Q511. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, specifically targets the phase-down of which group of substances due to their high Global Warming Potential?
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 511–520 of 553 questions
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Q512. Consider the following statements regarding deforestation causes:
Statement I: Shifting agriculture (slash-and-burn) has historically been a major driver of deforestation in tropical regions.
Statement II: Shifting agriculture is currently the only form of agriculture responsible for forest loss globally, while commercial agriculture has zero impact.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: Shifting agriculture (slash-and-burn) has historically been a major driver of deforestation in tropical regions.
Statement II: Shifting agriculture is currently the only form of agriculture responsible for forest loss globally, while commercial agriculture has zero impact.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Historically, shifting agriculture has contributed to forest loss in many tropical areas. However, it is not the only cause; modern commercial agriculture, including cattle ranching and large-scale plantations, now represents a dominant driver of global deforestation.
Q513. Consider the following statements regarding the impacts of global warming:
I. Warmer temperatures are causing mountain glaciers worldwide to retreat.
II. Global warming is increasing the acidification of the oceans.
III. Higher temperatures decrease the moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere, reducing total global precipitation.
IV. Changes in climate can alter the distribution of vector-borne diseases.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Warmer temperatures are causing mountain glaciers worldwide to retreat.
II. Global warming is increasing the acidification of the oceans.
III. Higher temperatures decrease the moisture-holding capacity of the atmosphere, reducing total global precipitation.
IV. Changes in climate can alter the distribution of vector-borne diseases.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rising temperatures cause mountain glaciers to retreat and alter the distribution of diseases. Additionally, increased atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to ocean acidification. Contrary to common misconceptions, warmer air actually has a higher moisture-holding capacity, which generally increases total global precipitation, although patterns become more extreme and variable. Understanding these diverse impacts is essential for developing effective adaptation and resilience strategies.
Q514. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change?
Explanation
The Paris Agreement relies on a system of transparency, collective progress reviews, and voluntary national commitments. It does not include a mechanism for imposing economic sanctions or legal penalties on countries that miss their targets. Instead, it emphasizes international cooperation, financial support for developing nations, and a five-year cycle of increasing ambition to drive global climate action and emissions reduction.
Q515. Which of the following pairs concerning the primary natural sources of greenhouse gases is correctly matched?
Explanation
Natural wetlands are the largest natural source of methane globally. In these waterlogged environments, bacteria break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, a process known as anaerobic decomposition. While other gases have natural cycles, such as carbon dioxide from respiration and volcanic activity, the link between wetlands and methane is a fundamental component of the Earth’s natural greenhouse gas balance.
Q516. Identify the odd one out among the following substances based on their role in environmental issues.
Explanation
Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and carbon tetrachloride are all recognized as ozone-depleting substances and are regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Sulfur dioxide, however, is primarily known as a precursor to acid rain and a contributor to atmospheric aerosols. While it affects air quality and climate, it does not play a direct role in the chemical destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer.
Q517. Excessive use of irrigation in arid regions with poor drainage systems primarily leads to which long-term effect?
Explanation
Excessive irrigation in arid regions, especially without proper drainage, causes the water table to rise. As water evaporates from the surface, it leaves behind dissolved salts that accumulate in the root zone. This process eventually makes the soil too saline for most vegetation to survive. The resulting loss of plant cover leaves the land vulnerable to erosion, leading to permanent desertification.
Q518. Match List-I with List-II concerning the major regions affected by deforestation and their primary drivers:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| Region | Primary Driver |
|---|---|
| A. Amazon Basin | i. Commercial logging and wood-based industries |
| B. Southeast Asia | ii. Cattle ranching and large-scale agriculture (soy) |
| C. Sub-Saharan Africa | iii. Palm oil plantations |
| D. Boreal Forests (Russia/Canada) | iv. Subsistence farming and fuelwood collection |
Explanation
Regional deforestation is driven by distinct economic activities. In the Amazon, cattle ranching and soy farming are primary factors. Southeast Asia sees significant forest loss due to palm oil expansion. Sub-Saharan Africa is largely impacted by subsistence farming and fuelwood needs. In Boreal regions, commercial logging for timber and pulp is a major driver. Identifying these patterns helps tailor conservation strategies.
Q519. In which year did the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) formally enter into force?
Explanation
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was adopted in 1994 following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. However, it did not formally enter into force until 1996 after receiving the necessary number of ratifications. It remains the only legally binding international agreement that links environment and development to sustainable land management, specifically targeting the challenges faced by populations in dryland ecosystems.
Q520. Arrange the following greenhouse gases in ascending order based on their Global Warming Potential (GWP) over a 100-year period relative to CO 2 :
I. Methane (CH 4 )
II. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
III. Nitrous oxide (N 2 O)
IV. Chlorofluorocarbon-12 (CFC-12)
Select the correct sequence:
I. Methane (CH 4 )
II. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 )
III. Nitrous oxide (N 2 O)
IV. Chlorofluorocarbon-12 (CFC-12)
Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
Global Warming Potential measures how much heat a gas traps relative to carbon dioxide, which has a value of one. Methane has a higher potential than CO 2 , followed by nitrous oxide. Synthetic chemicals like CFC-12 have the highest potentials, often thousands of times greater than CO 2 . This ranking highlights why even small emissions of certain industrial gases can have significant climate impacts.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 511 | (b) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) |
| 512 | (c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 513 | (a) I, II and IV |
| 514 | (d) It mandates immediate economic sanctions for countries that fail to meet their NDCs. |
| 515 | (c) Methane - Anaerobic decomposition in natural wetlands |
| 516 | (b) Sulfur dioxide |
| 517 | (d) Soil salinization and subsequent desertification |
| 518 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 519 | (c) 1996 |
| 520 | (b) II, I, III, IV |
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.