Q51. Which of the following statements distinguishing hot and cold deserts is incorrect?
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 51–60 of 80 questions
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 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.