Q: Consider the following: 1. Pyroclastic debris 2. Ash and dust 3. Nitrogen compounds 4. Sulphur compounds How many of the above are products of volcanic eruptions?
(a)Only one
(b)Only two
(c)Only three
(d)All four
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Physical Geography & Geomorphology — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions
23 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Physical Geography & Geomorphology (Geography). Spanning from 1995 to 2024. Practice with show/hide answers and detailed explanations.
23
Questions
14
Years
8
Easy
14
Moderate
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Year-wise Distribution
What UPSC Asks About Physical Geography & Geomorphology
Based on 23 questions across 14 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Physical Geography & Geomorphology within the broader Geography syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Physical Geography & Geomorphology. Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Related Geography Sub-topics
All Physical Geography & Geomorphology Questions
Q: Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Rainfall is one of the reasons for weathering of rocks. Statement-II : Rain water contains carbon dioxide in solution. Statement-III : Rain water contains atmospheric oxygen. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
(a)Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct and both of them explain Statement-I
(b)Both Statement-II and Statement-III are correct, but only one of them explains Statement-I
(c)Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement-I
(d)Neither Statement-II nor Statement-III is correct
Q: Which one of the following is the best example of repeated falls in sea level, giving rise to present-day extensive marshland?
(a)Bhitarkanika Mangroves
(b)Marakkanam Salt Pans
(c)Naupada Swamp
(d)Rann of Kutch
Q: Consider the following statements : 1. In a seismograph, P waves are recorded earlier than S waves. 2. In P waves, the individual particles vibrate to and fro in the direction of wave propagation whereas in S waves, the particles vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of wave propagation. 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
Q: With reference to agricultural soils, consider the following statements : 1. A high content of organic matter in soil drastically reduces its water holding capacity. 2. Soil does not play any role in the sulphur cycle. 3. Irrigation over a period of time can contribute to the salinization of some agricultural lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)3 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: In India, the problem of soil erosion is associated with which of the following? 1. Terrace cultivation 2. Deforestation 3. Tropical climate Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3
Q: 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
Q: 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
Q: 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
Q: With reference to soil conservation, consider the following practices: 1. Crop rotation 2. Sand fences 3. Terracing 4. Wind breaks Which of the above are considered appropriate methods for soil conservation in India?
(a)1, 2 and 3 only
(b)2 and 4 only
(c)1, 3 and 4 only
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Q: In the structure of planet Earth, below the mantle, the core is mainly made up of which one of the following ?
(a)Aluminium
(b)Chromium
(c)Iron
(d)Silicon
Q: Consider the following statements : 1. The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale and so an increase of 1 magnitude unit represents a factor of 10 times in amplitude. 2. Each integer reading of the Richter scale has an energy 100 times that of the previous integer reading. 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
Q: Consider the following statements : 1. Total land area of Earth is approximately 1475 lakh square kilometers 2. Ratio of land area to water area on Earth is approximately 1 : 4 3. Maximum percentage of Earth's water is in the Pacific Ocean. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 3
(b)2 and 3
(c)1 only
(d)3 only
Q: Consider the following geological phenomena: 1. Development of a fault 2. Movement along a fault 3. Impact produced by a volcanic eruption 4. Folding of rocks Which of the above cause earthquakes?
(a)1, 2 and 3
(b)2 and 4
(c)1, 3 and 4
(d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Q: Assertion (A): The weight of a body decreases with the increase of latitude on earth. Reason (R): The earth is not a perfect sphere.
(a)Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b)Both A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c)A is true but R is false
(d)A is false but R is true
Q: Identify the correct order of the processes of soil erosion from the following:
(a)Splash erosion, Sheet erosion, Rill erosion, Gully erosion
(b)Sheet erosion, Splash erosion, Gully erosion, Rill erosion
(c)Rill erosion, Gully erosion, Sheet erosion, Splash erosion
(d)Gully erosion, Rill erosion, Sheet erosion, Splash erosion
Q: Consider the following statements: I. Most magmas are a combination of liquid, solid and gas. II. Water vapour and carbon dioxide are the principal gases dissolved in a magma. III. Basaltic magma is hotter than the silicic magma. Which of these statements are correct?
(a)I only
(b)I and II
(c)II and III
(d)I, II and III
Q: Consider the following statements regarding earthquakes: I. The intensity of an earthquake is measured on the Mercalli scale. II. The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of energy released. III. Earthquake magnitudes are based on direct measurements of the amplitude of seismic waves. IV. In the Richter scale, each whole number demonstrates a hundred-fold increase in the amount of energy released. Which of these statements are correct?
(a)I, II and III
(b)II, III and IV
(c)I and IV
(d)I and III
Q: Consider the following statements made about the sedimentary rocks: I. Sedimentary rocks are formed at Earth’s surface by the hydrological system. II. The formation of sedimentary rocks involves the weathering of pre-existing rocks. III. Sedimentary rocks contain fossils. IV. Sedimentary rocks typically occur in layers. Which of these statements are correct?
(a)I and II
(b)I and IV
(c)II, III and IV
(d)I, II, III and IV
Q: Volcanic eruptions do not occur in the
(a)Baltic Sea
(b)Black Sea
(c)Caribbean Sea
(d)Caspian Sea
Q: Quartzite is metamorphosed from
(a)Limestone
(b)Obsidian
(c)Sandstone
(d)Shale
Q: The palaeomagnetic results obtained from India indicate that in the past, the Indian land mass has moved
(a)northward
(b)southward
(c)eastward
(d)westward
Q: The Indian subcontinent was originally part of a huge land mass called
(a)Jurassic Land Mass
(b)Aryavarta
(c)Indiana
(d)Gondwana Continent
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Physical Geography & Geomorphology?▼
UPSC has asked 23 questions on Physical Geography & Geomorphology in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1995 and 2024. This sub-topic falls under Geography.
In which years has UPSC asked about Physical Geography & Geomorphology?▼
Questions on Physical Geography & Geomorphology have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2024, 2023, 2018, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 1995. The topic has appeared in 14 out of 31 years.
What is the difficulty level of Physical Geography & Geomorphology questions in UPSC Prelims?▼
Among 23 questions on Physical Geography & Geomorphology: 8 are easy, 14 are moderate, and 1 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.