Q531. In the context of the Sahel region desertification, which practice is recognized as the major historical anthropogenic driver of land degradation?
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 531–540 of 553 questions
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Q532. Consider the following statements regarding ozone depletion:
I. Ozone depletion is most severe over the Arctic region compared to the Antarctic.
II. Polar stratospheric clouds play a crucial role in providing a surface for chemical reactions that lead to ozone destruction.
III. The Montreal Protocol has been universally ratified to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
IV. The ozone hole peaks during the southern hemisphere’s spring season.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Ozone depletion is most severe over the Arctic region compared to the Antarctic.
II. Polar stratospheric clouds play a crucial role in providing a surface for chemical reactions that lead to ozone destruction.
III. The Montreal Protocol has been universally ratified to phase out ozone-depleting substances.
IV. The ozone hole peaks during the southern hemisphere’s spring season.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ozone depletion is most severe over the Antarctic due to unique meteorological conditions like the polar vortex. Polar stratospheric clouds provide the necessary surfaces for the chemical reactions that release ozone-destroying chlorine. The Montreal Protocol is a successful, universally ratified treaty that phases out these harmful substances. The Antarctic ozone hole typically reaches its maximum size during the southern hemisphere’s spring season.
Q533. Identify the odd one out concerning major natural carbon sinks on Earth.
Explanation
Natural carbon sinks, such as oceans, intact forests, and peatlands, absorb and store more carbon dioxide than they release. These ecosystems are vital for regulating the global climate. In contrast, urban areas are significant sources of carbon emissions due to energy use and transportation. The "urban heat island" effect refers to localized warming in cities and is not a mechanism for carbon sequestration.
Q534. Increased levels of dissolved carbon dioxide in the Earth’s oceans primarily lead to which chemical effect?
Explanation
When the oceans absorb increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the gas reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid. This process increases the concentration of hydrogen ions, leading to a decrease in the water’s pH level. This phenomenon, known as ocean acidification, makes it more difficult for marine organisms like corals and shellfish to build and maintain their calcium carbonate structures.
Q535. Which of the following pairs concerning the indicators of desertification is correctly matched?
Explanation
Desertification can be monitored using various indicators. A decline in the groundwater table is a key physical indicator reflecting water scarcity. Changes in plant species composition are biological indicators, while soil salinity is a chemical indicator. Social indicators involve human impacts, such as the outmigration of populations from degraded lands. Accurately categorizing these indicators is essential for effective environmental monitoring and policy responses.
Q536. The ‘Suess Effect’ is often cited as evidence of anthropogenic climate change. What does this effect specifically demonstrate?
Explanation
The Suess Effect is the change in the atmospheric carbon isotope ratios caused by burning fossil fuels, which contain no carbon-14. It shows that the extra CO2 comes from fossil fuels.
Q537. Match List-I with List-II concerning environmental terms:
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
| Action | Definition |
|---|---|
| A. Afforestation | i. The clearing of forest areas for non-forest land uses |
| B. Reforestation | ii. Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas |
| C. Deforestation | iii. Planting trees in an area that was not previously forested |
| D. Desertification | iv. Replanting trees in an area where a forest was recently cleared |
Explanation
Afforestation is planting trees where there was no forest, reforestation is replanting where forest was recently cleared, deforestation is clearing forest for other uses and desertification is land degradation in dry areas. This gives A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii.
Q538. The Great Green Wall initiative is fundamentally associated with which continent?
Explanation
The Great Green Wall is an African initiative to plant a belt of trees and restore land across the Sahel, south of the Sahara, in order to fight desertification.
Q539. Which of the following represents the correct chronological stages of the global response to ozone depletion?
Explanation
The Antarctic ozone hole was discovered in 1985, the Montreal Protocol was adopted in 1987 and the Kigali Amendment, on HFCs, came in 2016. That is the correct order.
Q540. Consider the following statements regarding the recovery status of the ozone layer:
Statement I: As a direct result of the Montreal Protocol, the stratospheric ozone layer is showing signs of recovery.
Statement II: The Antarctic ozone hole is projected to fully recover to 1980 levels within the next 5 years.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: As a direct result of the Montreal Protocol, the stratospheric ozone layer is showing signs of recovery.
Statement II: The Antarctic ozone hole is projected to fully recover to 1980 levels within the next 5 years.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The ozone layer is showing signs of recovery because of the Montreal Protocol, so Statement I is correct. The Antarctic ozone hole is expected to recover to 1980 levels only around the middle of the century, not within five years, so Statement II is incorrect.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 531 | (b) Overgrazing by nomadic livestock herds |
| 532 | (b) II, III and IV |
| 533 | (a) Expanding urban heat islands |
| 534 | (c) A decrease in ocean pH, causing ocean acidification |
| 535 | (a) Physical indicator - Decline in groundwater table |
| 536 | (d) Change in atmospheric carbon isotope ratios, proving the CO 2 is from fossil fuels. |
| 537 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 538 | (c) Africa |
| 539 | (b) Discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole, Adoption of Montreal Protocol, Kigali Amendment |
| 540 | (c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect. |
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.