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UPSC CSE Prelims 2014 — Geography Questions with Answers

All 13 Geography previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2014, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Indian Geography

   Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?

   • a)Andaman and Nicobar
   • b)Nicobar and Sumatra
   • c)Maldives and Lakshadweep
   • d)Sumatra and Java

   Explanation: The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group of islands.

2. Q2.Protected Areas

   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?

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

   Explanation: Dampa (Mizoram) and Saramati Peak (Nagaland) are correctly placed; Gumti sanctuary is in Tripura, not Sikkim, so only 1 and 3 match.

3. Q3.Biogeography

   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

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

   Explanation: Oak and Rhododendron grow naturally in the Himalayas; sandalwood is a peninsular species, so only 1 and 2 are correct.

4. Q4.International Organizations

   Consider the following countries: 1. Denmark 2. Japan 3. Russian Federation 4. United Kingdom 5. United States of America. Which of the above are the members of the 'Arctic Council'?

   • a)1, 2 and 3
   • b)2, 3 and 4
   • c)1, 4 and 5
   • d)1, 3 and 5

   Explanation: Denmark, the Russian Federation and the USA are Arctic Council members among the options, so 1, 3 and 5 are correct.

5. Q5.Physical Geography

   In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? 1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical climate

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

   Explanation: Among the options, deforestation is most directly associated with soil erosion in India.

6. Q6.Climatology

   The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of

   • a)Equatorial climate
   • b)Mediterranean climate
   • c)Monsoon climate
   • d)All of the above climates

   Explanation: Seasonal reversal of winds is the defining feature of the monsoon climate.

7. Q7.Indian Geography

   Consider the following rivers: 1. Barak 2. Lohit 3. Subansiri. Which of the above flows/flow through Arunachal Pradesh?

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

   Explanation: Lohit and Subansiri flow through Arunachal Pradesh; the Barak does not, so only 2 and 3 are correct.

8. Q8.Wetlands

   Consider the following pairs of Wetlands and Confluence of rivers: 1. Harike Wetlands - Confluence of Beas and Satluj/Sutlej; 2. Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Confluence of Banas and Chambal; 3. Kolleru Lake - Confluence of Musi and Krishna. 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

   Explanation: Only Harike Wetlands, at the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej, is correctly matched.

9. Q9.Physical Geography

   Consider the following pairs of Hills and Region: 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?

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)2 and 3
   • c)3 and 4
   • d)2 and 4

   Explanation: Mahadeo Hills (Central India) and Mikir Hills (North-East India) are correctly matched, so 3 and 4 are correct.

10. Q10.World Geography

    Turkey is located between

    • a)Black Sea and Caspian Sea
    • b)Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
    • c)Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
    • d)Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

    Explanation: Turkey lies between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

11. Q11.World Geography

    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

    • a)4-2-1-3
    • b)3-2-4-1
    • c)3-4-1-2
    • d)4-3-2-1

    Explanation: From south to north the sequence is Jakarta-Singapore-Bangkok-Hanoi, i.e. 3-4-1-2.

12. Q12.Economic Geography

    Consider the following pairs of Region and what it is well-known for the production of: 1. Kinnaur - Areca nut; 2. Mewat - Mango; 3. Coromandel - Soya bean. Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)3 only
    • c)1, 2 and 3
    • d)None

    Explanation: None of the region-product pairs is correctly matched.

13. Q13.Infrastructure

    Consider the following pairs of National Highway and 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?

    • a)1 and 2 only
    • b)3 only
    • c)1, 2 and 3
    • d)None

    Explanation: NH 4, NH 6 and NH 15 are all correctly matched to the listed city pairs.