This is not a standard unit for scanner resolution (though PDF is a file format, DPF is not a resolution metric).
- c. DIP: This typically refers to 'Dual In-line Package' in electronics or 'Dots per Inch' in some very specific legacy contexts, but DPI is the universal industry standard for scanners.
- d. DPM: This is not a recognized unit for measuring scanner resolution.
Which method is ideal to represent statewise population data ?
A)
Dot
B)
Choropleth
C)
Isopleth
D)
Spehere
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The question asks for the ideal method to represent 'statewise population data'. This implies the data is aggregated by administrative boundaries (polygons). 2. Population data for a state is typically expressed as a density (people per square km) or a percentage to make it comparable across states of different sizes. 3. A Choropleth map uses different shades of colors or patterns to represent these predefined areas (states), making it the standard tool for displaying thematic data aggregated by administrative units. 4. Analysis of other options: (a) Dot maps are used to show the distribution of individual occurrences or precise locations, not aggregated state totals. (c) Isopleth maps are used for continuous data (like temperature or altitude) where lines connect points of equal value, not for discrete administrative boundaries. (d) Sphere (or Proportional Symbols) can show totals, but for 'statewise' comparative analysis of density or distribution, Choropleth is the ideal cartographic method.
Thermal lows in the continental areas are due to
A)
Intense daytime heating
B)
Intense daytime cooling
C)
Intense night time heating
D)
Intense night time cooling
A thermal low is a low-pressure area that develops over a landmass due to the heating of the surface. Land surfaces have a lower specific heat capacity than water, meaning they heat up much more rapidly during the day. When the land surface becomes intensely heated, it warms the overlying air. This warm air expands, becomes less dense, and rises (convection). As the air rises, it creates a deficit of air molecules at the surface, resulting in a drop in atmospheric pressure, which is termed a 'thermal low'.
- Option (b) is incorrect because cooling leads to air contraction and sinking, which creates high pressure (thermal highs).
- Option (c) is incorrect because heating does not occur during the night; the surface radiates heat away.
- Option (d) is incorrect because intense nighttime cooling leads to the formation of cold-core high-pressure systems (e.g., the Siberian High in winter).
Which profile gives panoramic effect?
A)
Composite profile
B)
Projected profile
C)
Serial profile
D)
Superimposed profile
In cartography and terrain analysis, a 'Serial Profile' (also known as a series of profiles) consists of several cross-sections drawn parallel to each other and plotted one behind the other. When these profiles are viewed together, they create a three-dimensional, panoramic effect of the landscape, allowing the observer to visualize the overall relief and undulating nature of the terrain.
Comparison with other options:
- Composite profile: This is a single profile that combines data from different sources or represents an average, but it does not provide a panoramic 3D effect.
- Projected profile: This refers to the projection of a profile onto a specific plane, typically used for mapping specific slopes or elevations, not for panoramic visualization.
- Superimposed profile: This involves overlaying two or more profiles on top of each other to compare changes over time or different variables (e.g., comparing a river bed profile from 1990 vs 2020), which obscures the panoramic view of the landscape.