Daily Static Quiz (Geography) November 6, 2025

Daily Static Quiz (Geography) November 6, 2025

1. Consider the following statements regarding glacial landforms:

1. Cirques are steep-sided, horseshoe-shaped basins formed by the rotational movement of glaciers and intensive shattering of upland slopes.
2. Hanging valleys form when the main valley experiences more erosion than tributary valleys, resulting in the latter suspended above the main valley.
3. U-shaped glacial troughs are characteristic features formed by uniform glacial erosion on both horizontal and vertical planes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

2. With reference to the drainage systems of South India, consider the following statements:

1. The Cauvery River system exhibits a dendritic drainage pattern due to uniform lithology and minimal faulting in the Deccan Plateau.
2. The Western Ghats form the main watershed that divides the drainage into westward-flowing coastal rivers and eastward-flowing Peninsular rivers.
3. The Godavari River, sourced in the Western Ghats, is one of the longest rivers in Peninsular India and flows through the central Deccan Plateau.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

3. Consider the following pairs of North-East Indian rivers and their tributaries:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

4. With reference to volcanic mechanisms and types, consider the following statements:

1. Composite volcanoes (stratovolcanoes) are typically associated with subduction zones and are characterized by highly viscous magma.
2. Shield volcanoes have a gentle slope and are formed from highly fluid basaltic lava, as seen in Hawaiian Islands.
3. Caldera formation occurs when a volcano explodes catastrophically, leaving a large depression that may fill with water to form crater lakes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

5. Which of the following geographic features is/are correctly associated with South America?

1. The Andes Mountains form part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and contain Mount Ojos del Salado, the highest active volcano in the world.
2. Angel Falls, located in the Guiana Highlands on the Caroni River, is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall.
3. Tierra del Fuego, the island at the southern extremity of South America, is shared between Argentina and Chile.

Which of the above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

6. Consider the following statement regarding the Ring of Fire:

“The Ring of Fire encompasses approximately 40,000 kilometers along the Pacific Ocean’s periphery and contains roughly 75% of the world’s active volcanoes.”

Which of the following BEST explains the primary geological mechanism responsible for this concentration of volcanic activity?

(a) Divergent plate boundaries where new crust is created along mid-ocean ridges
(b) Convergent plate boundaries, particularly subduction zones, where the heavier oceanic plate slides beneath the lighter plate
(c) Transform plate boundaries where plates slide horizontally past one another
(d) Hot spot volcanic activity in the continental interiors of Pacific Rim countries

7. With reference to Australia’s physical geography, consider the following statements:

1. The Great Dividing Range runs parallel to the eastern coastline and acts as the watershed separating eastward-flowing rivers into the Pacific from westward-flowing rivers into the Murray-Darling system.
2. The Western Plateau, characterized by numerous sinkholes and underground cave systems, experiences a drier climate due to the influence of the cold West Australian Current.
3. The Great Barrier Reef, extending over 2,300 kilometers, is located on Australia’s western coastline.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

8. Consider the following statements about typhoons and their formation:

1. Typhoons are tropical cyclones that originate over warm ocean waters with sea surface temperatures exceeding 26-27°C, primarily forming between 5°-10° latitude where the Coriolis force is sufficient.
2. Unlike hurricanes in the Atlantic, typhoons in the Western Pacific maintain relatively consistent intensity patterns due to the stable thermal conditions of the ocean.
3. The “eye” of a typhoon is characterized by calm weather and reduced cloud cover, surrounded by the eyewall where the most violent winds and precipitation occur.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

9. With reference to African lakes and their geographical distribution, consider the following statements:

1. Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa, is situated on a block mountain between the two branches of the Great Rift Valley and serves as the source of the White Nile.
2. Lake Tanganyika is part of the Great Rift Valley system and is one of the world’s deepest freshwater lakes.
3. Lake Chad, located at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, is part of an inland drainage system where the Chari River is the largest tributary.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

10. Consider the following pairs regarding major oceanic currents, their locations, and their thermal characteristics:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2 and 3 only

ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION 1 – Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements are correct regarding glacial landforms:

1. Cirques are indeed steep-sided, horseshoe-shaped basins formed through a combination of plucking (where glaciers freeze and tear out rock blocks) and abrasion (scratching and scouring). Intensive shattering of upland slopes due to freeze-thaw weathering contributes significantly to their formation.
2. Hanging valleys form precisely as described. The main valley receives a larger glacier mass and experiences more intensive erosion both vertically and horizontally. Tributary valleys, having smaller glaciers, undergo less erosion. When ice melts, the tributary valley “hangs” above the main valley, often creating spectacular waterfalls—these are crucial for hydroelectric potential.
3. U-shaped glacial troughs result from uniform and comprehensive glacial erosion. Unlike river valleys which create V-shaped profiles through vertical erosion, glaciers erode uniformly in all directions. The flat bottom and steep sides are characteristic of mature glacial valleys, distinguishing them from fluvial (river-carved) valleys.

QUESTION 2 – Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements about South Indian drainage systems are accurate:

1. Dendritic drainage of the Cauvery system: The Cauvery River and its tributaries (Kabini, Hemavati, Shimsha) display a dendritic (tree-branch) pattern typical of areas with uniform rock types and minimal structural control. The Deccan Plateau’s homogeneous basaltic terrain and limited faulting allow streams to flow in random directions following slope gradients.
2. Western Ghats watershed role: The Western Ghats form a crucial watershed divide. Eastward-flowing rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar) flow through the Deccan Plateau into the Bay of Bengal, while westward-flowing rivers (Periyar, Pamba, Nethravati) flow over shorter distances into the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
3. Godavari River characteristics: The Godavari, originating in the Western Ghats near Nasik (Maharashtra), is indeed one of the longest Peninsular rivers. It flows through multiple states—Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh—draining vast portions of the Deccan Plateau before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

QUESTION 3 – Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three pairs are correctly matched:

1. Brahmaputra and Subansiri: The Subansiri is indeed a major tributary of the Brahmaputra. It originates in the Himalayan ranges in Arunachal Pradesh and meets the Brahmaputra after flowing through the North-Eastern region.
2. Manas and Torsa: The Manas is a transboundary river between Bhutan and India. The Torsa is one of its important tributaries, originating in Bhutan and flowing into the Manas, which subsequently joins the Brahmaputra.
3. Barak and Manipur: The Manipur River is a significant tributary of the Barak River. The Barak River system is the second-largest in the North-Eastern region and forms a natural boundary between Assam and Manipur before eventually joining the Meghna in Bangladesh.

QUESTION 4 – Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements about volcanic mechanisms and types are correct:

1. Composite (Stratovolcanoes): These volcanoes form at convergent plate boundaries, particularly subduction zones. The subduction of dense oceanic plates triggers the formation of highly viscous (thick and sticky) magma. This viscosity causes gases to become trapped, leading to explosive eruptions. Classic examples include Mount Fuji (Japan), Mount Vesuvius (Italy), and Krakatoa (Indonesia). Their steep conical profiles result from alternating layers of lava, ash, and other pyroclastic materials.
2. Shield volcanoes: These form from the eruption of highly fluid basaltic lava (low viscosity). The lava flows easily from the volcanic vent, creating broad, gently sloping volcanic cones. The Hawaiian Islands exemplify shield volcanoes, where the Big Island’s Mauna Loa and Kilauea are classic examples. These volcanoes often have persistent but non-explosive activity.
3. Calderas: Calderas form when a volcano undergoes a catastrophic eruption, evacuating magma chambers and causing the summit or caldera to collapse into the void. This collapse creates a large depression, often several kilometers in diameter. Many calderas become filled with water, forming crater lakes. Examples include Lake Toba (Sumatra) and Crater Lake (Oregon, USA).

QUESTION 5 – Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements about South American geographic features are correct:

1. Andes and Ring of Fire: The Andes Mountains are an integral part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, characterized by intense seismic and volcanic activity. Mount Ojos del Salado, standing at approximately 6,893 meters, is indeed the highest active volcano in the world, straddling the Argentina-Chile border. The region experiences frequent earthquakes and hosts numerous active volcanic peaks including Mount Cotopaxi and Mount Chimborazo.
2. Angel Falls: Located on the Caroni River in the Guiana Highlands of Venezuela, Angel Falls stands at 979 meters (3,212 feet) and is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall. Discovered by American aviator Jimmy Angel in 1933, this natural wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents one of South America’s most distinctive geographic features.
3. Tierra del Fuego: This archipelago, located at the southern extremity of South America, is divided between Argentina (eastern portion) and Chile (western portion). The Strait of Magellan separates it from the South American mainland. The region is known for its rugged terrain, glaciers, and isolation.

QUESTION 6 – Answer: (b) Convergent plate boundaries, particularly subduction zones, where the heavier oceanic plate slides beneath the lighter plate

Explanation:

The Ring of Fire’s extraordinary concentration of volcanic activity (approximately 75% of Earth’s active volcanoes and 90% of earthquakes) results primarily from convergent plate boundary dynamics, particularly subduction:

Mechanism:

• The Pacific Plate, being older and denser than surrounding plates, is continuously subducting beneath lighter continental and oceanic plates (North American, Philippine, Cocos, Nazca, Australian, and Antarctic plates).
• As the oceanic plate descends into the mantle at subduction zones, increasing pressure and temperature cause partial melting of the subducting slab and overlying mantle.
• The resulting magma, being less dense than surrounding rock, rises through the crust, creating volcanic arcs parallel to the trenches.
• This process releases enormous energy, causing frequent, powerful earthquakes along the subduction interface.

Trench-Arc Correlation:
Deep ocean trenches (Mariana Trench ~11,000 m, Philippine Trench, Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, Peru-Chile Trench, Tonga Trench) run parallel to volcanic arcs, forming characteristic paired features of subduction zones.

Why other options are incorrect:

• (a) Divergent boundaries: While these occur at mid-ocean ridges (Iceland being an exception), they don’t produce the concentrated, explosive volcanism seen around the Ring of Fire
• (c) Transform boundaries: These produce earthquakes but not significant volcanism
• (d) Hot spot activity: While hotspots exist globally, they don’t explain the Ring’s systematic distribution

QUESTION 7 – Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct; Statement 3 is incorrect:

1. Great Dividing Range watershed function: The Great Dividing Range runs over 3,500 kilometers along Australia’s eastern coast through Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. The crest of the range defines a watershed that separates:
   • Eastern slopes draining directly into the Pacific Ocean
   • Western slopes draining into the Murray-Darling River system and eventually into the Indian Ocean
   • Northern slopes draining into the Gulf of Carpentaria

     This is a correctly defined feature.

2. Western Plateau characteristics: The Western Plateau is an ancient, eroded plateau characterized by:
   • Numerous sinkholes (collapsed underground cavities)
   • Extensive networks of underground caves
   • Arid climate influenced by the cold West Australian Current (also called the Benguela equivalent in the Indian Ocean)
   • The cold current reduces moisture availability, contributing to desert formation (Great Victoria Desert, Great Sandy Desert)

     This statement is accurate.

3. Great Barrier Reef location – INCORRECT: The Great Barrier Reef is located on Australia’s eastern coastline, off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea, NOT on the western coast. It is the world’s largest coral reef system, extending over 2,300 kilometers. This is a common “trap” option in UPSC questions testing careful reading.

QUESTION 8 – Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 3 are correct; Statement 2 is incorrect:

1. Typhoon formation requirements – CORRECT: Typhoons form over warm tropical oceans meeting specific conditions:
   • Sea Surface Temperature (SST): Exceeding 26-27°C, with optimal development above 29°C
   • Latitude: Most cyclogenesis occurs between 5°-10° latitude where the Coriolis force is sufficient to initiate rotation
   • Low-level wind shear: Minimal vertical wind variations
   • Atmospheric moisture: High humidity to support cloud formation
   • The Coriolis force, even at low latitudes, becomes significant enough (~5% strength at 5° latitude) to initiate the characteristic rotation
2. Typhoon intensity patterns – INCORRECT: The statement claiming “consistent intensity patterns” is misleading. Typhoons show variable and unpredictable intensity changes:
   • Rapid intensification can occur when traveling over warmer water
   • Rapid weakening occurs when encountering cooler water, land, or strong wind shear
   • Fluctuations in intensity are common during a typhoon’s lifecycle
   • Historical typhoons have shown dramatic intensity changes within 24 hours

     This option contains an incorrect assertion.

3. Typhoon eye structure – CORRECT: The eye of a typhoon is characterized by:
   • Calm conditions: Light winds or even calm air
   • Clear or partly cloudy skies: Reduced precipitation and cloud cover
   • Surrounded by the eyewall: Where the most violent winds (often exceeding 200+ km/h in severe typhoons), heaviest precipitation, and strongest updrafts occur
   • Defined pressure minimum: The eye has the lowest atmospheric pressure of the entire storm

     This is accurate meteorological description.

QUESTION 9 – Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:

All three statements about African lakes are correct:

1. Lake Victoria – CORRECT:
   • World’s second-largest freshwater lake by area
   • Africa’s largest lake
   • Situated on a block mountain between the two branches of the Great Rift Valley (Eastern and Western rift valleys converge here)
   • Located at the equator (approximately 0° latitude)
   • Serves as the source of the White Nile River
   • Shared by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya
2. Lake Tanganyika – CORRECT:
   • Second-largest freshwater lake by volume in the world (after Lake Baikal)
   • Part of the Great Rift Valley lake system
   • Extremely deep: approximately 1,470 meters (4,823 feet)
   • Longest freshwater lake in the world: approximately 676 kilometers
   • Shared by Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia
   • Home to numerous endemic fish species

     Its depth and length are exceptional geographic features

3. Lake Chad – CORRECT:
   • Located at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert
   • Part of an inland drainage basin (water flows into the lake but doesn’t drain to the ocean)
   • The Chari River is the largest and most significant tributary
   • Shared by Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon
   • Has dramatically shrunk in recent decades due to climate change and increased water extraction
   • Once was the world’s sixth-largest freshwater lake

QUESTION 10 – Answer: (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

All four pairs are correctly matched regarding oceanic currents:

1. Agulhas Current – Indian Ocean – Warm Water Current – CORRECT:
   • Located off the eastern coast of South Africa
   • Part of the Indian Ocean circulation system
   • Flows southwestward along the coast of South Africa
   • Warm current originating from tropical regions
   • Represents the western boundary current of the Indian Ocean subtropical gyre
   • Meets the cold Benguela Current east of Cape Agulhas
2. Benguela Current – Atlantic Ocean – Cold Water Current – CORRECT:
   • Flows northward along the southwestern coast of Africa
   • Part of the South Atlantic circulation system
   • Cold water current originating from Antarctic waters
   • Flows along the coasts of South Africa, Namibia, and Angola
   • Creates upwelling of nutrient-rich deep water, supporting rich marine ecosystems and fisheries
   • Influences the coastal climate, creating arid conditions in the Namib and Kalahari regions
3. Peru Current – Eastern Pacific – Cold Water Current – CORRECT:
   • Also called the Humboldt Current
   • Flows northward along the Pacific coast of South America (Peru and Chile)
   • Cold water current originating from Antarctic waters via the West Wind Drift
   • Creates upwelling zones that support some of the world’s richest fisheries
   • Significantly influences South American climate, creating the Atacama Desert
   • Subject to disruption during El Niño events
4. Kuroshio Current – Western Pacific – Warm Water Current – CORRECT:
   • Also called the “Black Stream” (due to its dark blue color)
   • Flows northeastward along the eastern coast of Japan and the western Pacific
   • Warm water current originating from tropical regions
   • Represents the western boundary current of the North Pacific subtropical gyre
   • Analogous to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic
   • Significantly influences the climate of Japan and surrounding regions

Daily Static Quiz