Q51. Which of the following statements distinguishing hot and cold deserts is incorrect?
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.
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Q52. Match List-I (Desert) with List-II (Continent) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Desert | Continent |
|---|---|
| A. Sahara | i. South America |
| B. Atacama | ii. Asia |
| C. Gobi | iii. Australia |
| D. Great Victoria | iv. Africa |
Explanation
Major deserts are distributed across various continents based on global climate patterns. The Sahara is the dominant desert of Africa. The Atacama is located along the western coast of South America. The Gobi spans parts of northern China and southern Mongolia in Asia. The Great Victoria Desert is situated in Australia. Each desert has unique physical features driven by its specific geography and atmospheric conditions.
Q53. The extreme aridity of the Atacama Desert is primarily attributed to which of the following geographic phenomena?
Explanation
The extreme aridity of the Atacama Desert is caused by two main factors. First, the cold Humboldt Current flowing along the coast stabilizes the air, preventing cloud formation and rain. Second, the high Andes Mountains act as a massive rain shadow, blocking moisture-laden winds from the east. These combined effects make the Atacama one of the driest places on Earth.
Q54. Consider the following statements about the Sahara Desert:
I. It is the largest hot desert in the world.
II. It covers large parts of North Africa.
III. Its landscape is uniform, consisting entirely of sand dunes (ergs) with no rocky plateaus.
IV. The Nile River flows through a portion of this desert.
V. It lies entirely within the southern hemisphere.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is the largest hot desert in the world.
II. It covers large parts of North Africa.
III. Its landscape is uniform, consisting entirely of sand dunes (ergs) with no rocky plateaus.
IV. The Nile River flows through a portion of this desert.
V. It lies entirely within the southern hemisphere.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert, covering much of North Africa in the northern hemisphere. Its terrain is diverse, including sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and gravel plains. The Nile River flows through its eastern portion, providing a vital water source. Because it is located north of the equator, the claim that it lies entirely in the southern hemisphere is incorrect.
Q55. The Gobi Desert, renowned for its vast barren expanses and rocky terrain, is categorized as a:
Explanation
The Gobi Desert is categorized as a mid-latitude cold desert. Located in Central Asia, it experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with very cold winters and hot summers. Its inland position, far from the influence of oceans, and its high elevation contribute to its arid and frigid environment. Unlike subtropical hot deserts, precipitation in the Gobi often occurs in the form of snow.
Q56. Which of the following best demonstrates the concept of ‘desertification’?
Explanation
Desertification is the process by which relatively fertile land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas becomes increasingly desert-like. This land degradation is typically driven by various factors, including persistent climatic variations like drought and unsustainable human activities. Overgrazing, deforestation, and improper irrigation techniques can deplete soil nutrients and vegetation, leading to the expansion of desert conditions into new areas.
Q57. Identify the odd one out among the following deserts based on their classification as either ‘hot’ or ‘cold’.
Explanation
The Mojave Desert in North America, the Kalahari Desert in Africa, and the Great Sandy Desert in Australia are all classified as hot deserts, typically located in subtropical zones. In contrast, the Patagonian Desert in South America is a cold desert. Its higher latitude and the rain shadow effect of the Andes Mountains create a cold, arid environment distinct from the others.
Q58. The following question consists of two statements: one labeled Assertion (A) and the other labeled Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Arabian Desert is an extremely hot and dry region.
Reason (R): It is geographically located under the influence of the subtropical high-pressure belt, which promotes descending dry air.
Which of the following is correct in the context of the above statements?
Assertion (A): The Arabian Desert is an extremely hot and dry region.
Reason (R): It is geographically located under the influence of the subtropical high-pressure belt, which promotes descending dry air.
Which of the following is correct in the context of the above statements?
Explanation
The Arabian Desert is a region of extreme heat and aridity. Its climate is primarily governed by its location within the subtropical high-pressure belt. In this zone, air masses consistently descend from higher altitudes. As the air sinks, it warms and its ability to hold moisture increases, which prevents cloud formation and rainfall. This atmospheric dynamic results in persistent desert conditions.
Q59. The Atacama Desert is economically highly significant for its naturally occurring deposits of which of the following?
Explanation
Despite its extreme aridity, the Atacama Desert is of great economic importance due to its vast mineral resources. It contains the world’s largest natural supply of sodium nitrate, which is historically used for fertilizers and explosives. Additionally, the region is one of the most significant global sources of copper. These mining industries are the primary drivers of the local and national economy.
Q60. Arrange the following hot deserts in order from West to East based on their geographical location globally:
I. Atacama Desert
II. Sahara Desert
III. Arabian Desert
IV. Thar Desert
Select the correct order from the options given below:
I. Atacama Desert
II. Sahara Desert
III. Arabian Desert
IV. Thar Desert
Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
These hot deserts are distributed across the globe from west to east. The Atacama Desert is located in South America. Moving eastward across the Atlantic, the Sahara Desert spans North Africa. Continuing east across the Red Sea, the Arabian Desert occupies the Arabian Peninsula. Finally, the Thar Desert is situated in the Indian subcontinent, completing this longitudinal sequence around the world.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (c) Cold deserts do not experience any form of precipitation, whereas hot deserts receive winter snowfall. |
| 52 | (d) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii |
| 53 | (c) The Humboldt Current and the Andes rain shadow |
| 54 | (a) I, II, and IV only |
| 55 | (d) Mid-latitude cold desert |
| 56 | (a) Land degradation in dry areas from climate and humans |
| 57 | (c) Patagonian |
| 58 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 59 | (d) Sodium Nitrate and Copper |
| 60 | (a) I, II, 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.