Q11. Which of the following pairs regarding cotton cultivation is incorrectly matched?
World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops: RAS Prelims MCQs
79 RAS Prelims MCQs on world agriculture cover farming types and systems and the major crops. Mixed farming, Mediterranean agriculture, shifting cultivation, commercial dairy farming and the processing of crops like cotton and jute are asked as definitions, locations and sequences, and the explanations give the reasons behind each pattern.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 79 questions
Q12. Consider the following statements about Sugarcane and Sugar beet:
I. Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical crop.
II. Sugar beet is a temperate crop.
III. Brazil is a leading producer of sugarcane.
IV. Sugar beet accounts for the majority of global sugar production.
V. Both crops require well-drained fertile soil for optimal growth.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical crop.
II. Sugar beet is a temperate crop.
III. Brazil is a leading producer of sugarcane.
IV. Sugar beet accounts for the majority of global sugar production.
V. Both crops require well-drained fertile soil for optimal growth.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Sugarcane is a tropical plant providing approximately eighty percent of the world’s sugar supply. Sugar beet is a temperate crop and accounts for a much smaller portion of global production. Both crops require specific fertile soils for growth. Brazil remains the top sugarcane producer, while sugar beet is primarily grown in cooler regions like Europe.
Q13. Match the plantation crops in List I with their primary producing regions or characteristics in
List II.
List I: (Crop)
A. Coffee
B. Tea
C. Cocoa
D. Rubber
List II: (Characteristic/Region)
i. Requires abundant rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year and is native to the Amazon basin.
ii. Grown on hill slopes in tropical and subtropical regions; major producers include India and China.
iii. Native to Ethiopian highlands; Brazil is the largest producer.
iv. Primarily grown in West Africa; used in chocolate production.
List II.
List I: (Crop)
A. Coffee
B. Tea
C. Cocoa
D. Rubber
List II: (Characteristic/Region)
i. Requires abundant rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year and is native to the Amazon basin.
ii. Grown on hill slopes in tropical and subtropical regions; major producers include India and China.
iii. Native to Ethiopian highlands; Brazil is the largest producer.
iv. Primarily grown in West Africa; used in chocolate production.
Explanation
Coffee is native to the Ethiopian highlands, with Brazil as its largest producer. Tea thrives on tropical and subtropical hill slopes, especially in India and China. Cocoa is extensively grown in West Africa for the chocolate industry. Natural rubber, native to the Amazon, requires high year-round rainfall and is now predominantly produced in Southeast Asian countries.
Q14. Which of the following is the odd one out based on the classification of major crops?
Explanation
Wheat is categorized as a cereal or food crop, forming a staple part of human diets globally. In contrast, jute and cotton are fiber crops used in the textile industry, and rubber is an industrial plantation crop. This distinction separates wheat from the others, which are primarily cultivated for their industrial applications rather than direct human consumption.
Q15. In the context of global agriculture, primitive subsistence agriculture is best defined as a system where:
Explanation
Primitive subsistence agriculture involves small-scale farming where the primary goal is meeting the immediate food needs of the household. Farmers use traditional tools and family labor without modern inputs. A key feature is shifting cultivation, where fields are temporarily farmed and then left fallow for several years to allow the soil to regain natural fertility.
Q16. Which of the following correctly describes a major environmental consequence of widespread shifting cultivation?
Explanation
Shifting cultivation involves clearing forest patches through slashing and burning. While sustainable at low population densities, increased pressure leads to shorter fallow periods. This prevents the soil from regenerating, causing a gradual decline in fertility and permanent deforestation. The loss of tree cover also increases vulnerability to soil erosion, negatively impacting the long-term ecological balance.
Q17. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): In intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by crops other than paddy, wheat and soybean are grown instead of rice.
Reason (R): Relief, climate, and soil conditions in regions like northern China and northwestern India do not support water-intensive rice cultivation. In the light of the above statements, select the correct answer from the options given below:
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): In intensive subsistence agriculture dominated by crops other than paddy, wheat and soybean are grown instead of rice.
Reason (R): Relief, climate, and soil conditions in regions like northern China and northwestern India do not support water-intensive rice cultivation. In the light of the above statements, select the correct answer from the options given below:
Explanation
In regions where rainfall is insufficient or the terrain is unsuitable for flooding fields, rice cannot be grown. Therefore, intensive subsistence farmers switch to drought-tolerant or less water-demanding crops like wheat and soybean. Northern China and parts of India illustrate this transition, where climatic constraints dictate the cultivation of alternative staple crops instead of water-intensive systems.
Q18. Consider the following statements regarding Plantation agriculture:
I. It was introduced mainly by Europeans in colonies situated in the tropics.
II. It promotes polyculture to ensure food security for local populations.
III. It is heavily dependent on scientific methods of farming and cheap labor.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was introduced mainly by Europeans in colonies situated in the tropics.
II. It promotes polyculture to ensure food security for local populations.
III. It is heavily dependent on scientific methods of farming and cheap labor.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
European colonial powers introduced plantation agriculture in tropical colonies to produce high-value crops for export. This system is characterized by large estates focusing on a single crop, known as monoculture, rather than diverse polyculture. It relies heavily on scientific management, significant capital investment, and a large supply of inexpensive labor to ensure the efficient production of commodities.
Q19. Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of mixed farming in Europe and North America?
Explanation
Mixed farming is typically practiced on medium-sized farms in developed regions like Europe and North America, not on tiny plots. The system is capital-intensive, requiring investments in machinery and infrastructure. It emphasizes soil health through crop rotation, green manures, and chemical fertilizers. The integration of livestock and crops provides a diverse economic base for farmers.
Q20. Which geographic factor is most critical in determining the location of commercial dairy farms?
Explanation
Milk and dairy products are highly perishable, necessitating quick transportation to consumers. Consequently, commercial dairy farms are strategically located near urban and industrial centers to ensure a ready market and minimize spoilage. Advancements in refrigeration and pasteurization have expanded the range, but being close to densely populated areas remains the most critical factor for economic viability.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (b) Major producer - United Kingdom |
| 12 | (b) IV only |
| 13 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i |
| 14 | (a) Wheat |
| 15 | (b) Farming relies primarily on traditional tools, family labor, and shifting fields to regain soil fertility. |
| 16 | (b) Deforestation and gradual loss of soil fertility in tropical regions. |
| 17 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 18 | (b) I and III only |
| 19 | (d) Farms are usually very small, averaging less than one hectare. |
| 20 | (c) Proximity to urban centers providing a ready market for fresh milk. |
Key facts from World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
- Mixed farming gives equal emphasis to crop cultivation and animal husbandry.
- Mediterranean agriculture is specialised in olives, grapes and citrus fruits.
- Shifting cultivation leads to deforestation and loss of soil fertility in the tropics; in Brazil it is known as Roca.
- Commercial dairy farms are located near urban centres that provide a ready market for fresh milk.
- In the United States maize is used mostly as livestock feed.
- Retting separates the fibre from the jute stem by soaking bundles in water.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops?
This page has 79 practice MCQs on World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops (World Geography). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is mixed farming?
A type of farming in which equal emphasis is placed on growing crops and rearing animals. It is common in the developed countries of the temperate zone, and the two activities support each other, since crop waste feeds animals and animals provide manure.
Which crops are typical of Mediterranean agriculture?
Olives, grapes and citrus fruits, which suit the hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters of the Mediterranean climate. The region is also known for its wine and for orchard crops grown on terraces.
What is retting?
Retting is the soaking of jute bundles in water so that the fibre separates from the stem. The microbes in the water rot the soft tissue, after which the fibre is stripped, washed and dried.