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Climate, soils & vegetation of India MCQ with Answers

20 questionswith explanationsfor RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams

Questions

Q1

Consider the following statements about the Indian monsoon: 1. In summer the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts northward over the Ganga plain. 2. The Tropical Easterly Jet in the upper troposphere is associated with the south-west monsoon. 3. El Niño years are generally associated with weaker monsoon rainfall in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (1)1 and 2 only
  2. (2)2 and 3 only
  3. (3)1 and 3 only
  4. (4)1, 2 and 3

Answer: (4) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

All three are standard features of the monsoon mechanism: northward ITCZ shift, the Tropical Easterly Jet, and El Niño's tendency to weaken the monsoon.

Q2

According to the India Meteorological Department, the normal date of onset of the south-west monsoon over Kerala is:

  1. (1)1 June
  2. (2)15 May
  3. (3)15 June
  4. (4)1 July

Answer: (1) 1 June

Explanation

IMD's normal onset date over Kerala is 1 June, with a variation of about a week either way.

Q3

Match the pre-monsoon local storms/showers with the regions where they mainly occur: A. Mango showers B. Blossom (coffee) showers C. Kalbaisakhi (Nor'westers) 1. West Bengal and Assam 2. Kerala and coastal Karnataka 3. Kodagu region of Karnataka

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

Answer: (1) A-2, B-3, C-1

Explanation

Mango showers help ripen mangoes in Kerala and coastal Karnataka, blossom showers aid coffee flowering around Kodagu, and Kalbaisakhi storms hit West Bengal and Assam.

Q4

The western disturbances that bring winter rainfall to north-western India originate over the:

  1. (1)Bay of Bengal
  2. (2)Mediterranean Sea
  3. (3)Arabian Sea
  4. (4)Tibetan plateau

Answer: (2) Mediterranean Sea

Explanation

Western disturbances are low-pressure systems originating over the Mediterranean region, carried eastward by the westerly jet stream.

Q5

The hot and humid weather of the retreating monsoon period, when skies clear but the land is still moist, is commonly called:

  1. (1)Monsoon break
  2. (2)Winter heat
  3. (3)October heat
  4. (4)Loo spell

Answer: (3) October heat

Explanation

In October, high temperature combined with high humidity after the monsoon withdraws makes the weather oppressive; this is called 'October heat'.

Q6

In Koppen's classification of Indian climates, the type 'Amw' (monsoon type with a short dry season) is found in:

  1. (1)The Ganga plain
  2. (2)The Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu
  3. (3)Most of the peninsular plateau
  4. (4)India's west coast south of Goa

Answer: (4) India's west coast south of Goa

Explanation

As per NCERT, Amw covers India's west coast south of Goa; the Coromandel coast is 'As' and most of the plateau is 'Aw'.

Q7

Which soil group covers the largest area of India?

  1. (1)Black soil
  2. (2)Red and yellow soil
  3. (3)Alluvial soil
  4. (4)Arid soil

Answer: (3) Alluvial soil

Explanation

Alluvial soils, deposited by rivers in the northern plains, river valleys and coastal deltas, are the most widespread soils of India.

Q8

Consider the following statements about the black (regur) soil of India: 1. It is formed mainly from the weathering of basaltic lava of the Deccan trap. 2. It retains moisture well and develops deep cracks in the dry season. 3. It is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (1)1 only
  2. (2)1 and 2 only
  3. (3)2 and 3 only
  4. (4)1, 2 and 3

Answer: (2) 1 and 2 only

Explanation

Black soil comes from Deccan basalt and is moisture-retentive with self-ploughing cracks, but it is generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter.

Q9

The red colour of red soil in India is mainly due to:

  1. (1)High humus content from decayed plants
  2. (2)Presence of calcium carbonate (kankar)
  3. (3)High concentration of soluble salts
  4. (4)Iron diffused through the parent rocks

Answer: (4) Iron diffused through the parent rocks

Explanation

Red soil develops on crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks; iron diffused through these rocks gives it a red colour, and it looks yellow when hydrated.

Q10

In the northern plains of India, the newer alluvium of the flood plains that is renewed almost every year is known as:

  1. (1)Khadar
  2. (2)Bhangar
  3. (3)Bhabar
  4. (4)Terai

Answer: (1) Khadar

Explanation

Khadar is the new, fertile alluvium of flood plains; Bhangar is the older alluvium lying above flood level and often contains kankar.

Q11

Gypsum is commonly recommended for reclaiming which type of soil in India?

  1. (1)Peaty and marshy soil
  2. (2)Saline and alkaline soil
  3. (3)Red and yellow soil
  4. (4)Forest and mountain soil

Answer: (2) Saline and alkaline soil

Explanation

Saline and alkaline (reh/usar/kallar) soils are infertile; adding gypsum helps reduce alkalinity and restore them.

Q12

Tropical evergreen forests in India are found mainly in areas receiving annual rainfall of:

  1. (1)Less than 50 cm
  2. (2)50 to 70 cm
  3. (3)More than 200 cm
  4. (4)70 to 100 cm

Answer: (3) More than 200 cm

Explanation

Tropical evergreen forests grow where annual rainfall exceeds 200 cm, as on the Western Ghats, the north-east and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Q13

Which type of natural vegetation is the most widespread in India?

  1. (1)Tropical deciduous (monsoon) forests
  2. (2)Tropical evergreen forests
  3. (3)Montane forests
  4. (4)Littoral and swamp forests

Answer: (1) Tropical deciduous (monsoon) forests

Explanation

Tropical deciduous (monsoon) forests, with trees such as teak and sal, are the most widespread forests of India.

Q14

The 'Sundari' tree, after which a famous delta forest is named, belongs to which type of vegetation?

  1. (1)Alpine vegetation
  2. (2)Thorn forest
  3. (3)Temperate coniferous forest
  4. (4)Mangrove (tidal) forest

Answer: (4) Mangrove (tidal) forest

Explanation

The Sundari is a mangrove tree of the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, after which the Sundarbans are named.

Q15

The alpine pastures of the Kashmir valley, as at Gulmarg and Sonamarg, are locally known as:

  1. (1)Karewas
  2. (2)Margs
  3. (3)Bhabar
  4. (4)Kayals

Answer: (2) Margs

Explanation

Alpine meadows in Kashmir are called margs, as in Gulmarg and Sonamarg; karewas are lacustrine deposits of the Kashmir valley.

Q16

Consider the following statements: 1. The India State of Forest Report is published every two years by the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun. 2. As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover by area among the states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (1)1 only
  2. (2)2 only
  3. (3)Both 1 and 2
  4. (4)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (3) Both 1 and 2

Explanation

ISFR is a biennial report of the Forest Survey of India; ISFR 2023 (released December 2024) shows Madhya Pradesh with the largest forest cover (about 77,073 sq km).

Q17

Which was the first biosphere reserve of India, set up in 1986?

  1. (1)Nanda Devi
  2. (2)Gulf of Mannar
  3. (3)Nilgiri
  4. (4)Nokrek

Answer: (3) Nilgiri

Explanation

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, spread over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, was India's first, established in 1986.

Q18

Match the national parks with their states: A. Kaziranga B. Silent Valley C. Dachigam D. Simlipal 1. Kerala 2. Odisha 3. Assam 4. Jammu & Kashmir

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

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

Explanation

Kaziranga is in Assam, Silent Valley in Kerala, Dachigam in Jammu & Kashmir and Simlipal in Odisha.

Q19

India's first national park, established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, is now known as:

  1. (1)Kanha National Park
  2. (2)Gir National Park
  3. (3)Periyar National Park
  4. (4)Jim Corbett National Park

Answer: (4) Jim Corbett National Park

Explanation

Hailey National Park in present-day Uttarakhand, set up in 1936, was later renamed Jim Corbett National Park after the hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett.

Q20

The strong cross-equatorial low-level wind current off the East African coast that feeds moisture into the south-west monsoon is known as the:

  1. (1)Somali Jet
  2. (2)Subtropical Westerly Jet
  3. (3)Polar Jet
  4. (4)Agulhas Current

Answer: (1) Somali Jet

Explanation

The Somali (Findlater) Jet is a low-level cross-equatorial jet along the East African coast that strengthens and supplies moisture to the south-west monsoon.