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 41–50 of 553 questions
Browse World Geography chapters
| Type of Plain | Formative Agent |
|---|---|
| A. Alluvial plain | i. Melting ice and meltwater |
| B. Glacial outwash plain | ii. Wind deposition |
| C. Coastal plain | iii. River deposition |
| D. Loess plain | iv. Marine processes and sea-level changes |
Explanation
Different geomorphic agents create various types of plains. Alluvial plains result from river deposition, while glacial outwash plains are formed by meltwater from glaciers. Coastal plains are shaped by marine processes and changes in sea level. Loess plains are created by the deposition of fine silt by wind. Understanding these agents helps explain the diverse physical landscapes and soil types found worldwide.Explanation
The extensive wheat farming in the North American Great Plains is directly linked to its geography. The region features vast, flat stretches of land that facilitate large-scale mechanized agriculture. The temperate climate and naturally fertile soils, originally covered by grasslands, provide the ideal conditions for growing cereal crops. This combination of topography and soil quality has made the region a global breadbasket.I. The Bhabar belt is highly porous due to the deposition of coarse pebbles.
II. Streams disappear in the Bhabar and re-emerge in the Terai region.
III. The Bhangar represents the newer alluvium deposited by floodwaters annually.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Bhabar belt is a porous region at the foot of the Himalayas, composed of coarse pebbles where many streams disappear underground. These streams re-emerge further south in the swampy Terai region. While the Khadar represents the newer, fertile alluvium deposited by annual floods, the Bhangar consists of older alluvium and lies above the level of the regular flood plains.Explanation
The Terai is a marshy and swampy lowland region located immediately south of the Bhabar belt in the Indo-Gangetic plains. It is formed by the re-emergence of underground streams that disappear in the porous Bhabar. Historically, the Terai was covered with thick forests and was rich in wildlife. Today, much of it has been cleared for intensive agriculture due to its fertile soil.Explanation
Lacustrine plains result from filled-in lakes, while karst plains form from dissolved limestone. Peneplains are created through long-term river erosion. However, till plains are not aeolian; they are formed by the deposition of unsorted glacial drift as a glacier melts. Aeolian plains, such as loess plains, are formed specifically by wind action. This distinction is vital for understanding various geomorphic processes.Explanation
The fundamental agent responsible for creating Loess plains is the wind. It picks up fine-grained, mineral-rich silt from desert regions or glacial outwash areas and transports it over long distances. When the wind’s velocity decreases, this silt is deposited in thick layers, forming extensive and fertile plains. These landforms are characterized by their lack of horizontal stratification and high porosity.I. They are formed by the erosional and depositional work of glaciers.
II. A till plain is an uneven surface of unstratified glacial drift.
III. An outwash plain is composed of stratified drift deposited by meltwater.
IV. They are exclusively found in equatorial latitudes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Glacial plains are formed by the erosional and depositional activities of large ice sheets. A till plain consists of unstratified drift deposited directly by melting ice, while an outwash plain features stratified sediments laid down by glacial meltwater. These landforms are typically found in high-latitude regions or high-altitude areas that experienced glaciation, rather than in the warm equatorial latitudes.Explanation
A region is primarily classified as a desert based on its aridity rather than temperature. The defining characteristic is a severe moisture deficit, where the potential evaporation significantly exceeds the total annual precipitation, which is usually less than 25 centimeters. While many deserts are hot, some are cold. This lack of water limits vegetation growth and shapes the unique desert landscape.Explanation
Deserts vary greatly in their geographic extent. The Sahara in North Africa is the largest hot desert globally. It is followed by the Arabian Desert on the Arabian Peninsula. The Gobi Desert in Central Asia is the third largest in this group and is classified as a cold desert. The Atacama Desert in South America is significantly smaller but extremely arid.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) They constitute the largest tropical rainforest lowland in the world. |
| 42 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 43 | (d) Vast, flat, and fertile temperate grasslands |
| 44 | (a) I and II only |
| 45 | (c) Terai |
| 46 | (d) Till Plains - Formed by fine-grained aeolian deposition |
| 47 | (a) Wind |
| 48 | (c) IV only |
| 49 | (b) Severe moisture deficit with low annual precipitation |
| 50 | (a) Sahara, Arabian, Gobi, Atacama |
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.