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 211–220 of 553 questions
Browse World Geography chapters
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q211. Consider the following statements regarding the needle-shaped leaves of coniferous trees in the Boreal (Taiga) forest: I. They reduce the surface area, thereby minimizing water loss through transpiration. II. Their waxy coating protects them from freezing temperatures. III. The shape allows snow to easily slide off, preventing branch breakage. IV. They fall off every winter to conserve energy. V. They are dark in color to maximize the absorption of weak winter sunlight. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Coniferous trees in the boreal forest have evolved needle-shaped leaves to survive harsh winters. Their small surface area and waxy coating reduce water loss and prevent freezing. The shape also prevents snow accumulation from breaking branches. Most boreal conifers are evergreen and do not shed their leaves in winter; this allows them to begin photosynthesis immediately when temperatures rise in spring.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q212. Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes Alpine Tundra from Arctic Tundra?
Explanation
While both biomes are treeless and cold, Arctic tundra and alpine tundra are distinguished by their location. Arctic tundra occurs at high latitudes near the poles and is often underlain by permafrost. Alpine tundra is found at high altitudes on mountains worldwide, regardless of latitude. In alpine regions, better drainage and the lack of continuous permafrost often result in different soil characteristics.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q213. The following question consists of two statements--Statement I and Statement II. Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option. Statement I: Phreatophytes are a specific type of desert plant adapted to arid environments. Statement II: They survive dry conditions by developing extremely long taproots that reach deep underground water tables.
Explanation
Phreatophytes are a specialized group of desert plants that have adapted to arid conditions by developing extremely long taproots. These roots extend deep into the earth to reach the underlying water table, providing a consistent moisture source. This strategy allows them to remain green and survive even when the surface soil is completely dry and other vegetation has withered away.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q214. Mangrove forests play a critical ecological role in coastal regions. Which of the following is not a recognized ecological benefit of mangroves?
Explanation
Mangroves provide essential ecological services, such as protecting coasts from erosion, trapping sediment, and serving as nurseries for marine life. They act as natural filters for pollutants before they reach the ocean. However, mangroves do not increase the salinity of coastal waters to support freshwater fish. Instead, they are highly adapted to survive and thrive in saline or brackish water environments.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q215. The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system known for its immense biodiversity, is located in the waters off the coast of:
Explanation
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest and most famous coral reef system on Earth, spanning thousands of kilometers. It is located in the Coral Sea, off the northeastern coast of Australia. This massive structure is built by billions of tiny coral polyps and supports an incredible diversity of marine life, making it a globally significant site for marine conservation and biodiversity.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q216. Which of the following pairs of Biome and Soil fertility is correctly matched?
Explanation
Temperate grasslands possess some of the most fertile soils globally, often classified as Mollisols or Chernozems. These soils are deep and rich in organic matter due to the annual decomposition of extensive grass root systems. In contrast, tropical rainforest soils are typically nutrient-poor and leached, while tundra soils are often frozen, and desert soils are frequently thin and lack organic material.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q217. Which of the following statements regarding the boundaries of biomes is incorrect?
Explanation
Biome boundaries are rarely sharp or sudden. Instead, they usually consist of gradual transition zones known as ecotones. In these areas, the characteristics of adjacent biomes overlap, often leading to higher species diversity through the edge effect. This gradual shift reflects the slow changes in climate, such as temperature and precipitation, as one moves across different latitudes or altitudes.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q218. In the context of tropical rainforest vegetation, what is the correct definition of "Lianas"?
Explanation
Lianas are woody, climbing vines that are a prominent feature of tropical rainforests. They begin their life on the forest floor but quickly grow upward, using trees for physical support to reach the sunlight-rich canopy. Once established, they often loop between trees, providing pathways for arboreal animals. They are autotrophic and compete with trees for light, nutrients, and water.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q219. Many emergent and canopy trees in the tropical rainforest have prominent "buttress roots". What is their primary function?
Explanation
Buttress roots are large, wide roots that grow out from the base of many tall tropical rainforest trees. Their primary function is to provide structural stability and support for the massive trunks in the shallow, nutrient-poor soils of the rainforest. Because most nutrients are near the surface, these trees do not have deep taproots, making buttress roots essential for preventing toppling.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · Natural Vegetation and Biomes
Q220. The Indian subcontinent is largely characterized by tropical deciduous forests. Which of the following tree species is generally not found in these forests?
Explanation
India’s tropical deciduous forests are dominated by commercially important species like teak, sal, and neem, which are well-adapted to the seasonal monsoon climate. Mahogany, however, is a tree species characteristic of tropical evergreen rainforests. It requires consistent high humidity and rainfall throughout the year, conditions that are not typical of the deciduous forest regions found across the Indian subcontinent.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
211
(b) IV only
212
(d) Alpine Tundra occurs at high altitudes, while Arctic Tundra occurs at high latitudes
213
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
214
(c) They increase the salinity of coastal waters, making them suitable for freshwater fish
215
(d) The northeastern coast of Australia
216
(a) Temperate Grassland : Highly fertile soil with a thick, dark humus layer
217
(c) Biome boundaries are sharply defined, with one biome ending abruptly where another begins
218
(a) Woody vines rooting in soil that climb trees to reach the canopy
219
(d) To provide structural support in shallow, nutrient-poor soils
220
(b) Mahogany
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.
