Q501. Identify the odd one out among the following typical consequences of unchecked global warming.
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 501–510 of 553 questions
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Q502. Deforestation leads to an immediate increase in soil erosion primarily because:
Explanation
Trees play a vital role in stabilizing soil through their extensive root systems, which bind soil particles together. When forests are cleared, this physical support is lost, making the ground highly susceptible to erosion by wind and rain. Additionally, the removal of the canopy exposes the soil surface to direct impact from raindrops, further accelerating the degradation process.
Q503. Consider the following statements regarding the Sahel region’s desertification:
I. The Sahel experiences a highly variable rainfall pattern that makes it naturally vulnerable to prolonged droughts.
II. Rapid population growth has led to over-cultivation, depleting soil nutrients.
III. The region is located entirely within the northern hemisphere.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Sahel experiences a highly variable rainfall pattern that makes it naturally vulnerable to prolonged droughts.
II. Rapid population growth has led to over-cultivation, depleting soil nutrients.
III. The region is located entirely within the northern hemisphere.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sahel is located in the northern hemisphere and experiences natural climate variability that makes it prone to drought. Human factors, such as over-cultivation driven by population growth, exacerbate these vulnerabilities by depleting soil health. This combination of physical and anthropogenic stressors leads to widespread land degradation. Addressing these issues requires integrated strategies that consider both environmental and social dynamics.
Q504. In which year was the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?
Explanation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was founded in 1988 through the joint efforts of two United Nations bodies.
Q505. Which of the following statements about the ozone layer is INCORRECT?
Explanation
Stratospheric ozone is essential for life as it absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, ground-level or tropospheric ozone is a harmful pollutant and a key component of smog. It is produced by chemical reactions between sunlight and emissions from vehicles and industry. Exposure to this ozone can cause respiratory issues and damage vegetation, making it a significant environmental and health concern.
Q506. Consider the following statements regarding the causes of desertification globally:
I. Overgrazing removes vegetative cover, exposing soil to wind and water erosion.
II. Deforestation for fuelwood is a significant driver of desertification in developing nations.
III. Sustainable crop rotation practices accelerate the rate of desertification.
IV. Improper irrigation can lead to salinization, making soils toxic to crops.
V. Prolonged natural droughts exacerbate human-induced land degradation.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Overgrazing removes vegetative cover, exposing soil to wind and water erosion.
II. Deforestation for fuelwood is a significant driver of desertification in developing nations.
III. Sustainable crop rotation practices accelerate the rate of desertification.
IV. Improper irrigation can lead to salinization, making soils toxic to crops.
V. Prolonged natural droughts exacerbate human-induced land degradation.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Desertification is driven by unsustainable practices like overgrazing, deforestation for fuel, and improper irrigation leading to salinization. Conversely, sustainable crop rotation is a beneficial agricultural technique that helps maintain soil fertility and structure. It reduces the risk of land degradation rather than accelerating it. Therefore, promoting such sustainable methods is a key strategy in the global fight against encroaching desertification.
Q507. In the context of Rajasthan’s Thar desert, which of the following is the most widespread physical process of land degradation leading to desertification?
Explanation
In the arid environment of western Rajasthan, wind is the dominant agent of land degradation. The lack of dense vegetation allows strong winds to transport loose soil and sand, leading to the movement of sand dunes. This process can bury fertile agricultural land and infrastructure, significantly contributing to desertification. Stabilization efforts often focus on using biological barriers to reduce wind velocity.
Q508. Match List-I with List-II regarding the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) structure:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| IPCC Body | Primary Focus |
|---|---|
| A. Working Group I | i. Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability |
| B. Working Group II | ii. Mitigation of Climate Change |
| C. Working Group III | iii. The Physical Science Basis |
| D. Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories | iv. Methodologies for calculating GHG emissions and removals |
Explanation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is organized into specific groups to manage complex scientific information. Working Group I focuses on the physical science basis, while Group II examines impacts and adaptation strategies. Mitigation efforts are the domain of Working Group III. Finally, a specialized task force develops methodologies for calculating and reporting national greenhouse gas emissions and removals globally.
Q509. Water vapour is a highly potent greenhouse gas, yet it is not targeted by international climate mitigation treaties like the Paris Agreement. What is the most appropriate reason for this?
Explanation
Water vapour is not targeted by climate treaties because its amount in the air depends on temperature. It works as a feedback that amplifies warming from other gases, not as an independent forcing that humans emit directly.
Q510. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Great Green Wall initiative was initially conceived as a literal contiguous wall of trees stretching across Africa.
Reason (R): It has since evolved into a broad mosaic of targeted sustainable land management, agroforestry, and restoration practices tailored to local conditions.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Great Green Wall initiative was initially conceived as a literal contiguous wall of trees stretching across Africa.
Reason (R): It has since evolved into a broad mosaic of targeted sustainable land management, agroforestry, and restoration practices tailored to local conditions.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Explanation
The Great Green Wall was originally imagined as a continuous forest strip across Africa. Over time, the concept shifted toward a more integrated approach involving diverse restoration and sustainable management practices. This evolution reflects a growing understanding that local ecological and social conditions require tailored solutions. While both statements accurately describe the project’s history and current form, the evolution is a logical progression.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 501 | (d) Expansion of glacial mass in the mid- latitudes |
| 502 | (a) Loss of root systems removes the soil’s structural binding, increasing wind and water vulnerability. |
| 503 | (d) I, II and III |
| 504 | (b) 1988 |
| 505 | (d) Ozone found in the troposphere at ground level is highly beneficial and directly protects human respiratory health. |
| 506 | (b) III only |
| 507 | (c) Wind erosion and the shifting of sand dunes |
| 508 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv |
| 509 | (a) Atmospheric concentrations are temperature-controlled, acting as a feedback rather than a forcing agent. |
| 510 | (b) Both A and R are true but R is not 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.