UPSC Static Quiz – Geography : 27 June 2025

UPSC Static Quiz – Geography : 27 June 2025 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 Which of the following best describes the ‘Sahel’ region of Africa? (a) A dense tropical rainforest zone along the Congo River. (b) A vast sandy desert covering most of North Africa. (c) A semi-arid transitional zone between the Sahara Desert to the north and the savannas to the south. (d) A mountainous highland region in East Africa known for coffee cultivation. Correct Solution: C The Sahel is a biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south. Characteristics: It is a semi-arid belt characterized by grassland, savanna, steppes, and thorn shrublands. Climate: The climate is typically hot and semi-arid, with a short rainy season. It is highly vulnerable to drought and desertification. Geographic Extent: It stretches across the south-central latitudes of Northern Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea, passing through countries like Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea. Option (a) describes the Congo Basin. Option (b) describes the Sahara Desert itself. Option (d) describes regions like the Ethiopian Highlands. Incorrect Solution: C The Sahel is a biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south. Characteristics: It is a semi-arid belt characterized by grassland, savanna, steppes, and thorn shrublands. Climate: The climate is typically hot and semi-arid, with a short rainy season. It is highly vulnerable to drought and desertification. Geographic Extent: It stretches across the south-central latitudes of Northern Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea, passing through countries like Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea. Option (a) describes the Congo Basin. Option (b) describes the Sahara Desert itself. Option (d) describes regions like the Ethiopian Highlands.

#### 1. Question

Which of the following best describes the ‘Sahel’ region of Africa?

• (a) A dense tropical rainforest zone along the Congo River.

• (b) A vast sandy desert covering most of North Africa.

• (c) A semi-arid transitional zone between the Sahara Desert to the north and the savannas to the south.

• (d) A mountainous highland region in East Africa known for coffee cultivation.

Solution: C

The Sahel is a biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south.

• Characteristics: It is a semi-arid belt characterized by grassland, savanna, steppes, and thorn shrublands.

• Climate: The climate is typically hot and semi-arid, with a short rainy season. It is highly vulnerable to drought and desertification.

• Geographic Extent: It stretches across the south-central latitudes of Northern Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea, passing through countries like Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea.

• Option (a) describes the Congo Basin.

• Option (b) describes the Sahara Desert itself.

• Option (d) describes regions like the Ethiopian Highlands.

Solution: C

The Sahel is a biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudanian savanna to the south.

• Characteristics: It is a semi-arid belt characterized by grassland, savanna, steppes, and thorn shrublands.

• Climate: The climate is typically hot and semi-arid, with a short rainy season. It is highly vulnerable to drought and desertification.

• Option (a) describes the Congo Basin.

• Option (b) describes the Sahara Desert itself.

• Option (d) describes regions like the Ethiopian Highlands.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question The Prime Meridian, which defines 0∘ longitude, passes through which of the following cities? (a) Paris, France (b) New York City, USA (c) Greenwich, England (d) Rome, Italy Correct Solution: C The Prime Meridian is the meridian (a line of longitude) in a geographic coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0∘. Location: By international convention (established at the International Meridian Conference in 1884), the Prime Meridian passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, England. Function: It serves as the reference line for determining longitude worldwide and is also the basis for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Locations are measured as east or west of the Prime Meridian. Historically, other meridians were used (e.g., the Paris Meridian), but the Greenwich Meridian became the global standard. Incorrect Solution: C The Prime Meridian is the meridian (a line of longitude) in a geographic coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0∘. Location: By international convention (established at the International Meridian Conference in 1884), the Prime Meridian passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, England. Function: It serves as the reference line for determining longitude worldwide and is also the basis for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Locations are measured as east or west of the Prime Meridian. Historically, other meridians were used (e.g., the Paris Meridian), but the Greenwich Meridian became the global standard.

#### 2. Question

The Prime Meridian, which defines 0∘ longitude, passes through which of the following cities?

• (a) Paris, France

• (b) New York City, USA

• (c) Greenwich, England

• (d) Rome, Italy

Solution: C

The Prime Meridian is the meridian (a line of longitude) in a geographic coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0∘.

• Location: By international convention (established at the International Meridian Conference in 1884), the Prime Meridian passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, England.

• Function: It serves as the reference line for determining longitude worldwide and is also the basis for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Locations are measured as east or west of the Prime Meridian.

• Historically, other meridians were used (e.g., the Paris Meridian), but the Greenwich Meridian became the global standard.

Solution: C

The Prime Meridian is the meridian (a line of longitude) in a geographic coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0∘.

• Historically, other meridians were used (e.g., the Paris Meridian), but the Greenwich Meridian became the global standard.

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements about ocean salinity: Salinity is generally lower near the mouths of large rivers due to the influx of fresh water. Enclosed seas in hot, arid regions, like the Red Sea, tend to have higher salinity due to high evaporation and low freshwater input. Ocean salinity is uniform from the equator to the poles and from the surface to the deep ocean. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: B Ocean salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater, typically expressed in parts per thousand (ppt). Statement 1 is correct: Large rivers discharge significant volumes of fresh water into the ocean, diluting the seawater and thus lowering salinity in coastal areas near their mouths (e.g., Bay of Bengal near the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta). Statement 2 is correct: Enclosed or partially enclosed seas located in hot, arid climates (e.g., the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea) experience high rates of evaporation. If freshwater input from rivers or precipitation is low, this leads to an increase in the concentration of dissolved salts, resulting in higher salinity compared to the open ocean average (around 35 ppt). Statement 3 is incorrect: Ocean salinity is not uniform. It varies latitudinally (generally lower at the equator due to high rainfall, higher in the subtropics due to high evaporation and low rainfall, and lower again in polar regions due to ice melt and low evaporation). It also varies with depth; while deep ocean salinity is relatively stable, surface salinity is more variable due to local factors like evaporation, precipitation, river inflow, and ice formation/melt. Incorrect Solution: B Ocean salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater, typically expressed in parts per thousand (ppt). Statement 1 is correct: Large rivers discharge significant volumes of fresh water into the ocean, diluting the seawater and thus lowering salinity in coastal areas near their mouths (e.g., Bay of Bengal near the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta). Statement 2 is correct: Enclosed or partially enclosed seas located in hot, arid climates (e.g., the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea) experience high rates of evaporation. If freshwater input from rivers or precipitation is low, this leads to an increase in the concentration of dissolved salts, resulting in higher salinity compared to the open ocean average (around 35 ppt). Statement 3 is incorrect: Ocean salinity is not uniform. It varies latitudinally (generally lower at the equator due to high rainfall, higher in the subtropics due to high evaporation and low rainfall, and lower again in polar regions due to ice melt and low evaporation). It also varies with depth; while deep ocean salinity is relatively stable, surface salinity is more variable due to local factors like evaporation, precipitation, river inflow, and ice formation/melt.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements about ocean salinity:

• Salinity is generally lower near the mouths of large rivers due to the influx of fresh water.

• Enclosed seas in hot, arid regions, like the Red Sea, tend to have higher salinity due to high evaporation and low freshwater input.

• Ocean salinity is uniform from the equator to the poles and from the surface to the deep ocean.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: B

Ocean salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater, typically expressed in parts per thousand (ppt).

• Statement 1 is correct: Large rivers discharge significant volumes of fresh water into the ocean, diluting the seawater and thus lowering salinity in coastal areas near their mouths (e.g., Bay of Bengal near the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta).

• Statement 2 is correct: Enclosed or partially enclosed seas located in hot, arid climates (e.g., the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea) experience high rates of evaporation. If freshwater input from rivers or precipitation is low, this leads to an increase in the concentration of dissolved salts, resulting in higher salinity compared to the open ocean average (around 35 ppt).

• Statement 3 is incorrect: Ocean salinity is not uniform. It varies latitudinally (generally lower at the equator due to high rainfall, higher in the subtropics due to high evaporation and low rainfall, and lower again in polar regions due to ice melt and low evaporation). It also varies with depth; while deep ocean salinity is relatively stable, surface salinity is more variable due to local factors like evaporation, precipitation, river inflow, and ice formation/melt.

Solution: B

Ocean salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in seawater, typically expressed in parts per thousand (ppt).

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, consider the following statements: The troposphere is characterized by a general decrease in temperature with increasing altitude. The ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is primarily located in the mesosphere. The stratosphere exhibits a temperature increase with altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Correct Solution: B The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature profiles. Statement 1 is correct: The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where most weather phenomena occur. Temperature in the troposphere generally decreases with increasing altitude at an average lapse rate of about 6.5∘C per kilometer. This is because it is primarily heated from below by terrestrial radiation. Statement 2 is incorrect: The ozone layer is primarily located in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from about 15 to 35 kilometers above Earth’s surface, although ozone concentration varies with altitude and season. The mesosphere is the layer above the stratosphere. Statement 3 is correct: In the stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude. This temperature inversion is caused by the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun by the ozone molecules concentrated in this layer. This absorption process heats the stratosphere. Incorrect Solution: B The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature profiles. Statement 1 is correct: The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where most weather phenomena occur. Temperature in the troposphere generally decreases with increasing altitude at an average lapse rate of about 6.5∘C per kilometer. This is because it is primarily heated from below by terrestrial radiation. Statement 2 is incorrect: The ozone layer is primarily located in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from about 15 to 35 kilometers above Earth’s surface, although ozone concentration varies with altitude and season. The mesosphere is the layer above the stratosphere. Statement 3 is correct: In the stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude. This temperature inversion is caused by the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun by the ozone molecules concentrated in this layer. This absorption process heats the stratosphere.

#### 4. Question

With reference to the Earth’s atmosphere, consider the following statements:

• The troposphere is characterized by a general decrease in temperature with increasing altitude.

• The ozone layer, which absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is primarily located in the mesosphere.

• The stratosphere exhibits a temperature increase with altitude due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one

• (b) Only two

• (c) All three

Solution: B

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature profiles.

• Statement 1 is correct: The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where most weather phenomena occur. Temperature in the troposphere generally decreases with increasing altitude at an average lapse rate of about 6.5∘C per kilometer. This is because it is primarily heated from below by terrestrial radiation.

• Statement 2 is incorrect: The ozone layer is primarily located in the lower portion of the stratosphere, from about 15 to 35 kilometers above Earth’s surface, although ozone concentration varies with altitude and season. The mesosphere is the layer above the stratosphere.

• Statement 3 is correct: In the stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude. This temperature inversion is caused by the absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun by the ozone molecules concentrated in this layer. This absorption process heats the stratosphere.

Solution: B

The Earth’s atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature profiles.

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Which of the following mountain ranges separates Europe from Asia in the west? (a) The Alps (b) The Pyrenees (c) The Ural Mountains (d) The Carpathian Mountains Correct Solution: C The conventional boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia is generally considered to run along several geographical features. Ural Mountains: This north-south mountain range in western Russia is traditionally considered one of the primary physical boundaries separating the eastern part of Europe from Asia. Other features often included in the boundary: The Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea, along with the Turkish Straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles). The Alps: Located in South-Central Europe. The Pyrenees: Form a natural border between Spain and France. The Carpathian Mountains: Arc across Central and Eastern Europe. Incorrect Solution: C The conventional boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia is generally considered to run along several geographical features. Ural Mountains: This north-south mountain range in western Russia is traditionally considered one of the primary physical boundaries separating the eastern part of Europe from Asia. Other features often included in the boundary: The Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea, along with the Turkish Straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles). The Alps: Located in South-Central Europe. The Pyrenees: Form a natural border between Spain and France. The Carpathian Mountains: Arc across Central and Eastern Europe.

#### 5. Question

Which of the following mountain ranges separates Europe from Asia in the west?

• (a) The Alps

• (b) The Pyrenees

• (c) The Ural Mountains

• (d) The Carpathian Mountains

Solution: C

The conventional boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia is generally considered to run along several geographical features.

• Ural Mountains: This north-south mountain range in western Russia is traditionally considered one of the primary physical boundaries separating the eastern part of Europe from Asia.

• Other features often included in the boundary: The Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea, along with the Turkish Straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles).

• The Alps: Located in South-Central Europe.

• The Pyrenees: Form a natural border between Spain and France.

• The Carpathian Mountains: Arc across Central and Eastern Europe.

Solution: C

The conventional boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia is generally considered to run along several geographical features.

• Ural Mountains: This north-south mountain range in western Russia is traditionally considered one of the primary physical boundaries separating the eastern part of Europe from Asia.

• Other features often included in the boundary: The Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Black Sea, along with the Turkish Straits (Bosporus and Dardanelles).

• The Alps: Located in South-Central Europe.

• The Pyrenees: Form a natural border between Spain and France.

• The Carpathian Mountains: Arc across Central and Eastern Europe.

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