Author: Dr V

Pre 2013

It was one of those papers where 40% questions were not doable. 40% logic and common sense

1. Consider the following pairs:

1. Nokrek Bio-sphere Reserve : Garo Hills
2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake : Barail Range
3. Namdapha National Park : Dafla Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

• Map based very difficult question but hills of industry very important. Just go through the map once
• Nokrek highest peak in Garo. See, next year, highest peak in Nagaland was asked. Still very difficult

2. Consider the following pairs about parks and rivers passing through them:

1. Corbett National Park: Ganga
2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas
3. Silent Valley National Park: Kaveri

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3
4. None

• Again difficult question.
• Manas flows through Manas national park if you remember the name
• Ganga’s route important. It does not pass through Corbett
• Silent valley in Nilgiris / kerala
• All calculated guesses would result in wrong answer to this question

3. In which of the following States is lion-tailed macaque found in its natural habitat?

1. Tamil Nadu
2. Kerala
3. Karnataka
4. Andhra Pradesh

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Very difficult again

4. Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/characteristics of equatorial forests?

1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
2. Coexistence of a large number of species
3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Simple NCERT/ G.C.Leong
• Dense forest – Continuous canopy, sunlight does not reach the surface, so epiphytes
• 2nd is true. Great divetsity, so much rain and sun

5. Consider the following fauna of India:

1. Gharial
2. Leatherback turtle
3. Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

Very difficult

6. Consider the following

1. Star tortoise
2. Monitor lizard
3. Pygmy hog
4. Spider monkey

Which of the above found in India?

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Very difficult

7. Consider the following animals:

1. Sea cow
2. Sea horse
3. Sea lion

Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Biology question. Sea horse is a fish..

8. Mycorrhizal biotechnology has been used in rehabilitating degraded sites because mycorrhiza enables the plants to

1. resist drought and increase absorptive area
2. tolerate extremes of PH
3. Resist disease infestation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Increase surface area. Mycorrhiza is given in NCERT
• All are true

9. Consider the following organisms

1. Agaricus
2. Nostoc
3. Spirogyra

Which of the above is / are used as biofertilizer / biofertilizers

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Very difficult again. Biofertilizer is an important topic. Remember the names of organisms.

10. Which of the following adds / add nitrogen to the soil?

1. Excretion of urea by animals
2. Burning of coal by man
3. Death of vegetation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Coal burning will release CO2. May be some nitrogen impurities buy that would also be release as oxides no addition to the soil
• Urea contains nitrogen
• Vegetation also contain nitrogen, carbon etc. So all of them would be added to the soil

11. Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in

1. desert margins, liable to strong wind action
2. low flat plains, close to stream courses, liable to flooding
3. scrublands, liable to spread of weed growth
4. None of the above

• NCERT
• Contour bunding, terrace farming to prevent soil erosion in hilly areas

12. With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of sugar industry, which of the following statements is / are correct?

1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
2. Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• 1 and 3 are common knowledge. Bagasse cogeneration
• 2nd statement is about chemical fertiliser – bagasse is organic

13. Due to improper / indiscriminate disposal of old and used computers or their parts, which of the following are released into the environment as e-waste?

1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
4. Heptachlor
5. Mercury
6. Lead
7. Plutonium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
2. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 only
3. 2, 4, 5 and 7 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

• 7th statement plutonium. Heavy metal, not found in nature. By product of fission. Used in nuclear bombs.
• Eliminate it and reach the answer

14. Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India?

1. Arsenic
2. Sorbitol
3. Fluoride
4. Formaldehyde
5. Uranium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2, 4 and 5 only
3. 1, 3 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

• You would similarly want to eliminate uranium but uranium is found in nature. Problem in Punjab. So don’t eliminate it
• Sorbitol is like glucose not a pollutants

15. Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?

1. Engineering
2. Paper and pulp
3. Textiles
4. Thermal power

Thermal power plant requires lots and lots of water plus so much electricity in India by thermal.

16. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by

1. carbon dioxide and nitrogen
2. carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
3. ozone and carbon dioxide
4. nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide

• Simple. Very simple. NCERT. NIOS
• Nitric acid and sulphuric acid
• Co2 is as such present in environment in large quantity

17. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among

1. NO2, 03 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
2. CO, 02 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
3. CO, CO2 and N02 at low temperature
4. High concentration of N02, O3 and CO in the evening

• Simple, very simple
• Photo means sunlight, 3 and 4 eliminated.
• If there is peroxylnitrate, there has to be oxides of nitrogen also

18. With reference to food chains in ecosystems, consider the following statements:

1. A food chain illustrates the order in which a chain of organisms feed upon each other.
2. Food chains are found within the populations of a species.
3. A food chain illustrates the numbers of each organism which are eaten by others.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

• 1st statement true
• 2nd false, members of same species do not eat each other. Tigers do not eat tiger
• Include 1, exclude 2

19. Which one of the following terms describes not only the physical space occupied by an organism, but also its functional role in the community of organisms?

1. Ecotone
2. Ecological niche
3. Habitat
4. Home range

Simple. Very simple. NCERT

20. With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is / are known as decomposer organism/organisms?

1. Virus
2. Fungi
3. Bacteria

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Viruses are intracellular. They do not decompose anything.

21. In the grasslands, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of

1. insects and fungi
2. limited sunlight and paucity of nutrients
3. water limits and fire
4. None of the above

Simple – think of savannah

22. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of ecosystems in the order of decreasing productivity?

1. Oceans, lakes, grasslands, mangroves
2. Mangroves, oceans, grasslands, lakes
3. Mangroves, grasslands, lakes, oceans
4. Oceans, mangroves, lakes, grasslands

• Ocean can not have highest productivity. So much of ocean area has no producers.
• Eliminate 1 and 4.
• Among lakes and oceans, obviously lakes would have higher productivity.
• Mangroves, coral reefs have very high productivity

 

Pre 2014

1. Which one of the following is the process involved in photosynthesis?

1. Potential energy is released to form free energy
2. Free energy is converted into potential energy and stored
3. Food is oxidized to release carbon dioxide and water
4. Oxygen is taken, and carbon dioxide and water vapour are given out

• Simple. Photosynthesis is the process of food making in plants using co2 and sunlight which also releases oxygen. So obviously energy is being stored in the form of food I. E free energy of sun covered into potential energy
• Anyway option 3 and 4 are the same. O2 uptake, co2 and water release. Obviously both the options can not be true.
• Option a and b are contradictory, one has to be true

2. Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

1. Volcanic action
2. Respiration
3. Photosynthesis
4. Decay of organic matter

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Sort of internal repeat.
• In the 1st question, we discussed photosynthesis leads to co2 being converted into food I. E, it takes out co2 from the carbon cycle not adds to it.
• Eliminate 3, now look at 1, volcanic action leads to release of co2, so2 etc.
• Eliminate 3, include 1

3. In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following?

1. Terrace cultivation
2. Deforestation
3. Tropical climate

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• 2 is easily true. Deforestation does lead to soil erosion even kids know that.
• 1 is clearly wrong. Terrace farming is used to stop soil erosion in mountains/ hilly areas.
• Include 2, exclude 1

4. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of

1. algae and bacteria
2. algae and fungi
3. bacteria and fungi
4. fungi and mosses

• Ridiculously easy, NCERT
• Covered In titbit

5. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of

1. biosphere reserves
2. botanical gardens
3. national parks
4. wildlife sanctuaries

• Ridiculously easy
• Covered in titbit
• Biosphere reserve programme name itself is UNESCO Man and biosphere reserve.

6. With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities, in those zones except agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. none

• Statement 2, all kind of activities except agriculture, sweeping statement, red flag, pause and think. Obviously agriculture is prohibited first. scientific research, tourism in buffer zone etc would be allowed
• Statement 1, it’s eco sensitive zone not wild life protection zone, so would be constituted under environment protection act not wild life protection act

7. Consider the following pairs

1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram
2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim
3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland

Which of the above pairs is /are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Very difficult, just remember these locations in case one of the option is repeated
• Gumti is in Tripura
• Saramati is infact highest peak in Nagaland

8.

Wetlands	Confluence of rivers
1. Harike Wetlands	Beas and Satluj/Sutlej
2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park	Banas and Chambal
3. Kolleru Lake	Confluence of Musi and Krishna

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Harike is easy. You must know it. Bhakhra nangal and other related dam projects
• Questions on keoladeo have been asked before. Chambal flows on rajasthan – M.P. border. Bharatpur is far away
• Kolleru has also been asked before, very famous, Krishna and Kaveri

9. Which of the following have coral reefs?

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
2. Gulf of Kutch
3. Gulf of Mannar
4. Sunderbans

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Sunderbans have mangroves not corals

10. Consider the following:

1. Bats
2. Bears
3. Rodents

The phenomenon of hibernation can be observed in which of the above kinds of animals?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. Hibernation cannot be observed in any of the above

Biology question. You either know it or don’t know it

11. Among the following organisms, which one does not belong to the class of other three?

1. Crab
2. Mite
3. Scorpion
4. Spider

Biology, either know it or don’t know it Crab a crustacean

12. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of a food chain?

1. Diatoms-Crustaceans-Herrings
2. Crustaceans-Diatoms-Herrings
3. Diatoms-Herrings-Crustaceans
4. Crustaceans-Herrings-Diatoms

Diatoms are like algae, would come first. Eliminate 2 and 3

Herrings eat crustaceans

This question btw has been asked before

13. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are Likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there?

1. Oak
2. Rhododendron
3. Sandalwood

Select the correct answer using the code given below

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

14. If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses, Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?

1. Painted Stork
2. Common Myna
3. Black-necked Crane

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Ridiculously difficult

15. Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganges River Dolphins?

1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

• 2nd statement. Increase in the population of crocodiles responsible for decline in the number of dolphins. Seriously!
• Eliminate 2, reach the answer

16. With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coal bed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following ‘statements:

1. Coal bed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
2. In India abundant coal bed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• Statement 1, propane and butane only. Only sweeping, red flag, pause and think. Obviously wrong. Shale gas is natural gas so would contain methane also plus impurities
• 2nd statement – no shale resources, again wrong. Question was asked in mains 2013.

17. In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?

1. The oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics
2. The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
3. The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of anti-histamines
4. It is a source of high quality biodiesel

It was very much in news as India produces maximum quantity of Guar gum and it’s prices fluctuated a lot

18. With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statemenrs:

1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

• 1 is true. Name itself suggests
• In the last paper also, we disussed, cells produce dc
• Include 1, exclude 2

19. There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?

1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil.
2. They can enter the food chains.
3. They can trigger the production of free radicals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• 1 and 2 Seems correct.
• 3 also seems correct
• Risky approach but I can’t see any reason for any of the statement to be wrong as they are all general statements

20. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?

1. Oxides of sulphur
2. Oxides of nitrogen
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Carbon dioxide

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1, 3 and 4 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. 1,2, 3 and 4

All are easily correct

21. Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?

1. They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment.
2. They are able to accumulate in humans and animals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• It’s like 19th question. Both seems correct
• Risky approach

22. With reference to ‘Global Environment Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It serves as financial mechanism for ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ and ‘United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’.
2. It undertakes scientific research on environmental issues at global level
3. It is an agency under OECD to facilitate the transfer of technology and funds to underdeveloped countries with specific aim to protect their environment.
4. Both (a) and (b)

• Covered in titbit
• A is true
• Pure Funding organisations themselves don’t undertake scientific research on their own.
• A correct, b incorrect, answer reached
• C is incorrect, it’s not under OECD. Similar question in 2015 about green climate fund

23. If a wetland of international importance is brought under the ‘Montreux Record’, what does it imply?

1. Changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur in the wetland as a result of human interference.
2. The country in which the wetland is located should enact a law to prohibit any human activity within five kilo meters from the edge of the wetland
3. The survival of the wetland depends on the cultural practices and traditions of certain communities living in its vicinity and therefore the cultural diversity therein should not be destroyed
4. It is given the status of ‘World Heritage Site’

Simple if you had gone through ransar convention

24. With reference to a conservation organization called Wetlands International’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an intergovernmental organization formed by the countries which are signatories to Ramsar Convention.
2. It works at the field level to develop and mobilize knowledge, and use the practical experience to advocate for better policies.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• Again you could answer it, if you had just gone through it
• Both the statements seem true but 1st is incorrect, it was formed way before signimg of Ramsar
• Risky approach, I told you

25. Consider the following international agreements:

1. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
2. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
3. The World Heritage Convention

Which of the above has / have a bearing on the biodiversity?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only,
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2. and 3

• Common sense
• Heritage – natural heritage sites

26. The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?

1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source
2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.
3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.
4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4,

• 3rd and 4th statements are sweeping ones, red flag, pause, think, obviously incorrect
• 2 is common knowledge. Coral reefs affected by global warning
• You have the answer

27. Consider the following statements:

1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• 1 is incorrect. Think. Animal welfare board under prevention of cruelty to animal act.
• 2 and 3 are common knowledge

28. With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements :

1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.
3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• All 3 seems correct but 1st is incorrect. It’s am NGO <it was in news for some reason that year. Was in current affair notes>
• Risky approach I told you

29. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’

1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every year.
3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only.
4. 1, 2 and 3

• This is in news every year
• It’s an initiative of wwf
• 2 and 3 are obviously true

30. Every year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/ tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes?

1. Bhutia and Lepcha
2. Gond and Korku
3. lrula and Toda
4. Sahariya and Agariya

Ridiculously difficult

Prelims 2015

1. With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. IUCN is an organ of the United Nations and CITES is an international agreement between governments
2. IUCN runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments.
3. CITES is legally binding on the States that have joined it, but this Convention does not take the place of national laws.

Select the correct using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

• 3rd is very innocuous statement, has to be correct
• 6 principle organs of UN
• IUCN has an observer status at the United Nations.
• Eliminate 1 we get option (b) as answer.

2 With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   (a) 1 and 2
   (b) 2 only
   (c) 1 and 3
   (d) 3 only

• 2nd statement, entire coast, sweeping statement, red flag, pause and think. Obviously there would be stretches where it would not be found
• Statement 1 is correct, was asked before. So if you solved previous year questions. Definitely plus 2
• Exclude 2, include 1

3. With reference to ‘fly ash’ produced by the power plants using the coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building construction
2. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement contents of concrete
3. Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only, and does not contain any toxic elements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

• 3rd – only. Sweeping . Red flag, pause and think, why not oxides of carbon and some other things also plus everyone know it does contain some toxic elements
• 1st is easily true, even if you don’t know, imagine fly ash and Brics
• Exclude 3, include 1

4. With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity. Consider the following statements:
1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

• 3rd statement. All batteries produce direct current dc not alternating current ac.
• Similar question on photo voltaic cell was asked last year. Benefit of solving past papers.
• Eliminate 3, reach the answer
• Look at option 2, it’s actually reverse. Cell less energy, power small devices

5. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) gharial

Ridiculously easy

6. Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?
(a) Bretton Woods Conference
(b) Montreal Protocol
(c) Kyoto Protocol
(d) Nagoya Protocol

• Ridiculously easy, covered in titbit
• Montreal protocol to vienna convention

7. What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
(a) It is the United nations Conference on Sustainable Development
(b) It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization
(c) It is a Conference of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change
(d) It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological diversity

• Ridiculously easy, covered in bundle
• Original Rio of 1992,

8. Which of the following statements regarding ‘Green Climate Fund’ is/are correct?

1. It is intended to assist the developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.
2. It is founded under the aegis of UNEP, OECD, Asian Development Bank and World Bank
   Select the correct answer using the code given below.
   (a) 1 only
   (b) 2 only
   (c) Both 1 and 2
   (d) Neither 1 nor 2

• The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a fund within the framework of the UNFCC. I think everyone knows that. So obviously 2nd statement is crap
• Eliminate 2, reach the answer.
• The GCF is based in the new Songdo district of Incheon, South Korea.

9. ‘BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes’ is managed by the
(a) Asian Development Bank
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) United Nations Environment Programme
(d) World Bank

• IMF does no such things. Exclude IMF.
• UNEP does not manage funding
• It seems like international fund so international body, world bank
• This strategy is very risky. Don’t use it if you feel comfortable with your attempts

The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes seeks to promote reduced greenhouse gases from land sector, deforestation and forest degradation in development countries(REDD+) and from sustainable agriculture, as well as smarter land-use planning, policies and practices. It is a new multilateral facility, supported by donor governments and managed by the World Bank.

10. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the
(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
(b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
(c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• GM/ BT cotton, BT bringer, always environment minister comes into the picture, remember moratorium by Jairam Ramesh
• So b/w c and d, now it’s not limited to just wildlife protection so broader act, environment protection act

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body constituted in the Ministry of Environment and Forests under ‘Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989’, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

11. In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living tree into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes these bridges become stronger. These unique ‘Living Root Bridges’ are found in
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c )Jharkhand
(d) Tamil Nadu

The living root bridges of Cheraupunji, so meghalaya

12. With reference to ‘Forest Carbon Partnership Facility’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society and indigenous peoples
2. It provides financial aid to universities, individual scientists and institutions involved in scientific forestry research to develop eco-friendly and climate adaptation technologies for sustainable forest management
3. It assists the countries in their ‘REDD+ (Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+)’ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below
   (a) 1 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1 and 3 only
   (d) 1, 2 and 3
   Difficult
   All 3 seems right but 2nd is incorrect. It provides aid to govts

13. With reference to an organization known as ‘Birdlife International’ which of the following statements is/are correct?

• It is a Global Partnership of Conservation Organizations.
• The concept of ‘biodiversity hotspots’ originated from this organization.
• It identifies the sites known/referred to as ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas’.
  Select the correct answer using the code given below.
  (a) 1 only
  (b) 2 and 3 only
  (c) 1 and 3 only
  (d) 1, 2 and 3
• Hotspot is common knowledge. Propsed by British biologist Norman Myers in 1988
• Eliminate 2, now look at 3
• It seems correct. Birdlife international, bird areas. as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss

BirdLife’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Programme aims to identify, monitor and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world’s birds and other wildlife.

14. Which one of the following is the best description of the term “ecosystem”?
(a) A community of organisms interacting with one another
(b) That part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms
(c) A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live.
(d) The flora and fauna of a geographical area.

• Ridiculously Easy
• Organism plus surrounding biotic and abiotic environment
• The term ‘Ecosystem’ was first used by A G Tansley in 1935.

This is a very short post on how to approach environment and ecology section

Environment and ecology + biological sciences form very important part of prelims paper. On average 22 questions are asked from this section (some overlap with geography)

Year wise number of Questions

• 2015 – 14
• 2014 – 31
• 2013 – 22
• 2012 – 23
• 2011 – 21

But the most important thing you should know about this portion is that questions are of three kinds.

1. Ridiculous difficult – about 25% – 30% of the questions are ridiculously difficult. You don’t have to chase such questions. Chasing them is a futile exercise.

For instance, consider this question

Consider the following pairs

1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram
2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim
3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland

Which of the above pairs is /are correctly matched?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Now it’s impossible to remember location of all the 500 sanctuaries plus 100 national parks.
• Don’t go after such questions. Just keep looking for ones in the news, you may just get lucky

2. Ridiculously easy -20% of the questions are ridiculously easy. You can answer them if you have just even gone through all the portions very superficially. Not being able to answer them is simply a criminal action/ inaction.

Consider this

Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances?

(a) Bretton Woods Conference

(b) Montreal Protocol

(c) Kyoto Protocol

(d) Nagoya Protocol

Not being able to answer this is criminal

3. Conceptual -Rest 50% can be solved with 80% accuracy with decent knowledge and some logic and tikdams <we will try to solve them>

At the cost of sounding repetitive, like every other subject, solving past 15 year question papers help. Topics are repeated. You get the feel of actual paper.

Essential reading –

• NCERT botany last 4 chapters
• NIOS environment and ecology pdf
• prelims titbits – environment and ecology (titbits are of course very selective)
• civilsdaily environment newscards
• Civilsdaily environment articles <will create a collection shortly>

Most imp. Topics

• Fundamentals of ecology – species, population, community, ecosystem, biome, niche, food chain, food web, energy flow, nutrient flow <N, C, P cycle>, pyramids with examples, succession, (just definition)
• Protected areas – national park (location difficult to remember but keep looking at the map, look around to see the rivers and hills), sanctuary, biosphere reserve (location imp), wetland, Tiger reserve, community reserve
• Biodiversity loss, hotspots
• Types of species – keystone species, critical link
• Species interaction
• Environmental treaties, international organisations, funding mechanism
• Climate change, global warming, ozone depletion
• Pollution – acid rain, smog, photochemical smog
• Environmental laws of India (understand them with logic)
• Agriculture and soil conservation related

In these last 10 days –

• Solve last 15 year question papers
• Revise your environment notes
• Read newscards related to environment
• Read titbits related to environment
• Open your orient blackswan atlas and just go through the location of protected sites, rivers slowing through them, hills etc

P.S. – We would try to very quickly go through 2011 – 2015 environment and ecology papers and also have a glance at science and tech, art and culture before prelims. <No promises but would try my best>

 

Pre 2011

1. The Brahmaputra, Irrawady and Mekong rivers originate in Tibet and flow through narrow and parallel mountain ranges in their upper reaches. Of these rivers, Brahmaputra makes a “U” turn in its course to flow into India. This “U” turn is due to 

(a.) Uplift of folded Himalayan series

(b.) Syntaxial bending of geologically young Himalayas

(c.) Geo-tectonic disturbance in the tertiary folded mountain chains

(d.) Both (a) and (b) above

• NCERT
• Brahmpaputra take a famous U turn near Mount Namcha Barwa, also known as Great Bend. The U Turn is because of the 180° bend of the Himalayan structural trend

2. La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino? 

1. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• El Nino and la nina are opposite of each other. So warm current in El Nino, cold current in la nina but both would happen in Pacific so 1st statement is wrong
• As they are opposite if el nino affects monsoons adversely, la nina would affect monsoon positively

Learning – learn factors affecting monsoon, role of jet streams, burst of monsoon, El nino, El nono modoki,  la nina, Indian ocean dipole

3. Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why?

1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere.
2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere

Which of-the statements given above is/are correct?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• 1st statement is factually true. Very less landmass very few countries in southern hemisphere.
• Less landmass meaning vast expanse of ocean, less friction to movement of westerlies, stronger westerlies
• 2nd statement is factually incorrect. Coriols force depends on latitude not on hemisphere

4. The jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation?

1. There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere.
2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 only

(c.) Both 1 and 2

(d.) Neither 1 nor 2

• No clouds or water vapour, sweeping statement, red flag, pause and think
• No vertical winds, red flag, pause and think
• Because the temperature in the tropopause and lower stratosphere is largely constant with increasing altitude, very little convection <verticall wind> and its resultant turbulence occurs there
• Clouds and water vapour occur in lower stratosphere
• Obviously you can say there is some turbulence but bhawnayen samjho

5. Among the following States, which one has the most suitable climatic conditions for the cultivation of a large variety of orchids with minimum cost of production, and can develop an export oriented industry in this field?

(a.) Andhra Pradesh

(b.) Arunachal Pradesh

(c.) Madhya Pradesh

(d.)Uttar Pradesh

Orchids – North east India

6. With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.
2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.
3. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water table can be checked.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a.) 1 only

(b.) 2 and 3 only

(c.) 1 and 3 only

(d.) 1, 2 and 3

• 2nd statement, only means of irrigation, red flag, pause and think. Obviously even prior to the technology of micro irrigation, dry lands were irrigated by canals and Wells
• Exclude 2 and look at 3, if it’s more efficient method of irrigation, water wastage would be less and receding of water tables would be prevented

Learning – Fertigation, Micro-irrigation, Rainfed farming v/s dryland farming

7. If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because

(a.) the soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrients

(b.) propagules of the trees in a rain forest have poor viability

(c.) the rain forest species are slow-growing

(d.) exotic species invade the fertile soil of rain forest

• Covered in titbits
• Very high rainfall, leaching of minerals and nutrients, soil deficient in nutrients

8. The lower Gangetic plain is characterized by humid climate with high temperature throughout the year. Which one among the following pairs of crops is most suitable for this region?

(a.) Paddy and cotton

(b.) Wheat and Jute

(c.) Paddy and Jute

(d.) Wheat and cotton

• Paddy in Bihar, Jute in West bengal
• Wheat is rabi crop, mainly in northern India , Cotton in central India

9. A state in India has the following characteristics:

1. Its northern part is arid and semi-arid.
2. Its central part produces cotton.
3. Cultivation of cash crops is predominant over food crops.

Which one of the following states has all of the above characteristics?

(a.) Andhra Pradesh

(b.) Gujarat

(c.) Karnataka

(d.) Tamil Nadu

• Cotton – Gujarat, Mahrashtra
• Gujarat’s northern part is arid

10. Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals. What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land? 

(a.) It greatly increases the crop production

(b.) It makes some soils impermeable

(c.) It raises the water table

(d.) It fills the air spaces in the soil with water

• a is clearly wrong, if it were so, salinization would be such a great thing
• B and c are sort of contradictory, one has to be true
• Soil becomes impermeable as sodium and other ions are absorbed by clay particles

11. Two important rivers — one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha — merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this?

(a.) Bhitarkanika

(b.) Chandipur-on-sea

(c.) Gopalpur-on-sea

(d.) Simlipal

• Map based question
• Bhitarkanika has been asked so many times

12. The Himalayan Range is Very rich in species diversity. Which one among the following is the most appropriate reason for this phenomenon?

(a.) It has a high rainfall that supports luxuriant vegetative growth

(b.) It is a confluence of different bio-geographical zones

(c.) Exotic and invasive species have not been introduced in this region

(d.) It has less human interference

B seems like most correct right answer <all other options also true but they are not specific to himalayas>

13. The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

(a.) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out

(b.) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster

(c.) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as art excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami

(d.) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots

• A and c are rubbish
• B obviously illogical
• D is the only logical answer

Learning – Mangroves, Halophilic plants, Carnivorous plants

Pre  2012

1. Consider the following factors:(2012)

1. Rotation of the Earth
2. Air pressure and wind
3. Density of ocean water
4. Revolution of the Earth

Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

• Rotation of earth – Coriolis force deflects ocean currents
• Winds are the primary mover
• Now look at 3, density of water. High density water will sink,

2. When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following :

1. Deep gorges
2. U-turn river courses
3. Parallel mountain ranges
4. Steep gradients causing land-sliding

Which of the above can be said to be the evidences for Himalayas being young fold mountains?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• NCERT
• Himalayas young mountain, youthful river flowing through that so deep gorges and U turn river courses correct
• Young and fold, so originated in series so parallel ranges
• Steep gradient

3. Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because

1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth’s surface
2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere
3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Everyone knows about 1 that atmosphere is heated by infrared radiation emitted by earth not by the ultraviolet radiation of sun
• 2nd statement is not true. What explains higher moisture in upper atmosphere. In fact moisture is more in lower atmosphere
• 3rd statement is true. Air is less dense, meaning can hold less heat thus temperature is low

4. Consider the following agricultural practices 

1. Contour bunding
2. Relay cropping
3. Zero tillage

In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequetration/storage in the soil?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of them

5. Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops

(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field

(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

(d) None of the above

• NCERT Question
• Mixed farming is agriculture with animal husbandry

Learnig -Interrcropping

6. Consider the following crops of India :

1. Cowpea
2. Green gram
3. Pigeon pea

Which of the above is/are used as pulse, fodder and green manure?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Common sense suggests all <i am not sure of the answer though>
• All three belong to same family

7. Consider the following crops of India :

1. Groundnut
2. Sesamum
3. Pearl millet

Which of the above is/are predominantly rainfed crop/crops?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Pulses and oilseeds are grown in rainfed areas.
• Ground nut – oil seed -grown in M.P.
• Sesmum – oil seed
• pearl millet – pulse

8. Consider the following areas:

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are Tiger Reserves?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) l, 2, 3 and 4

• Bhitarkanika is a wetland and has been asked before this and after this
• It’s famous for birds, not tigers, not a tiger reserve
• Exclude 2, reach the answer

9. A particular State in India has the following characteristics :

1. It is located on the same latitude which passes through northern Rajasthan.
2. It has over 80% of its area under forest cover.
3. Over 12% of forest cover constitutes Protected Area Network in this State.

Which one among the following States has all the above characteristics?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Assam

(c) Himachal Pradesh

(d) Uttarakhand

• Only in North East and Andaman can 80% of area be under forests, Himachal and Uttarakhand ruled out
• Forest area in Assam can not be >80%. A large part of Assam is valley. It’s forest area is actually <50%

10. With reference to the wetlands of India, consider the following statements :

1. The country’s total geographical area under the category of wetlands is recorded more in Gujarat as compared to other States.
2. In India, the total geographical area of coastal wetlands larger than that of wetlands.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Factual but wetlands very very important
• Doubt could be b/w Gujrat (rann of kutch and coastal wetland) and West bengal (sunderbans)
• 2nd is also factual

11. The acidification of oceans is increasing. Why is this phenomenon a cause of concern? 

1. The growth and survival of calcareous phytoplankton will be adversely affected.
2. The growth and survival of coral reefs will be adversely affected.
3. The survival of some animals that have phytoplanktonic larvae will be adversely affected.
4. The cloud seeding and formation of clouds will be adversely affected.

Which of the statements given above is /are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• 2 is correct, everyone knows that. Corals calcium Skelton, acid will dissolve that skeleton
• 1 is also true with similar logic, calcareous that is calcium Skelton will be dissolved by acid
• Now look at 4,  cloud seeding would be affected by particulates present in the atmosphere not that in ocean. Exclude 4, include 1 and 2
• shelter during a cyclone or tsunami

12. Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region? 

(a) Rainfall throughout the year

(b) Rainfall in winter only

(c) An extremely short dry season

(d) A definite dry and wet season

• Covered in titbits
• Rainfall in winters only in Mediterranean
• Rainfall through out in evergreen forests
• Short dry season would not be conducive for fires

Pre 2013

1. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

1. Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia
2. Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa
3. Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa
4. Okavango Basin : Patagonia

• Atlas mountain easy question, was also in news related to terrorism and coup in Mali/ sahel region
• Abyssinian plateau is in Ethiopia (in Africa) ( in world history, we study abyssinia defeating Italy in 1896)
• Guiana Highland= In South America
• Okavango basin/swamp= In Southern part of in Africa.

2. “Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders.” The above statement best describes which of the following regions?

1. African Savannah
2. Central Asian Steppe
3. North American Prairie
4. Siberian Tundra

• savannah don’t have extreme climate
• Central Asian steppes have. Plus nomadic herders. Imagine mongols and Mongolia
• Prairies have farms, no nomadic life
• Tundra can not have herders, climate is just not suitable for that

Learning – difference b/w Sawannah and grasslands, names of grasslands, Koeppen classification

3. The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?

1. It occupies a linear rift valley.
2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
3. The land slopes to the west from Central India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. None

• See statement 2 was asked in this year’s CAPF exam
• 3rd is factually wrong
• 1 is given in NCERT. It also seems the only plausible reason as rift valley can force the direction

Learning – rivers and tributaries mentioned in NCERTs

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. None

• Geologic history of India very important. You can answer all such questions from that.
• It’s common knowledge, Gondwana is famous for coal fields nor natural gas
• Dharwar (Karnataka) has other minerals like iron, manganese not petrol
• Mica occurs in Kodarma <kodarma mines in Jharkhand>

Learning – geologic history of India

5. Which of the following is / are the characteristic/ characteristics of Indian coal?

1. High ash content
2. Low sulphur content
3. Low ash fusion temperature

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• High ash ie low quality. Indian coal is low quality. We import coking coal
• Low sulphur is also common knowledge
• But ash fusion temperature is generally not given in books. This statement was wrong. Indian coal actually has high ash fusion temperature

6. Which of the following statements regarding laterite soils of India are correct?

1. They are generally red in colour.
2. They are rich in nitrogen and potash.
3. They are well-developed in Rajasthan and UP.
4. Tapioca and cashew nuts grow well on these soils.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1 and 4
4. 2 and 3 only

• Covered in titbit
• Easy question
• No major soil rich in nitrogen. Exclude 3, only option left is
• 2 is also incorrect as they occur in areas with high rainfall
• Laterite soil is found on western ghats, tapoica and cashews grow there
• Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminum

Learning – Soils of India, characteristics and geographical spread

7. Consider the following crops

1. Cotton
2. Groundnut
3. Rice
4. Wheat

Which of these are Kharif crops?

1. 1 and 4
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 2, 3 and 4

• NCERT
• Wheat everyone knows is rabi crop – wheat holi
• Eliminate 4
• Now look at 1 – cotton – kharif crop

Learning – Kharif, Rabi, Zaid season

8. Consider the following pairs :

1. Limboo (Limbu) : Sikkim
2. Karbi : Himachal Pradesh
3. Dongaria : Odisha
4. Bonda : Tamil Nadu

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Tribes are asked but difficult to remember
• Dongaria – Odisha is easy as dongaria kondh tribe was in news due to POSCO project
• Karbi would be of Assam – karbi aunglong protest for separate state
• Exclude 2, include 3. You can eleminate 2 options but you still need to know about 4
• Bonda are the most primitive tribal groups in Odisha

9. Variations in the length of daytime and night time from season to season are due to

1. the earth’s rotation on its axis
2. the earth’s revolution round the sun in an elliptical manner
3. latitudinal position of the place
4. revolution of the earth on a tilted axis

Simple NCERT question taught in 5th standard that season are due to tilt. Only one option related to tilt

10. On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion

1. is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
2. is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
3. exists as groundwater
4. exists as soil moisture

• 1 and 4 can be easily excluded as they would be very low percentage
• B/w lakes and rivers v/s ground water, simple logic suggests, even lakes and rivers replenish ground water reserves so that should be more
• In any case it is taught in 7th – 8th Std. Ground water >>>> river lake water

11. During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the

1. meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky
2. lightning that separates the nimbus clouds
3. violent upward movement of air and water particles

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 3
4. None of the above produces the thunder

• Thunder is caused by lightning.
• When a lightning bolt travels from the cloud to the ground it actually opens up a little hole in the air, called a channel.
• Once then light is gone the air collapses back in and creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder.
• The reason we see lightning before we hear thunder is because light travels faster than sound!

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-thunderstorms.htm

12. The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is / are the reason / reasons?

1. Thermal difference between land and water.
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans.
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Similar question was asked in CAPF this year. Maximum annual range of temperature
• You know 1 is correct Ie Continentality difference in specific heat, thermal difference
• Statement 2 is a bogus statement, what does altitude has to do with any of that
• Exclude 2, include 1
• Statement 4 is also wrong, not heavy rainfall in interior but less rain fall in interior

Learning – continentality, sea breeze – land breeze

13. Consider the following:

1. Electromagnetic radiation
2. Geothermal energy
3. Gravitational force
4. Plate movements
5. Rotation of the earth
6. Revolution of the earth

Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
2. 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
3. 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

• 4th is obviously correct, eliminate option 2
• But what the hell is dynamic change?? I have no idea

 

Pre 2014

1. Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?

1. Continental drift
2. Glacial cycles

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

• Common sense. Continental drift would mean some animals would be stuck to one continent, others on different with no chance of meeting and mating.
• Similarly glacial cycles would affect evolution  as many would not be able to tolerate extreme cold and would become extinct plus sea level rise due to glacial melt

2. The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

1. Equatorial climate
2. Mediterranean climate
3. Monsoon climate
4. All of the above climates

5th Std kids know the answer

Learning – Learn everything about monsoon given in NCERT

3. With reference to ‘Changpa’ community of India, consider the following statement:

1. They live mainly in the State of Uttarakhand.
2. They rear the Pashmina goats that yield a fine wool.
3. They are kept in the category of Scheduled Tribes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• Pashmima goat is found in jammu and Kashmir not in uttarakhand. So 1 and 2 can not be correct simultaneously
• If such a community is asked, it must be tribal. UPSC asks about tribes.
• Now look at the options
• Tribes are asked but it’s difficult to remember all of them. Just focus on ones in the news, It’s tribe of Jammu and Kashmir

4. Consider the following towns of India:

1. Bhadrachalam
2. Chanderi
3. Kancheepuram
4. Karnal

Which of the above are famous for the production of traditional sarees / fabric?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 1, 3 and 4

• Kanchipuram is famous for sarees plus this has been asked in previous year
• Karnal is in Haryana, no such thing there
• You have eliminated two options
• Now look at Bhadrachalam – it’s not famous.  You may not know it but as you have been able to eliminate 2 options, make a guess

5. Consider the following rivers:

1. Barak
2. Lohit
3. Subansiri

Which of the above flows / flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

• NCERT – tributaries of Brahmputra
• Barak river you must know as it’s part of national waterway 6. You know it’s course. Also important because of issues over Teepaimukh dam
• Exclude it, you reach the answer

Learning – National waterways, rivers and their tributaries given in NCERT, Surma – Meghna river system

6. Consider these pairs

1. Cardamom Hills	Coromandel Coast
2. Kaimur Hills	Konkan Coast
3. Mahadeo Hills	Central India
4. Mikir Hills	North-East India

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 and 3
3. 3 and 4
4. 2 and 4

Look at this image in your atlas and try to learn the locations. It;s very imp

---

• See, mahadeo hills was asked in 2015 also
• It’s in m.p. ie central India. 3 is definitely correct
• Now b/w 2 and 4, mikir in North East
• Or if you Kaimur hills is in central highlands, you can exclude all other options
• Cardamom hills you know are on the western ghats while coromandel coast is east coast

Learning – Hills and plateau of India and rivers originating from them are very important. Just look at the map

7. 

National Highway	Cities connected
1. NH 4	Chennai and Hyderabad
2. NH 6	Mumbai and Kolkata
3. NH 15	Ahmedabad and Jodhpur

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None

• No need to remember all the highways
• This question was not doable

8. Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the ‘Ten Degree Channel’?

1. Andaman and Nicobar
2. Nicobar and Sumatra
3. Maldives and Lakshadweep
4. Sumatra and Java

---

• Easy. NCERT Question
• You know the southern most point is in Great nikobar and is 6 degree 45 so 10 degree channel would not be south of India but b/w Andaman and Nikobar or Maldives and Lakshdweep
• 8 degree channel is b/w Maldives and Minicoy

Learning – Southern most point of India v/s southern most point of mainland India, Eastern and western most point of India, Duncan passage, 8 degree channel, Importance of Andaman and Nikobar island

9. Turkey is located between

1. Black Sea and Caspian Sea
2. Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
3. Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
4. Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

---

• Very easy. Map based question
• Turkey in news due to civil war in Syria
• You know turkey is in Asia and Europe

Learning – Bosphorous, sea of marmara, dedanalles strait, Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqaba

10. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north? 1.Bangkok 2.Hanoi 3.Jakarta 4.Singapore Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 4-2-1-3
2. 3-2-4-1
3. 3-4-1-2
4. 4-3-2-1

Map based difficult question

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P.S. – Not all questions were doable in this paper but don’t go after them. Just focus on doable questions.

P.P.S. – Everyone is free to point out mistakes. Free to criticize, suggest changes etc. Everything is welcome but do so without insinuating or attributing motives

In the geography portion, you just have to stick to basics. Basics meaning class 11 and class 12 geography esp. Physical geography and geography of India. If you have done that, you would be able to solve 75% of the questions easily.

Study physical geography well, because it is conceptual and therefore will not fail you during the exam. You should be able to solve all the physical geographical questions in the exam if you study the “Fundamentals of Physical Geography” NCERT XI textbook thoroughly.

Solve past year question papers esp conceptual questions of physical geography which will give you good insight into level of your preparation and help you correct your flaws

Imp topics  (just basics)

• latitudes and longitudes
• Revolution, rotation and seasons
• Solar system  
• layers of the atmosphere pressure belts, global atmospheric wind, cyclones
• types of rainfall (convection, orographic, frontal)
• monsoons
• ocean currents
• jet streams
• Elnino la nina modoki ENSO indian ocean dipole maiden jullien oscillation
• Go through India’s physical geography. NCERT would suffice
• Rivers and hills, soils given in NCERT most imp
• Learn geological history of India well which would help you answer questions related to mineral resources
• Basics of agriculture- again NCERT would suffice
• Map marking

Prelims 2015

1. In the South Atlantic and South Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?

(a) Sea Surface temperature are low

(b) Inter Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs

(c) Coriolis force is too weak

(d) Absence of land in those regions

• Option C is wrong. Coriolis force is weak only in the region around 0-5 degrees North or South latitudes.
• Option D is wrong as land cuts off moisture from the cyclone and a responsible for dissipation of cyclones
• Confusion b/w a and b
• UPSC ruled absence of ITCZ would be the answer

Learning – cyclones, naming of cyclones, tropical v/s temperate cyclones (learn from the titbit)

2. Which of the following pairs of States of India indicates the eastern most and Western most State?

(a) Assam and Rajasthan

(b) Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan

(c) Assam and Gujarat

(d) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat

• Simple question. Map based
• Has been asked before

3. Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?

(a) Bhitarkanika National Park

(b) Keibul Lamjao National Park

(c) Keoladeo Ghana National park

(d) Sultanpur National park

• Floating vegetation points in the direction of floating park, the only floating park in the world, located in Manipur which is a part of Loktak Lake.
• Bhitarkanika is in Odisha,has been asked before
• Keoladeo in Rajasthan – was asked last year
• Sultanpur in Haryana – only option  left would be the answer

4. What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?

1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur.
2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place
3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

• Statement 1 is absurd. If there is more nitrogen in the soil, less need for nitrogen fixing bacteria. In any case if fertilizer increased bacteria one dose of fertilizer would suffice for eternity  
• Statement 3: common sense. If something is in increased concentration and also water soluble, would obviously leach
• Exclude 1, include 3

5. What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

(a) The Earth’s rotation on its axis

(b) Convergence of the two equatorial currents

(c) Difference in salinity of water

(d) Occurrence of the belt of calm near equator

• Controversial question. Go with what UPSC says
• C and d are obviously wrong.
• A that’s earth’s rotation is reponsible for winds and currents changing directions but then what’s special about earth’s rotation that would move counter current in opposite direction
• B is the last option standing

6. Consider the following pairs:

Place of Pilgrimage  Location

1. Srisailam : Nallamala Hills
2. Omkareshwar : Satmala Hills
3. Pushkar : Mahadeo Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

• Pushkar is in Ajmer everyone knows that.
• There’s only aravali in Rajasthan no mahadeo hills
• Exclude 3

7. The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to

1. a) Central Asia
2. b) Middle East
3. c) South-East Asia
4. d) Central Africa

• Map based question.
• Golan height was and is very much in news due to civil war in Syria. Terrorism from Golan heights

8. Consider the following rivers :

1. Vamsadhara
2. Indravati
3. Pranahita
4. Pennar

Which of the above are tributaries of Godavari?

(a) 1,2 and 3

(b) 2,3 and 4

(c) 1,2 and 4

(d) 2 and 3 only

• Rivers imp but obviously you can’t learn every tributary of every major river so a difficult question
• Pennar is much to the south, can be excluded

9. Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest?

(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

(b) South-West Bengal

(c) Southern Saurashtra

(d) Andaman and Nicobar island

• Evergreen forest would not be found in other 3 options as not sufficient rainfall there.
• Andman and nikobar have many Islands so chances of vegetation other than evergreen also thetec

10. Which one of the following National Parks has a climate that varies from tropical to subtropical, temperate and arctic?

(a) Khangchendzonga National park

(b) Nandadevi National Park

(c) Neora Valley National Park

(d) Namdapha National park

• Difficult question.
• Go with what UPSC says

11. Consider the following statements

1. 1. The winds which blow between 30o N and 60o S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.
2. 2. The moist air masses that cause winter rams in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. (a) 1 only
2. (b) 2 only
3. (c) Both 1 and 2
4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2

• No winds blow b/w 30 north and 60 south. It should have been between 30 and 60 north
• 2nd has been asked so many times in both prelims and mains
• Western disturbances responsible for winter rains in North which is good for wheat and leads to snowfall on hills

12. Tides occur in oceans and seas due to which among the following?

1. Gravitational Force of the Sun
2. Gravitational Force of the Moon
3. Gravitational Force of the Earth

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

• If 1 is true, 2 has to be true. Sun is also exerting gravitational pull so is moon. Pull is pull, does not matter who pulls
• Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by the Moon, Sun, and rotation of the

13. In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used?

1. Assessment of crop productivity
2. Locating ground water resources
3. Mineral exploration
4. Telecommunications
5. Traffic studies

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 4 and 5 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and

• For telecommunications geo-stationary satellites / your INSAT CLASS satellites are used
• easily eliminate statement 4
• Now look at statement 3, remote sensing is sensing from a distance so sensing from a distance if minerals are there, 3rd is true

14. Consider the following States:

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Himachal Pradesh
3. Mizoram

In which of the following states do ‘Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests’ occur?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

• Easy
• typical rain forests in areas with high rains ie north east, islands of Andaman nikobar, western slopes of western ghat- very small area of India
• Himachal is clearly wrong

15. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?

(a) Syria

(b) Jordan

(c) Lebanon

(d) Israel

• Map based question you could easily solve if you were looking at the maps with the newspaper
• Was in news due to civil war in Syria and refugees in Jordan

16. In India, in which one of the following types of forests is teak a dominant tree species?

(a) Tropical moist deciduous forest

(b) Tropical rain forest

(c) Tropical thorn scrub forest

(d) Temperate forest with

• Asked before
• Teak dominant species of tropical moist deciduous

17. “Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, than rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over.”

Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?

(a) Savannah

(b) Equatorial

(c) Monsoon

(d) Mediterranean

• Simple
• No seasons on equator
• Rain/ afternoon shower due to convection

P.S. – Everyone is free to point out mistakes. Free to criticize, suggest changes etc. Everything is welcome but do so without insinuating or attributing motives

Four quick points before solutions and analysis

1. This is the solution and analysis of geography questions from CAPF 2016 conducted by UPSC couple of weeks back.
2. Focus on doable questions <and most of the questions are doable without too much mugga>
3. Almost all the questions can be solved after reading NCERT physical geography and geography of INDIA so focus on that
4. Analysis of CSE prelims geography would be done in days to come

1. Which one of the following layers of atmosphere has high concentration of ions?

a)Stratosphere (b) Exosphere
(c) Thermosphere
(d) Troposphere

• Can’t get this wrong
• Every one would have answered if they had said ionosphere. 
• Ions would be formed if there is high temperature so thermosphere

2) Which one of the following cities has greater annual range of temperature?
(a) Kuala Lumpur
(b) New Delhi
(c) Shanghai
(d) Ulaanbaatar

• Shanghai and Kualalampur are port cities. Marine environment. Sea moderates the climate easily excluded
• B/w Delhi and Ulaanbataar  (capital of mongolia) remember pm modi visited mongolia
• Now you read in geography – Himalayas blocking chilly cold winds from the north. So Delhi and Northern India does not freeze but ulanbator does. Would have greater range of temperature
• Also if you had solved previous years question papers or read climatoligy, you would know steppes have extreme climate. Mongolia – steppes

3) Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I List II
(Climate type in letter code) (Major area)
A. Aw 1. Central California
B. Af 2. Indian Sub-Continent
C. Cs 3. North and South of Amazon Forests
D. Am 4. Western Equatorial Africa
Codes
A B C D
(a) 3 1 4 2
(b) 2 4 1 3
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 2 1 4 3

• From ncert koppen system of classification
• m is for monsoon so d would be matched with 2, exclude b and d
• A is for tropical, Af is tropical evergreen i.e equatorial i.e 4
• Answer is clear now
• Aw is tropical Savannah
• Learn this system from NCERT

4. Which one of the following rivers flows between Satpura and Vindhya ranges?(a) Tapi
(b) Sabarmati
(c) Narmada
(d) Mahi

• Very easy
• Narmada river flows through a rift valley b/w Satpuras and Vindhya

5. How is the rate of transpiration affected by decreasing humidity and by decreasing light intensity?
Decreasing humidity Decreasing light intensity
(a) Decreases Decreases
(b) Increases Decreases
(c) Increases Increases
(d) Decreases Increases

• Simple
• If humidity increases, already mote water in the atmosphere so obviously rate of transpiration would slow down
• Similarly if light intensity is more there would naturally be more evaporation more transpiration

6. Consider the following statements relating to Sea Salinity:
1. The ocean salinity depends on evaporation and precipitation
2. Any change in the temperature or density influences the salinity
3. Major source of sea salinity is terrestrial discharge by rivers
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

• I is easily true. More evaporation means more salt left behind, more precipitation means more fresh water
• If temperature is more, there would be more evaporation
• 3rd is a fact <do check it again, i am not very sure about 3rd but I think it’s correct
• http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/whysalty.html

7. Consider the following statements relating to salt production in India:
1. India is the second largest producer of iodised salt in the world next only to China
2. Salt mining is carried out in Himachal Pradesh
3. Gujarat is the leading producer of salt in India
4. Ground water is the important source of salt in Rajasthan
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 2, 3 and 4

• 3rd is easily true – Salt by evaporation in tropical seas, wind conditions, question has been asked in mains for salt indutsries in Gujrat, dandi March in Gujarat, >75% of total salt in India in Gujrat
• 4th is also true – sambhar lake
• Salt mining was carried out in Himachal Pradesh but stopped in 2011. There’s again propsal to start salt mining in Himachal

8. Which of the following statements relating to Dharwar geological system are correct?

1. They belong to Archaean geological period
2. They are metamorphosed sedimentary rocks
3. They are of great economic importance for its mineral resources
4. They are found predominantly in Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Odisha and Jharkhand
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 2 only

• Geology of India is very imp. Learn it in detail. It would help you solve many questions related to chronology and minerals, hydrocarbons etc.
• Archean is the oldest rock system found in aravalis not in dharwar and part of Deccan peninsula
• Dharwar is 2nd oldest
• name Dharwar itself suggest karnataka

9. Which one of the following is the correct order of formation of geological systems in India in terms of their age? [Starting with the oldest]
(a) Dharwars – Aravallis – Vindhyans – Cuddapahs
(b) Aravalis – Dharwars – Cuddapahs – Vindhyans
(c) Vindhyans – Dharwars – Aravallis – Cuddapahs
(d) Cuddapahs – Vindhyans – Dharwars – Aravallis

• Arawali everyone knows is the oldest. Only option is b
• Dharwar 2nd oldest as we saw in previous question

10. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) The rate of evaporation depends on temperature
(b) The rate of evaporation does not depend on surface area exposed to the atmosphere but on volume of the liquid
(c) The rate of evaporation depends on humidity of the surroundings
(d) The rate of evaporation depends on the wind speed

• Sort of internal repeat
• A and c we have seen in the question on transpiration
• High wind speed means wind will take away the atmospheric moisture so more evaporation
• B is anyway a negative statement # red flag # pause and think # high surface area means more area from which evaporation can take place

11. Which of the following statements are correct?
1. Kolkata port is the only riverine major port of India
2. The port of Cochin is located on the Willington Island
3. Maharashtra has three major ports
4. Mundra port is India’s major port in private sector
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2 and 4

• 4th is wrong. We had done this in titbit
• Learn about ports from titbit
• Ennore port is the only major port in private sector

12. Perth located on 118th East Longitude will be celebrating New Year event on 1st of January 2017 at 6:00 AM . At that time, what would be time at Los Angeles located on 1100 West Longitude?
(a) 9 : 12 PM of 1st January 2017
(b) 2:48 PM of 31st December 2016
(c) 11: 40 PM of 31st December 2016
(d) 5 : 28 AM of 1st January 2017

• Difference is of 228 degree
• 360 degree equivalent to 24 hrs
• 228 (240) would be equivalent to around 16 hrs
• West hence behind, so obviously 31st dec, 16 hrs behind

13. Arrange the following varieties of silk in India in their order of decreasing production:
1. Muga
2. Eri
3. Mulberry
4. Tasar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 3 – 2 – 4 -1
(b) 3- 4 – 2- 1
(c) 2 – 4 – 1 – 3
(d) 2- 1 – 4 – 3

• No option but to mug up
• Muga everyone knows so at least you can exclude 2 options

14. Which of the following statements concerning circum-pacific belt are correct?
1. It is an active volcanic realm
2. It is an active seismic realm
3. It is a divergent plate boundary
4. It is prone to Tsunami
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

• Covered in titbits
• It’s subduction zone, not a divergent plate boundary

15. Which of the following statements relating to solar system is/are correct?
1. Venus and Uranus rotate opposite to the direction of rotation of Earth
2. Venus is the nearest planet to Earth
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only  (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

• Covered in titbits
• Venus also called Earth’s sister

16. If a place is affected by Tide at 6.00 AM Monday , normally at what time the same place will be affected by Ebb?
(a) 6:26 PM Monday
(b) 6:52 AM Tuesday
(c) 12:13 PM Monday
(d) 00:26 AM Tuesday

• 2 tides 2 ebbs in a day i.e at approx 6 hrs duration
• so ebb at 12 pm
• Learn exact details of tides, neap tide, spring tide etc