Q413. Which of the following rivers is known as the "Sorrow of Bihar" because of its frequent floods?
Why: The Kosi is called the "Sorrow of Bihar" because its unstable course and heavy sediment load have historically caused destructive floods in Bihar. The Son, Gandak and Ghaghara are also important rivers but are not traditionally known by this name.
Q414. A river flows through a rift valley and enters the Arabian Sea through an estuary. Which of the following rivers best fits this description?
Why: The Narmada flows westward through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and enters the Arabian Sea through an estuary. The other three rivers generally flow eastward and form deltas near their mouths.
Q415. Which Himalayan range is the southernmost and is also known as the Outer Himalayas?
Why: The Shiwalik range forms the southernmost and lowest major Himalayan range and is commonly called the Outer Himalayas. Himadri is the Greater Himalaya, while Himachal lies between Himadri and Shiwalik.
Q416. Consider the following statements: 1. The Himalayas act as a climatic barrier against cold continental air masses from Central Asia. 2. The Himalayas force moisture-laden monsoon winds to rise and contribute to rainfall. 3. The Himalayas have no influence on the distribution of Indian rainfall. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Himalayas block extremely cold continental air from the north and provide a major barrier that causes moisture-bearing monsoon winds to rise; statement 3 is incorrect.
Q417. Which climatic phenomenon is primarily responsible for winter rainfall in north-western India?
Why: Western disturbances are temperate cyclonic systems that move eastward from the Mediterranean-West Asian region and bring winter precipitation to north-western India. This rainfall is particularly useful for rabi crops.
Q418. At sea level, the temperature at a location is 30°C. Assuming an average environmental lapse rate of 6.5°C per 1000 m, what would be the approximate temperature at an altitude of 2000 m?
Why: Temperature decrease = 6.5°C × 2 = 13°C. Therefore, temperature at 2000 m = 30°C − 13°C = 17°C; 20°C would result from incorrectly using a 5°C per 1000 m lapse rate.
Q419. The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from India generally begins from which region?
Why: The southwest monsoon generally begins withdrawing from north-western India around September. Its withdrawal then progresses gradually towards the south and east.
Q420. A region receives 100 cm of annual rainfall, of which 75% is received during the southwest monsoon season. How much rainfall is received during the southwest monsoon season?
Why: Monsoon rainfall = 100 cm × 75/100 = 75 cm. Therefore, the region receives 75 cm of rainfall during the southwest monsoon season.
Q421. A farmer in the Deccan region wants to cultivate cotton on a soil known for high moisture-retaining capacity. Which soil would be most suitable?
Why: Black soil is widespread in the Deccan region and has a high moisture-retaining capacity, making it particularly suitable for cotton cultivation. Its clayey nature allows it to retain moisture for relatively long periods.
Q422. An area covers 1,200 sq km, and 35% of its area is covered by black soil. What is the area covered by black soil?
Why: Area of black soil = 1,200 × 35/100 = 420 sq km. Therefore, 420 sq km of the region is covered by black soil.
Q423. Which of the following crops is primarily a rabi crop in India?
Why: Wheat is a major rabi crop and is generally sown during the winter season and harvested in spring. Rice, maize and cotton are generally associated with the kharif season.
Q424. A farmer cultivates wheat on 48 hectares of land with an average yield of 2.5 tonnes per hectare. What is the total production?
Why: Total production = Area × Yield = 48 × 2.5 = 120 tonnes. Therefore, the total wheat production is 120 tonnes.
Q425. A mineral deposit is particularly important as the principal raw material for the aluminium industry. Which mineral is being referred to?
Why: Bauxite is the principal ore used for producing aluminium. Manganese is important in metallurgy, limestone is a major raw material for cement, and mica has important electrical and industrial uses.
Q426. Consider the following statements: 1. Odisha is an important iron ore producing state of India. 2. Chhattisgarh is also a major iron ore producing state. 3. Iron ore is classified as a non-metallic mineral. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why: Statements 1 and 2 are correct because Odisha and Chhattisgarh are major iron ore producing states. Statement 3 is incorrect because iron ore is a metallic mineral.
Q427. Which factor would be most important when locating a sugar industry near a major sugarcane-producing region?
Why: Sugarcane is a bulky and perishable raw material, so sugar mills benefit from being located close to sugarcane-producing areas. Sea ports, iron ore and cotton fibre are not the primary location factors for this industry.
Q428. A factory produces 240 tonnes of finished goods per day and operates for 25 days in a month. What is its monthly production?
Why: Monthly production = Daily production × Working days = 240 × 25 = 6,000 tonnes. Therefore, the factory produces 6,000 tonnes in the month.
Q429. Which demographic measure expresses the number of persons living per unit area of land?
Why: Population density is the number of persons living per unit area, usually expressed as persons per square kilometre. Birth rate, migration rate and population growth rate measure different demographic processes.
Q430. A district has a population of 2.4 million and an area of 3,000 sq km. What is its population density?
Why: Population density = Population ÷ Area = 2,400,000 ÷ 3,000 = 800 persons/sq km. Therefore, the population density is 800 persons/sq km.
Q431. Which of the following rivers flows through Lucknow and is an important tributary of the Ganga?
Why: The Gomti flows through Lucknow and joins the Ganga near Saidpur in Ghazipur district. Ken, Betwa and Chambal belong mainly to the Yamuna river system.
Q432. Consider the following statements: 1. The Yamuna forms part of the southern boundary of Uttar Pradesh in several stretches. 2. The Chambal and Betwa are tributaries of the Yamuna. 3. The Gomti is a tributary of the Yamuna. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Yamuna forms part of Uttar Pradesh's southern boundary in stretches and receives tributaries such as the Chambal and Betwa; the Gomti is a tributary of the Ganga.
Q433. Which district of Uttar Pradesh shares an international boundary with Nepal?
Why: Lakhimpur Kheri lies in the Terai region of northern Uttar Pradesh and shares an international boundary with Nepal. Lalitpur, Sonbhadra and Jalaun do not share an international boundary with Nepal.
Q434. A district of Uttar Pradesh lies at the southeastern edge of the state and shares boundaries with Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Which district is it?
Why: Sonbhadra is located in the southeastern part of Uttar Pradesh and is notable for bordering Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Mirzapur, Chitrakoot and Prayagraj do not share boundaries with all three of these states.
Q435. Which of the following combinations correctly represents major crops associated with Uttar Pradesh?
Why: Wheat, rice and sugarcane are major crops of Uttar Pradesh. Tea, rubber and coconut are associated more strongly with other climatic regions of India.
Q436. Consider the following statements: 1. Western Uttar Pradesh is an important sugarcane-producing region. 2. Wheat is an important rabi crop in Uttar Pradesh. 3. Rice is grown only in the western districts of Uttar Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Western Uttar Pradesh is a major sugarcane belt and wheat is an important rabi crop; statement 3 is incorrect because rice is cultivated in several parts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly where moisture and irrigation support it.
Q437. Consider the following statements about Dudhwa National Park: 1. It is located in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. 2. It is associated with the Terai region. 3. It is known for the conservation of swamp deer and other important wildlife species. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Why: All three statements are correct. Dudhwa National Park is in Lakhimpur Kheri, lies in the Terai landscape and provides important habitat for swamp deer and several other threatened species.