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GEOGRAPHY: 10 YEARS’ PAPERS (PART – I)

World Geography (2008-2017)

World Geography - Topics Number of questions
World map locations 18 Human Geography
Solar System and Earth 6 3%
Economic
Geomorphology 5 Biogeography Geograpy
Climatology 23 6% 8%
Oceanography 7
World map locations
Biogeography 4
25%
Human Geography 2
Oceanography
Economic Geography 6
10%
Total 71 Solar System and
Earth
9%

Climatology
32%
geomorphology
7%

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S. N. Topic Year Question
1. World map 2008 Which of the following countries share borders with Moldova?
locations 1. Ukraine
2. Romania
3. Belarus
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

2. World map 2008 Which one of the following straits is nearest to the International Date Line?
locations (a) Malacca Strait
(b) Bering Strait
(c) Strait of Florida
(d) Strait of Gibraltar

3. World map 2008 In which one of the following is Malta located?

locations (a) Baltic Sea
(b) Mediterranean Sea
(c) Black Sea
(d) North Sea

4. World map 2008 Which one of the following cities is nearest to the equator?
locations (a) Colombo
(b) Jakarta
(c) Manila
(d) Singapore

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 5. World map 2009 Consider the following countries:
locations 1. Australia
2. Namibia
3. Brazil
4. Chile Through which of the above does the Tropic of Capricorn pass?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

6. World map 2009 Consider the following pairs:

locations Famous Place Country
1. Cannes : France
2. Davos : Denmark
3. Roland Garros : The Netherlands
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

7. World map 2009 Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
locations City River
(a) Berlin : Rhine
(b) London : Thames
(c) New York : Hudson
(d) Vienna : Danube

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 8. World map 2009 Match List I with List II and select the correct answering using the code given below, the lists:
locations List I (Geographic feature) List II (Country)
A. Great Victoria Desert 1. Australia
B. Grand Canyon 2. Canada
C. Lake Winnipeg 3. New Zealand
D. Southern Alps 4. USA
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 4 3
(b) 1 4 2 3
(c) 3 2 4 1
(d) 3 4 2 1

9. World map 2009 Cape Canaveral, the site from which space shuttles are launched is located on the coast of?
locations (a) Florida
(b) Virginia
(c) North Carolina
(d) South Carolina

10. World map 2010 Which one of the following can one come across if one travels through the Strait of Malacca?
locations (a) Bali
(b) Brunei
(c) Java
(d) Singapore

11. World map 2011 Between India and East Asia, the navigation-time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following?
locations 1. Deepening the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia.
2. Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman Sea.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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12. World map 2013 Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
locations Geographical feature Region
A. Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia
B. Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa
C. Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa
D. Okavango Basin : Patagonia

13. World map 2014 Turkey is located between

locations (a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
(b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
(c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
(d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

14. World map 2014 What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?
locations 1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 4-2-1-3 (b) 3-2-4-1
(c) 3-4-1-2 (d) 4-3-2-1

15. World map 2014 Consider the following pairs:

locations Region often in news Country
1. Chechnya : Russian Federation
2. Darfur : Mali
3. Swat Valley : Iraq
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

16. World map 2015 Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?
locations (a) Syria (b) Jordan
(c) Lebanon (d) Israel

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17. World map 2015 The area known as "Golan Heights" sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to
locations (a) Central Asia (b) Middle East
(c) South-East Asia (d) Central Africa

18. World map 2017 Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries?
locations 1. Jordan
2. Iraq
3. Lebanon
4. Syria
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

19. Solar System and 2008 In order of their distances from the Sun, which of the following planets lie between Mars and Uranus?
Earth (a) Earth and Jupiter
(b) Jupiter and Saturn
(c) Saturn and Earth
(d) Saturn and Neptune

20. Solar System and 2009 Which one of the following planet has largest number of natural satellites or moons?
Earth (a) Jupiter
(b) Mars
(c) Saturn
(d) Venus

21. Solar System and 2011 Which is the difference between asteroids and comets?
Earth 1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and
Mercury.
3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

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22. Solar System and 2012 A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point
Earth where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction but he located the polestar. The most convenient way now
to reach his village is to walk in the
(a) direction facing the polestar
(b) direction opposite to the polestar
(c) direction keeping the polestar to his left
(d) direction keeping the polestar to his right

23. Solar System and 2013 Variations in the length of daytime and nighttime from season to season are due to
Earth (a) the earth’s rotation on its axis.
(b) the earth’s revolution round the sun in an elliptical manner.
(c) latitudinal position of the place.
(d) revolution of the earth on a tilted axis.

24. Solar System and 2015 The term "Goldilocks Zone" is often seen in the news in the context of
Earth (a) the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth
(b) regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available
(c) search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
(d) search for meteorites containing precious metals

25. Geomorphology 2008 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
Theory/Law Associated Scientist
1. Continental Drift : Edwin Hubble
2. Expansion of Universe : Alfred Wegener
3. Photoelectric Effect : Albert Einstein
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 2 and 3 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 only

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26. Geomorphology 2009 In the structure of planet Earth, below the mantle, the core is mainly made up of which one of the following?
(a) Aluminum
(b) Chromium
(c) Iron
(d) Silicon

27. Geomorphology 2012 Which one of the following sets of elements was primarily responsible for the origin of life on the Earth?
(a) Hydrogen, Oxygen, Sodium
(b) Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
(c) Oxygen, Calcium, Phosphorus
(d) Carbon, Hydrogen, Potassium

28. Geomorphology 2013 Consider the following:

1. Electromagnetic radiation
2. Geothermal energy
3. Gravitational force
4. Plate movements
5. Rotation of the earth
6. Revolution of the earth
Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the earth?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c) 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

29. Geomorphology 2014 Which of the following phenomena might have influenced the evolution of organisms?
1. Continental drift
2. Glacial cycles
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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30. Climatology 2008 Consider the following statements:
1. The albedo of an object determines its visual brightness when viewed with reflected light.
2. The albedo of Mercury is much greater than the albedo of the Earth.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

31. Climatology 2009 Consider the following names:

1. Ike
2. Kate
3. Gustav
Which of the above are the names of Hurricanes that had occurred very recently?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

32. Climatology 2010 Consider the following which can be found in the ambient atmospheres:
1. Soot
2. Sulphur hexafluoride
3. Water vapour
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

33. Climatology 2010 What causes wind to deflect toward left in the Southern hemisphere?
(a) Temperature (b) Magnetic field
(c) Rotation of the earth (d) Pressure

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34. Climatology 2010 Which one of the following reflects back more sunlight as compared to other three?
(a) Sand desert
(b) Paddy crop land
(c) Land covered with fresh snow
(d) Prairie land

35. Climatology 2010 A geographic region has the following distinct characteristics:
1. Warm and dry climate
2. Mild and wet winter
3. Evergreen oak trees
The above features are the distinct characteristics of Which one of the following regions?
(a) Mediterranean
(b) Eastern China
(c) Central Asia
(d) Atlantic coast of North America

36. Climatology 2010 A geographic area with an altitude of 400 metres has following characteristics:

If this geographic area were to have a natural forest, which one of the following would it most likely be?
(a) Moist temperate coniferous forest
(b) Montane subtropical forest
(c) Temperate forest
(d) Tropical rain forest

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37. Climatology 2011 The jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation?
1. There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere.
2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

38. Climatology 2011 Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why?
1. Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere.
2. Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

39. Climatology 2011 What could be the main reason/reasons of the formation of African and Eurasian desert belt?
1. It is located in the sub-tropical high pressure cells.
2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

40. Climatology 2011 A layer in the Earth’s atmosphere called Ionosphere facilitates radio communication. Why?
1. The presence of ozone causes the reflection of radio waves to Earth.
2. Radio waves have a very long wavelength.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1only (b) 2only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

41. Climatology 2011 If a tropical rain forest is removed, it does not regenerate quickly as compared to a tropical deciduous forest. This is because
(a) the soil of rain forest is deficient in nutrients.
(b) propagules of the trees in a rain forest have poor viability.
(c) the rain forest species are slow growing.
(d) exotic species invade the fertile soil of rain forest.

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42. Climatology 2011 Consider the following statements:
1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1only (b) 2only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

43. Climatology 2012 Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because:
1. The atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth’s surface.
2. There is more moisture in the upper atmosphere.
3. The air is less dense in the upper atmosphere.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

44. Climatology 2012 Which one of the following is the characteristic climate of the Tropical Savannah Region?
(a) Rainfall throughout the year
(b) Rainfall in winter only
(c) An extremely short dry season
(d) A definite dry and wet season

45. Climatology 2013 The annual range of temperature in the interior of the continents is high as compared to coastal areas. What is/are the
reason/reasons?
1. Thermal difference between land and water.
2. Variation in altitude between continents and oceans.
3. Presence of strong winds in the interior.
4. Heavy rains in the interior as compared to coasts.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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46. Climatology 2013 On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest
proportion
(a) is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
(b) is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c) exists as groundwater
(d) exists as soil moisture

47. Climatology 2013 During a thunderstorm, the thunder in the skies is produced by the
1. Meeting of cumulonimbus clouds in the sky.
2. Lightening that separates the nimbus clouds.
3. Violent upward movement of air and water particles.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None of the above produces the thunder

48. Climatology 2013 "Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders." The above statement best describes which of
the following regions?
(a) African Savannah
(b) Central Asian Steppe
(c) North American Prairie
(d) Siberian Tundra

49. Climatology 2014 The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of
(a) Equatorial climate (b) Mediterranean climate
(c) Monsoon climate (d) All of the above climates

50. Climatology 2015 In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?
(a) Sea surface temperatures are low
(b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
(c) Coriolis force is too weak
(d) Absence of land in those regions

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51. Climatology 2015 Consider the following statements:
1. The winds which blow between 300 N and 600 S latitudes throughout the year are known as westerlies.
2. The moist air masses that cause winter rains in North-Western region of India are part of westerlies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (c) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

52. Climatology 2015 "Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat
mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over.
"Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?
(a) Savannah (b) Equatorial
(c) Monsoon (d) Mediterranean

53. Oceanography 2010 A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean.
2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of
hurricanes with greater frequency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

54. Oceanography 2011 La Nina is suspected to have caused recent floods in Australia. How is La Nina different from El Nino?
1. La Nina is characterised by unusually cold ocean temperature in equatorial Indian Ocean whereas El Nino is characterised by
unusually warm ocean temperature in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
2. El Nino has adverse effect on south-west monsoon of India, but La Nina has no effect on monsoon climate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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55. Oceanography 2011 In the context of ecosystem productivity, marine upwelling zones are important as they increase the marine productivity by
bringing the
1. Decomposer microorganism to the surface.
2. Nutrients to the surface.
3. Bottom-dwelling organisms to the surface.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only

56. Oceanography 2012 Consider the following factors:

1. Rotation of the Earth
2. Air pressure and wind
3. Density of ocean water
4. Revolution of the Earth
Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4

57. Oceanography 2015 What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?
(a) The Earth’s rotation on its axis
(b) Convergence of the two equatorial currents
(c) Difference in salinity of water
(d) Occurrence of the belt of calm near the equator

58. Oceanography 2015 Tides occur in the oceans and seas due to which among the following?
1. Gravitational force of the Sun
2. Gravitational force of the Moon
3. Centrifugal force of the Earth
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

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59. Oceanography 2017 With reference to “Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)” sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of
the following statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and
tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon. Select the correct answer using the code given
below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

60. Biogeography 2011 Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals.
What are the effects of salinization on the irrigated land?
(a) It greatly increases the crop production.
(b) It makes some soils impermeable.
(c) It raises the water table.
(d) It fills the air spaces in the soil with water

61. Biogeography 2013 Contour bunding is a method of soil conservation used in

(a) desert margins, liable to strong wind action.
(b) low flat plains, close to stream courses, liable to flooding.
(c) scrublands, liable to spread of weed growth.
(d) None of the above

62. Biogeography 2013 Which of the following is/are unique characteristic/ characteristics of equatorial forests?
1. Presence of tall, closely set trees with crowns forming a continuous canopy
2. Coexistence of a large number of species
3. Presence of numerous varieties of epiphytes
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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63. Biogeography 2013 Which of the following leaf modifications occurs/occur in desert areas to inhibit water loss?
1. Hard and waxy leaves
2. Tiny leaves or no leaves
3. Thorns instead of leaves
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

64. Human Geography 2010 As per the UN-Habitat’s Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, which one among the following regions has shown the
fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last three decades?
(a) Asia (b) Europe
(c) Latin America and Caribbean (d) North America

65. Human Geography 2016 Consider the following pairs: Community sometimes mentioned in the news In the affairs of
1. Kurd : Bangladesh
2. Madhesi : Nepal
3. Rohingya : Myanmar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only

66. Economic 2008 Which one amongst the following has the largest livestock population in the world?
Geography (a) Brazil (b) China
(c) India (d) USA

67. Economic 2009 Which among the following has the world’s largest reserves of Uranium?
Geography (a) Australia (b) Canada
(c) Russian Federation (d) USA

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68. Economic 2010 Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In
Geography this context, consider the following statements:
1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical
areas.
2. Coffee is a propagated by seeds but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

69. Economic 2010 Consider the following statements:

Geography 1. On the planet Earth, the fresh water available for use amounts to about less than 1% of the total water found.
2. Of the total fresh water found on the planet Earth 95% is bound up in polar ice caps and glaciers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

70. Economic 2012 Which of the following is the chief characteristic of “mixed farming”?
Geography (a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops.
(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field.
(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together.
(d) None of the above

71. Economic 2013 The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where?
Geography (a) Warm and cold atmospheric currents meet.
(b) Rivers drain out large amounts of freshwater into the sea.
(c) Warm and cold oceanic currents meet.
(d) Continental shelf is undulating.

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