Q41. Which of the following statements correctly describes the plains of the Amazon Basin?
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 41–50 of 80 questions
Q42. Match List-I (Type of Plain) with List-II (Formative Agent) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Type of Plain | Formative Agent |
|---|---|
| A. Alluvial plain | i. Melting ice and meltwater |
| B. Glacial outwash plain | ii. Wind deposition |
| C. Coastal plain | iii. River deposition |
| D. Loess plain | iv. Marine processes and sea-level changes |
Explanation
Different geomorphic agents create various types of plains. Alluvial plains result from river deposition, while glacial outwash plains are formed by meltwater from glaciers. Coastal plains are shaped by marine processes and changes in sea level. Loess plains are created by the deposition of fine silt by wind. Understanding these agents helps explain the diverse physical landscapes and soil types found worldwide.
Q43. The extensive wheat farming observed in the Great Plains of North America is most appropriately linked to which physical characteristic of the region?
Explanation
The extensive wheat farming in the North American Great Plains is directly linked to its geography. The region features vast, flat stretches of land that facilitate large-scale mechanized agriculture. The temperate climate and naturally fertile soils, originally covered by grasslands, provide the ideal conditions for growing cereal crops. This combination of topography and soil quality has made the region a global breadbasket.
Q44. Consider the following statements about the geomorphology of the Indo-Gangetic plain:
I. The Bhabar belt is highly porous due to the deposition of coarse pebbles.
II. Streams disappear in the Bhabar and re-emerge in the Terai region.
III. The Bhangar represents the newer alluvium deposited by floodwaters annually.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Bhabar belt is highly porous due to the deposition of coarse pebbles.
II. Streams disappear in the Bhabar and re-emerge in the Terai region.
III. The Bhangar represents the newer alluvium deposited by floodwaters annually.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Bhabar belt is a porous region at the foot of the Himalayas, composed of coarse pebbles where many streams disappear underground. These streams re-emerge further south in the swampy Terai region. While the Khadar represents the newer, fertile alluvium deposited by annual floods, the Bhangar consists of older alluvium and lies above the level of the regular flood plains.
Q45. In the context of the Indo-Gangetic plains, the marshy and swampy tract covered with thick forests located immediately south of the Bhabar belt is known as:
Explanation
The Terai is a marshy and swampy lowland region located immediately south of the Bhabar belt in the Indo-Gangetic plains. It is formed by the re-emergence of underground streams that disappear in the porous Bhabar. Historically, the Terai was covered with thick forests and was rich in wildlife. Today, much of it has been cleared for intensive agriculture due to its fertile soil.
Q46. Which of the following pairs concerning the types of plains and their characteristics is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
Lacustrine plains result from filled-in lakes, while karst plains form from dissolved limestone. Peneplains are created through long-term river erosion. However, till plains are not aeolian; they are formed by the deposition of unsorted glacial drift as a glacier melts. Aeolian plains, such as loess plains, are formed specifically by wind action. This distinction is vital for understanding various geomorphic processes.
Q47. Which geological agent is fundamentally responsible for the transport and deposition of material to create Loess plains?
Explanation
The fundamental agent responsible for creating Loess plains is the wind. It picks up fine-grained, mineral-rich silt from desert regions or glacial outwash areas and transports it over long distances. When the wind’s velocity decreases, this silt is deposited in thick layers, forming extensive and fertile plains. These landforms are characterized by their lack of horizontal stratification and high porosity.
Q48. Consider the following statements regarding glacial plains:
I. They are formed by the erosional and depositional work of glaciers.
II. A till plain is an uneven surface of unstratified glacial drift.
III. An outwash plain is composed of stratified drift deposited by meltwater.
IV. They are exclusively found in equatorial latitudes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. They are formed by the erosional and depositional work of glaciers.
II. A till plain is an uneven surface of unstratified glacial drift.
III. An outwash plain is composed of stratified drift deposited by meltwater.
IV. They are exclusively found in equatorial latitudes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Glacial plains are formed by the erosional and depositional activities of large ice sheets. A till plain consists of unstratified drift deposited directly by melting ice, while an outwash plain features stratified sediments laid down by glacial meltwater. These landforms are typically found in high-latitude regions or high-altitude areas that experienced glaciation, rather than in the warm equatorial latitudes.
Q49. In geographic classification, a region is generally classified as a desert primarily based on which of the following criteria?
Explanation
A region is primarily classified as a desert based on its aridity rather than temperature. The defining characteristic is a severe moisture deficit, where the potential evaporation significantly exceeds the total annual precipitation, which is usually less than 25 centimeters. While many deserts are hot, some are cold. This lack of water limits vegetation growth and shapes the unique desert landscape.
Q50. Which of the following represents the correct sequence of the given deserts in decreasing order of their approximate total geographic area?
Explanation
Deserts vary greatly in their geographic extent. The Sahara in North Africa is the largest hot desert globally. It is followed by the Arabian Desert on the Arabian Peninsula. The Gobi Desert in Central Asia is the third largest in this group and is classified as a cold desert. The Atacama Desert in South America is significantly smaller but extremely arid.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (c) They constitute the largest tropical rainforest lowland in the world. |
| 42 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 43 | (d) Vast, flat, and fertile temperate grasslands |
| 44 | (a) I and II only |
| 45 | (c) Terai |
| 46 | (d) Till Plains - Formed by fine-grained aeolian deposition |
| 47 | (a) Wind |
| 48 | (c) IV only |
| 49 | (b) Severe moisture deficit with low annual precipitation |
| 50 | (a) Sahara, Arabian, Gobi, Atacama |
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.