Q31. The Colorado Plateau in the United States is frequently cited as a classic example of which phenomenon?
Physical Landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains and Deserts: RAS Prelims MCQs
80 RAS Prelims MCQs on physical landforms test how mountains, plateaus, plains and deserts are formed and where the famous examples lie. Fold, block and residual mountains, rift valleys, intermontane plateaus, the Brazilian Plateau and the hot and cold deserts are asked as facts and statements, with the explanation tying each feature to its process.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 31–40 of 80 questions
Q32. Match List-I (Plateau) with List-II (Region/ Country) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Plateau | Region/Country |
|---|---|
| A. Anatolian Plateau | i. Australia |
| B. Katanga Plateau | ii. Turkey |
| C. Kimberley Plateau | iii. North America |
| D. Mexican Plateau | iv. Democratic Republic of Congo |
Explanation
Plateaus are major landforms found on every continent. The Anatolian Plateau occupies much of Turkey, while the Katanga Plateau is a mineral-rich region in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Kimberley Plateau is located in northwestern Australia. The Mexican Plateau is a large highland region in North America. Each plateau has distinct geological origins and provides essential resources to its respective region.
Q33. In geomorphology, a broad, relatively flat land surface formed as the end stage of fluvial erosion is called:
Explanation
In geomorphology, a peneplain represents the final stage of the fluvial erosion cycle. It is a broad, low-relief plain formed when agents of erosion, primarily rivers, have worn down a highland area almost to sea level. The resulting surface is nearly flat with occasional resistant hills called monadnocks. This process takes millions of years of tectonic stability and continuous weathering and transport.
Q34. Consider the following statements regarding the Indo-Gangetic Plain:
I. It is formed by the aggradational work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
II. It is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
III. It features highly fertile alluvial soil ideal for intensive agriculture.
IV. The older alluvium in this plain is known as Khadar.
V. The plain has a very gentle slope toward the sea.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is formed by the aggradational work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems.
II. It is one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
III. It features highly fertile alluvial soil ideal for intensive agriculture.
IV. The older alluvium in this plain is known as Khadar.
V. The plain has a very gentle slope toward the sea.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Indo-Gangetic Plain is formed by the depositional work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers. It features highly fertile alluvial soil and supports one of the world’s densest populations. The plain has a very gentle slope toward the sea. However, the older alluvium is known as Bhangar, while the newer, more fertile deposits found in floodplains are called Khadar.
Q35. Alluvial plains are generally characterized by:
Explanation
Alluvial plains are formed by the gradual accumulation of sediments deposited by rivers over long periods. These sediments, including silt, sand, and clay, are typically spread across wide areas during seasonal flooding. This process creates flat, fertile land that is highly suitable for agriculture. These plains are usually located in the lower reaches of rivers where water flow velocity decreases.
Q36. What is the primary cause for the relatively low human population density in the massive plains of the Amazon Basin?
Explanation
The Amazon Basin is characterized by an equatorial climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. This environment supports extremely dense tropical rainforests, which make large-scale settlement and infrastructure development difficult. Additionally, the constant high humidity and heat create an unhealthy environment prone to tropical diseases. These physical and climatic constraints result in a relatively low human population density.
Q37. Identify the odd one out based on the dominant agent of formation for the given plain types.
Explanation
Alluvial plains, flood plains, and deltaic plains are all primarily formed by the action of running water, specifically through river deposition and fluvial processes. In contrast, a loess plain is formed by the deposition of fine-grained silt carried by the wind. Because the dominant agent of formation for loess is aeolian rather than fluvial, it is the distinct outlier.
Q38. The following question consists of two statements: one labeled Assertion (A) and the other labeled Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Loess plains are often highly productive agricultural areas.
Reason (R): Loess consists of fine-grained, wind-blown silt that is well-aerated and rich in minerals.
Which of the following is correct in the context of the above statements?
Assertion (A): Loess plains are often highly productive agricultural areas.
Reason (R): Loess consists of fine-grained, wind-blown silt that is well-aerated and rich in minerals.
Which of the following is correct in the context of the above statements?
Explanation
Loess plains are exceptionally productive for agriculture due to the nature of their soil. Loess consists of fine, mineral-rich silt that has been transported and deposited by wind. This soil structure is naturally well-aerated and can retain moisture effectively, providing an ideal medium for plant roots. These characteristics allow farmers to achieve high crop yields in regions like north-central China.
Q39. The Great Plains of North America were primarily formed by which sequence of long-term geological events?
Explanation
The Great Plains of North America were formed through a combination of geological processes over millions of years. Rivers flowing eastward from the rising Rocky Mountains deposited vast amounts of sediment, known as outwash. Additionally, during the Pleistocene epoch, advancing and retreating continental glaciers further shaped the landscape by depositing till and smoothing the terrain into its current expansive, flat form.
Q40. A plain that borders a sea or an ocean and is formed by marine deposition or emergence is specifically termed a:
Explanation
A coastal plain is a flat, low-lying piece of land next to the ocean. It can be formed through the emergence of part of the continental shelf due to a drop in sea level or tectonic uplift. Alternatively, it may result from the deposition of sediments by rivers and marine currents along the shoreline. These plains often feature sandy beaches and salt marshes.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 31 | (a) Deeply incised sedimentary rock forming massive canyons |
| 32 | (b) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 33 | (b) Peneplain |
| 34 | (a) I, II, III, and V only |
| 35 | (c) Deep deposits of silt and clay left by flooding |
| 36 | (d) Dense rainforests and an unhealthy, humid climate |
| 37 | (c) Loess plain |
| 38 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 39 | (d) Rocky Mountain outwash and northern glacial action |
| 40 | (a) Coastal plain |
Key facts from Physical Landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains and Deserts
- Fold mountains are formed by crustal folding from compressive forces; block mountains by faulting, with a rift valley formed by crustal fracturing and subsidence from tensional forces.
- The Black Forest in Germany and the Sierra Nevada in the United States are block mountains.
- The Alps stretch across France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.
- Residual mountains result from long-term denudation of an existing elevated area.
- A plateau enclosed by mountains is an intermontane plateau; the Brazilian Plateau is known for iron ore and manganese.
- Hot deserts lie between about 15 and 30 degrees latitude; cold deserts are found at higher latitudes or altitudes.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Physical Landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains and Deserts?
This page has 80 practice MCQs on Physical Landforms: Mountains, Plateaus, Plains and Deserts (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How are block mountains formed?
By faulting, when large blocks of the crust are lifted or left standing between fractures caused by tensional forces. The Black Forest in Germany and the Sierra Nevada of the United States are examples, and a rift valley often lies beside them.
What is an intermontane plateau?
A plateau that is entirely or partly enclosed by mountain ranges, such as the Tibetan Plateau. Its position among the mountains gives it a dry climate and a high elevation.
Where are hot deserts located?
Between roughly 15 and 30 degrees of latitude on either side of the equator, where the subtropical high-pressure belt brings sinking, dry air. Cold deserts, like the Gobi, lie in higher latitudes or at high altitudes.