Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – May 11-12, 2023 [Mock Test]
May 25, 2023 May 25, 2023
1. Consider the following erosional process by wind:
- Deflation: is the removal of loose particles from the surface of rocks.
- Abrasion: is the frictional movement of sand particles within itself.
- Attrition: is the scraping of particles from the rock surface.
Which of the above is/are explained correctly?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Wind is a geomorphic agent in all terrestrial environments. It is more active in arid regions with fine-textured soils and sediments and little or no vegetation.
- Deflation is the removal of fine, loose particles from the surface of rocks.
- During abrasion, small particles being carried by the wind scrape of particles from the rock surface.
- During attrition, sand particles carried by winds start a friction process within itself and because of this their size reduces.
2. Which of the following are the depositional landforms formed by Wind?
- Ripples
- Zeugen
- Seif
- Yardangs
- Loess
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 2, 4 & 5
[B] Only 1, 3 & 5
[C] Only 1, 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 3 & 5]
Notes:- Yardangs are parallel troughs cut into softer rock running in the direction of the wind, separated by ridges. The direction of the yardangs can indicate the direction of the prevailing wind.
- A zeugen is a tabular mass of resistant rock, standing prominently in the desert. It is usually composed of alternating layers of hard and soft rocks.
- Playa is a flat-bottom depression found in interior desert basins and adjacent to coasts in arid and semiarid regions, periodically covered by water.
- Ripples are regular, wavelike undulations lying at right-angles to the prevailing wind direction.
- Loess is terrestrial sediment composed largely of windblown silt particles made of quartz. Loess requires three things:
- Dunes are collections of loose sand built piecemeal by the wind.
3. Consider the following rivers:
- Narmada
- Mahi
- Luni
- Tawa
- Sharavathi
Which of the above are west flowing rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea?
[A] Only 1, 2 & 4
[B] Only 1, 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 2 & 5
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1, 2 & 5]
Notes:- The Narmada River is also known as the Reva River, but it is previously known as Narbada. Narmada river is the largest west-flowing river in peninsular India. The river originates from the Maikala range near Amarkantak Plateau in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh.
- Tapti or Tapi is the second largest west-flowing river in peninsular India. It originates from the Multai reserve forest in Madhya Pradesh.
- Mahi river is also known as Mahisagar. The river Mahi originates in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
- The two streams Sabar and Hathmati combine to form the Sabarmati River. This river flows through the following states Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Luni is an endorheic river.
- Tawa river is the longest tributary of the Narmada River. This river rises from the Satpura Range of Betul in Madhya Pradesh. It is a west flowing river.
- Sharavathi river is an important river in the Karnataka state flowing towards the west. The Sharavathi River originates in Thirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district in Karnataka and ends in the Arabian Sea.
