80 RAS Prelims MCQs on natural vegetation and biomes ask about the forest types of the world, their layers, trees and soils. The Amazon rainforest, temperate rainforests, the boreal forest, the temperate deciduous forest and the Great Barrier Reef are tested, and each explanation links the biome to its climate and location.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 80 questions
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q31. Match List I (Climatic Condition) with List II (Associated Biome) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Climatic Condition
Associated Biome
A. High temperature, heavy rainfall all year
i. Mediterranean
B. Distinct wet and dry seasons, tall grasses
ii. Tundra
C. Mild wet winters, hot dry summers
iii. Tropical Rainforest
D. Very short cool summers, long severe winters
iv. Tropical Savanna Options:
Explanation
Global biomes are primarily determined by specific climatic conditions. Tropical rainforests experience constant high heat and heavy rainfall. Savannas have distinct wet and dry seasons with tall grasses. Mediterranean biomes are defined by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Tundra regions face extremely short, cool summers and long, severe winters, which severely limit the types of vegetation present.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q32. Consider the following statements regarding the concept and classification of biomes: I. A biome is defined solely by the animal species present, irrespective of the vegetation. II. Temperature and precipitation are the two primary climatic factors that determine the distribution of biomes globally. III. Similar biomes can occur on different continents if the climatic conditions are comparable. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Biomes are large-scale biological communities primarily defined by their dominant vegetation, though animal life is also a component. Temperature and precipitation are the fundamental climatic drivers that determine where specific biomes occur. Because climate patterns can be similar across different continents, analogous biomes with similar plant adaptations can develop in geographically separated regions, such as various Mediterranean areas.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q33. In the Tropical Rainforest biome, plants that grow non-parasitically on other plants for physical support to reach sunlight are called:
Explanation
Epiphytes are specialized plants found in tropical rainforests that grow on the branches or trunks of taller trees for physical support. Unlike parasites, they do not derive nutrients from their host. Instead, they use this elevated position to reach sunlight, which is scarce on the forest floor. They obtain moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q34. Which of the following best describes the nutrient cycling process within a Tropical Rainforest biome?
Explanation
Tropical rainforests are characterized by extremely rapid nutrient cycling. Due to high temperatures and humidity, decomposers break down organic matter almost immediately. The resulting nutrients are quickly reabsorbed by the dense root systems of the vegetation. Consequently, most of the ecosystem’s nutrients are stored within the living biomass itself, rather than accumulating in the heavily leached and acidic soil.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q35. Consider the following statements regarding the Tropical Savanna biome: I. It is characterized by an alternating wet and dry season. II. Elephant grass is a typical example of vegetation found in this biome. III. It supports a vast number of grazing herbivores and their predators. IV. It is completely devoid of any tree species. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The tropical savanna biome is defined by its alternating wet and dry seasons, which support vast grasslands and large populations of herbivores. While the landscape is dominated by grasses like elephant grass, it is not entirely devoid of trees. Instead, it features scattered, fire-resistant trees that do not form a closed canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the ground-level vegetation.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q36. The following question consists of two statements--Statement I and Statement II. Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option. Statement I: Plants in the Mediterranean biome have thick, waxy, and leathery leaves to minimize moisture loss. Statement II: These adaptations are necessary because the region experiences its highest rainfall during the hot summer months.
Explanation
Plants in the Mediterranean biome have evolved thick, waxy leaves to minimize water loss during the intense drought of summer. This sclerophyllous vegetation is essential for survival because the region receives most of its rainfall during the mild winters, while the summers remain hot and extremely dry. These adaptations allow the plants to endure long periods without significant moisture availability.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q37. Which of the following sequences correctly represents the descending order of Net Primary Productivity (NPP) among the given biomes?
Explanation
Net Primary Productivity represents the rate at which plants produce useful chemical energy. Tropical rainforests have the highest productivity due to year-round growth conditions. They are followed by temperate deciduous forests and tropical savannas. Deserts have the lowest productivity among these biomes because extreme water scarcity severely limits plant growth and the total amount of biomass that can be sustained.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q38. In which of the following regions is the Temperate Deciduous Forest biome prominently distributed?
Explanation
The temperate deciduous forest biome is prominently distributed in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Key regions include the Eastern United States, Western Europe, and Eastern China. These areas experience four distinct seasons with moderate precipitation and cold winters. The trees in these forests are adapted to this seasonality by shedding their broad leaves in autumn to survive winter.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q39. Match List I (Geographical Region) with List II (Natural Biome) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Geographical Region
Natural Biome
A. Zaire Basin
i. Desert
B. Eurasian Steppe
ii. Tundra
C. Northern Siberia
iii. Temperate Grassland
D. Western Australia
iv. Tropical Rainforest Options:
Explanation
Different geographical regions are home to specific biomes based on their latitude and climate. The Zaire Basin contains tropical rainforests, while the Eurasian Steppe is a major temperate grassland. Northern Siberia is characterized by cold tundra vegetation. In contrast, Western Australia is largely occupied by desert biomes. Each of these regions reflects the dominant environmental factors of its geographical location.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q40. The following question consists of two statements--Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option. Assertion (A): Trees in the Tundra biome are either entirely absent or appear as very low, stunted shrubs. Reason (R): The presence of permafrost limits root penetration, and high winds make it difficult for tall vegetation to survive.
Explanation
Trees are largely absent from the tundra because the short growing season and cold temperatures are insufficient for significant wood growth. The presence of permafrost limits root depth, while high winds and frozen ground make it difficult for tall vegetation to remain stable. Consequently, the vegetation is restricted to low-growing mosses, lichens, and stunted shrubs that hug the ground.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
32
(b) II and III only
33
(b) Epiphytes
34
(a) Rapid nutrient cycling where most minerals are stored in biomass rather than soil
35
(c) IV only
36
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
(b) Eastern United States, Western Europe, and Eastern China
39
(a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i
40
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Key facts from Natural Vegetation and Biomes
The dense, broad-leaved evergreen forest of the Amazon Basin is called Selvas.
The layers of a tropical rainforest from the top are emergent layer, canopy, understory and forest floor; epiphytes grow on other plants for support without being parasites.
Podzolization is the soil process most dominant in the Boreal Forest (Taiga).
Boreal forests have extensive pure stands of a single species, which simplifies commercial lumbering.
Temperate deciduous forests are found in eastern United States, western Europe and eastern China.
The Coastal Redwood is a famous tree of the Pacific coast temperate rainforest; the Great Barrier Reef lies off the north-east coast of Australia.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Natural Vegetation and Biomes?
This page has 80 practice MCQs on Natural Vegetation and Biomes (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What are Selvas?
The local name for the dense, broad-leaved evergreen forest of the Amazon Basin. The high rainfall and heat all year round produce a tall forest with several layers, which makes it the richest rainforest on the planet.
What are epiphytes?
Plants that grow on other plants, mostly trees, for physical support, without being parasites. In tropical rainforests orchids and ferns are epiphytes, and they get light by growing high on tree trunks and branches.
Where is podzolization most common?
In the Boreal Forest, or Taiga, biome. The cold, wet climate and acidic needle litter wash minerals out of the upper soil, producing the grey, infertile podzol soils typical of coniferous forests.
