| 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: |
World Geography: RAS Prelims MCQs
553 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on world geography are on this page, in 7 chapters. They cover physical landforms, major rivers and lakes, natural vegetation and biomes, world agriculture, industrial regions, the transport network and the main environmental issues: desertification, deforestation, climate change and ozone depletion. Each question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 191–200 of 553 questions
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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.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.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.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.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.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.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.| 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.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 |
|---|---|
| 191 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 192 | (b) II and III only |
| 193 | (b) Epiphytes |
| 194 | (a) Rapid nutrient cycling where most minerals are stored in biomass rather than soil |
| 195 | (c) IV only |
| 196 | (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect |
| 197 | (a) Tropical Rainforest, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Tropical Savanna, Desert |
| 198 | (b) Eastern United States, Western Europe, and Eastern China |
| 199 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i |
| 200 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
Key facts from World Geography
- The RPSC syllabus for world geography lists mountains, plateaus, plains and deserts, major rivers and lakes, natural vegetation, agriculture, industrial regions, transport and environmental issues.
- Questions ask for the location of a feature: where a range lies, where a river ends, which country has an industrial region.
- Statement and sequence questions are common, for example the order of mountain ranges or of vegetation layers.
- Environmental issues are asked through treaties and dates, such as the Montreal Protocol, the IPCC and the Paris Agreement.
- Indian and Rajasthan geography are on their own pages, each with its own chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on World Geography?
This page has 553 practice MCQs on World Geography. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the world geography set cover?
Seven chapters: physical landforms (mountains, plateaus, plains and deserts), major rivers and lakes, natural vegetation and biomes, world agriculture, major industrial regions, the world transport network, and environmental issues including desertification, deforestation, climate change and ozone depletion.
Is world geography part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC syllabus has a Geography of World and India section that lists physical aspects, rivers and lakes, natural vegetation, agriculture, industrial regions, transport and environmental issues for the world, followed by India and Rajasthan.
How can I revise world geography quickly?
Use an atlas alongside the questions. Attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and mark the place on the map. Make short lists of ranges, rivers and industrial regions with their countries, and revise them over several days.