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Q1Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural RegionsPYQ 2023
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The soil in tropical rain forests is rich in nutrients.
Statement-II: The high temperature and moisture of tropical rain forests cause dead organic matter in the soil to decompose quickly.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correctCorrect
Explanation
Correct. Tropical rain forest soils are nutrient-poor despite high biomass productivity because intense leaching removes minerals faster than they can accumulate. Statement-II is correct as warm, humid conditions do accelerate decomposition.
Q2Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
Consider the following statements about 'permafrost':
1. It refers to ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years.
2. The active layer above permafrost thaws in summer and freezes again in winter.
3. Permafrost is found exclusively in Antarctica.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- B1 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Correct. Permafrost is defined as ground frozen for two or more consecutive years, and the active layer above it undergoes seasonal freeze-thaw cycles. Permafrost is not exclusive to Antarctica; it is widespread in the Arctic (Siberia, Canada, Alaska) and at high altitudes.
Q3Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
What is the primary reason why the eastern margins of continents in the tropics do not develop deserts, unlike the western margins?
- AEastern margins receive warm ocean currents that increase moisture availabilityCorrect
- BEastern margins are at higher altitudes, causing orographic rainfall
- CEastern margins are closer to the poles and receive more precipitation
- DEastern margins have more volcanic activity, releasing water vapour
Explanation
Correct. The eastern margins of tropical continents receive warm ocean currents (e.g., Brazil Current, Mozambique Current) that bring moisture onshore, supporting rainfall and preventing desert conditions. Western margins, by contrast, have cold offshore currents that suppress rainfall.
Q4Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
The equatorial climate natural region is characterized by:
1. Convectional rainfall almost daily, often in the afternoon
2. Very small annual temperature range but significant diurnal range
3. Location between 5°N and 5°S latitude
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. The equatorial region features daily convectional storms, minimal annual but notable diurnal temperature ranges, and lies close to the equator, typically within 5° latitude.
Q5Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
Consider the following statements about loess soils:
1. They are fine-grained wind-deposited soils.
2. They are extremely fertile due to their mineral-rich composition.
3. The Loess Plateau of China and parts of the Mississippi Valley are major loess deposits.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Loess is a wind-deposited, silt-sized sediment that forms fertile soils. Major deposits include the Chinese Loess Plateau (the world's largest), the Mississippi-Missouri valley, and parts of Central Europe.
Q6Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
With reference to the USDA Soil Taxonomy, the soil order 'Oxisol' is characterized by:
- AHigh content of organic matter in cold regions
- BExtreme weathering and dominance of iron and aluminium oxides in tropical regionsCorrect
- CSwelling and cracking clay in semi-arid regions
- DPresence of permafrost within 2 meters of the surface
Explanation
Correct. Oxisols are the most weathered soils on Earth, found predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions. They are dominated by iron and aluminium oxide minerals (kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite) due to intense and prolonged chemical weathering.
Q7Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
The 'O-horizon' in a soil profile primarily consists of:
- APartially weathered parent rock material
- BUndecomposed and partially decomposed organic matter on the surfaceCorrect
- CA zone of illuviation rich in clay and iron
- DUnweathered bedrock
Explanation
Correct. The O-horizon (organic horizon) lies at the very surface and consists of leaf litter, twigs, and other organic debris in various stages of decomposition. It is most prominent in forest soils.
Q8Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
The Mediterranean biome is characterized by:
- AHot, dry summers and mild, wet wintersCorrect
- BUniformly distributed rainfall throughout the year
- CExtremely cold winters with heavy snowfall
- DYear-round high humidity and rainfall exceeding 250 cm
Explanation
Correct. The Mediterranean climate is distinctive for its dry, warm-to-hot summers and cool, wet winters. This pattern results from the seasonal shifting of subtropical high pressure and westerly wind belts.
Q9Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
The vegetation of the tundra biome primarily consists of:
- ATall coniferous trees with needle-like leaves
- BBroad-leaved deciduous trees that shed leaves in winter
- CMosses, lichens, sedges, and dwarf shrubsCorrect
- DThorny bushes and succulent plants
Explanation
Correct. Tundra vegetation is low-growing and adapted to extreme cold, short growing seasons, and permafrost. Mosses, lichens (including reindeer moss), sedges, and dwarf willow and birch are the characteristic plants.
Q10Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
Which of the following correctly describes the concept of 'climatic climax vegetation'?
- AVegetation that has been recently planted and is yet to mature
- BThe final stable plant community that develops in equilibrium with the prevailing climateCorrect
- CVegetation that grows only during the rainy season and disappears during drought
- DAny vegetation community that is dominated by a single plant species
Explanation
Correct. Climatic climax vegetation is the theoretical endpoint of ecological succession, where the plant community reaches a stable equilibrium with the regional climate. Without disturbance, it persists indefinitely.
Q11Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
Consider the following pairs:
Grassland Type — Region
1. Campos — Brazil
2. Canterbury — New Zealand
3. Puszta — Hungary
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A1 only
- B1 and 3 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3Correct
Explanation
Correct. Campos are Brazilian grasslands, the Canterbury Plains are New Zealand grasslands, and the Puszta is the great grassland plain of Hungary.
Q12Geography·Soils, Biomes and Natural Regions
The 'selva' type of natural region corresponds to which of the following?
- ATemperate deciduous forest
- BTropical evergreen rainforestCorrect
- CMediterranean woodland
- DBoreal coniferous forest
Explanation
Correct. 'Selva' is the term used for the tropical evergreen rainforest, particularly associated with the Amazon basin. It refers to the dense, multi-layered, species-rich forest of equatorial regions.