Geography – GK Questions

Ans: B

Explanation:The Benguela Current is a cold ocean current that flows northwards along the west coast of Southern Africa. This region includes Namibia and Angola, which are part of Southwest Africa.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: A

Explanation:Norway has an exceptionally high reliance on hydroelectric power due to its abundant water resources and mountainous terrain, with hydroelectricity consistently generating over 90% of its total electricity consumption. Sweden also utilizes significant hydropower, but it’s not as dominant as in Norway. India’s energy mix is much more diverse, with coal being a major source, and hydropower contributes a smaller percentage. The UK relies heavily on fossil fuels and increasingly on wind power, with hydropower playing a minor role.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: D

Explanation:The velocity of wind is primarily determined by the difference in atmospheric pressure between two locations. Air naturally flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure, and the steeper this pressure gradient (the greater the difference in pressure over a given distance), the faster the wind will blow. While Earth’s rotation influences wind direction (Coriolis effect), and temperature variations contribute to pressure differences, the fundamental driver of wind speed is the pressure gradient.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: A

Explanation: The Humboldt Current, a cold current, flows along the coast of Peru, significantly moderating its climate and keeping coastal temperatures cooler than they would otherwise be. Japan is influenced by both the warm Kuroshio and the cold Oyashio currents. Western Europe is primarily influenced by the warm Gulf Stream. Alaska’s coast is influenced by cold currents, but Peru is a more prominent and well-known example directly associated with the cooling effect of a major cold current.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: D

Explanation:Robert Fulton is credited with building the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont, in 1807. While others experimented with steam power for boats before him, Fulton’s design proved practical and navigable. Stevenson and Newton were prominent figures in other scientific fields. James Watt significantly improved the steam engine, making steamboats feasible, but Fulton built the first successful steamboat.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: B

Explanation:Statement 1 is correct as Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located near the equator and experience an equatorial climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year. Statement 2 is correct as Barren Island in the Andaman Islands is the only active volcano in India. Statement 3 is incorrect as coral reefs are found in other coastal areas of India, such as the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Lakshadweep Islands, not exclusively in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: D

Explanation:The Duncan Passage is a strait in the Indian Ocean, located between Rutland Island (part of South Andaman) and Little Andaman. It separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: C

Explanation:The total geographical area of India is approximately 3.28 million square kilometers. This ranks India as the seventh-largest country in the world by area.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: A

Explanation:The first large-scale modern machine tool factory set up in the public sector in India was Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Limited. It was established in 1953.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: A

Explanation:Dighboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran are all prominent oil and gas fields located in the state of Assam, India. Assam has a long history of oil exploration and production, with these fields being significant contributors.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: D

Explanation:Punjab and Haryana are major agricultural states, and the intensive farming practices adopted there, including the overuse of irrigation and improper drainage, have led to severe problems of soil salinity and waterlogging. Deforestation and soil erosion are significant causes of soil damage in many regions, but in the context of Punjab and Haryana, salinity and waterlogging are the most prominent and widespread issues directly linked to agricultural practices. Excessive cultivation itself doesn’t directly cause soil damage; it’s the *manner* of cultivation and resource management that leads to degradation.
Correct_Option:D

Ans: C

Explanation:The Taungya system is a specific method of agroforestry where agricultural crops are grown in the inter-rows of newly planted forest trees. This practice helps in land utilization and provides economic benefits to farmers and forest departments simultaneously. Social forestry is a broader term for forestry practices that involve the community. Jhum is a form of shifting cultivation. Agroforestry is a general term for land-use systems that combine trees with crops and/or livestock.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: A

Explanation:The Godavari River is often referred to as the ‘Vridha Ganga’ (Old Ganga) because it is the second-longest river in India, originating in Maharashtra and flowing through Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to the Bay of Bengal. Its length and significance are comparable to the Ganges.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: A

Explanation:The Godavari River basin is the largest among the South Indian rivers, covering a significant portion of central and eastern India. It originates in the Western Ghats and flows eastward across the Deccan Plateau to the Bay of Bengal.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: B

Explanation:Hurricanes are powerful, rotating storms characterized by extremely violent winds and heavy rainfall, often causing widespread destruction. Trade winds are steady, prevailing winds. Cirrus and Stratus are types of clouds, not wind phenomena.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: A

Explanation:Rajasthan is the largest producer of gypsum in India. It accounts for a significant portion of the country’s total gypsum production.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: C

Explanation:Historically, Parsis have a strong tradition of living in urban centers and are known for their high levels of education and economic engagement, leading to a disproportionately high urban population compared to other communities in India.
Correct_Option:C

Ans: A

Explanation:Temperate grasslands, also known as prairies, steppes, or pampas, are vast regions characterized by fertile soil and a climate suitable for large-scale grain cultivation, making them major global food producers.
Correct_Option:A

Ans: B

Explanation:Sri Lanka, India, and Kenya are major tea-producing and exporting countries. The United Kingdom is a significant importer and consumer of tea, but not a major exporter.
Correct_Option:B

Ans: B

Explanation:The Mumbai High (offshore) Oilfield is the largest oilfield in India, holding the most substantial quantities of recoverable oil reserves. It has been a significant contributor to India’s domestic oil production since its discovery.
Correct_Option:B