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 21–30 of 553 questions
Browse World Geography chapters
| Plateau Name | Type of Plateau |
|---|---|
| A. Tibetan Plateau | i. Continental Plateau |
| B. Deccan Plateau | ii. Piedmont Plateau |
| C. Patagonian Plateau | iii. Volcanic Plateau |
| D. Antarctic Plateau | iv. Intermontane Plateau |
Explanation
Plateaus are classified by their geological setting and origin. The Tibetan Plateau is intermontane, surrounded by mountains. The Deccan Plateau is volcanic, formed by lava flows. The Patagonian Plateau is a piedmont type, located at the foot of the Andes. The Antarctic Plateau is a continental plateau, representing a massive elevated shield. These categories help geographers understand the diverse history of landforms.Explanation
The African Plateau is a massive, elevated landmass that dominates the continent’s geography. It is of immense global economic importance due to its extraordinary mineral wealth. The region contains some of the world’s largest deposits of gold, diamonds, and copper, alongside significant amounts of cobalt and platinum. These resources drive mining industries and international trade, supporting the economies of many African nations.I. Much of the African continent consists of elevated plateau regions.
II. The East African Plateau is deeply fragmented by the Great Rift Valley system.
III. The plateau region strictly receives snowfall throughout the year due to high latitudes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Much of Africa consists of high plateaus, with the East African Plateau being notably dissected by the Great Rift Valley. While these areas are elevated, they are primarily located in tropical and subtropical latitudes. Therefore, they do not receive snowfall throughout the year, except on the very highest mountain peaks. This distinguishes the plateau’s general climate from high-latitude polar regions.Explanation
The Anatolian Plateau, Katanga Plateau, and Colorado Plateau are all distinct elevated flatlands characterized by their high altitude and relatively level surfaces. In contrast, the Amazon Basin is a massive low-lying alluvial plain formed by river deposition. This fundamental difference in topographic classification and elevation makes the Amazon region the odd one out when compared to the other mentioned plateaus.Explanation
The Deccan Plateau was formed by massive volcanic activity that spread extensive layers of basaltic lava across the region. Over millions of years, the physical and chemical weathering of these volcanic rocks has resulted in the formation of deep black soils. These soils are rich in minerals like lime and iron, making them exceptionally fertile for crops like cotton.Explanation
The Tibetan Plateau is the highest and largest plateau in the world, often referred to as the "Roof of the World." Its geographic boundaries are defined by massive mountain ranges. To the south, it is bordered by the towering Himalayas. To the north, it is bounded by the Kunlun Mountains. These ranges were formed by the same tectonic collision processes between the Indian and Eurasian plates.I. The Patagonian plateau is an example of a piedmont plateau.
II. The Deccan plateau slopes generally from east to west.
III. The Tibetan plateau is known as the "Roof of the World".
IV. The Brazilian plateau occupies a large portion of eastern South America.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Patagonian Plateau is a piedmont plateau located at the foot of mountains. The Tibetan Plateau is globally recognized as the "Roof of the World" due to its extreme altitude. The Brazilian Plateau covers much of eastern South America. However, the Deccan Plateau generally slopes from west to east, which is why most of its major rivers flow toward the Bay of Bengal.Explanation
The Loess Plateau is a unique geographical region located in north-central China. It is characterized by thick deposits of loess, which is fine-grained, wind-blown silt. This material is highly fertile but also extremely susceptible to erosion by wind and water. The Huang He, or Yellow River, flows through this region, carrying vast amounts of yellow silt derived from these deposits.Explanation
Continental plateaus are massive elevated landforms that rise sharply from the surrounding lowlands or the sea. They are typically located away from mountain ranges and represent stable portions of the Earth’s crust. Unlike intermontane plateaus, they are not enclosed by mountains. Examples include the Antarctic Plateau and the Brazilian Plateau. These regions often cover vast areas and have relatively level summits.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) Iron ore and Manganese |
| 22 | (b) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i |
| 23 | (d) Vast reserves of gold, diamonds, and copper |
| 24 | (c) III only |
| 25 | (c) Amazon |
| 26 | (a) Black soils formed by the weathering of basaltic lava flows |
| 27 | (d) Himalayas and Kunlun Mountains |
| 28 | (b) I, III, and IV only |
| 29 | (c) China |
| 30 | (d) Extensive areas rising abruptly from bordering lowlands |
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.