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 271–280 of 553 questions
Browse World Geography chapters
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The yield per acre in intensive subsistence farming is relatively high.
Reason (R): Farmers use every bit of available land and often practice multiple cropping due to high population pressure. In the light of the above statements, select the correct answer from the options given below:
Explanation
Due to severe population pressure and limited land availability, farmers in intensive subsistence systems utilize every available space. They practice multiple cropping and apply significant manual labor and organic manures to maximize the harvest from small plots. This intense use of resources results in a high yield per unit of land, even though total output per laborer remains low.I. It is commonly found in the highly developed parts of the world, e.g., North-western Europe and Eastern North America.
II. Fodder crops like alfalfa and clover are an important component of this system.
III. It strictly avoids the rearing of animals like cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Mixed farming is a sophisticated system prevalent in developed regions like Western Europe and North America. It involves a balanced integration of crop cultivation and livestock rearing. Fodder crops such as alfalfa and clover are essential, as they provide nutrition for animals and help fix nitrogen in the soil. The inclusion of cattle and sheep is a defining characteristic.| Practice | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| A. Dairy Farming | i. Highly mechanized, large farms, low yield per acre but high yield per person. |
| B. Mediterranean Agriculture | ii. Capital intensive, focused on milch animals, labor intensive throughout the year. |
| C. Shifting Cultivation | iii. Slash and burn technique, low technological input. |
| D. Commercial Grain Farming | iv. Specialized in orchard farming, viticulture, tolerant of summer droughts. |
Explanation
Dairy farming is capital and labor-intensive, focusing on milch animals year-round. Mediterranean agriculture is known for specialized viticulture and orchard farming adapted to dry summers. Shifting cultivation uses the slash-and-burn technique with low technological input. Commercial grain farming is highly mechanized on large farms, resulting in high yield per person despite lower yield per acre than intensive systems.I. It is highly capital intensive due to requirements for animal sheds, storage facilities, and milking machines.
II. It requires intensive labor for feeding and milking, with little or no off-season during the year.
III. The development of transportation and refrigeration has expanded its market reach.
IV. It is the dominant form of agriculture in the arid deserts of the Middle East.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Dairy farming is not a dominant agricultural practice in arid deserts due to the lack of fresh fodder and water. It is a highly capital-intensive industry requiring modern sheds, machinery, and cooling systems. The development of transportation and refrigeration has significantly expanded its reach to global markets. Most commercial operations are located in temperate regions near urban centers.Explanation
Mediterranean agriculture is a highly specialized commercial system found in regions with a Mediterranean climate. It focuses on the production of high-value crops such as citrus fruits, olives, and grapes. Viticulture, or grape cultivation, is a hallmark of this system, often supporting a significant wine industry. The system is well-adapted to the unique seasonal rhythm of dry summers.I. Dry land farming emphasizes techniques to conserve soil moisture, such as mulching.
II. Irrigated farming ensures multiple cropping in areas that would otherwise remain barren due to lack of rainfall.
III. Dry land farming predominantly cultivates water-intensive crops like sugarcane.
IV. The Indira Gandhi Canal has facilitated irrigated farming in north-western Rajasthan.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Dry land farming focuses on moisture conservation techniques like mulching and cultivating drought-resistant crops. Irrigated farming allows for multiple crops in arid regions by providing a stable water supply. The Indira Gandhi Canal is a prime example of irrigation transforming desert landscapes in Rajasthan. Water-intensive crops like sugarcane are unsuitable for dry land farming and require reliable irrigation to thrive.Explanation
Wet paddy cultivation requires specific environmental conditions, including high temperatures above twenty-five degrees Celsius and high humidity. The crop needs significant water, typically requiring an annual rainfall of over one hundred centimeters or reliable irrigation. Fields must be flooded during the early growth stages, making soil that retains moisture, such as clayey alluvium, much more suitable for this purpose.I. Wheat is primarily a crop of the mid-latitude grasslands.
II. The Steppes of Eurasia and Prairies of North America are major wheat belts.
III. Wheat cultivation requires a heavy rainfall of over 200 cm annually.
IV. Punjab and Haryana are major wheat-producing states in India.
V. It thrives best in well-drained loamy and clayey soils.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Wheat is a staple crop primarily grown in mid-latitude grasslands, including the Eurasian Steppes and North American Prairies. In India, Punjab and Haryana are major producers. The crop thrives in well-drained loamy soils and requires a cool growing season followed by bright sunshine. Contrary to water-intensive crops, wheat does not need heavy rainfall and grows best with moderate moisture.Explanation
In the United States, the vast majority of maize, commonly known as corn, is utilized as livestock feed to support the massive meat and dairy industries. It is a high-energy source for cattle, hogs, and poultry. While some corn is used for human consumption and industrial products like ethanol, its primary economic role is supporting the animal agriculture sector.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 271 | (b) Large-scale mechanized cultivation of wheat in the Canadian Prairies. |
| 272 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 273 | (a) I and II only |
| 274 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 275 | (b) IV only |
| 276 | (c) It is a specialized commercial system focused on citrus, grapes, and olives. |
| 277 | (a) I, II and IV only |
| 278 | (d) High temperatures above 25°C, high humidity, and annual rainfall exceeding 100 cm. |
| 279 | (a) I, II, IV and V only |
| 280 | (c) Used as livestock feed to support the meat and dairy industries. |
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.