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UPSC CSE Prelims 2021 — Geography Questions with Answers

All 11 Geography previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Prelims 2021, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Geography

   The vegetation of savannah consists of grassland with scattered small trees, but extensive areas have no trees. The forest development in such areas is generally kept in check by one or more or a combination of some conditions. Which of the following are such conditions? 1. Burrowing animals and termites 2. Fire 3. Grazing herbivores 4. Seasonal rainfall 5. Soil properties Select the correct answer using the code given below.

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)4 and 5
   • c)2, 3 and 4
   • d)1, 3 and 5
2. Q2.Geography

   With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater. 2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • a)1 only
   • b)2 only
   • c)Both 1 and 2
   • d)Neither 1 nor 2
3. Q3.Geography

   Consider the following statements: 1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. 3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. 4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. 5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   • a)1, 2, 4 and 5
   • b)3, 4 and 5
   • c)1, 3 and 4
   • d)1, 2, 3 and 5
4. Q4.Geography

   The black cotton soil of India has been formed due to the weathering of

   • a)brown forest soil
   • b)fissure volcanic rock
   • c)granite and schist
   • d)shale and limestone
5. Q5.Geography

   With reference to ‘palm oil’, consider the following statements: 1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. 2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes. 3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   • a)1 and 2 only
   • b)2 and 3 only
   • c)1 and 3 only
   • d)1, 2 and 3
6. Q6.Geography

   With reference to the Indus river system, of the following four rivers, three of them pour into one of them which joins the Indus direct. Among the following, which one is such river that joins the Indus direct?

   • a)Chenab
   • b)Jhelum
   • c)Ravi
   • d)Sutlej
7. Q7.Geography

   With reference to India, Didwana, Kuchaman, Sargol and Khatu are the names of

   • a)glaciers
   • b)mangrove areas
   • c)Ramsar sites
   • d)saline lakes
8. Q8.Geography

   Consider the following rivers: 1. Brahmani 2. Nagavali 3. Subarnarekha 4. Vamsadhara Which of the above rise from the Eastern Ghats?

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)2 and 4
   • c)3 and 4
   • d)1 and 3
9. Q9.Geography

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

   • a)Sugarcane
   • b)Sunflower
   • c)Pearl millet
   • d)Red gram
10. Q10.Geography

    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?

    • a)1 only
    • b)2 only
    • c)Both 1 and 2
    • d)Neither 1 nor 2
11. Q11.Geography

    “Leaf litter decomposes faster than in any other biome and as a result the soil surface is often almost bare. Apart from trees, the vegetation is largely composed of plant forms that reach up into the canopy vicariously, by climbing the trees or growing as epiphytes, rooted on the upper branches of trees”. This is the most likely description of

    • a)Coniferous forest
    • b)Dry deciduous forest
    • c)Mangrove forest
    • d)Tropical rain forest