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GeographyEasyAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2023, GAT

In which one of the following states 'Roopkund' lake is located?

  1. A.Kerala
  2. B.Manipur
  3. C.Himachal Pradesh
  4. D.Uttarakhand

Correct answer

D. Uttarakhand

Explanation

The correct answer is D, Uttarakhand. Roopkund is a high-altitude glacial lake in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

Roopkund lies at a height of about 5,000 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya, below the peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti. It is called the "Skeleton Lake" because hundreds of human skeletons are visible at its edges when the snow melts. Scientific studies date many of these remains to around the ninth century, and later work found that the people belonged to more than one group and period. The lake is frozen for most of the year and lies on the route of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat pilgrimage.

A is wrong because Kerala is known for backwaters and lakes such as Vembanad and Sasthamkotta.

B is wrong because Manipur's best-known lake is Loktak, famous for its floating phumdis.

C is wrong because Himachal Pradesh has lakes such as Chandratal, Suraj Tal and Prashar, not Roopkund.

Exam tip: Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) is in Chamoli, Uttarakhand; Loktak with its phumdis is in Manipur.

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Q1.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements:

1. In the tropical zone, the western sections of the oceans are warmer than the eastern sections owing to the influence of trade winds.

2. In the temperate zone, westerlies make the eastern sections of oceans warmer than the western sections.

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
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

The prevailing winds push warm surface water west in the tropics and east in the middle latitudes. In the tropics the trade winds blow from east to west.

Q2.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.

Statement-II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Rain forest soils are poor in nutrients, even though dead matter decomposes very fast there. In the hot, wet climate of tropical rain forests, fallen leaves and wood are broken down by fungi, bacteria and insects within weeks.

Q3.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:

1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.

2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.

3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.

4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A.1, 2 and 3
  2. B.2, 3 and 4
  3. C.1, 2 and 4
  4. D.1, 3 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1, 2 and 4

Statement 3 is wrong: 75 PVTGs have been notified in India, not 95. The category was created in 1973, following the Dhebar Commission, as 'Primitive Tribal Groups' and renamed PVTGs in 2006.

Q4.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IEasy

Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop?

  1. A.Sugarcane
  2. B.Sunflower
  3. C.Pearl millet
  4. D.Red gram
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Sugarcane

Sugarcane needs far more water to grow than the other three crops, so it is the least water-efficient. Sugarcane stays in the field for 12 to 18 months and needs roughly 1,500 to 2,500 mm of water over its life, often supplied by heavy irrigation.

Q5.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the Earth's atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. A.The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.
  2. B.Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.
  3. C.Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
  4. D.Infrared waves are a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.

Infrared radiation is strongly absorbed by water vapour, and most water vapour lies in the lowest few kilometres of the atmosphere.