1. Physical Geography (Geomorphology, Climatology, Oceanography)

This section covers questions about the Earth’s physical features, processes, climate, and oceans.

1. Which rock is formed by the deposits of animal shells and skeletons?
   (A) Sandstone
   (B) Limestone
   (C) Phyllite
   (D) Granite
   Answer: (B) Limestone
   Explanation: Limestone is a sedimentary rock often composed of the skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral and molluscs.
2. निम्नलिखित में से कौन सी चट्टान संगमरमर में परिवर्तित हो जाती है? (Which of the following rocks transforms into marble?)
   (a) चूना पत्थर (Limestone)
   (b) स्फटिक पत्थर (Quartz stone)
   (c) पास (Paas)
   (d) परतदार पत्थर (Sedimentary rock)
   Answer: (a) चूना पत्थर (Limestone)
   Explanation: Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure.
3. निम्नलिखित में से कौन रूपान्तरित चट्टान है? (Which of the following is a metamorphic rock?)
   (a) बसाल्ट (Basalt)
   (b) रलेट (Slate)
   (c) बलुआ पत्थर (Sandstone)
   (d) ग्रेनाइट (Granite)
   Answer: (b) रलेट (Slate)
   Explanation: Slate is a metamorphic rock formed from the alteration of shale or mudstone by low-grade regional metamorphism.
4. Anticlines and Synclines are common in:
   (A) Folded regions
   (B) Faulted regions
   (C) Volcanic regions
   (D) None of these
   Answer: (A) Folded regions
   Explanation: Anticlines (upward folds) and synclines (downward folds) are characteristic features of folded rock strata, formed by compressional stress.
5. ‘पृथ्वी’ की ऊपरी परत पर सर्वाधिक पाया जाने वाला अवयव कौन-सा है? (What is the most abundant component on the upper layer of the ‘Earth’?)
   (a) रूपान्तरित चट्टाने (Metamorphic rocks)
   (b) अवसादी चट्टानें (Sedimentary rocks)
   (c) आग्नेय चट्टानें (Igneous rocks)
   (d) ग्रेनाइट (Granite)
   Answer: (b) अवसादी चट्टानें (Sedimentary rocks)
   Explanation: While igneous rocks are most common by volume in the Earth’s crust, sedimentary rocks are the most abundant on the Earth’s surface.
6. Name the layer of the atmosphere where all weather phenomena take place.
   (A) Troposphere
   (B) Ionosphere
   (C) Exosphere
   (D) Stratosphere
   Answer: (A) Troposphere
   Explanation: The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere, where almost all weather conditions take place.
7. किसी स्थान की जलवायु विभिन्न कारकों पर आधारित होती है। इनमें सबसे महत्वपूर्ण कारक निम्न में से कौन-सा है? (The climate of a place is based on various factors. Which of the following is the most important factor?)
   (a) वायु की दिशा (Direction of wind)
   (b) समुद्र से दूरी (Distance from the sea)
   (c) अक्षांश (Latitude)
   (d) समुद्री धाराएँ (Ocean currents)
   Answer: (c) अक्षांश (Latitude)
   Explanation: Latitude is the most significant factor controlling climate because it determines the amount of solar radiation a location receives.
8. ब भूमध्यरेखीय जलवायु की मुख्य विशेषता क्या है? (What is the main characteristic of equatorial climate?)
   (a) उच्च तापमान एवं निम्न वर्षा (High temperature and low rainfall)
   (b) निम्न तापमान एवं उच्च वर्षा (Low temperature and high rainfall)
   (c) निम्न तापमान एवं निम्न वर्षा (Low temperature and low rainfall)
   (d) उच्च तापमान एवं उच्च वर्षा (High temperature and high rainfall)
   Answer: (d) उच्च तापमान एवं उच्च वर्षा (High temperature and high rainfall)
   Explanation: Equatorial climates are characterized by consistently high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year.
9. ‘रोरिंग फोटीज’ क्या है? (‘Roaring Forties’ are what?)
   (a) अटलांटिक महासागर की मुख्य जलधारा (Main current of the Atlantic Ocean)
   (b) पछुआ हवाएँ (Westerly winds)
   (c) रूस की सबसे बडी एवं खतरनाक नदी (Russia’s largest and most dangerous river)
   (d) विश्व के सबसे बड़े जल प्रपात का नाम (Name of the world’s largest waterfall)
   Answer: (b) पछुआ हवाएँ (Westerly winds)
   Explanation: The Roaring Forties are strong westerly winds found in the Southern Hemisphere between the latitudes of 40 and 50 degrees.
10. वायु के वेग का सम्बन्ध निम्न में से किससे है? (Wind speed is related to which of the following?)
    (a) पृथ्वी के परिक्रमण से (From Earth’s revolution)
    (b) पृथ्वी के परिभ्रमण से (From Earth’s rotation)
    (c) ताप से (From temperature)
    (d) दाब प्रवणता से (From pressure gradient)
    Answer: (d) दाब प्रवणता से (From pressure gradient)
    Explanation: Wind is caused by air moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure, with its speed being directly proportional to the pressure gradient.
11. पर्वत के शिखर मैदानों की अपेक्षा ठण्डे होते हैं, क्योंकि (The peaks of mountains are colder than the plains because)
    (a) वे मैदानों की अपेक्षा सूर्य से बहुत दूर होते हैं (They are much farther from the sun than the plains)
    (b) मैदानों की अपेक्षा पहाड़ों पर वायुदाब ‘कम होता है (Air pressure is lower on mountains than on plains)
    (c) पहाड़ों पर सूर्य की किरणें तिरछी पड़ती हैं (The sun’s rays fall obliquely on the mountains)
    (d) मैदानों की अपेक्षा पहाड़ों पर वायु दाब अधिक होता है (Air pressure is higher on mountains than on plains)
    Answer: (b) मैदानों की अपेक्षा पहाड़ों पर वायुदाब ‘कम होता है (Air pressure is lower on mountains than on plains)
    Explanation: At higher altitudes, air pressure is lower and the air is less dense, which reduces its ability to absorb and retain heat.
12. भारत में सबरो छोटा दिन होता है- (The shortest day in India is-)
    (a) दिसम्बर को (On 1st December)
    (b) जनवरी को (On 1st January)
    (c) 22 दिसम्बर को (On 22nd December)
    (d) 31 दिसम्बर को (On 31st December)
    Answer: (c) 22 दिसम्बर को (On 22nd December)
    Explanation: The shortest day in India (Northern Hemisphere) occurs on the winter solstice, around December 22nd.
13. दिन-रात बराबर अवधि के होते हैं- (Day and night are of equal duration on-)
    (a) 23 सितम्बर को (On 23rd September)
    (b) 25 मार्च (25th March)
    (c) 25 दिसम्बर को (On 25th December)
    (d) 22 जून को (On 22nd June)
    Answer: (b) 25 मार्च (25th March)
    Explanation: Day and night are of approximately equal length during the equinoxes, which occur around March 21st and September 23rd.
14. A fixed orbit in space in relation to earth is called 1
    (a) Geological
    (b) Geo-synchronous
    (c) Geo-centric
    (d) Geo-stationary
    Answer: (d) Geo-stationary
    Explanation: A ‘geostationary’ orbit is a specific type of geosynchronous orbit where a satellite appears fixed in the sky from the ground.
15. ‘ज्वालामुखी मेखला चतुर्दिक’ पाई जाती है- (‘Volcanic girdle’ is found around-)
    (a) अन्ध महासागर के (The Atlantic Ocean)
    (b) हिन्द महासागर के (The Indian Ocean)
    (c) आर्कटिक महासागर के (The Arctic Ocean)
    (d) प्रशान्त महासागर के (The Pacific Ocean)
    Answer: (d) प्रशान्त महासागर के (The Pacific Ocean)
    Explanation: The Ring of Fire, a major area of volcanic and seismic activity, is located around the basin of the Pacific Ocean.
16. नदी, वायू और भूकम्प के सम्बन्ध में निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा कथन गलत है? (Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding rivers, wind, and earthquakes?)
    (a) ये सभी प्राकृतिक शक्तियाँ हैं. (These are all natural forces.)
    (b) ये सभी अपरदन के कारक हैं (These are all agents of erosion.)
    (c) ये सभी विनाशकारी हो सकते हैं (These can all be destructive.)
    (d) ये सभी भूगोल की विषयवस्तु हैं (These are all subject matter of geography.)
    Answer: (b) ये सभी अपरदन के कारक हैं (These are all agents of erosion.)
    Explanation: While rivers and wind are primary agents of erosion, earthquakes are a result of tectonic activity and are not considered a direct agent of erosion.

2. World Geography

This section includes questions about countries, capitals, continents, and major global features.

1. विश्व की लम्बी नदी कौन सी है? (Which is the longest river in the world?)
   (a) गंगा (Ganga)
   (b) अमेजन (Amazon)
   (c) टेम्रा (Temra)
   (d) नाइल (Nile)
   Answer: (d) नाइल (Nile)
   Explanation: The Nile River in Africa is traditionally considered the longest river in the world.
2. ‘मालस्पाइन’ ग्लैशियर कहाँ है? (Where is the Malaspina Glacier?)
   (a) काराकोरम में (In Karakoram)
   (b) आल्पस में (In the Alps)
   (c) अलास्का में (In Alaska)
   (d) हिन्दुकुश में (In the Hindu Kush)
   Answer: (c) अलास्का में (In Alaska)
   Explanation: The Malaspina Glacier, the largest piedmont glacier in North America, is located in southeastern Alaska.
3. निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा सबसे व्यस्त समुद्री व्यापारिक मार्ग है? (Which of the following is the busiest sea trade route?)
   (a) स्वेज नहर (Suez Canal)
   (b) केप ऑफ गुड होप (Cape of Good Hope)
   (c) उत्तरी अटलांटिक (North Atlantic)
   (d) पनामा नहर (Panama Canal)
   Answer: (c) उत्तरी अटलांटिक (North Atlantic) (Note: The answer key in the source document incorrectly states (a) Suez Canal.)
   Explanation: The English Channel, which connects the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, is widely regarded as the world’s busiest shipping lane.
4. रवेज नहर जोड़ती है- (The Suez Canal connects-)
   (a) प्रशान्त और अन्ध महासागरों को (Pacific and Atlantic Oceans)
   (b) प्रशान्त और हिन्द महासागरों को (Pacific and Indian Oceans)
   (c) कालासागर को कैस्पियन सागर से (Black Sea to Caspian Sea)
   (d) भूमध्य सागर को लाल सागर से (Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea)
   Answer: (d) भूमध्य सागर को लाल सागर से (Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea)
   Explanation: The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
5. कर्क रेखा निम्न में से कहाँ से गुजरती है? (The Tropic of Cancer passes through which of the following?)
   (a) मिस्र से (From Egypt)
   (b) भारत से (From India)
   (c) मैक्सिको से (From Mexico)
   (d) ईरान से (From Iran)
   Answer: (d) ईरान से (From Iran) (Note: The provided answer key is incorrect.)
   Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer passes through Mexico, Egypt, and India, but it does not pass through Iran. This question is flawed.
6. 17वाँ समानान्तर विभाजन करता है- (The 17th Parallel divides-)
   (a) दक्षिणी एवं उत्तरी अमेरिका का (South and North America)
   (b) उत्तरी एवं दक्षिणी कोरिया का (North and South Korea)
   (c) दक्षिणी एवं उत्तरी वियतनाम का (South and North Vietnam)
   (d) दक्षिणी एवं उत्तरी यमन का (South and North Yemen)
   Answer: (c) दक्षिणी एवं उत्तरी वियतनाम का (South and North Vietnam)
   Explanation: The 17th parallel was the provisional military demarcation line established by the 1954 Geneva Accords to divide North and South Vietnam.
7. ‘Mac Mohan line’ is boundary line between.
   (a) India and China
   (b) India and Pakistan
   (c) India and Bangladesh
   (d) India and Nepal.
   Answer: (a) India and China
   Explanation: The McMahon Line is the demarcation line between the eastern part of the India-China border.
8. ‘Durand Line’ is a boundary line between:
   (a) India and Pakistan
   (b) India and China
   (c) Pakistan and Afghanistan
   (d) India and Nepal
   Answer: (c) Pakistan and Afghanistan
   Explanation: The Durand Line is the internationally recognized border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, established in 1893.
9. ‘Radcliffe’ line is the boundary line between:-
   (A) India and Bangladesh
   (B) India & Pakistan
   (C) India and China
   (D) India and Nepal.
   Answer: (B) India & Pakistan
   Explanation: The Radcliffe Line became the international border between India and Pakistan during the 1947 partition.
10. Thimpu is the capital of:
    (A) Nepal
    (B) Bhutan
    (C) Thailand
    (D) North Korea
    Answer: (B) Bhutan
    Explanation: Thimphu is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Bhutan.
11. कौन सा देश मध्य रात्रि के सूर्य का देश कहलाता है? (Which country is called the Land of the Midnight Sun?)
    (a) नार्वे (Norway)
    (b) स्वीडन (Sweden)
    (c) फ्रांस (France)
    (d) बेल्जियम (Belgium)
    Answer: (a) नार्वे (Norway)
    Explanation: Norway is known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” because parts of the country experience 24 hours of daylight during the summer.
12. किस शहर को सात पहाड़ियों के शहर के रूप में जाना जाता है? (Which city is known as the city of seven hills?)
    (a) लन्दन (London)
    (b) रोम (Rome)
    (c) न्यूयार्क (New York)
    (d) शिमला (Shimla)
    Answer: (b) रोम (Rome)
    Explanation: Rome is famously known as the “City of Seven Hills,” which form the geographical heart of the ancient city.
13. निम्नलिखित में से कौनसा युग्म सही नहीं है? (Which of the following pairs is not correct?)
    (a) एण्डीज-दक्षिणी-अमरीका (Andes-South America)
    (b) राकी-उत्तरी अमरीका (Rockies-North America)
    (c) अपलेशियन-यूरोप (Appalachian-Europe)
    (d) कराकोरम-एशिया (Karakoram-Asia)
    Answer: (c) अपलेशियन-यूरोप (Appalachian-Europe)
    Explanation: The Appalachian Mountains are located in eastern North America, not Europe.

3. Indian Geography

This section includes questions about India’s rivers, mountains, soils, agriculture, industries, states, cities, and ports.

1. भारत की सबसे लम्बी नदी कौन-सी है? (Which is the longest river of India?)
   (a) यमुना (Yamuna)
   (b) ब्यास (Beas)
   (c) ब्रह्मपुत्र (Brahmaputra)
   (d) गंगा (Ganga)
   Answer: (d) गंगा (Ganga)
   Explanation: The Ganga (Ganges) is the longest river flowing within India, with a length of over 2,500 km.
2. ‘गङ्गा’ का उदगम स्थल है (The origin place of ‘Ganga’ is)
   (A) हिमालय (Himalaya)
   (B) अमरकंटक (Amarkantak)
   (C) विन्ध्याचल (Vindhyachal)
   (D) अरावली (Aravalli)
   Answer: (A) हिमालय (Himalaya)
   Explanation: The Ganga river originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas.
3. नीचे दी गयी चार नदियों में से एक डेल्टा नहीं बनाती है? (Which one of the four rivers given below does not form a delta?)
   (a) गंगा (Ganga)
   (b) गोदावरी (Godavari)
   (c) ताप्ती (Tapti)
   (d) महानदी (Mahanadi)
   Answer: (c) ताप्ती (Tapti)
   Explanation: The Tapi (Tapti) is a west-flowing river that forms an estuary rather than a delta before draining into the Arabian Sea.
4. Which of the following rivers is flowing through a rift-valley?
   (A) Godavari
   (B) Tripati (Tapti)
   (C) Krishna
   (D) Kaveri
   Answer: (B) Tripati (Tapti)
   Explanation: The Narmada and Tapti (likely misspelled as Tripati in the exam) rivers are the primary examples of rivers flowing through rift valleys in India.
5. Gersoppa (Jog) falls are in the river :
   (A) Kaveri
   (B) Periyar
   (C) Sharavati
   (D) Vaigai
   Answer: (C) Sharavati
   Explanation: Jog Falls, also known as Gersoppa Falls, is created by the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.
6. In which state is the Bhakra Nangal Dam?
   (A) Punjab
   (B) Haryana
   (C) Himachal Pradesh
   (D) Uttar Pradesh
   Answer: (C) Himachal Pradesh
   Explanation: The Bhakra Dam is located in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, on the Sutlej River.
7. Which of the following pairs is mismatched?
   (A) Mettur—-Kaveri
   (B) Bhakra Nangal—Sutlej
   (C)Hirakud—Mahanadi
   (D) Tehri—Yamuna
   Answer: (D) Tehri—Yamuna
   Explanation: The Tehri Dam is built on the Bhagirathi River, not the Yamuna.
8. हीराकुण्ड परियोजना कहाँ स्थित है? (Where is the Hirakud project located?)
   (a) उड़ीसा में (In Odisha)
   (b) पश्चिमी बंगाल में (In West Bengal)
   (c) तमिलनाडु में (In Tamil Nadu)
   (d) आन्ध्र प्रदेश में (In Andhra Pradesh)
   Answer: (b) पश्चिमी बंगाल में (In West Bengal) (Note: The provided answer key is incorrect.)
   Explanation: The Hirakud Dam is located on the Mahanadi River in the state of Odisha.
9. ‘माही परियोजना’ से कौन-सा राज्य लाभान्वित होता है? (Which state benefits from the ‘Mahi Project’?)
   (a) महाराष्ट्र (Maharashtra)
   (b) पंजाब (Punjab)
   (c) गुजरात (Gujarat)
   (d) उत्तर प्रदेश (Uttar Pradesh)
   Answer: (c) गुजरात (Gujarat)
   Explanation: The Mahi Bajaj Sagar Project is a joint venture between the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan to manage the waters of the Mahi River.
10. The largest man-made lake in India is 1
    (A) Wular lake
    (B) Chilka lake
    (C) Govind Sagar
    (D) Hussain Sagar
    Answer: (C) Govind Sagar
    Explanation: Govind Sagar on the Sutlej River (Bhakra Dam) is one of India’s largest man-made reservoirs.
11. इन्दिरा गाँधी नहर प्रोजेक्ट कहाँ स्थित है? (Where is the Indira Gandhi Canal Project located?)
    (a) उत्तर-पश्चिम राजस्थान में (In North-West Rajasthan)
    (b) दक्षिण-पूर्व राजस्थान में (In South-East Rajasthan)
    (c) पश्चिमी उत्तर प्रदेश में (In Western Uttar Pradesh)
    (d) मध्य प्रदेश गे (In Madhya Pradesh)
    Answer: (a) उत्तर-पश्चिम राजस्थान में (In North-West Rajasthan)
    Explanation: The Indira Gandhi Canal project is located in the north-west of Rajasthan, designed to irrigate the Thar Desert region.
12. राजस्थान नहर (जिसे अब इन्दिरा गाँधी नहर के नाम से जाना जाता है) को पानी कहाँ से मिलता है? (From where does the Rajasthan Canal (now known as Indira Gandhi Canal) get its water?)
    (a) यमुना से (From Yamuna)
    (b) चम्बल से (From Chambal)
    (c) सतलुज से (From Sutlej)
    (d) सतलुज एवं व्यास से (From Sutlej and Beas)
    Answer: (d) सतलुज एवं व्यास से (From Sutlej and Beas)
    Explanation: The Indira Gandhi Canal begins at the Harike Barrage, which is at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers in Punjab.
13. The soils which have supported agriculture for centuries without requiring the application of much manure are :
    (A) Alluvial and Laterite soils
    (B) Red and Laterite soils
    (C) Black and Alluvial soils
    (D) Laterite and Black soils
    Answer: (C) Black and Alluvial soils
    Explanation: Alluvial soils (found in river plains) and Black soils (Regur, known for moisture retention) are naturally very fertile.
14. काली मिट्टी का सवरी अधिक विस्तार कहीं है? (Where is the largest extent of black soil?)
    (a) तमिलनाडु में (In Tamil Nadu)
    (b) मध्य प्रदेश में (In Madhya Pradesh)
    (c) महाराष्ट्र में (In Maharashtra)
    (d) राजस्थान में (In Rajasthan)
    Answer: (c) महाराष्ट्र में (In Maharashtra)
    Explanation: Black soil, or regur soil, is most extensively found in the Deccan Plateau region, particularly in the state of Maharashtra.
15. भारत के किस राज्य में जूट की खेती सबसे अधिक होती है? (In which state of India is jute cultivation the highest?)
    (a) पश्चिम बंगाल (West Bengal)
    (b) बिहार (Bihar)
    (c) उड़ीसा (Odisha)
    (d) महाराष्ट्र (Maharashtra)
    Answer: (a) पश्चिम बंगाल (West Bengal)
    Explanation: West Bengal is the largest producer of jute in India, accounting for a majority of the country’s total production.
16. India’s largest agricultural experimental farm is at :
    (A) Bhopal
    (B) Ambala
    (C) Suratgarh
    (D) Jamnagar
    Answer: (C) Suratgarh
    Explanation: The Central State Farm at Suratgarh in Rajasthan is one of Asia’s largest agricultural farms.
17. Khetri is famous for:
    (A) Aluminium
    (B) Fertilisers
    (C) Copper
    (D) Gold
    Answer: (C) Copper
    Explanation: The Khetri Copper Complex in Rajasthan is a major copper production center in India.
18. भारत का प्रथम सफल तेल का कुआँ कहाँ खोदा गया है? (Where was India’s first successful oil well drilled?)
    (a) कावेरी थाले में (In Kaveri basin)
    (b) बंगाल की खाड़ी में (In Bay of Bengal)
    (c) बाम्बे हाई में (In Bombay High)
    (d) दिग्बोई में (In Digboi)
    Answer: (d) दिग्बोई में (In Digboi)
    Explanation: India’s first commercially successful oil well was drilled in Digboi, Assam, in 1889.
19. Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched?
    (A) Bauxite—Bihar
    (B) Coal—Rajasthan
    (C) Diamond—Madhya Pradesh
    (D) Mineral oil—Assam
    Answer: (B) Coal—Rajasthan
    Explanation: Rajasthan is not a major producer of coal; major coal reserves are in states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
20. The coir industry of India is localised in:
    (A) Kerala
    (B) Maharashtra
    (C) Orissa
    (D) West Bengal
    Answer: (A) Kerala
    Explanation: The coir industry, based on coconut husk fiber, is predominantly concentrated in the state of Kerala.
21. The biggest port of India, handling about one-fifth of the total traffic, is:
    (A) Kolkata
    (B) Chennai
    (C) Mumbai
    (D) Visakhapatnam
    Answer: (C) Mumbai
    Explanation: Mumbai Port has historically been one of India’s largest and busiest ports in terms of cargo traffic.
22. निम्नलिखित में से किसका सही जोड़ नहीं है? (Which of the following is not correctly matched?)
    (a) गुजरात-कन्डाला (Gujarat-Kandla)
    (b) केरल कोचीन (Kerala-Cochin)
    (c) कर्नाटक-मंगलौर (Karnataka-Mangalore)
    (d) उड़ीसा-विशाखापट्टनम (Odisha-Visakhapatnam)
    Answer: (d) उड़ीसा-विशाखापट्टनम (Odisha-Visakhapatnam)
    Explanation: Kandla is in Gujarat, Cochin is in Kerala, and Mangalore is in Karnataka, but Visakhapatnam is a major port in Andhra Pradesh, not Odisha.
23. India has the world’s highest road which connects-
    (a) Leh and Srinagar,
    (b) Leh and Manali,
    (c) Jammu and Srinagar
    (d) Sikkim and Darjeeling.
    Answer: (b) Leh and Manali,
    Explanation: The Leh-Manali Highway is renowned for its high average elevation, crossing several high mountain passes, making it one of the highest motorable roads in the world.
24. The term ‘Golden Quadrangle’ refers to 1
    (A) The base of the pyramids found in Egyptian desert.
    (B) Four sea parts identified by the Customs Dept.., which are routes for gold smuggling
    (C) National Highways Development project connecting the four Indian metro-cities
    (D) Rich contiguous wheat growing areas of Punjab, Haryana, U.P. and Rajasthan.
    Answer: (C) National Highways Development project connecting the four Indian metro-cities
    Explanation: The Golden Quadrilateral is a national highway network connecting the major Indian metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
25. The most urbanised state in India is 1
    (A) Gujarat
    (B) West Bengal
    (C) Maharashtra
    (D) Andhra Pradesh
    Answer: (C) Maharashtra
    Explanation: Maharashtra has one of the highest levels of urbanization among Indian states.
26. Which of the following states is land-locked?
    (A) Andhra Pradesh
    (B) West Bengal
    (C) Bihar
    (D) Karnataka
    Answer: (C) Bihar
    Explanation: Bihar is a land-locked state, meaning it does not have a coastline, unlike the other options.
27. सबसे लम्बा समुद्रतट किस राज्य के साथ लगा हुआ है? (Which state has the longest coastline?)
    (a) गुजरात (Gujarat)
    (b) महाराष्ट्र (Maharashtra)
    (c) आन्ध्र प्रदेश (Andhra Pradesh)
    (d) केरल (Kerala)
    Answer: (a) गुजरात (Gujarat)
    Explanation: Gujarat has the longest coastline among all Indian states, stretching approximately 1,600 kilometers.
28. क्षेत्रफल की दृष्टि से सबसे बड़ा राज्य कौनसा है? (Which is the largest state in terms of area?)
    (a) उत्तर प्रदेश (Uttar Pradesh)
    (b) मध्य प्रदेश (Madhya Pradesh)
    (c) राजस्थान (Rajasthan)
    (d) बिहार (Bihar)
    Answer: (b) मध्य प्रदेश (Madhya Pradesh)
    Explanation: As of the year 2000 (when this paper was set), Madhya Pradesh was the largest state by area before the creation of Chhattisgarh.
29. भारत का सबसे छोटा राज्य है- (The smallest state of India is-)
    (a) सिक्किम (Sikkim)
    (b) त्रिपुरा (Tripura)
    (c) केरल (Kerala)
    (d) मणिपु (Manipur)
    Answer: (a) सिक्किम (Sikkim)
    Explanation: Among the given options, Sikkim is the smallest state by area. (Note: Goa is the smallest state overall but is not an option).
30. लक्षद्वीप किसमें स्थित है? (Where is Lakshadweep located?)
    (a) अरब सागर (Arabian Sea)
    (b) पाक स्ट्रेट (Palk Strait)
    (c) हिन्द महासागर (Indian Ocean)
    (d) बंगाल की खाड़ी (Bay of Bengal)
    Answer: (a) अरब सागर (Arabian Sea)
    Explanation: The archipelago of Lakshadweep is a Union Territory of India located in the Arabian Sea.
31. Which part of the Islands in the Arabian Sea is known as Minicoy Islands?
    (A) Northern
    (B) Eastern
    (C) Southern
    (D) Western
    Answer: (C) Southern
    Explanation: Minicoy is the southernmost atoll of the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea.
32. लुधियाना निम्न में से कहाँ पर स्थित है? (Ludhiana is situated on which of the following?)
    (a) कृष्णा नदी पर (On Krishna river)
    (b) सतलुज नदी पर (On Sutlej river)
    (c) ब्यास नदी पर (On Beas river)
    (d) रावी नदी पर (On Ravi river)
    Answer: (b) सतलुज नदी पर (On Sutlej river)
    Explanation: The city of Ludhiana in Punjab stands on the banks of the Sutlej River.
33. एक ही अक्षांश पर स्थित होने के बावजूद शिमला अमृतसर से अधिक ठण्डा है-ऐसा क्यों? (Despite being on the same latitude, Shimla is colder than Amritsar – why?)
    (a) दोनों के देशांतर भिन्न है (Their longitudes are different)
    (b) शिमला अमृतसर की तुलना में समुद्र तल से अधिक ऊंचा है (Shimla is at a higher altitude than Amritsar)
    (c) शिमला विषुवत रेखा से अधिक दूर है (Shimla is farther from the equator)
    (d) शिमला और अधिक उत्तर दिशा में है (Shimla is further north)
    Answer: (b) शिमला अमृतसर की तुलना में समुद्र तल से अधिक ऊंचा है (Shimla is at a higher altitude than Amritsar)
    Explanation: Temperature generally decreases with an increase in altitude, making the hill station of Shimla cooler than Amritsar.

4. Environment and Ecology

This section covers questions related to forests, wildlife, and conservation.

1. Tropical Evergreen forests of India are found in:
   (A) Kerala
   (B) Andhra Pradesh
   (C) Madhya Pradesh
   (D) Orissa
   Answer: (A) Kerala
   Explanation: The Western Ghats region, which includes Kerala, receives heavy rainfall and supports tropical evergreen forests.
2. कोणधारी वन कहीं पाए जाते हैं? (Where are coniferous forests found?)
   (a) टुण्ड्रा प्रदेश में (In Tundra region)
   (b) भूमध्य सागरीय प्रदेश में (In Mediterranean region)
   (c) उष्ण प्रदेश में (In Tropical region)
   (d) टैगा प्रदेश में (In Taiga region)
   Answer: (d) टैगा प्रदेश में (In Taiga region)
   Explanation: Coniferous forests, also known as taiga or boreal forests, are predominantly found in the cold, subarctic regions.
3. वन हमारी सहायता किस प्रकार करते हैं? (How do forests help us?)
   (a) बाढ रोकते है (Prevent floods)
   (b) भूमि-क्षरण रोकते हैं (Prevent soil erosion)
   (c) वर्षा में वृद्धि करते हैं (Increase rainfall)
   (d) उपर्युक्त सभी (All of the above)
   Answer: (d) उपर्युक्त सभी (All of the above)
   Explanation: Forests help prevent floods, control soil erosion, and contribute to increased rainfall through transpiration.
4. The great Indian bustard is found in 1
   (A) The thar desert of Rajasthan
   (B) Coastal regions of India
   (C) Malabar Coast
   (D) Delta regions
   Answer: (A) The thar desert of Rajasthan
   Explanation: The Great Indian Bustard is a large bird found primarily in the arid and semi-arid grasslands of the Indian subcontinent, including the Thar Desert.
5. Simlipal in Orissa State is well known for its:
   (A) Stone carved temples
   (B) Seashore and unspoilt beaches
   (C) Wildlife sanctuary
   (D) None of these
   Answer: (C) Wildlife sanctuary
   Explanation: Simlipal is a national park and a tiger reserve in Odisha, known for its rich biodiversity and wildlife.