UPSC Static Quiz – Geography : 12 December 2024

UPSC Static Quiz – Geography : 12 December 2024 We will post 5 questions daily on static topics mentioned in the UPSC civil services preliminary examination syllabus. Each week will focus on a specific topic from the syllabus, such as History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, and more.We are excited to bring you our daily UPSC Static Quiz, designed to help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Each day, we will post 5 questions on static topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus. This week, we are focusing on Indian and World Geography.

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements regarding the focus and epicentre of an earthquake: The focus is the point within the Earth where the earthquake originates due to the release of energy. The epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus. Seismic waves radiate outward from the epicentre in all directions. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: b) Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The focus, or hypo-centre, is the exact point inside the Earth where the earthquake begins due to the sudden release of energy along a fault. The epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus. Seismic waves radiate outward from the focus, not the epicentre. Incorrect Solution: b) Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The focus, or hypo-centre, is the exact point inside the Earth where the earthquake begins due to the sudden release of energy along a fault. The epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus. Seismic waves radiate outward from the focus, not the epicentre.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements regarding the focus and epicentre of an earthquake:

• The focus is the point within the Earth where the earthquake originates due to the release of energy.

• The epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.

• Seismic waves radiate outward from the epicentre in all directions.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: b)

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The focus, or hypo-centre, is the exact point inside the Earth where the earthquake begins due to the sudden release of energy along a fault. The epicentre is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.

Seismic waves radiate outward from the focus, not the epicentre.

Solution: b)

Seismic waves radiate outward from the focus, not the epicentre.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question With reference to the types of seismic waves generated during an earthquake, consider the following statements: P-waves are primary waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases. S-waves are secondary waves that can only travel through solids. Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and are responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: c) P-waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases and are the fastest seismic waves. S-waves (Secondary waves) are shear waves that can only move through solids and are slower than P-waves. Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and typically cause the most destruction due to their high amplitude and long duration. Incorrect Solution: c) P-waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases and are the fastest seismic waves. S-waves (Secondary waves) are shear waves that can only move through solids and are slower than P-waves. Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and typically cause the most destruction due to their high amplitude and long duration.

#### 2. Question

With reference to the types of seismic waves generated during an earthquake, consider the following statements:

• P-waves are primary waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

• S-waves are secondary waves that can only travel through solids.

• Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and are responsible for most of the damage during an earthquake.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: c)

P-waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases and are the fastest seismic waves.

S-waves (Secondary waves) are shear waves that can only move through solids and are slower than P-waves.

Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and typically cause the most destruction due to their high amplitude and long duration.

Solution: c)

P-waves (Primary waves) are compressional waves that can travel through solids, liquids, and gases and are the fastest seismic waves.

S-waves (Secondary waves) are shear waves that can only move through solids and are slower than P-waves.

Surface waves travel along the Earth’s surface and typically cause the most destruction due to their high amplitude and long duration.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements regarding factors affecting insolation: The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays affects the intensity of insolation received at a place. The length of the day does not influence the amount of insolation received. Transparency of the atmosphere can affect the amount of insolation reaching Earth’s surface. How many of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) The angle at which the sun’s rays strike the Earth affects the intensity of insolation. A higher angle (closer to 90 degrees) means the sun’s rays are more direct and concentrated over a smaller area, leading to higher insolation. At lower angles, the rays are spread over a larger area, reducing the intensity. The length of the day does influence the amount of insolation received. Longer days allow for more solar radiation to reach the surface, increasing the total insolation received during that period. The transparency of the atmosphere affects how much insolation reaches Earth’s surface. Atmospheric particles like dust, water vapor, and pollutants can absorb, scatter, or reflect incoming solar radiation, reducing the amount that reaches the ground. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct. Incorrect Solution: a) The angle at which the sun’s rays strike the Earth affects the intensity of insolation. A higher angle (closer to 90 degrees) means the sun’s rays are more direct and concentrated over a smaller area, leading to higher insolation. At lower angles, the rays are spread over a larger area, reducing the intensity. The length of the day does influence the amount of insolation received. Longer days allow for more solar radiation to reach the surface, increasing the total insolation received during that period. The transparency of the atmosphere affects how much insolation reaches Earth’s surface. Atmospheric particles like dust, water vapor, and pollutants can absorb, scatter, or reflect incoming solar radiation, reducing the amount that reaches the ground. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements regarding factors affecting insolation:

• The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays affects the intensity of insolation received at a place.

• The length of the day does not influence the amount of insolation received.

• Transparency of the atmosphere can affect the amount of insolation reaching Earth’s surface.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

• The angle at which the sun’s rays strike the Earth affects the intensity of insolation. A higher angle (closer to 90 degrees) means the sun’s rays are more direct and concentrated over a smaller area, leading to higher insolation. At lower angles, the rays are spread over a larger area, reducing the intensity.

• The length of the day does influence the amount of insolation received. Longer days allow for more solar radiation to reach the surface, increasing the total insolation received during that period.

• The transparency of the atmosphere affects how much insolation reaches Earth’s surface. Atmospheric particles like dust, water vapor, and pollutants can absorb, scatter, or reflect incoming solar radiation, reducing the amount that reaches the ground.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Solution: a)

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements about the Earth’s heat budget: The Earth receives energy from the Sun in short wavelengths and emits energy back into space in long wavelengths. Approximately 90 units of solar radiation are absorbed by the Earth’s surface. The albedo of Earth represents the amount of solar radiation reflected back into space. The atmosphere is heated primarily by absorbing incoming solar radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct? a) 1 and 3 only b) 2 and 4 only c) 1, 2, and 3 only d) 1, 3, and 4 only Correct Solution: a) The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form of shortwave radiation (insolation) and emits energy back into space as longwave radiation (terrestrial radiation). According to the Earth’s heat budget, approximately 51 units (not 90 units) of solar radiation are absorbed by the Earth’s surface out of the total 100 units received at the top of the atmosphere. The albedo of Earth is the fraction of solar energy reflected from the Earth back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The atmosphere is heated primarily by terrestrial radiation, not by directly absorbing incoming solar radiation. The Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation and then emits longwave radiation, which is absorbed by atmospheric gases, heating the atmosphere from below. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct. Incorrect Solution: a) The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form of shortwave radiation (insolation) and emits energy back into space as longwave radiation (terrestrial radiation). According to the Earth’s heat budget, approximately 51 units (not 90 units) of solar radiation are absorbed by the Earth’s surface out of the total 100 units received at the top of the atmosphere. The albedo of Earth is the fraction of solar energy reflected from the Earth back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and atmosphere. The atmosphere is heated primarily by terrestrial radiation, not by directly absorbing incoming solar radiation. The Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation and then emits longwave radiation, which is absorbed by atmospheric gases, heating the atmosphere from below. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements about the Earth’s heat budget:

• The Earth receives energy from the Sun in short wavelengths and emits energy back into space in long wavelengths.

• Approximately 90 units of solar radiation are absorbed by the Earth’s surface.

• The albedo of Earth represents the amount of solar radiation reflected back into space.

• The atmosphere is heated primarily by absorbing incoming solar radiation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• a) 1 and 3 only

• b) 2 and 4 only

• c) 1, 2, and 3 only

• d) 1, 3, and 4 only

Solution: a)

• The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form of shortwave radiation (insolation) and emits energy back into space as longwave radiation (terrestrial radiation).

• According to the Earth’s heat budget, approximately 51 units (not 90 units) of solar radiation are absorbed by the Earth’s surface out of the total 100 units received at the top of the atmosphere.

• The albedo of Earth is the fraction of solar energy reflected from the Earth back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and atmosphere.

• The atmosphere is heated primarily by terrestrial radiation, not by directly absorbing incoming solar radiation. The Earth’s surface absorbs solar radiation and then emits longwave radiation, which is absorbed by atmospheric gases, heating the atmosphere from below.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Solution: a)

• The Earth receives energy from the Sun in the form of shortwave radiation (insolation) and emits energy back into space as longwave radiation (terrestrial radiation).

• The albedo of Earth is the fraction of solar energy reflected from the Earth back into space. It is a measure of the reflectivity of Earth’s surface and atmosphere.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are correct.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Which of the following statements best describes the formation of continental shelves? a) Continental shelves are formed solely by tectonic uplift of the ocean floor near continents. b) Continental shelves are formed due to the accumulation of coral reefs along the continental margins. c) Continental shelves are formed by the erosion of coastlines by strong ocean currents and waves. d) Continental shelves are formed mainly due to sediment deposition from rivers and glaciers, submergence of continental margins, and relative sea-level changes. Correct Solution: d) Continental shelves are the submerged extensions of the continents, characterized by gentle slopes and shallow depths. Their formation is a result of multiple geological processes rather than a single cause. Primarily, they are formed due to: Submergence of Continental Margins: Changes in sea level, often associated with glacial and interglacial periods, lead to the flooding of the edges of continents, creating continental shelves. Sediment Deposition: Rivers and glaciers carry vast amounts of sediments from the continents to the ocean. Over time, these sediments accumulate along the continental margins, building up the shelf areas. The deposition of these sediments can significantly extend the width of the continental shelf. Relative Sea-Level Changes: Tectonic activities can cause changes in the relative sea level, either by uplifting or subsiding land masses. When the sea level rises relative to the land, it can lead to the creation of continental shelves through the inundation of coastal areas. Incorrect Solution: d) Continental shelves are the submerged extensions of the continents, characterized by gentle slopes and shallow depths. Their formation is a result of multiple geological processes rather than a single cause. Primarily, they are formed due to: Submergence of Continental Margins: Changes in sea level, often associated with glacial and interglacial periods, lead to the flooding of the edges of continents, creating continental shelves. Sediment Deposition: Rivers and glaciers carry vast amounts of sediments from the continents to the ocean. Over time, these sediments accumulate along the continental margins, building up the shelf areas. The deposition of these sediments can significantly extend the width of the continental shelf. Relative Sea-Level Changes: Tectonic activities can cause changes in the relative sea level, either by uplifting or subsiding land masses. When the sea level rises relative to the land, it can lead to the creation of continental shelves through the inundation of coastal areas.

#### 5. Question

Which of the following statements best describes the formation of continental shelves?

• a) Continental shelves are formed solely by tectonic uplift of the ocean floor near continents.

• b) Continental shelves are formed due to the accumulation of coral reefs along the continental margins.

• c) Continental shelves are formed by the erosion of coastlines by strong ocean currents and waves.

• d) Continental shelves are formed mainly due to sediment deposition from rivers and glaciers, submergence of continental margins, and relative sea-level changes.

Solution: d)

Continental shelves are the submerged extensions of the continents, characterized by gentle slopes and shallow depths. Their formation is a result of multiple geological processes rather than a single cause. Primarily, they are formed due to:

• Submergence of Continental Margins: Changes in sea level, often associated with glacial and interglacial periods, lead to the flooding of the edges of continents, creating continental shelves.

• Sediment Deposition: Rivers and glaciers carry vast amounts of sediments from the continents to the ocean. Over time, these sediments accumulate along the continental margins, building up the shelf areas. The deposition of these sediments can significantly extend the width of the continental shelf.

• Relative Sea-Level Changes: Tectonic activities can cause changes in the relative sea level, either by uplifting or subsiding land masses. When the sea level rises relative to the land, it can lead to the creation of continental shelves through the inundation of coastal areas.

Solution: d)

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