Physical Geography and Environment
Questions covering climatology, biogeography, meteorology, geomorphology, and related physical geography topics
Questions
Temperature and rainfall data of a meteorological station is given below:
| Temperature (0°C) | Rainfall (cm) |
| J 9.4 | 122 |
| F 10.6 | 9.1 |
| M 11.7 | 7.9 |
| A 12.2 | 2.5 |
| M 13.3 | 1.0 |
| J 13.9 | 0.3 |
| J 13.9 | - |
| A 14.4 | - |
| S 15.6 | 0.8 |
| 15.0 | 2.5 |
| N 13.3 | 6.1 |
| D 10.6 | 11.7 |
Average temperature: 12.8oC
Average rainfall: 54.9 cm per annum
Identify the region having the above climatic patterns.
- Mediterranean region
- Monsoon region
- Steppe region
- N.W. European region
Sun’s halo is produced by the refraction of light in
- water vapours in Stratus clouds
- ice crystals in Cirro-Cumulus clouds
- ice crystals in Cirrus clouds
- dust particles in Stratus clouds
Consider the following statements:
- Ocean currents are slow-surface movements of water in the ocean.
- Ocean currents assist in maintaining Earth’s heat balance.
- Ocean currents are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds.
- Ocean currents are affected by the configuration of the ocean.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 and 2
- 2, 3 and 4
- 1, 3 and 4
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Consider the following statements:
- In equatorial regions, a year is divided into four main seasons.
- In Mediterranean region, summer months receive more rainfall.
- In China type climate, rainfall occurs throughout the year.
- Tropical highlands exhibit vertical zonation of different climates.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1, 2 and 4
- 3 and 4
Consider the following ecosystems:
- Taiga
- Tropical evergreen
- Tropical deciduous
- Tundra
The correct sequence in decreasing order of the albedo values of these ecosystems is
- 1, 4, 3, 2
- 4, 1, 3, 2
- 4, 1, 2, 3
- 1, 4, 2, 3
Assertion (A): The surface winds spiral inwards upon the centre of the cyclone.
Reason (R): Air descends in the centre of the cyclone.
- Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- A is true, but R is false.
- A is false, but R is true.
Consider the following climatic and geographical phenomena:
- Condensation
- High temperature and humidity
- Orography
- Vertical wind
Thunder cloud development is due to which of the above phenomena?
- 1 and 2
- 2, 3 and 4
- 1, 3 and 4
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
For short-term climatic predictions, which of the following events, detected in the last decade, is associated with occasional weak monsoon rains in the Indian sub-continent?
- La Nina
- Movement of jet stream
- EI Nino and southern oscillations
- Greenhouse effect at global level
Assertion A: The amount of moisture in the atmosphere is related to the latitude.
Reason R: The capacity to hold moisture in the form of water vapour is related to the temperature.
- Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- Both A and R are individually true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- A is true, but R is false.
- A is false, but R is true.
Assertion A: Unlike temperate forests, the tropical rainforests, if cleared, can yield productive farmland that can support intensive agriculture for several years, even without chemical fertilisers.
Reason R: The primary productivity of the tropical rainforests is very high when compared to that of temperate forests.
- Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- Both A and R are individually true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- A is true, but R is false.
- A is false, but R is true.
Which of the following cover the highest percentage of forest area in the world?
- Temperate coniferous forests
- Temperate deciduous forests
- Tropical monsoon forests
- Tropical rain forests
Where is the volcanic mountain Mount St. Helens located?
- Chile
- Japan
- Philippines
- United States of America
Where are the Balearic islands located?
- Mediterranean sea
- Black sea
- Baltic sea
- North sea
Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
- Bahamas: Nassau
- Costa Rica: San Jose
- Nicaragua: Balmopan
- Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo
Consider the following statements:
- Axis of Earth’s magnetic field is inclined at 23 and a half degree to the geographic axis of Earth.
- Earth’s magnetic pole in the northern hemisphere is located on a peninsula in Northern Canada.
- Earth's magnetic equator passes through Thumba in South India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1, 2 and 3
- 2 and 3
- 2 only
- 3 only
Consider the following statements:
- Total land area of Earth is approximately 1475 lakh square kilometres.
- Ratio of land area to water area of Earth is approximately 1 : 4.
- Maximum percentage of Earth’s water is in the Pacific Ocean.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3
- 2 and 3
- 1 only
- 3 only
In the structure of planet Earth, below the mantle, the core is mainly made up of which of the following?
- Aluminium
- Chromium
- Iron
- Silicon
A geographic area with an altitude of 400 metres has the following characteristics:
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| Average |
maximum
temp <sup>o</sup>C| 31| 31| 31| 31| 30| 30| 29| 28| 29| 29| 30| 31|
| Average
minimum
temp oC| 21| 21| 21| 21| 21| 21| 20| 20| 20| 20| 20| 20|
| Rainfall
(mm)| 51| 85| 188| 158| 139| 121| 134| 168| 185| 221| 198| 86|
If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which of the following would it most likely be?
- Moist temperate coniferous forest
- Montane subtropical forest
- Temperate forest
- Tropical rainforest
A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements:
- Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific Ocean, whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific Ocean.
- Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2