The Continents

Q1. Among the following continents, which one has the highest number of countries? 66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020

(a) Europe

(b) Asia

(c) Africa

(d) North America

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (c)

Explanation:

1. Africa has the highest number of countries among the given continents, with 54 countries; hence, option (c) is correct.
2. The number of countries in other continents is: Europe – 49, Asia – 48, North America – 23, Oceania – 14 and South America – 12.

 Q2. Which of the following presents the correct sequence (in descending order) of the area of the continents? U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017

(a) Asia, Africa, North America, Europe

(b) Africa, Asia, Europe, North America

(c) North America, Africa, Asia, Europe

(d) North America, Asia, Africa, Europe

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. The continents arranged in descending order of their area are Asia, Africa, North America and Europe; hence, option (a) is correct.

Q3. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? I.A.S. (Pre) 2013

Geographical Features  Regions

(a) Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia

(b) Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa

(c) Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa

(d) Okavango Basin : Patagonia

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. The Atlas Mountains are located in the north-western part of the African continent; hence, pair (b) is correctly matched.
2. The Abyssinian Plateau is situated in East Africa, not Arabia; hence, pair (a) is incorrectly matched.
3. The Guiana Highlands are located in northern South America, while the Okavango Basin is located in southern Africa, mainly in Botswana, with its drainage system extending into Angola and Namibia.; hence, pairs (c) and (d) are incorrectly matched.

Q4. Which of the following countries is not located on the Continent of Africa? U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017

(a) Gabon

(b) Guinea

(c) Guinea Bissau

(d) Guyana

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. Gabon is located on the west coast of Central Africa and lies on the Equator; its capital and largest city is Libreville.
2. Guinea and Guinea-Bissau are West African countries; Conakry is the capital of Guinea, while Bissau is the capital of Guinea-Bissau.
3. Guyana is not located in Africa; it is situated on the northern mainland of South America and is the only South American country where English is the official language. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q5. Which of the following is not associated with Australia Continent? 70th B.P.S.C Re-Exam 2024

(a) Eyre Lake

(b) Nullarbor Plain

(c) Salwin Mountain

(d) Salvin Valley

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. The Eyre Lake Basin is located in Australia and is the largest internal drainage system in the world, covering about 1.2 million square kilometres; hence, Eyre Lake is associated with Australia.
2. The Nullarbor Plain is situated along the southern coast of Australia, while Mount Selwyn is also located in Australia.
3. The Salween (Salwin) Valley is associated with the Salween River system of mainland Southeast Asia, particularly Myanmar, China and Thailand, and is not a geographical feature of Australia.

The World Mountain 

Q1. Arrange the following mountain ranges in correct order from West to East by their location: UPPSC (Pre) 2024

1. Karakoram
2. Pontic
3. Hindu Kush
4. Zagros

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

(a) 2,4,3,1

(b) 2,3,4,1

(c) 4,2,3,1

(d) 4,1,2,3

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. The correct west-to-east order is Pontic → Zagros → Hindu Kush → Karakoram. The Pontic Mountains lie in northern Türkiye along the southern coast of the Black Sea. The Zagros Mountains extend mainly through western Iran and adjoining areas. The Hindu Kush lies mainly in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan, while the Karakoram lies farther east, primarily in the region of northern Pakistan, India and China. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q2. Darling range is situated along which of the following coasts of Australia? U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020

(a) North-Eastern Coast

(b) Southern Coast

(c) Eastern Coast

(d) South-Western Coast

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. The Darling Range is located along the south-western coast of Australia; hence, option (d) is correct.
2. This mountain range is situated in Western Australia.

Q3. Which one of the following is known as the 'Sea of mountains'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

(a) Japan

(b) British Columbia

(c) West Coast of South America

(d) South-East Asia

Ans. (b) British Columbia

Explanation:

1. British Columbia is popularly known as the “Sea of Mountains” because of its extensive mountainous terrain, particularly the Coast Mountains and Columbia Mountains.
2. The expression was used in historical accounts of British Columbia in the 19th century.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q4. Which is the oldest mountain of the South America continent? [70th B.P.S.C Re-Exam 2024]

(a) Pacaraima

(b) Turmuc-Humuk

(c) Andes Mountain

(d) Brazil Mountain

Ans. (a) Pacaraima

Explanation:

1. The Pacaraima Mountains, part of the Guiana Highlands, are among the oldest mountain regions of South America.
2. They are associated with the ancient Precambrian Guiana Shield, which contains rocks more than 1.7 billion years old and, in parts, considerably older.
3. The range is characterised by distinctive tepui (table-top) formations, including Mount Roraima.
4. In contrast, the Andes are geologically much younger, being associated with relatively recent mountain-building processes.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q5. Highest peaks of the world are mostly found in which type of Mountains? [45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Old folded mountains

(b) Young folded mountains

(c) Residual mountains

(d) Block mountains

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. The world's highest peaks are predominantly associated with young fold mountain systems.
2. The Himalayas and Karakoram contain many of the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest and K2.
3. These mountains were formed relatively recently through tectonic convergence and folding.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q6. The largest mountain series of the World is – [41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Himalaya

(b) Andes

(c) Rockies

(d) Alps

Ans. (b) Andes

Explanation:

1. The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world, extending along the entire western coast of South America.
2. The length of the Andes mountain range is approximately 7000 km to 8900 km.
3. The Rocky Mountains are the major mountain system of North America, extending over about 4800 km, while the Himalayas are a prominent mountain range in South Asia with a length of approximately 2500 km.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q7. Consider the following countries:

I. Bolivia

II. Brazil

III. Colombia

IV. Ecuador

V. Paraguay

VI. Venezuela

Andes mountains pass through how many of the above countries? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2025]

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) Only five

Ans. (c) Only four

Explanation:

1. The Andes Mountains are the longest continental mountain range in the world, extending along the western coast of South America.
2. The Andes pass through seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
3. Among the given countries, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela are crossed by the Andes Mountains.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Q8. The Andes extends along which of the following? [70th B.P.S.C. Pre-2024]

(a) West Coast of India

(b) West Coast of North America

(c) East Coast of Australia

(d) West Coast of South America

Ans. (d) West Coast of South America

Explanation:

1. The Andes Mountains are the longest continental mountain range in the world.
2. They extend along the entire western coast of South America.
3. The Andes pass through seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q9. Place the following mountain ranges of the world in the descending order of their lengths and find the correct option from the given code – [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

(i) Andes

(ii) Great Dividing Range

(iii) The Himalaya

(iv) The Rocky

Code:

(a) (i) (iii) (iv) (ii)

(b) (i) (iv) (iii) (ii)

(c) (iv) (i) (ii) (iii)

(d) (iv) (iii) (i) (ii)

Ans. (b) (i) (iv) (iii) (ii)

Explanation:

1. The nearest suitable option is (b). The length-wise order of these mountain ranges is: Andes > Rocky > Great Dividing Range > Himalaya.
2. The Andes Mountains (West South America) have a length of about 7000–8900 km, with Aconcagua as the highest peak (6962 m).
3. The Rocky Mountains (West North America) extend about 4800 km, while the Great Dividing Range (East Australia) extends about 3700 km.
4. The Himalayas (India) have a length of approximately 2500 km, with Mount Everest as the highest peak (8848.86 m).

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q10. Match List-I and List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below: [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2023]

Code:

(a) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2

(b) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

(c) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

(d) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Ans. (d) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

Explanation:

1. Andes Mountains — South America: The Andes form the major mountain system along the western margin of South America, extending through countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
2. Altai Mountains — Asia: The Altai Mountains are located in Central Asia, extending across Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China.
3. Alps — Europe: The Alps are a major mountain system of central and southern Europe, extending across countries including France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovenia.
4. Appalachian Mountains — North America: The Appalachian Mountains are an ancient mountain system in eastern North America, extending mainly across the United States and Canada.
5. Therefore, the correct matching is: A–4, B–3, C–1, D–2

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q11. Consider the following information: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2024]

In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans. (b) Only two

Explanation:

1. Vosges Mountains — Europe and are examples of block mountains. Hence, pair 1 is not correctly matched.
2. Alps Mountains — Europe and are young fold mountains. Hence, pair 2 is not correctly matched.
3. Appalachians — North America and are old fold mountains. Hence, pair 3 is correctly matched.
4. Andes — South America and are young fold mountains. Hence, pair 4 is correctly matched.

Hence, only two rows are correctly matched. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q12. The Pennines (Europe), the Appalachians (America) and the Aravallis (India) are examples of [56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Young mountains

(b) Old mountains

(c) Block mountains

(d) Fold mountains

Ans. (b) Old mountains

Explanation:

1. The Pennines, Appalachians and Aravallis are examples of old mountain systems.
2. They have undergone prolonged erosion and denudation, resulting in relatively lower and more subdued relief compared with younger mountain systems such as the Himalayas and Alps.
3. The Aravallis are among the oldest mountain systems of India, while the Appalachians and Pennines are also ancient and extensively eroded mountain systems.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q13. Match list-I with list-II and select the correct answer using the code given below: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Code:

(a) A-(3), B-(1), C-(4), D-(2)

(b) A-(4), B-(2), C-(3), D-(1)

(c) A-(3), B-(4), C-(1), D-(2)

(d) A-(4), B-(3), C-(2), D-(1)

Ans. (a) A-(3), B-(1), C-(4), D-(2)

Explanation:

1. Kilimanjaro — Tanzania. Hence, pair A-3 is correctly matched.
2. Toubkal — Morocco. Hence, pair B-1 is correctly matched.
3. Stanley — Uganda. Hence, pair C-4 is correctly matched.
4. Hoggar — Algeria. Hence, pair D-2 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q14. Match List-I with List-II and choose the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists: [UPPSC (Pre) 2024]

Code:

A B C D

(a) 3 1 2 4

(b) 3 1 4 2

(c) 2 3 1 4

(d) 4 1 2 3

Ans. (b) 3 1 4 2

Explanation:

1. Spain - France — Pyrenees. Hence, pair A-3 is correctly matched.
2. Switzerland — Alps. Hence, pair B-1 is correctly matched.
3. Bulgaria — Balkan. Hence, pair C-4 is correctly matched.
4. Italy — Apennine. Hence, pair D-2 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q15. Pyrenees Mountain Range separates the countries [66th B.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2020]

(a) Spain and France

(b) Spain and Portugal

(c) France and Germany

(d) Germany and Switzerland

(e) None of the above / More than one of the above

Ans. (a) Spain and France

Explanation:

1. The Pyrenees Mountain Range is located between Spain and France.
2. It forms a natural boundary separating the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q16. The area is known as 'Golan Heights' sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to – [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Central Asia

(b) Middle East

(c) South-East Asia

(d) Central Africa

Ans. (b) Middle East

Explanation:

1. The Golan Heights is a rock plateau located in south-west Syria, in the Middle East region.
2. Israel occupied the Golan Heights from Syria during the war of 1967.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q17. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below: [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Codes:

A B C D

(a) 4 3 2 1

(b) 4 1 2 3

(c) 2 3 4 1

(d) 1 3 4 2

Ans. (a) 4 3 2 1

Explanation:

1. Atlas Mountains — Morocco. Hence, pair A-4 is correctly matched.
2. Kilimanjaro Mountain — Tanzania. Hence, pair B-3 is correctly matched.
3. Chimborazo Mountain — Ecuador. Hence, pair C-2 is correctly matched.
4. Pyrenees Mountain — France/Spain. Hence, pair D-1 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q18. Which is the mountain range along the Mediterranean Coast of Asia Minor? [70th B.P.S.C. Re-Exam 2024]

(a) Kirther

(b) Alburg

(c) Taurus

(d) Pontic

Ans. (c) Taurus

Explanation:

1. The Taurus Mountains extend along the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
2. This mountain range forms the southern boundary of the Anatolian Plateau.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

The Plateaus 

Q1. Which is known as 'Roof of the World'? [44th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]

(a) Aravali

(b) Satpura

(c) Pamir

(d) Myanmar

Ans. (c) Pamir

Explanation:

1. The Pamirs, a high mountainous region of Central Asia, are traditionally known as the “Roof of the World” because of their exceptionally high elevation.
2. The Pamirs form a major mountain convergence zone, where several major ranges meet or radiate outward.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Q2. Which one amongst the following is the largest plateau? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

(a) Coconino

(b) Aquarius

(c) Colorado

(d) Columbia

Ans. (c) Colorado

Explanation:

1. The area of the given plateaus is: Coconino — 5000 sq. miles, Aquarius — 900 sq. miles, Colorado — 150580 sq. miles, and Columbia — 105633 sq. miles.
2. Among the given options, the Colorado Plateau is the largest plateau.
3. The largest plateau in the world is the Tibetan Plateau.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Q3. Telegraphic Plateau is a part of: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) North Atlantic Ridge

(b) South Atlantic Ridge

(c) Indian Ocean Ridge

(d) None of these

Ans. (a) North Atlantic Ridge

Explanation:

1. The Telegraphic Plateau is a part of the North Atlantic Ridge.
2. It is located between Newfoundland and Ireland.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

The Valley 

Q1. ‘Death Valley’ situated in South California in the U.S.A. is an example of which of the following? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Anticlinal Valley

(b) Indian Valley

(c) Pristiclinal Valley

(d) Rift Valley

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. A rift valley is a long, narrow depression formed due to the forces associated with divergent plate boundaries and is further deepened by erosion.
2. It is a linear-shaped lowland located between elevated regions or mountain ranges, created by geological rifting or faulting.
3. Death Valley, located mainly in California, USA, is a graben, or rift valley, formed by the sinking of a tremendous expanse of rock lying between parallel uplifted, tilted-block mountain ranges to the east and west.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q2. Taylor Valley is located in – [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]

(a) Australia

(b) Antarctica

(c) Canada

(d) United States of America

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. Taylor Valley is located in Antarctica and is one of the principal dry valleys of the McMurdo Dry Valleys.
2. Robert Falcon Scott encountered the valley during the Discovery Expedition in 1903 and described it as a “Valley of the Dead” because of its extremely dry and barren landscape.
3. The valley was later named Taylor Valley after Thomas Griffith Taylor, a geologist who explored the region during the Terra Nova Expedition.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q3. The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is located in – [U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2003, U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl.) (Pre) 2002]

(a) U.S.A

(b) Australia

(c) Russia

(d) Brazil

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is one of the world's largest and most significant groundwater basins.
2. It covers approximately 1.7 million sq km beneath parts of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
3. It is an important source of groundwater in the arid and semi-arid regions of inland Australia.

Hence, option (b) Australia is correct.

Q4. The landform of 'Hanging Valley' is associated with which of the following geomorphic process? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2024]

(a) Wind

(b) Glacier

(c) Sea Waves

(d) Running Water

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. A hanging valley is a geomorphic feature formed mainly due to glacial erosion.
2. It develops when a smaller tributary glacier joins a larger valley glacier; the main glacier erodes more deeply, leaving the tributary valley at a higher elevation after glacier retreat.
3. This creates a steep drop or waterfall at the junction of the two valleys. Yosemite Valley in the USA is a famous example.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

The Arid Regions/ Deserts 

Q1. Statement (A): Deserts can be effective sources for the production of perennial energy.

Reason (R): As much energy is consumed by mankind in one year, deserts can receive the energy in more than that in only 6 hours from the Sun. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

Choose the correct answer from the following code –

(a) (A) and (R), both are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) (A) and (R), both are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(c) (A) is correct, but (R) is false.

(d) (A) is false but (R) is correct.

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Statement (A) is correct because deserts receive a large amount of solar radiation, which makes them suitable regions for the production of perennial energy through solar power.
2. Reason (R) is correct because Gerhard Knies, a German particle physicist, concluded that the energy received by the world’s deserts from the Sun in only six hours is greater than the total energy consumed by humans in one year.
3. Hence, statement (A) is correct and reason (R) is the correct explanation of statement (A).
4. Hence, option (a) is correct because both statement and reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains the statement.

Q2. The probability of having a desert on the earth is more – [41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Near Zero degree latitude

(b) Near 23° latitude

(c) Near 50° latitude

(d) Near 70° latitude

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. The hot and dry desert climate is mainly found between 15°–30° latitudes, where descending air currents and high-pressure conditions restrict rainfall.
2. Around 30° latitudes, high air pressure causes winds to descend from upper levels, resulting in clear skies and dry conditions throughout the year. Deserts like the Sahara and Australian deserts are associated with this phenomenon.
3. Western coastal deserts are generally found between 20°–30° latitudes due to dry trade winds and cold ocean currents. Examples include the California Desert, Western Sahara, Atacama, and Namib Desert.
4. Other deserts are also formed in rain-shadow regions of mountains and in the interiors of continents, such as the Gobi Desert and Australian Desert.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q3. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2025]

Assertion (A): The interior part of Australia is desert and semi-desert.

Reason (R): Northern Australia is situated in the temperate zone.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(b) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(d) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Ans. (c)

Explanation:

1. Assertion (A) is correct because most of the western and central interior regions of Australia are arid and semi-arid. About 70% of Australia’s area falls under arid or semi-arid conditions.
2. Reason (R) is incorrect because northern Australia lies in the tropical zone, while the temperate regions are mainly located in southern Australia.
3. Hence, statement (A) is correct and reason (R) is false.
4. Hence, option (c) is correct because the assertion is true, but the reason is false.

Q4. Which of the following is not correctly matched? Desert — Country [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Sonoran — United States of America

(b) Taklamakan — China

(c) Karakum — Turkmenistan

(d) Gibson — Brazil

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. The Gibson Desert is an inland Australian bioregion and a large desert region located in Western Australia.
2. It does not occur in Brazil; therefore, the match of Gibson Desert with Brazil is incorrect.
3. Other given pairs are correctly matched: Sonoran Desert is in the USA, Taklamakan Desert is in China, and Karakum Desert is in Turkmenistan.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q5. Kara Kum desert is situated in which of the following countries? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

(a) Tajikistan

(b) Kazakhstan

(c) Turkmenistan

(d) Kirgistan

Ans. (c)

Explanation:

1. The Karakum Desert (also spelled Kara-Kum) is a vast sandy desert region located in Central Asia.
2. It is mainly situated in Turkmenistan.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Q6. In which country is the Gobi desert located? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 1993, 38th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1992]

(a) Mexico

(b) Somalia

(c) Mongolia

(d) Egypt

Ans. (c)

Explanation:

1. The Gobi Desert is a vast desert region located in Central Asia, extending across southern Mongolia and northern China.
2. It is surrounded by major mountain ranges such as the Alashan, Tien Shan, and Altai mountains.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Q7. The Gobi Desert is spread across which of the following countries? [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2025]

1. Mongolia
2. China
3. Russia
4. Kazakhstan

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) Only 1 and 2

(b) Only 1, 2 and 4

(c) Only 1, 2 and 3

(d) Only 1

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. The Gobi Desert is a vast cold desert of Asia, mainly spread across southern Mongolia and northern China.
2. Its extension does not reach Russia or Kazakhstan. The Altai Mountains are located to the north-west of this desert.
3. Hence, only Mongolia (1) and China (2) are correctly associated with the Gobi Desert.
4. Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q8. Consider the following deserts and arrange them in increasing order of their size (from smallest to largest): [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(I) Great Sandy Desert

(II) Arabian Desert

(III) Sahara Desert

(IV) Gobi Desert

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) II, I, III, IV

(b) I, IV, II, III

(c) I, II, IV, III

(d) II, I, IV, III

Ans. (b)

Explanation:

1. The Great Sandy Desert is located in north-western Australia, mainly in Western Australia, and covers an area of about 284,993 square kilometres, making it the smallest among the given deserts.
2. The Gobi Desert is a vast desert and semi-desert region of Central Asia, spread across Mongolia and China, with an estimated area of about 1,300,000 square kilometres.
3. The Arabian Desert occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula and covers an area of about 2,300,000 square kilometres, making it larger than the Gobi Desert.
4. The Sahara Desert of northern Africa is the largest hot desert in the world, covering about 8,600,000 square kilometres.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Q9. The largest desert of South Asia is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Atacama

(b) Colorado

(c) Kalahari

(d) Thar

Ans. (d)

Explanation:

1. The Thar Desert, also known as the ‘Great Indian Desert’, is the largest desert of South Asia.
2. It extends across north-western India and south-eastern Pakistan.
3. The other deserts are located as follows: Atacama Desert — Chile and Peru; Colorado Desert — USA and Mexico; Kalahari Desert — Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.

Hence, option (d) is correct.

Q10. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

(1) Tropical deserts in the world are found in the trade wind bands of western ends of continents.

(2) In India, Eastern Himalayan region receives more rain from North-eastern winds.

Which among the above statements is/are correct?

Code:

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Tropical hot deserts are generally found in the trade wind belts between 15° to 30° north and south of the Equator, especially on the western margins of continents. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
2. The Eastern Himalayan region of India receives rainfall mainly from the south-west monsoon winds coming from the Bay of Bengal, not from north-eastern winds. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q11. Which of the following deserts is located in the Southern Hemisphere? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2015]

(a) Kalahari

(b) Gobi

(c) Chihuahuan

(d) Sahara

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. The Kalahari Desert is located in the Southern Hemisphere and extends over about 930,000 square km across mainly Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
2. The name Kalahari is derived from the Tswana word “Kgala”, which means “the great thirst” or “a waterless place”.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q12. What could be the main reason/reasons for the formation of African and Eurasian desert belt? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. It is located in the sub-tropical high-pressure cells.
2. It is under the influence of warm ocean currents.

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

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Statement 1 is correct. The African and Eurasian desert belt lies largely within the subtropical high-pressure belts, where air descends and warms adiabatically. This suppresses cloud formation and rainfall, favouring arid conditions and desert formation.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Warm ocean currents do not promote the formation of these desert belts. In contrast, cold ocean currents can contribute to the formation of coastal deserts by cooling and stabilising the air, reducing evaporation and convection and thereby suppressing rainfall. Examples include the Namib Desert associated with the Benguela Current and the Atacama Desert associated with the Peru (Humboldt) Current.

Hence, only statement 1 is correct, and the answer is (a).

Q13. Desert dwelling animals are called: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Xerocoles animals

(b) Arboreal animals

(c) Fossorial animals

(d) Terrestrial animals

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. Desert-dwelling animals are known as Xerocoles animals, which are specially adapted to survive in desert environments.
2. Fossorial animals are adapted for digging and living underground, whereas arboreal animals are adapted to life in trees and terrestrial animals are adapted to life on land.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Q14. The Great Victorian Desert is located at – [60th to 62nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Australia

(b) India

(c) Egypt

(d) North Africa

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (a)

Explanation:

1. The Great Victoria Desert is located in southern Australia, extending across parts of Western Australia and South Australia.
2. It is Australia’s largest desert, covering an area of approximately 348,750 sq. km.
3. It is characterised by sand dunes, salt lakes and sparse vegetation and lies in a predominantly arid environment.

Hence, option (a) Australia is correct.