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 31–40 of 553 questions
Browse World Geography chapters
| Plateau | Region/Country |
|---|---|
| A. Anatolian Plateau | i. Australia |
| B. Katanga Plateau | ii. Turkey |
| C. Kimberley Plateau | iii. North America |
| D. Mexican Plateau | iv. Democratic Republic of Congo |
Explanation
Plateaus are major landforms found on every continent. The Anatolian Plateau occupies much of Turkey, while the Katanga Plateau is a mineral-rich region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kimberley Plateau is located in northwestern Australia. The Mexican Plateau is a large highland region in North America. Each plateau has distinct geological origins and provides essential resources to its respective region.Explanation
In geomorphology, a peneplain represents the final stage of the fluvial erosion cycle. It is a broad, low-relief plain formed when agents of erosion, primarily rivers, have worn down a highland area almost to sea level. The resulting surface is nearly flat with occasional resistant hills called monadnocks. This process takes millions of years of tectonic stability and continuous weathering and transport.I. It is formed by the aggradational work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
II. It is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
III. It features highly fertile alluvial soil ideal for intensive agriculture.
IV. The older alluvium in this plain is known as Khadar.
V. The plain has a very gentle slope toward the sea.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indo-Gangetic Plain is formed by the depositional work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers. It features highly fertile alluvial soil and supports one of the world’s densest populations. The plain has a very gentle slope toward the sea. However, the older alluvium is known as Bhangar, while the newer, more fertile deposits found in floodplains are called Khadar.Explanation
Alluvial plains are formed by the gradual accumulation of sediments deposited by rivers over long periods. These sediments, including silt, sand, and clay, are typically spread across wide areas during seasonal flooding. This process creates flat, fertile land that is highly suitable for agriculture. These plains are usually located in the lower reaches of rivers where water flow velocity decreases.Explanation
The Amazon Basin is characterized by an equatorial climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. This environment supports extremely dense tropical rainforests, which make large-scale settlement and infrastructure development difficult. Additionally, the constant high humidity and heat create an unhealthy environment prone to tropical diseases. These physical and climatic constraints result in a relatively low human population density.Explanation
Alluvial plains, flood plains, and deltaic plains are all primarily formed by the action of running water, specifically through river deposition and fluvial processes. In contrast, a loess plain is formed by the deposition of fine-grained silt carried by the wind. Because the dominant agent of formation for loess is aeolian rather than fluvial, it is the distinct outlier.Assertion (A): Loess plains are often highly productive agricultural areas.
Reason (R): Loess consists of fine-grained, wind-blown silt that is well-aerated and rich in minerals.
Which of the following is correct in the context of the above statements?
Explanation
Loess plains are exceptionally productive for agriculture due to the nature of their soil. Loess consists of fine, mineral-rich silt that has been transported and deposited by wind. This soil structure is naturally well-aerated and can retain moisture effectively, providing an ideal medium for plant roots. These characteristics allow farmers to achieve high crop yields in regions like north-central China.Explanation
The Great Plains of North America were formed through a combination of geological processes over millions of years. Rivers flowing eastward from the rising Rocky Mountains deposited vast amounts of sediment, known as outwash. Additionally, during the Pleistocene epoch, advancing and retreating continental glaciers further shaped the landscape by depositing till and smoothing the terrain into its current expansive, flat form.Explanation
A coastal plain is a flat, low-lying piece of land next to the ocean. It can be formed through the emergence of part of the continental shelf due to a drop in sea level or tectonic uplift. Alternatively, it may result from the deposition of sediments by rivers and marine currents along the shoreline. These plains often feature sandy beaches and salt marshes.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) Deeply incised sedimentary rock forming massive canyons |
| 32 | (b) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 33 | (b) Peneplain |
| 34 | (a) I, II, III, and V only |
| 35 | (c) Deep deposits of silt and clay left by flooding |
| 36 | (d) Dense rainforests and an unhealthy, humid climate |
| 37 | (c) Loess plain |
| 38 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 39 | (d) Rocky Mountain outwash and northern glacial action |
| 40 | (a) Coastal plain |
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.