World & Physical Geography MCQs
World Geography Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Quiz for State and UPSC Civil Services Examinations. Objective Questions on Physical Geography and World Geography for competitive examinations.
1. The Buran wind blows across:
[A] Eastern Asia
[B] Western Europe
[C] Southern Africa
[D] Eastern Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Eastern Asia ]
Notes:
The buran wind blows across eastern Asia, specifically Xinjiang, Siberia, and Kazakhstan. The buran takes two forms: in summer, it is a hot, dry wind, whipping up sandstorms; in winter, it is bitterly cold and often accompanied by blizzards.
2. In which of the following human geography approaches believes that physical geographies determine human behaviour and the existence of different forms of societies?
[A] Possibilism
[B] Environmental determinism
[C] Neo-determinism
[D] Stop and go determinism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Environmental determinism]
Notes:
Environmental determinism is the belief that the environment and its physical factors like landforms, climate, mountains etc. determines the patterns of human culture and societal development.
Possibilism based upon the assumption that environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions. This theory says that the true and only geographical problem is that to utilisation of possibilities.
Nondeterminism or stop and go determinism which chooses middle path and it is introduced by Griffith Taylor.
3. Which of the following is not an example of systematic approach of geography?
[A] Physical geography
[B] Environmental geography
[C] Human geography
[D] Regional geography
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Regional geography]
Notes:
Systematic approach of geography is divided into four main branches.
(i) Physical geography,
(ii) Biogeography, including environmental geography,
(iii) Human geography,
(iv) Geographical methods and techniques
Regional approach geography is divided into
(i) Regional studies
(ii) Regional analysis
(iii) Regional development
(iv) Regional planning including areas and community planning
4. Continent where Tundra type of climate is NOT found?
[A] Asia
[B] North America
[C] Europe
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Australia]
Notes:
In the continent of Australia, the northern section of Australia has a more tropical influenced climate, hot and humid in the summer, and quite warm and dry in the winter, while the southern parts are cooler with mild summers and cool, sometimes rainy winters. So it doesn’t have Tundra type of climate.
5. Which of the following African Country was formerly known as Nyasaland?
[A] Tanzania
[B] Malawi.
[C] Mozambique
[D] Botswana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malawi.]
Notes:
Malawi is formerly known as Nyasaland. Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. It has a topography of highlands split by the Great Rift Valley and enormous Lake Malawi.
6. In geographical context, a “nappe” is a:
[A] rock structure that has been abraded and polished by wind driven sand
[B] sheet of rock that has been displaced far away from its original position due to tectonic forces
[C] shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by barrier islands or reefs
[D] linear-shaped lowland between several highlands or mountain ranges
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [sheet of rock that has been displaced far away from its original position due to tectonic forces]
Notes:
A nappe is defined as thrust sheet or like body of rock that has been moved more than 2 km from its original position due to tectonic movements.
7. Which of the following terms is used for naturally occurring or artificially created landform which separates the floodplains from the river valley?
[A] Levee
[B] Loess
[C] Isthmus
[D] Strait
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Levee]
Notes:
Levee is a naturally occurring or artificially created landform which separates the floodplains from river valley. A strait is a naturally formed, narrow, typically navigable waterway that connects two larger bodies of water. Isthmus a narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.
8. In context with the heavenly bodies, which among the following shows “lighthouse effect”?
[A] Quasar
[B] White Dwarf
[C] Red Giant
[D] Pulsar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Pulsar]
Notes:
Pulsar emit radio (electromagnetic) signals at regular interval of time. Pulsars are a kind of neutron stars and the emission is detectable when the source of beam of the electromagnetic waves is towards Earth. This is known as Light house effect and is gives a pulsed nature to pulsars.
9. How much is the average elevation of Tibetan Plateau above sea level? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] 2 km
[B] 3 km
[C] 4 km
[D] 5 km
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4 km]
Notes:
Tibetian Plateau towers over southwestern China at an average elevation of 4000 m above sea level and is known as “the roof of the world.” It covers more than 2.5 million square km. The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is the highest and largest plateau in the world.
10. Which one of the following conditions is most relevant for the presence of life on Mars? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Atmospheric composition
[B] Thermal conditions
[C] Occurrence of ice caps and frozen water
[D] Occurrence of ozone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Occurrence of ice caps and frozen water]
Notes:
Mars is the only planet with similar day time temperatures and an atmosphere similar to earth. The most relevant condition for presence of life on Mars is occurrence of ice caps and frozen water.