Q 1 . Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A) : During the neap tides. The high tide is lower and the low tide is higher than usual.
Reason (R) : The neap tide, unlike the spring tide, occurs on the new moon instead of on the full moon.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT a correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Answer : (c) Explanation : The sun, the earth and the moon come in the position of quadrature (form-a right angle) on seventh and eighth day of every fortnight of a month and thus the tide producing forces of the sun and the moon works in opposite direction, causing low tide. This is lower in height than the normal tide and is called neap tide. But the spring tide occurs during full moon and are called high tides.
Q 2 . Sun’s halo is produced by the refraction of light in:
(a) water vapour in Stratus clouds
(b) ice crystals in Cirro-Cumulus clouds
(c) ice crystals in Cirrus clouds
(d) dust particles in Stratus clouds
Answer : (c) Explanation : Sun halo is also known as 22 degree halo . The ring is caused by sunlight passing through ice crystals in cirrus clouds with in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Q 3 . Consider the following statements:
1 . Ocean currents are slow-surface movement of water in the ocean.
2 . Ocean currents assist in maintaining the Earth’s heat balance
3 . Ocean currents are set in motion primarily by prevailing winds
4 . Ocean currents are affected by the configuration of the ocean
Which of these statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer (b) Explanation : Ocean currents are not slow most of the time and can be subsurface current also.
Q 4 . Consider the following statements:
1 . In equatorial regions, the year is divided into four main seasons
2 . In Mediterranean region, summer months receives more rain.
3 . In China type climate; rainfall occurs throughout the year
4 . Tropical highlands exhibit vertical zonation of different climates
Which of these statements are correct?
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 1, 2 and 4
(d) 3 and 4
Answer : (d) Explanation : Equational region has only two seasons – wet and dry. Mediterranean region gets rainfall during winter season .
Q 5 . The standard time of the following countries is ahead of or behind Greenwich Mean Time depending on whether they are East or West of the longitude passing through Greenwich.
1 . Cuba
2 . Greece
3 . Iraq
4 . Costa Rica
5 . Japan
Which one of the following sequential orders gives the correct arrangement of the countries according to their standard time from ahead to behind GMT ?
(a) 5, 3, 2, 1, 4
(b) 2, 4, 1, 3, 5
(c) 4, 1, 3, 2, 5
(d) 3, 5, 4, 1, 2
Answer : (a) Explanation : Greenwich Mean Time is the standard time for time assessment in different countries. The countries which lie east of the Greenwich line are ahead of Greenwich Mean Time while the countries which lie west of Greenwich has their standard time behind the Greenwich Mean Time. So, the correct sequence of the countries are Japan, Iraq, Greece, Cuba and Costa Rica.
Q 6 . The original home of the gypsies was :
(a) Egypt
(b) Russia
(c) India
(d) Persia
Answer : (c) Explanation : The ‘Gypsies’ are a group of people found in Central Asia. But, the original home of Gypsies was in India (Western Rajasthan and Punjab) area. ‘Gypsies’ are an ethnic group, which for unknown reasons took to a wandering life style during the late middle ages.
Q 7 . Consider the following pairs :
Sea: Bordering country
1 . Adriatic Sea: Albania
2 . Black Sea: Croatia
3 . Caspian Sea: Kazakhstan
4 . Mediterranean Sea: Morocco
5 . Red Sea: Syria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1,2 and 4 only
(b) 1,3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 1,2,3,4 and 5
Answer : (b) Explanation : Syria touches Mediterranean sea and not Red Sea.
Q 8 . The palaeomagnetic results obtained from India indicate that in the past, the Indian land mass has moved :
(a) northward
(b) southward
(c) eastward
(d) westward
Answer : (a) Explanation : The palaeomagnetic results indicates that, the Indian land mass has moved to the north .
Q 9 . With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements :
1 . Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country.
2 . State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding
the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Centre Government.
3 . State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only
Answer : (a) Explanation : By and large non-metallic non-energy minerals fall under ‘Minor’ category. Section 15 of MMDR Act, 1957 empowers state governments to frame rules for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals; accordingly all state governments and some union territories have framed their own rules in this regard.
Q 10 . Consider the following minerals:
1 . Bentonite
2 . Chromite
3 . Kyanite
4 . Sillimanite
In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer : (d) Explanation : Metallic mineral are mostly in the major mineral category. “Minor Minerals” are building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes etc. Bentonite is not officially designated as a major mineral in India, but it is an important mineral used in various industries such as foundry, drilling, and construction.
