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GeographyMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GK

Which one among the following State capitals is closest to the Equator ?

  1. A.Hyderabad
  2. B.Bhubaneswar
  3. C.Panaji
  4. D.Mumbai

Correct answer

C. Panaji

Explanation

The correct answer is C, Panaji. Panaji, the capital of Goa, lies at about 15.5° N latitude, the lowest of the four cities, so it is the closest to the Equator. Distance from the Equator depends only on latitude, not on longitude or on how far a place is from the sea. Panaji stands on the left bank of the Mandovi river where it meets the Arabian Sea. Each degree of latitude is roughly 111 km, so the differences here run into hundreds of kilometres. Option A is wrong because Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, lies at about 17.4° N, north of Panaji. Option B is wrong because Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is at about 20.3° N, the farthest of the four from the Equator. Option D is wrong because Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is at about 19.1° N. Among all state capitals, Thiruvananthapuram (about 8.5° N) is the closest to the Equator, but it is not among these options. Exam tip: latitudes = Panaji 15.5°, Hyderabad 17.4°, Mumbai 19.1°, Bhubaneswar 20.3° N; nearest of all capitals = Thiruvananthapuram.

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Q1.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKEasy

Alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. They are generally

  1. A.poor in potash and rich in phosphorus.
  2. B.poor in both potash and phosphorus.
  3. C.rich in both potash and phosphorus.
  4. D.rich in potash and poor in phosphorus.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. rich in potash and poor in phosphorus.

Alluvial soils, laid down by rivers, generally contain plenty of potash but lack phosphorus, and they are also often short of nitrogen and humus.

Q3.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKEasy

Which one of the following statements about primary waves of earthquakes is not correct ?

  1. A.They are similar to sound waves.
  2. B.They can travel only through solid materials.
  3. C.They travel through gaseous, liquid and solid materials.
  4. D.They move faster and are the first to arrive at the surface.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. They can travel only through solid materials.

This statement is false because primary waves pass through solids, liquids and gases alike. Primary or P-waves are longitudinal waves: they push and pull the rock in the same direction in which the wave travels, compressing and stretching the material just as sound waves compress air.

Q5.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKEasy

Identify the type of soil on the basis of given characteristics : 1. They contain a large proportion of sodium, potassium and magnesium, and thus, they are infertile. 2. Their structure ranges from sandy to loamy. 3. They are more widespread in western Gujarat, deltas of the eastern coast and in Sunderban areas of West Bengal.

  1. A.Peaty soil
  2. B.Laterite soil
  3. C.Arid soil
  4. D.Saline soil
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Saline soil

All three features listed, excess salts of sodium, potassium and magnesium, a sandy to loamy texture and their spread in western Gujarat, the eastern deltas and the Sundarbans, describe saline soils.