SAMKALP IAS

GENERAL STUDIES

(World Geography &

Environment TEST-8)
CODE-08/1901 DATE:19-01-2025

Answer keys
1. (b) 2. (b) ­3. (c) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (a)

11. (d) 12. (a) 13. (a) 14. (a) 15. (d) 16. (c) 17. (b) 18. (c) 19. (d) 20. (c)

21. (c) 22. (d) 23. (b) 24. (c) 25. (a) 26. (a) 27. (a) 28. (a) 29. (b) 30. (c)

31. (b) 32. (c) 33. (c) 34. (d) 35. (d) 36. (b) 37. (a) 38. (c) 39. (d) 40. (d)

41. (b) 42. (b) 43. (b) 44. (d) 45. (a) 46. (c) 47. (c) 48. (a) 49. (b) 50. (c)

51. (d) 52. (c) 53. (a) 54. (c) 55. (c) 56. (d) 57. (c) 58. (b) 59. (a) 60. (b)

61. (c) 62. (b) 63. (a) 64. (a) 65. (b) 66. (d) 67. (*) 68. (c) 69. (b) 70. (c)

71. (a) 72. (a) 73. (a) 74. (d) 75. (a) 76. (b) 77. (b) 78. (b) 79. (a) 80. (d)

81. (b) 82. (c) 83. (b) 84. (a) 85. (c) 86. (b) 87. (c) 88. (a) 89. (d) 90. (a)

91. (b) 92. (a) 93. (c) 94. (c) 95. (a) 96. (c) 97. (c) 98. (c) 99. (a) 100. (d)
 SAMKALP IAS

(World Geography & Environment TEST-8)

Explanation

1. (b) zz In this technique more plants are planted

Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true. in very less space, more than 100 plants
can be planted in a strip of 2 feet wide and
zz Soapstone, also known as steatite, is a soft
metamorphic rock composed primarily 30 feet long. Plants planted in less space
of talc and varying amounts of chlorite, act as an oxygen bank and also help in
dolomite and magnesite. attracting rain.
zz Its smooth, soap-like texture and heat- zz A natural forest takes 100 years to develop.
resistant properties make it a versatile But since in Miyawaki method, plants
material. have to compete for sunlight, plants grow
Occurrence of soapstone in India: faster in this method.
zz Rajasthan : Largest producer, especially 4. (c)
in the Udaipur, Dungarpur and Bhilwara
Ethiopian wolf consumes nectar of Ethiopian
region.
red hot poker flowers, it helps in pollination
zz Uttarakhand : Notable deposits in by transferring pollen to the front part of its
Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Almora
mouth.
districts.
zz Bats are pollen-eating mammalian
zz Tamil Nadu and Karnataka : Smaller
pollinators.
deposits also exist.
zz Small carnivorous species such as civets
2. (b)
or mongooses pollinate.
Southern California is currently facing a serious zz Omnivorous bears, such as sun bears, also
wildfire crisis. Santa Ana winds are considered
pollinate.
to be a major cause of this crisis.
zz These winds are named after the Santa 5. (a)
Ana Valley in Orange County, California. Statement 1 is true and statements 2 and 3 are
zz The dust storm that blows through the false.
Santa Ana Canyon in Southern California zz Recently, the Ministry of Environment,
towards the coastal plains is called Santa
Forest and Climate Change released the
Ana.
18th report of the India State of Forest
zz These winds are extremely dry and hot. Report 2023 series.
These winds blow towards the east or
north-east. zz This report was published by the Indian
Forest Surveyor on a biennial basis in the
3. (c) year 1987.
The pioneer of Miyawaki method is Japanese zz The forest and tree cover of the country
botanist Akira Miyawaki. With this method, has increased by 1,445.81 sq km, in which
forests can be converted into dense forests in a
the forest cover has increased by 156.41
very short time, that is why it is used to create
sq km as compared to the year 2021.
mini forests in urban areas.
Maximum increase (forest and tree cover):
In this process, the trees grow on their own
zz
zz

and within three years they grow to their Chhattisgarh (684 sq km) followed by
full height. Uttar Pradesh (559 sq km), Odisha (559 sq
km) and Rajasthan (394 sq km).
zz The plants used in the Miyawaki method
are mostly self-sufficient and do not zz Maximum increase (forest cover):
require regular maintenance like fertilizer Mizoram (242 sq km) followed by Gujarat
and watering. (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km).
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 2
 SAMKALP IAS
6. (b) While Bhitarkanika National Park is a Ramsar
site but not a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
India's mangrove cover is 4,991.68 sq km,
Manas National Park is a UNESCO World
which is 0.15% of the total geographical area,
Heritage Site but not a Ramsar site.
which has decreased by 7.43 sq km since 2021.
zz Gujarat witnessed a decrease of 36.39 11. (d)
sq km in mangrove cover, while Andhra The wetlands included in both Ramsar and
Pradesh and Maharashtra witnessed an Montreux are-
increase of 13.01 sq km and 12.39 sq km
respectively. 1. Keoladeo (Rajasthan)

7. (c) 2. Loktak (Manipur)

Earlier, Chilika Lake of Odisha was also
The Green Hydrogen Hub project has been
included in it but it was later removed from this
officially launched at Pudimadaka in Anakapalli
list. Hence, option d is the correct answer.
district of Andhra Pradesh. The initiative under
the National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to 12. (a)
set up India's first integrated green hydrogen
The difference in the number of species when
production facility.
moving from high latitude to low latitude and
8. (b) from top to bottom in mountainous regions is
called biodiversity gradient.
Biodiversity Credit is a financial instrument
to reward positive results for biodiversity. It is 13. (a)
a quantifiable and tradable method. Through
In parasitism, one species benefits and the
biodiversity credit, positive results for
other species is at a loss. Its example can be
biodiversity can be achieved by creating and Amarbel and any other plant, in this Amarbel
selling biodiversity units on land or ocean. is at a profit as it takes its food from that plant
zz The 'Biodiversity Credit' initiative was only. Whereas the other plant is at a loss. Hence
launched by the World Economic Forum statement 1 is true.
(WEF) to provide new financing for zz In predation also, one species is benefited
quantitative benefits for the environment. and the other species is at a loss. An
9. (c) example of this can be considered as the
predation of a deer by a lion, in which the
Recently the 16th Conference of the Parties lion is benefited and the deer is at a loss.
(COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Hence statement 2 is false.
Combat Desertification was held in Riyadh,
14. (a)
Saudi Arabia, in which about 200 countries
expressed their commitment to give priority to The amount of fresh water on earth is about 3%
land restoration and drought resilience. of the total amount of water available and the
zz For the first time, the Conference of amount of sea salt water is about 97%. Hence
Parties to the United Nations Convention statement 1 is true.
to Combat Desertification was held in the zz The largest source of fresh water on earth
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is snow and glaciers which is about 75%
region. of the total water, while underground
water is 24%. After this, lake is 0.3% and
The COP17 to be held in 2026 will be held
river is 0.03%.
zz

in Mongolia.
15. (d)
10. (a)
The India High Range Mountain Landscape
A site in India which is both a Ramsar site and
Project is a partnership between the Ministry
a World Heritage Site is:
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
zz Sundarbans National Park Government of Kerala and the United Nations
zz Keoladeo National Park Development Programme and supported by the
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 3
 SAMKALP IAS
Global Environment Facility. Hence statement zz The Air Quality Index considers 12
1 is false. pollutants- PM2.5, PM10, ozone, sulphur
zz The objective of this project is to develop dioxide, NO2, lead, carbon monoxide,
an effective multi-use management ammonia, benzene, arsenic, nickel,
framework for the conservation of benzopytein. It does not include carbon
biodiversity in the mountain landscape of dioxide as a pollutant.
the Western Ghats. Hence statement 2 is 21. (c)
also false.
The above conditions are true in the context of
The High Range Mountain Landscape
ICUN's endangered category.
zz

Project funded by the United Nations

Development Programme is being 22. (d)
relaunched with a new name in 11 gram The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 empowers the
panchayats of Kerala. states to declare national parks. It does so with
16. (c) the permission of the State Wildlife Board. The
zz The biomass pyramid of aquatic ecosystem power to declare community reserves lies with
is inverted. The biomass pyramid of the state government. The central government
terrestrial ecosystem is upright. Hence can declare a forest land as a national park
statement 1 is true. only under certain circumstances. Hence all the
three statements above are true.
zz The energy pyramid of all productive
ecosystems is always upright, because the 23. (b)
energy decreases from the lower level to The Government of India had set a target of
the upper level. Hence statement 2 is also 100 GW of solar power capacity by the end
true. of 2022 and not 175 GW. A total renewable
17. (b) energy target of 175 GW was set. Hence option
b is false.
The correct order of the processes involved in
nitrogen cycle is- zz India surpassed Japan in solar power
generation in 2023, producing 113 billion
Nitrogen fixation-Ammonification-
units (BU) compared to 110 BU. China
zz

Nitrification -Denitrification
remains the leading solar power producer
18. (c) globally, producing 584 BU in 2024.
Phytoplanktons are the autotrophic components zz India ranks fifth globally in installed
of the plankton community and an important power capacity with 73 gigawatts (GW)
part of the ecosystem of oceans, seas and of solar power capacity.
freshwater basins. They produce most of the 24. (c)
oxygen on earth. They are at the lowest level of
nutrition. Hence both the statements are true. The Central Pollution Control Board was
constituted as a statutory organisation in
19. (d) September 1974 under the Water (Prevention
Emissions from various sources of carbon and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
monoxide in order from least to most- Subsequently, the Central Pollution Control
Board was entrusted with powers and functions
1. Transport - 75.7% under the Air (Prevention and Control of
2. Domestic wood - 10.6% Pollution) Act, 1981. Hence statement 1 is
correct.
3. Aluminium plant - less than 10%
zz According to this Act, both the Central
20. (c) and State Governments have been given
The Air Quality Index has 6 categories of air powers to deal with the effects of air
quality- good, satisfactory, slightly polluted, pollution. To declare any area of the state
poor, very poor and severe with different colour as air polluted area and to stop industrial
schemes. All these categories are associated activities in pollution controlled areas.
with health impacts. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 4
 SAMKALP IAS
25. (a) 29. (b)
Urbanization has increased global warming The International Solar Alliance is a treaty
because the emission of carbon dioxide has based inter-governmental organization of solar
increased. Both statement and reason are true energy rich countries. ISA was established after
and reason is the correct explanation of the India's initiative. It was jointly launched by
statement. India and France on 30 November 2015 in Paris
during the United Nations Climate Conference,
26. (a)
apart from COP-21. Hence statement 1 is true.
Clean Development Mechanism and Carbon zz Its objective includes raising about 1000
Trade are both related to developed and billion dollars for investment in solar
developing countries. Hence statement 1 is true energy by the year 2030. Statement 3 is
and statement 2 is false. also true.
27. (a) zz The International Solar Alliance does
not release any report. None of the
The Kyoto Protocol was accepted in the year
reports mentioned in the question is also
1997 and its first commitment period was from
published. Hence statement 2 is false.
the year 2008 to 2012. Its second commitment
period was adopted in 2012 but, till now 30. (c)
only a few countries have ratified the second Natural factors of climate change include-
commitment period (2013-2020).
1. Volcanic eruptions
zz According to the Kyoto Protocol. The
CDM, defined in 12, allows a nation 2. Continental drift
committed to emission reduction or 3. Mountain building
emission control under the Kyoto Protocol
to implement low emission projects in 4. Earth's axial tilt
developed countries. 5. Change in the amount of solar light
zz The principle of common but differentiated 6. Change in the composition of the
responsibility was adopted under this atmosphere
protocol based on the past activities of
31. (b)
industrially developed countries.
zz The Green Climate Fund is an international The Conference of Plenipotentiaries of March
financial institution under the UNFCCC. 22, 1989, held in Basel (Switzerland), was
The formation of the Green Climate to prevent the exchange of hazardous wastes
Fund was proposed at the United Nations between countries and make efforts to eliminate
Climate Change Conference held in it. It is known as the Basel Convention and
Copenhagen in 2009, which was accepted came into force in 1992.
at the conference held in Durban in 2011. zz It is an international treaty whose aim
Hence statement 3 is not related to the is to prevent the exchange of hazardous
Kyoto Protocol. wastes between different countries and its
main focus is to prevent the import-export
28. (a) of hazardous wastes between developed
The National Clean Energy Fund finances the countries and developing countries. Hence
following projects- statement 1 is false.
1. Energy Corridor zz India is its signatory country. Under
this, India notified the Hazardous Waste
2. National Solar Energy Mission. (Management, Handling and Inland
3. Rooftop Solar Power Plant Scheme Transfer) Act, 2008. Hence statement 2 is
correct.
4. Installation of solar powered pumping
sets 32. (c)
5. Street light scheme with solar lighting The following fall in the category of primary
capability pollutants-
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 5
 SAMKALP IAS
1. Carbon monoxide 2016 and it was implemented for the first time
in 2017. Hence statement 1 is correct.
2. Particulate matter (PM)
zz Environmental Pollution Control
3. Ammonia Authority (EPCA) is an institution notified
4. Sulphur dioxide by the order of the Supreme Court, which
also works to implement the Graded
5. Nitrogen dioxide
Response Action Plan in the National
6. Nitric oxide Capital Region in view of the level of air
pollution in the National Capital Region.
7. Carbon dioxide
Hence statements 2 and 3 are also true.
8. Volatile organic compounds
36. (b)
The following fall in the category of secondary
pollutants- The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable by the
IUCN and in Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife
1. Sulphur trioxide (Protection) Act 1972. Hence option b is false.
2. Nitric acid zz The snow leopard is found in the five
3. Sulphuric acid states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and
4. Hydrogen peroxide Arunachal Pradesh in the high Himalayan
5. Ozone and trans-Himalayan region.
zz This region contributes about 5% to the
33. (c)
global snow leopard range.
Environmental impact assessment is an zz It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES
important component of India's environmental and the Convention on Migratory Species
decision-making process, in which it is (CMS). It is the state animal of Himachal
considered a detailed study of the potential Pradesh.
impacts of proposed projects. Whereas
strategic impact assessment plays an active 37. (a)
role in integrating environmental perspective In 2013, ICIMOD launched the 'REDD+
in high-level decision-making process. Himalaya' programme in Bhutan, Nepal, India,
zz Strategic impact assessment takes place at Myanmar.
the very first stage of decision making. It zz Its objective is to support REDD+.
considers a wide range of possible options. This project is supported by the German
Its approach is positive or proactive Ministry of Environment, Nature
towards development proposals. Hence Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Hence
both the statements are true. statement 1 is true.
34. (d) zz ICIMOD is an independent mountain
zz Golden Langur: Found in Assam, Tripura education and knowledge centre that serves
in India and outside India in some areas of the eight countries of the Hindu-kush
Himalaya (HKH) region - Afghanistan,
Bhutan.
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India,
zz Sangai Deer: Found in South East Asia Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan and the
and in India only in Manipur. global mountain group. It was established
zz Ganges Dolphin: It is found in the in the year 1983 and is headquartered in
Ganges-Brahmaputra-Indus-Meghna river Kathmandu (Nepal). This institution is
drainage system, which includes India, an intergovernmental but independent
Pakistan, Bangladesh. organization. Hence statement 2 is false.
Hence option d will be the correct answer. 38. (c)
35. (d) The ecological footprint is a measure of human
The Graded Response Action Plan was demand on the Earth's ecosystem. It compares
approved by the Supreme Court in the year human demand with the ability of the Earth's

Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 6
 SAMKALP IAS
ecosystem to reproduce. Hence both statements sanctuary with the highest population
1 and 2 are true. density in the world. Hence pair 2 is
zz Using this, it can be estimated how much correctly matched.
of the Earth would be needed to support zz The Ministry of Environment and Forests
humanity if every person follows a certain has declared 1 km area around Asola
lifestyle. Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Gurugram
and Faridabad as ESZ area. The area
39. (d) has been declared as an environmentally
The Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas is prepared sensitive area/eco sensitive zone. Hence
by the European Commission Joint Research pair 3 is not correctly matched.
Centre. 42. (b)
zz This index shows India among the
Eco-sensitive zones or ecologically sensitive
countries whose soil biodiversity is facing
areas are the areas notified by the Ministry
the highest level of risk.
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
40. (d) Government of India, around a protected area,
national park and wildlife sanctuary. Hence
The report has recently been released by IPBES
statement 1 is true.
in the context of extinction of species. Hence
statement 1 is true. zz Activities in eco-sensitive zones are
regulated under the Environment
This is the first global assessment report
(Protection Act) of 1986 and no polluting
zz

presented by IPBES, formed in the year

industries or mining is permitted in such
2012. Hence statement 2 is also true.
areas. Hence statement 2 is false.
zz IPBES is a global scientific body for
zz The Wildlife Conservation Strategy,
better information on climate change. It is
2002 includes declaring an area within a
similar to the structure and functioning of
radius of 10 km from the boundary of a
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
national park and wildlife sanctuary as an
Change (IPCC). Hence statement 3 is also
ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ). Hence
true.
statement 3 is true.
zz Under this, scientists make estimates
zz As per general principles, eco-sensitive
related to changes in the Earth's climate
zones can extend up to a radius of 10 km
and review it from time to time.IPBES is
around a protected area. However, in case
committed to working in the context of
of sensitive corridors, connectivity and
natural ecosystem and biodiversity.
ecologically important segments and areas
41. (b) important for natural connectivity, an area
zz Recently, in the meeting of the Expert of more than 10 km can be included in the
Committee of ESZ of the Ministry of eco-sensitive zone.
Environment and Forests, on the basis 43. (b)
of the draft notification of November 5,
2018, about 168.84 sq. km. area around The area of interior wetlands in India is more
Bannerghatta National Park (located in than the area of coastal wetlands. Hence,
Bengaluru, Karnataka) was declared as statement 1 is false.
ESZ area. Hence pair 1 is not correctly zz Gujarat has the largest area of wetlands.
matched. Hence, statement 2 is true.
zz Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located zz Bembanad lake of Kerala has the largest
in the flood plains of Brahmaputra river area as a wetland.
in Morigaon district, about 45 km from 44. (d)
Guwahati. Only 16 sq. km area of Pobitora
Wildlife Sanctuary is the habitat of more Recently, NASA and the National Oceanic
than 90 rhinos. It is worth noting that the and Atmospheric Administration of the United
presence of more than 90 rhinos in such States have reported that the largest reduction
a small area makes this sanctuary the in the size of the ozone hole has been observed
over Antarctica since 1982.
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 7
 SAMKALP IAS
zz The reduction in the ozone hole this zz It is also called "confined" water because
year is not related to atmospheric ozone of the hard materials present above and
or aircraft movement but is the result of below it.
sudden changes in weather patterns in the zz Famous artesian wells are found in areas
stratosphere. Hence, statements 1 and 2 like Great Artesian Basin of Australia,
are false. Dakota Aquifer of USA and Africa.
45. (a) 49. (b)
Recently, the Uttarakhand state government Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 and
gave a new definition of Deemed Forests, Statement 3 are true.
which the Union Ministry of Forest and
zz The Ninety East Ridge is a linear seismic
Environment has said is outside the scope of
ridge. It is named so because of its almost
a decision given by the Supreme Court in the
parallel alignment with 90 degrees latitude
year 1996 regarding forests.
east.
zz These are notified either by the Forest zz This submerged mountain range extends
Department or the Revenue Department. for about 5,000 km from the Bay of Bengal
The forests defined under the criteria in the north to the Southeast Indian Ridge
made for these forests are 1% of the total in the south.
forests of the country and the forests so
zz It divides the Indian Ocean into Western
defined are called deemed forests. Hence
Indian Ocean and Eastern Indian Ocean.
statements 1 and 2 are true.
zz A recent study by Nature Communications
In some states, deemed forests are already
has revealed that the Ninety East Ridge
zz

a legal category of forests and they have

(which is the longest and straightest
not been defined as per the dictionary submerged mountain range on Earth) is
definition. Hence statement 3 is false. formed by a dynamic hotspot.
46. (c)
50. (c)
The Global Land Outlook is a strategic
Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,
communication platform and associated
the world's longest mountain range located in
publication of the United Nations Convention
the ocean.
to Combat Desertification Secretariat that
highlights the central importance of land zz This ridge separates the Eurasian and
quality for human well-being. Hence option c North American tectonic plates, making it
is correct. a hotbed of seismic activity.
zz It is an archipelago made up of nine
47. (c)
volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region
In India, La Nina causes above average of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is under the
monsoon rainfall from July to September, jurisdiction of Portugal. It is also located
resulting in decrease in production of pulses in on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
the Indo-Gangetic plains but an increase in the zz Saint Helena is a volcanic and tropical
production of rice. island, located in the South Atlantic Ocean.
zz South-East Asia including Indonesia, It is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Malaysia and Philippines receive above
51. (d)
average rainfall due to La Nina, causing
floods but an increase in the production of Wind and water are powerful agents of soil
rice and palm oil. erosion because of their ability to remove soil
and transport it. Soil erosion is essentially
48. (a)
aggravated by faulty practices. Over-grazing
Water from an artesian well comes to the surface and shifting cultivation in many parts of India
naturally due to pressure without the need for have affected the natural cover of land and
pumping. This happens when water gets stored given rise to extensive erosion.
in a confined aquifer and its pressure becomes zz Contour bunding, Contour terracing,
high.
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 8
 SAMKALP IAS
regulated forestry, controlled grazing, zz These are basically intrusive counterparts
cover cropping, mixed farming, and crop of an exposed domelike batholith.
rotation are some of the remedial measures Lopolith:
which are often adopted to reduce soil
zz As and when the lava moves upwards, a
erosion.
portion of the same may tend to move in
zz Ploughing along the contour lines can a horizontal direction wherever it finds a
decelerate the flow of water down the weak plane.
slopes. This is called contour ploughing.
zz In case it develops into a saucer shape,
zz Steps can be cut out on the slopes making concave to the sky body, it is called
terraces. Terrace cultivation restricts Lopolith.
erosion.
Phacolith:
zz Large fields can be divided into strips.
zz A Phacolith is a lens-shaped mass of
Strips of grass are left to grow between the
igneous rocks occupying the crest of an
crops. This breaks up the force of the wind.
anticline or the bottom of a syncline and
This method is known as strip cropping.
being fed by a conduit from beneath.
zz Planting lines of trees to create shelter
also works in a similar way. Rows of 54. (c)
such trees are called shelterbelts. These Normally, temperature decreases with an
shelter belts have contributed significantly increase in elevation in the troposphere. It is
to the stabilization of sand dunes and in called normal lapse rate. At times, the situation
stabilizing the desert in western India. is reversed and the normal lapse rate is inverted.
Hence option (d) is the correct answer. It is called Inversion of temperature. In this
situation, the temperature actually increases
52. (c)
with elevation.
Earthquake waves are basically of two types zz During a temperature inversion, cold air
- body waves and surface waves. Body waves is trapped beneath warm air, creating a
are generated due to the release of energy at pocket of stagnated air close to the Earth‘s
the focus and move in all directions traveling surface.
through the body of the earth. There are two zz A long winter night with clear skies and
types of body waves. They are called P and still air is an ideal situation for Temperature
S-waves. Inversion. Hence statement 1 is correct.
zz P-waves are also called primary waves. zz Long Nights ensure that outgoing radiation
These move faster and are the first to is greater than the incoming radiation.
arrive at the surface. On the other hand,
zz Clear skies without clouds allow the
S-waves (called secondary waves) arrive unobstructed escape of radiation.
at the surface with some time lag.
zz Still air prevents the vertical mixing of
zz The P-waves are similar to sound waves. air at lower levels and maintains the
While they travel through gaseous, liquid, separation of cold air mass below and
and solid materials, S-waves can travel warm air mass above.
only through solid materials.
zz A temperature inversion in frequent in the
53. (a) polar areas is caused by the lack of surface
The intrusive igneous rocks or plutonic rocks heating by the Sun, which stays below the
horizon during the winter (the Polar Night),
are formed when the Magma cools within the
and the continuous loss of heat from the
earth's crust and does not erupt to the surface.
surface through the emission of infrared
Various forms of intrusive igneous rocks
radiation. This allows the temperatures
are formed due to the intrusive activity of
near the surface to be colder than the air
volcanoes.
above. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Laccoliths:
55. (c)
zz These are large dome-shaped intrusive
bodies connected by a pipe-like conduit Diamond Ring is the phenomenon which occurs
from below. along the peripheral regions of the totality tail.
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 9
 SAMKALP IAS
As the last bits of sunlight pass through the zz Florida current - North Atlantic
valleys on the moon’s limb, and the faint corona zz Falkland current - South Atlantic
around the sun is just becoming visible, it
looks like a ring with glittering diamonds on it. 63. (a)
Oceans – 97.3% Ice caps – 2.0% Atmosphere –
56. (d)
0.0019% Rivers – 0.0001%
Mr X will likely to be flown over Black Sea.
Since Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia 64. (a)
and Caucasus, it is ultimately connected to the Hormuz-Strait connects the Persian gulf with
Atlantic Ocean. Gulf of Oman.
57. (c)
The correct sequence of seas from west to East
is — Mediterranean sea, Black Sea, Caspian
Sea and Aral Sea.
58. (b)
Roaring forties are the high velocity which
winds blow persistently from the west areas
between latitudes 40° and 50° south in the
65. (b)
Southern Hemisphere.
The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait, historically
59. (a)
known as the Dover Narrows is the strait at the
Assertion is correct and the reason given is the narrowest part of the English Channel, marking
correct reason for the assertion. the boundary between the Channel and North
Sea, separating Great Britain from continental
60. (b)
Europe.
zz The South China Sea (SCS) is extremely
vulnerable to tropical cyclones known as 66. (d)
typhoons. Baffin Bay is located between Baffin Island
zz Cyclones occur in the south Pacific or and the southwest coast of Greenland, is a
Indian Ocean. Cyclones are characterized marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is
by inward spiraling winds that rotate about connected to the Atlantic via Davis Strait and
a zone of low pressure. the Labrador Sea.
zz Hurricane-level storms that occur in the
northern Atlantic Ocean and northeast 67. (*)
Pacific Ocean are called hurricanes The Arab Sea is a region of the northern Indian
zz Tornadoes have been documented in Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan and
every state of the United States, and Iran, on the west by north eastern Somalia
on every continent, with the exception and the Arabian Peninsula, and on the east by
of Antarctica. In fact, wherever the India. Historically the sea has been known by
atmospheric conditions are exactly right, other names including the Erythraean Sea and
the occurrence of a tornadic storm is the Persian Sea. The Sea of Azov is bounded
possible. in the north by mainland Ukraine, in the east
61. (c) by Russia, and in the west by the Crimean
Peninsula.
zz From the Equator to Pole the idealised
global pattern of surface wind is Doldrum 68. (c)
> Trade wind > Westerlies > Easterlies.
New folded mountains are also called Tertiary
62. (b) Mountains. All the old folded mountains
zz Agulhas current - Indian Ocean originated before the Tertiary period. The
zz Kuroshio current - North Pacific folded mountains of Caledonian and Hcrcynian

Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 10
 SAMKALP IAS
mountain the building periods come under 74. (d)
this category. These mountains have been so Land masses are heated and cooled much faster
greatly denuded that they have now become than water bodies because land gets heated by
relict folded mountains, for example, Aravallis, conduction and water has a higher specific
Vindhyachal etc. The Alpine folded mountains heat, it gets heated by convection.
of Tertiary period arc grouped under the
category of new folded mountains, for example, 75. (a)
Rockies, Andes, Alps, and Himalayas etc. The Pampas are fertile South American
69. (b) lowlands, covering more than 750,000 km²,
that include the Argentine provinces of Buenos
Schist is the Metamorphic of Basalt, Diamond Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and
is the metamorphic of coal, marble is the Córdoba; most of Uruguay. The Darling Downs
metamorphic of Limestone and Slate is the is a farming region on the western slopes of the
metamorphic of Shale. Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland,
70. (c) Australia. Prairies are ecosystems considered
zz Block Mountain – Black forest part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and
Lands typically referred to as “prairie” tend to
zz Old Fold Mountain – Appalachian Young
be in North America. Veld is the name given
Fold Mountain – Rocky
to various types of open country in Southern
zz Volcanic Mountain – Vesuvius Africa that is used for pasturage and farmland.
zz Relict Mountain – Scottish Highlands To most South African farmers today the “veld”
71. (a) refers to the land they work, much of which has
long since ceased to be “natural.”
Circum-Pacific belt or The Ring of Fire is a
major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean 76. (b)
where a large number of earthquakes and The black soils are generally clayey, deep and
volcanic eruptions occur. In a 40,000 km impermeable. They swell and become sticky
(25,000 mi) horseshoe shape, it is associated when wet and shrink when dried. So, during
with a nearly continuous series of oceanic the dry season, these soils develop wide cracks.
trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts Thus, there occurs a kind of ‗self ploughing‘.
and/or plate movements. It has 452 volcanoes Because of this character of slow absorption
(more than 75% of the world’s active and and loss of moisture, the black soil retains the
dormant volcanoes). About 90% of the world’s moisture for a very long time, which helps the
earthquakes and 81% of the world’s largest crops, especially, the rain-fed ones, to sustain
earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The even during the dry season.
next most seismically active region (5–6% of
earthquakes and 17% of the world’s largest 77. (b)
earthquakes) is the Alpide belt, which extends zz Cumulus: This is a vertical cloud with a
from Java to the northern Atlantic Ocean via rounded top and horizontal base, typical
the Himalayas and southern Europe. of humid tropical regions, associated with
up-rising convectional currents. Its great
72. (a) white globular masses may look grey
Equatorial counter current is not found in against the sun but it is a fair-weather
Indian Ocean during summer season because cloud. Hence, option (b) is correct.
during summers south west monsoon current is zz Cirrus: This looks fibrous and appears
dominant in northern Indian Ocean. like wisps in the blue sky; it is often called
'mares' tails'. It indicates fair weather
73. (a) and often gives a brilliant sunset. o
Chinook wind- Rocky Mountains 2. Foehn- Nimbostratus: This is a dark, dull cloud,
Northern slopes of the Alps 3. Sirocco- North clearly layered, and is also known as a
African desert 4. Mistral - Southern slopes of 'rain cloud', It brings continuous rain,
Alps. snow or sleet.

Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 11
 SAMKALP IAS
zz Cumulonimbus: This is, in fact, an 80. (d)
overgrown cumulus cloud, extending
for a tremendous vertical height from a
base of 2,000 feet to over 30,000 feet. Its
black and white globular masses take a
fantastic range of shapes. Its cauliflower
top often spreads out like an anvil. This is
frequently seen in tropical afternoons. It
is also referred to as a 'thunder-cloud' and
brings convectional rain, accompanied by
lightning and thunder.
78. (b) 81. (b)

It is always advisable to adopt area-specific The ocean floors can be divided into four major
measures to deal with landslides. Restriction divisions: (i) the Continental Shelf; (ii) the
on the construction and other developmental Continental Slope; (iii) the Deep Sea Plain; (iv)
activities such as roads and dams, limiting the Oceanic Deeps. Besides, these divisions
agriculture to valleys and areas with moderate there are also major and minor relief features in
slopes, and control on the development of large the ocean floors like ridges, hills, sea mounts,
settlements in the high vulnerability zones, guyots, trenches, canyons, etc.
should be enforced. zz Arrangement from coast ot deep sea-
zz This should be supplemented by some
positive actions like promoting large-
scale afforestation programmes and
construction of bunds to reduce the flow
of water. Terrace farming should be
encouraged in the north-eastern hill states
where Jhumming(Slash and Burn/Shifting
Cultivation) is still prevalent. o Jhumming
is often considered responsible for causing
soil erosion, triggering landslide, flash
floods and thereby degrading the primary
land resource.
82. (c)
79. (a) zz Statement 1 is correct: Anticyclones
zz Statement 1 is correct: In dry climates, are the opposite of cyclones, with high
because of high temperature, evaporation pressure in the centre and the isobars far
exceeds precipitation and hence apart. The pressure gradient is gentle and
groundwater is brought up to the surface winds are light.
by capillary action and in the process, the zz Statement 2 is correct: Anti-cyclones
water evaporates leaving behind salts in normally herald fine weather. Skies are
the soil. Such salts form into a crust on the clear. The air is calm and temperatures
soil known as hardpans. are high in summer but cold in winter.
zz Statement 2 is correct: Salinization leads In winter intense cooling of the lower
to intense water logging which means a atmosphere may result in thick fogs. Anti-
decrease in the porosity of soil and hence cyclonic conditions may last for days or
the water-holding capacity. And in the weeks and then fade out quietly.
long term, makes the soil impermeable. zz Statement 3 is not correct: Winds in
zz Statement 3 is not correct: An estuary anticyclone' blow outwards and are
is a body of water, partially enclosed by also subject to deflection, but they blow
land, where saltwater from the ocean clockwise in the northern hemisphere
and freshwater from the land can mix. and anticlockwise in the southern
Estuaries can be found in coastal areas of hemisphere.
the ocean worldwide.
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 12
 SAMKALP IAS
83. (b) surfaces. These meanders may eventually
zz Statement 1 is not correct: It was Alfred entrench themselves into the uplands.
Wegener, a German meteorologist who Waterfalls and rapids may exist where
put forth a comprehensive argument in local hard rock bodies are exposed.
the form of the Continental Drift theory zz Mature ∙ During this stage streams
in 1912. It was regarding the distribution are plenty with good integration. The
of the oceans and the continents. Arthur valleys are still V-shaped but deep; trunk
Holmes primary contribution was his streams are broad enough to have wider
proposed theory that convection occurred floodplains within which streams may
within the Earth's mantle, which explained flow in meanders confined within the
the push and pull of continent plates valley.
together and apart. He also assisted zz Old ∙ Smaller tributaries during old age
scientists in oceanographic research in the are few with gentle gradients. Streams
1950s, which publicized the phenomenon meander freely over vast floodplains
known as sea floor spreading. showing natural levees, oxbow lakes, etc.
zz Statement 2 is correct: According to
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.
Wegener, all the continents formed a
single continental mass and mega ocean 85. (c)
surrounded the same. The supercontinent
Classification of Natural Disasters:
was named PANGAEA, which meant
all earth. The mega-ocean was called zz Atmospheric: ∙ Blizzards ∙
PANTHALASSA, meaning all water. Thunderstorms ∙ Lightning ∙ Tornadoes ∙
He argued that, around 200 million Tropical Cyclone ∙ Drought ∙ Hailstorm ∙
years ago, the super continent, Pangaea,
began to split. Pangaea first broke Frost, Heat Wave or Loo∙Cold Waves, etc.
into two large continental masses as zz Terrestrial: ∙ Earthquakes ∙ Volcanic
Laurasia and Gondwanaland forming Eruptions ∙ Landslides ∙ Avalanches ∙
the northern and southern components
Subsidence ∙ Soil Erosion
respectively. Subsequently, Laurasia and
Gondwanaland continued to break into zz Aquatic: ∙ Floods ∙ Tidal Waves ∙ Ocean
various smaller continents that exist today. Currents ∙ Storm Surge ∙ Tsunami
zz Statement 3 is not correct: Continental zz Biological: ∙ Plants and Animals as
Drift theory suggested that the movement
colonisers (Locusts, etc.). ∙ Insects
responsible for the drifting of the
infestation— fungal, bacterial and viral
continents was caused by pole-fleeing
diseases such as bird flu, dengue, etc.
force and tidal force. The polar-fleeing
force relates to the rotation of the earth. 86. (b)
The second force was the tidal force which
The climate type being described here
is due to the attraction of the moon and the
sun that develops tides in oceanic waters. is Siberian Type or The Cool Temperate
Continental Climate.
84. (a) zz The Cool Temperate Continental
A river stream forms a series of landforms on (Siberian) Climate is experienced only
its course. The formation of landforms by a in the northern hemisphere where the
river stream can be divided into three phases -: continents within the high latitudes have a
broad east-west spread.
zz Youth ∙ Streams are few during this
stage with poor integration and flow over zz The Siberian Climate is conspicuously
original slopes showing shallow V-shaped absent in the southern hemisphere
valleys with no floodplains or with very because of the narrowness of the southern
narrow floodplains along trunk streams. continents in the high latitudes.
Streams divides are broad and flat with zz The climate of the Siberian type is
marshes, swamp and lakes. Meanders if characterized by a bitterly cold winter
present develop over these broad upland of long duration, and cool brief summer.
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 13
 SAMKALP IAS
Spring and autumn are merely brief zz South America - 17,819,000
transitional periods. The extremes of zz Antarctica - 13,209,000
temperature are so great in Siberia that it
zz Europe - 9,938,000
is often referred to as the 'cold pole of the
earth (the annual range of temperature is zz Australia - 7,692,024
very high). 91. (b)
zz Rainfall is quite well distributed throughout
Erosion and deposition on the banks are
the year, with a summer maximum from
necessary for the cavernous river form. When
convectional rain.
the amount of water in the river becomes
zz No other trees are as well adapted as the less and the alluvium becomes more, then
conifers to withstand such an inhospitable
long blocks of sand, soil, gravel etc. These
environment as the Siberian type of
distributaries of water flow mix and then split
climate. The coniferous forest belts of
into thin sub- sections. Thus a knotted river
Eurasia and North America are the richest
pattern develops. Hence option (b) is true.
sources of softwood for use in building
construction, furniture, matches, paper 92. (a)
and pulp, rayon, and other branches of the
chemical industry. In mountainous areas, small pieces of eroded
rock in the river bed move in a circular form
zz As a consequence of this lumbering is a
by getting trapped in small pits, which are
major economic activity here.
called watercourses. Once small and shallow
Hence option (b) is the correct answer. pits are formed, the pebbles, stones and shells
collect in these pits and move along with the
87. (c)
flowing water and gradually the size of these
The revolution of the earth around the sun pits increases. Hence option (a) is true.
alone is not enough for change of seasons.
Had the axis of the earth been vertical, the sun 93. (c)
would have been vertical at the same latitude The factors affecting the temperature
throughout the year. Therefore, the revolution distribution of ocean waters are the uneven
of the earth and its inclination, both are distribution of latitude land and water, eternal
necessary for the change of seasons. winds and ocean currents. Hence option (c) is
correct.
88. (a)
The same side of the Moon is always faces the 94. (c)
Earth because the Moon spins once on its axis The drumlin is an elliptical flat ridge- like
in exactly the same amount of time that the landform of glacial clay, consisting of heaps of
Moon revolves around the Earth. sand and gravel. The long sides of the drumlin
are parallel to the direction of glacier flow.
89. (d)
Hence statement 1 is true.
The crust is the outermost solid shell of a rocky zz Drumlins are formed by the filling of
planet or natural satellite, which is chemically heavy rock debris in glacial crevices and
distinct from the underlying mantle. The their stay under the ice. Hence statement
Earth’s crust is composed of distinctly different 2 is true.
continental crust and oceanic crust, which have
different chemical compositions and physical 95. (a)
properties, and which were formed by different The Tropic of Cancer is located at an angular
geological processes. distance of 23 & 1/20 north from the equator in
the northern hemisphere.
90. (a)
zz Tropic of Cancer passes through Asia,
zz Continent Area (sq. km)
Africa and Central America.
zz Asia - 44,579,000
zz Tropic of Cancer passes through the
zz Africa - 30,065,000 following water areas- Indian Ocean,
zz North America - 24,256,000
Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 14
 SAMKALP IAS
Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Taiwan particles is due to dry air in the sub-tropical
Strait, Red Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. and temperate regions, which are more here
Hence statement 1 is true. than in the equatorial and polar regions. Hence
zz The Tropic of Cancer passes through the statement 1 is true.
Nasser Lake in Egypt and the Mahi River zz Dust and salt particles act as hygroscopic
cuts it twice in India. centers around which water vapour
condenses to form clouds. Hence statement
96. (c)
2 is true.
When the snow particles start falling along with
the raindrops, then it is called rain. Usually, it 99. (a)
is a mixture of water droplets and small solid The Mistral wind originates over the Alps
ice balls. Hence statement 1 is true. Mountains. It runs through the Rhine river
zz When the temperature of the air near the valley in France towards the Mediterranean
earth's surface is below freezing point Sea. It operates mainly in the Rhone Delta and
and the temperature of the air above it the Gulf of Lions. Hence statement 1 is true.
is higher than the freezing point, then it zz It is a very cold, dry and fast- moving local
rains. Hence statement 2 is true. wind. Due to this, the temperature drops
below the freezing point. Hence statement
97. (c) 2 is false.
The isotherms deviate more in the Northern
100. (d)
Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere
because the Southern Hemisphere has more The correct matching is as follows-
water and the Northern Hemisphere has more
Dam Location
terrestrial portion. Hence option (c) is true.
Inga Dam - on the Zaire River
98. (c)
(Congo)
The atmosphere can hold even small solid
particles. These tiny particles come out from Kanji Dam - Niger River
various sources such as sea salt, fine soil, Sennar Dam - Blue Nile River
smog, ash, pollen, dust and broken particles
(Sudan)
of meteors. Most of the accumulation of dust

Address:- Samkalp Bhawan, Plot No.-15, R.K. Puram, Sec.-4, New Delhi-110022
9811279643 Samkalpofficial 15