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.
Q481. Consider the following statements regarding the Sahel region’s geography and desertification: Statement I: The Sahel is a semi-arid transition zone located between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south. Statement II: Overgrazing, combined with population pressure and variable rainfall, is a primary anthropogenic cause of desertification in the Sahel. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sahel serves as a critical transition zone between the Sahara Desert and southern savannas. It faces severe land degradation driven by anthropogenic factors like overgrazing and rising population pressure. These human influences, combined with highly unpredictable rainfall patterns, accelerate desertification processes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for implementing sustainable land management and restoration initiatives.
Q482. Identify the odd one out among the following typical causes of deforestation globally.
Explanation
Deforestation is primarily driven by industrial agriculture, urban expansion, and large-scale logging operations. In contrast, agroforestry involves the intentional integration of trees into crop and livestock systems. This practice is a sustainable land management strategy that enhances biodiversity and sequester carbon. Therefore, it serves as a solution to forest loss rather than a contributing cause.
Q483. Consider the following statements regarding the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): I. It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. II. It was adopted in 1994 and focuses heavily on the arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems exist. III. The Great Green Wall initiative is completely independent of the UNCCD framework and objectives. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification is a legally binding international agreement focusing on sustainable land management in drylands. Adopted in 1994, it targets vulnerable arid and semi-arid regions to improve ecosystem health. While the Great Green Wall is a major initiative, it aligns closely with the objectives and framework established by the convention.
Q484. The protective ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, is primarily located in which region of the atmosphere?
Explanation
The stratosphere contains the highest concentration of ozone, forming a protective shield around the planet. This layer absorbs the majority of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, particularly UV-B rays. By filtering these rays, it prevents significant damage to living organisms and ecosystems. Its preservation remains a critical focus of international environmental agreements like the Montreal Protocol.
Q485. All of the following are considered natural drivers of long-term climate change EXCEPT:
Explanation
Long-term climate variations occur naturally through Milankovitch cycles, solar fluctuations, and volcanic activity. However, large-scale changes in land use and the removal of forests are anthropogenic drivers. These human activities release stored carbon and alter surface albedo, contributing to modern global warming. Distinguishing between natural cycles and human-induced impacts is vital for accurate climate modeling.
Q486. Consider the following statements regarding Amazon deforestation: I. The Amazon basin contains the largest remaining area of tropical rainforest in the world. II. Cattle ranching and soy cultivation are among the leading primary drivers of deforestation in the region. III. Deforestation in the Amazon reduces its capacity to function as a global carbon sink. IV. The loss of Amazonian tree cover has no significant impact on regional evapotranspiration and rainfall patterns. V. Scientists warn that continued deforestation could push the Amazon past a tipping point, turning it into a savanna. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Amazon basin represents the largest tropical forest, providing essential services like carbon sequestration and regional rainfall regulation through evapotranspiration. Major drivers include cattle ranching and soy cultivation. Continued loss of tree cover threatens a potential tipping point where the ecosystem transforms into a savanna. This shift would have catastrophic consequences for global biodiversity and climate stability.
Q487. Which of the following statements accurately describes the primary role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
Explanation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change does not conduct original research or monitor the atmosphere directly. Instead, it systematically reviews and synthesizes thousands of peer-reviewed scientific papers. This process provides policymakers with a comprehensive summary of climate drivers, impacts, and mitigation options. Its assessments form the scientific foundation for international climate negotiations and policy development.
iv. Application of nitrogen-based agricultural fertilizers
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Carbon dioxide primarily originates from burning fossil fuels, while methane is released during enteric fermentation in livestock. Nitrous oxide emissions are largely linked to the application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in agriculture. Synthetic chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons were historically used as refrigerants and propellants. Identifying these specific sources is crucial for developing targeted emission reduction strategies globally.
Q489. What is the primary cause of the current global sea-level rise directly linked to global warming?
Explanation
Global sea-level rise is primarily driven by two warming-related processes. First, seawater expands as it absorbs heat, increasing its volume. Second, the melting of land-based glaciers and ice sheets adds new water to the basins. While sea ice melting affects albedo and ecosystems, it does not directly contribute significantly to volume increases compared to land ice.
Q490. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The ozone hole is most prominently observed over Antarctica during its spring season. Reason (R): Polar stratospheric clouds form during the extremely cold winter, providing surfaces for chemical reactions that release ozone-depleting reactive chlorine. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
Extremely low temperatures during the Antarctic winter lead to the formation of polar stratospheric clouds. These clouds facilitate unique chemical reactions that release reactive chlorine from reservoir species. When sunlight returns in the spring, this chlorine rapidly destroys ozone molecules, creating the seasonal ozone hole. This localized phenomenon demonstrates the interaction between atmospheric physics and man-made chemicals.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
481
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
482
(d) Implementation of agroforestry systems
483
(a) I and II only
484
(b) Stratosphere
485
(d) Widespread land-use changes and deforestation
486
(a) I, II, III and V only
487
(c) It assesses scientific and technical information relevant to understanding human-induced climate change.
488
(a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii
489
(d) Thermal expansion of seawater combined with the melting of land-based glaciers and ice.
490
(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.
