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 41–50 of 79 questions
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q41. Read the following stages of cotton production and processing: I. Spinning into yarn II. Harvesting of bolls III. Ginning (separating seeds from fiber) IV. Weaving into fabric Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of these stages?
Explanation
The production of cotton fabric follows a specific sequence. First, the mature cotton bolls are harvested from the fields. Next, ginning occurs to separate the seeds from the cotton fibers. These fibers are then spun into yarn through various mechanical processes. Finally, the yarn is woven into fabric on looms. This progression transforms the raw product into a finished textile.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q42. Match the crops in List I with their characteristic features in List II.
Crop
Feature
A. Sugarcane
i. Known as the ‘Golden Fibre’; requires well-drained fertile soils in the flood plains.
B. Tea
ii. Often used as both food and fodder; originated in the Americas.
C. Jute
iii. A tropical grass that takes almost a year to mature and exhausts soil fertility rapidly.
D. Maize
iv. Requires a warm and moist frost-free climate all year; frequent showers promote tender leaf growth.
Explanation
Sugarcane is a long-duration tropical grass that heavily depletes soil nutrients. Tea requires warm, moist conditions and frequent rain for tender leaf growth. Jute, the ‘Golden Fibre,’ thrives on fertile floodplains with annual soil renewal. Maize originated in the Americas and serves as both human food and animal fodder. Each crop plays a distinct role based on environmental features.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q43. Which of the following pairs concerning the physical requirements of crops is incorrectly matched?
Explanation
Cotton requires bright sunshine and a long frost-free period to mature successfully; continuous cloudy days or excessively high rainfall can damage the bolls and reduce quality. Wheat prefers a cool growing season and sunny ripening period. Rice and jute both thrive in high temperatures and humid conditions. The mismatch highlights the climatic sensitivity of cotton, which grows best in drier environments.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q44. What is the primary purpose of ‘retting’ in the production of jute?
Explanation
Retting is a crucial biological process in jute production where harvested stems are bundled and submerged in slow-moving water for several days. This action loosens the tissues and allows the fibers to be easily separated from the woody stalk. Once stripped, the fibers are washed and dried before processing. This traditional method is essential for obtaining high-quality jute for industrial use.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q45. Match the farming systems in List I with their distinguishing features in List II.
Farming System
Feature
A. Commercial Grain Farming
i. High population density, very small farm size, dominance of manual labor.
B. Plantation Agriculture
ii. Vast landholdings, highly mechanized, low yield per acre.
C. Intensive Subsistence (Rice-based)
iii. Integration of crop cultivation and livestock rearing.
D. Mixed Farming
iv. Large estates, single cash crop, heavily reliant on export markets.
Explanation
Commercial grain farming involves vast, mechanized landholdings with low yields per acre. Plantation agriculture focuses on single cash crops on large estates for export. Intensive subsistence agriculture is characterized by high population density and manual labor on very small farms. Mixed farming is defined by the integration of crop cultivation and animal husbandry, providing multiple sources of income and maintaining fertility.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q46. Given below are two statements regarding shifting cultivation: Statement I: Shifting cultivation is highly sustainable in the modern era due to its minimal use of synthetic chemicals. Statement II: Shifting cultivation contributes to deforestation and soil erosion when the fallow periods are drastically shortened due to population pressure. Which of the following is correct?
Explanation
While shifting cultivation uses few chemicals, it is increasingly unsustainable in the modern era due to high population pressure. When fallow periods are shortened, the forest cannot regenerate, leading to severe deforestation and soil erosion. Statement two correctly identifies these consequences. Traditional cycles that once allowed soil recovery are now often disrupted, making the system ecologically damaging in many tropical regions.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q47. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): Mixed farming systems are highly resilient to market fluctuations compared to monoculture systems. Reason (R): In mixed farming, if a crop fails or crop prices drop, the farmer can still rely on income from livestock and animal products. In the light of the above statements, select the correct answer from the options given below:
Explanation
Mixed farming provides a safety net for farmers by diversifying their production. By integrating livestock with various crops, farmers are less vulnerable to the failure of a single crop or sudden drops in market prices. If one component of the farm underperforms, income from animal products like milk or meat can compensate, ensuring greater economic stability compared to specialized monoculture systems.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q48. Consider the following statements about global agricultural regions: I. Dairy farming is prominent in New Zealand. II. The Pampas of Argentina are famous for commercial grain farming and extensive livestock rearing. III. The Mediterranean region is a major global supplier of citrus fruits and wines. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
New Zealand is a global leader in commercial dairy farming due to its favorable climate. The Argentine Pampas are renowned for extensive grain production and livestock grazing. The Mediterranean region serves as the world’s primary source for citrus fruits and viticulture. Each region has developed a specialized agricultural profile based on unique environmental conditions and historical development, contributing to global trade.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q49. Which of the following is NOT an attribute of intensive subsistence farming?
Explanation
Intensive subsistence farming is defined by very small, fragmented landholdings due to high population pressure and inheritance laws. It relies heavily on manual labor and traditional tools rather than large-scale mechanization. The system aims for maximum output per hectare using organic manures and multiple cropping. Large consolidated farms using heavy machinery are characteristic of commercial grain farming, which prioritizes profit.
RAS PrelimsWorld Geography · World Agriculture: Types, Farming Systems and Major Crops
Q50. Consider the following statements regarding plantation crops: I. Tea plantations require well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging around the roots. II. Rubber is gathered from the latex of trees grown primarily in equatorial climates. III. Cocoa is a major plantation crop in the West African countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. IV. Sugarcane plantations are predominantly found in temperate zones with freezing winters. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Sugarcane is a tropical and subtropical crop that cannot tolerate freezing temperatures; it requires a warm climate with a long growing season. Tea, rubber, and cocoa are major plantation crops grown in specific well-drained or equatorial environments. Cocoa is a significant export for West African nations. The error in statement four highlights the frost-sensitive nature of sugarcane, which restricts its cultivation.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
41
(a) II, III, I, IV
42
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
43
(b) Cotton - High rainfall of 250 cm and continuous cloudy days.
44
(c) To separate fibers from the stem by soaking bundles in water.
45
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
46
(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
47
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
48
(d) I, II and III
49
(a) Cultivation of large, consolidated landholdings using heavy machinery.
50
(a) IV only
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.
