Q491. Which of the following best describes the core objective of the Great Green Wall initiative?
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 491–500 of 553 questions
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Q492. Which of the following pairs concerning the consequences of deforestation is correctly matched?
Explanation
Forests act as major carbon reservoirs, storing vast amounts of carbon in their biomass and soil. When trees are cut and burned or left to decay, this stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This process significantly contributes to the greenhouse effect, making deforestation a major driver of global warming and climate change.
Q493. Consider the following statements regarding the Paris Agreement:
I. It aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
II. It requires all signatory countries to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
III. It enforces top-down, legally binding emission reduction targets imposed by the UN on all member states.
IV. It relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by individual countries.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
II. It requires all signatory countries to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
III. It enforces top-down, legally binding emission reduction targets imposed by the UN on all member states.
IV. It relies on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by individual countries.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Paris Agreement focuses on limiting global temperature increases to well below 2.0 degrees Celsius. It encourages efforts to reach a 1.5-degree limit to minimize severe impacts. Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions, which are self-defined climate action plans. Unlike earlier treaties, it uses a flexible bottom-up approach rather than imposing top-down, legally binding emission targets on states.
Q494. Globally, which region is currently experiencing the highest absolute rate of tropical deforestation?
Explanation
Although forest loss occurs globally, the Amazon Basin currently experiences the highest absolute rates of tropical deforestation. Driven by agricultural expansion and cattle ranching, this loss threatens the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem. Protecting the Amazon is vital for maintaining regional rainfall patterns and global carbon cycles. Monitoring these trends is essential for international conservation efforts and climate mitigation.
Q495. Consider the following statements regarding the causes of desertification:
Statement I: Improper irrigation practices in arid and semi-arid regions can lead to waterlogging and severe soil salinization.
Statement II: The accumulation of salts in the topsoil makes it unviable for agriculture, thereby accelerating the process of desertification.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: Improper irrigation practices in arid and semi-arid regions can lead to waterlogging and severe soil salinization.
Statement II: The accumulation of salts in the topsoil makes it unviable for agriculture, thereby accelerating the process of desertification.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Improper irrigation in drylands often leads to waterlogging and the subsequent accumulation of salts in the topsoil. This process, known as salinization, makes the land toxic for most crops and vegetation.
Q496. How does the melting of Arctic ice contribute to a positive feedback loop in global climate change?
Explanation
The melting of Arctic sea ice reduces the Earth’s albedo, which is the reflectivity of the surface. White ice reflects sunlight, but dark open water absorbs more solar energy, leading to further warming. This additional heat causes more ice to melt, creating a self-reinforcing positive feedback loop. This mechanism significantly accelerates the rate of warming in polar regions.
Q497. Which of the following is NOT considered a greenhouse gas?
Explanation
Greenhouse gases are characterized by their ability to absorb and emit infrared radiation, trapping heat in the atmosphere. Common examples include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Nitrogen, which makes up about 78% of the atmosphere, does not have this property due to its simple diatomic structure. Therefore, it does not contribute directly to the greenhouse effect or global warming.
Q498. Match List-I with List-II:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| International Protocol/Agreement | Primary Focus Area |
|---|---|
| A. Montreal Protocol | i. Bottom-up approach for climate action via NDCs |
| B. Kyoto Protocol | ii. Phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substances |
| C. Paris Agreement | iii. Combating land degradation and desertification |
| D. UNCCD | iv. Legally binding emission targets for developed nations |
Explanation
The Montreal Protocol addresses ozone depletion, while the Kyoto Protocol established binding targets for developed nations. The Paris Agreement introduced a bottom-up approach through self-determined contributions. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification focuses on land degradation. Understanding these different frameworks is essential for recognizing how the international community addresses diverse environmental challenges through specialized legal and cooperative mechanisms.
Q499. When a forest is cleared for agriculture, a significant amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere. This carbon originates primarily from which two components of the forest ecosystem?
Explanation
Forest ecosystems store carbon primarily in living biomass, including trunks, branches, and roots, and in the organic matter of the soil. When land is cleared for agriculture, these stores are disturbed. Burning vegetation releases carbon instantly, while soil disturbance leads to the decomposition of organic matter. These processes contribute significantly to the overall atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide.
Q500. Which of the following represents the correct chronological sequence of the establishment or adoption of these major environmental milestones?
Explanation
Environmental governance evolved through several key milestones starting with the 1987 Montreal Protocol. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change followed in 1988 to assess climate science. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was then adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit. Finally, the Paris Agreement was established in 2015, representing the modern era of climate action.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 491 | (c) To restore degraded landscapes and combat desertification across the Sahel via sustainable management. |
| 492 | (d) Carbon release - Decaying or burning cleared vegetation releases stored atmospheric CO 2 . |
| 493 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 494 | (b) The Amazon Basin in South America |
| 495 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 496 | (a) Exposed dark ocean water has a lower albedo, absorbing more radiation and accelerating warming. |
| 497 | (c) Nitrogen (N2) |
| 498 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 499 | (c) The biomass of the trees and the organic matter in the soil |
| 500 | (a) Montreal Protocol, Establishment of IPCC, UNFCCC, Paris Agreement |
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.