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GEOGRAPHY UPSC MAINS: QUESTIONS ANALYSIS

PAPER-I: GEOGRAPHY

1: GEOMORPHOLOGY
20 Marks Questions
1. Discuss views on slope development provided by L.C. king. (2009)

2. Give a brief account of the principal land biomes and their latitudinal (2009)
distribution.
3. Highlight the geomorphic features essentially found in topographies under the (2009)
Second Cycle of Erosion.
4. Write short note on Seafloor spreading theory. (2008)

5. Write short note: Role of seismic waves in the study of earth's interior. (2005)
6. Write short note: Peneplain. (2004)
7. Write short note: Geosyncline. (2002)
8. Write short note: Geomorphic processes. (1998)
9. Write short note: Weathering and soil formation. (1997 )

60 Marks Questions

1. Critically examine the concept of geomorphic cycle and discuss the views of (2008)
W.M. Davis and W. Penck.

2. Define the concept of isostasy and discuss the postulations of Airy and (2007)
Pratt.
3. Critically evaluate the continental drift hypothesis of A. Wegener. (2006)

4. "Structure is a dominant control factor in the evolution of landforms."

Discuss with suitable examples. (2005)

5. Describe the landforms which are products of endogenetic forces. (2004)

6. Explain the sequential development of landforms associated with the coastal (2003)
areas.
7. Provide a critique of the 'geographical cycle' model, propounded by (2002)
Davis.

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 7. Present a critical analysis of the theory of Isostasy. (2001)

8. With reference to the theory of Plate Tectonics, explain the origin and growth of the
Young Fold Mountain Systems of the world.
(2000)

9. Bring out the distinctions between the 'continental drift' theory and the 'plate tectonics'
theory. (1999)
10. Discuss the concept of volcanicity and show how the theory of Plate Tectonics
explains the mechanism of volcanism and volcanic eruptions. (1998)

11. Discuss the concept of polycyclic landforms and present an analytical study of the
polycyclic landforms of a selected region. (1997)

12. Discuss the processes of mechanical and chemical weathering and show their
relationship with soil formation. (1996)
13. Discuss the limitations of the theory of Continental Drift and show how the
theory of Plate Tectonics is an improvement over it. (1995)

2: CLIMATOLOGY

20 Marks Questions

1. Write short note on tropical atmospheric instability. (2009)

2. How does Climate Change affect urban areas? (2009)

3. Discuss the consequences of Climate Change on agriculture and food security, and
on the Coastal Zones of the world. (2009)

4. Explain factors contributing to the Global Climate Change. (2009)

5. Write short note: Potential evapotranspiration. (2004)

6. Write short note: Cs type of climate, as per Koppen's classification? (1999)
7. Write short note: Inversion of temperature. (1995)

60 Marks Questions

1. Discuss the mechanism and origin of Monsoon winds and explain the role of
EI Nino on Monsoon circulation. (2008)

2. Discuss the development of local winds, and their influence on local weather,
giving three examples of the well-known local winds in the world. (2007)

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3. Compare the structure and associated weather conditions of tropical cyclone with that of

temperate cyclone. (2006)

4. Discuss the main feature of the climatic classification system evolved by Koppen.
Also point out its anomalies. (2005)

5. How would the impact of global warming differ from one part of the earth to
another? Give a reasoned account. (2004)
6. Discuss the mechanism and significance of tricellular meridional circulation of (2003)
atmosphere.
7. Discuss the criteria which Thornthwaite adopted for his 1948 classification of (2002)
world climates.
8. Discuss the concept of air-masses and present their classification. (2001)
9. Give an account of the types and distribution of precipitation on the surface of the earth. (2000)

10. Make a comparative study of the tropical and temperate cyclones. (1999)
11. Discuss the nature and composition of earth's atmosphere. (1998)

12. Define air masses. How do they originate? Classify them and state the characteristics of any one
type. (1997)

13. Examine critically the drawbacks of Koppen's Classification of climates. Explain how
Thornthwaite attempted to overcome Koppen's limitations. (1996)
14. Explain and illustrate the life-cycle of a temperate cyclone and also
describe the weather associated with it. (1995)

3: OCEANOGRAPHY

1. Comment on marine heat budget and the oceanic circulation system. (2009/20 Marks)

2. Examine economic significance of the resources of the Continental shelf of

(2009/30 Marks)
the Indian Ocean.

3. Describe the Ideal conditions for coral reef formation and discuss the glacial control theory of

coral reef formation. (2008/60 Mark)

4. Write short note: Eustatic changes of Sea-level. (2007/20 Marks)

5. Discuss the different bases for classifying the ocean deposits and give a
detailed account of pelagic deposits of the oceans. (2007/30 Marks)

6. Write short note: Ocean currents of Northern Atlantic. (2006/20 Marks)

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7. Write short note: Pelagic deposits. (2004/20 Marks)

8. Discuss the mid-Atlantic Ridge in terms of its origin, extent and relief. (2004/60 Marks)

9. Present a concise account of bottom relief of the Indian Ocean. (2003/60 Marks)

10. Write short note: Formation of coral reefs. (2001/20 Marks)

11. Write short note: T-S diagram. (2000/20 Marks)

12. Write short note: Submarine canyons. (1999/20 Marks)

13. Explain and illustrate the submarine relief of the Atlantic Ocean. (1998/60 Marks)

14. Examine critically the theories of the formation of coral reefs and atolls. (1997/60 Marks)

15. Write short note: Marine resources, biotic, mineral and energy resources. (1997/20 Marks)

16. Explain and illustrate the ocean floor topography and give a detailed account
(1996/60 Marks)
of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

17. Write short note: Food from the sea. (1995/20 Marks)

4: BIOGEOGRAPHY

1. Short note: Zonal and Azonal soils. (2009/20 Marks)

2. Short note: Distribution of soils. (2006/20 Marks)

3. Short note: Soil erosion and conservation. (2005/20 Marks)

4. Short note: Genesis of soils. (2003/20) Marks

5. Short note: Agro-forestry. (2001/20 Marks)

6. Short note: Soil Profile. (2000/20 Marks)

7. Short note: Soil genesis. (1998/20 Marks)

8. Write short note: Man and the Amazon rainforest (1996/20 Marks)

5: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY

1. Write short note on Desertification as an environmental hazard. (2008/20 Marks)

2. Write short note: Social Forestry and Environmental Conservation. (2007/20 Marks)

3. Write short note: Sustainable development. (2006/20 Marks)

4. Discuss the global ecological imbalances and their management. (2006/60 Marks)

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5.
Bring out the major problems of environmental pollution at global-scale and
suggest measures to check it. (2005/60 Marks)

6. Write short note: Environmental Pollution. (2003/20 Marks)

7. Write in detail on the concept of biosphere as an ecosystem. (2002/60 Marks)

8. Discuss the concept, components and functioning of an ecosystem. (2001/60 Marks)

9. Discuss the causes and consequences of environmental degradation and

highlight the related conservation measures. (2000/60 Marks)

10. Discuss the relevance of 'watershed', as an ecosystem for the purpose

of sustainable development. (1999/60 Marks)

11. Examine the impact of advanced agricultural technology on environment. Support your answer
with examples. (1998/60 Marks)
12. Write the short note: Desertification and its preventive measures. (1996/20 Marks)

13. Man must realize the importance of maximizing agricultural production

without destroying the ecological basis on which our entire food production
systems rests.' Explain with examples.
(1995/60 Marks)
14. Write short note: Natural Hazards. (995/20 Marks)

6: PERSPECTIVES IN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

1. Provide a broad classification of world cultural regions. (2009/30 Marks)

2. 'Quantitative Revolution and model building provided an empirical basis for geographical

research' - Elaborate. (2009/30 Marks)

3. Write short note on Behavioural Geography. (2008/20 Marks)

4. Write short note: Dualism in Geography. (2008/20 Marks)

5. Write short note: Cultural regions of the world. (2006/20 Marks)

6. Distinguish between radical and welfare approaches in geographic (2004/60 Marks)

studies.
7. Present a critical analysis of human and welfare approaches in Human Geography. (2003/60 Marks)

8. Write short note: Neo-environmentalism. (2002/20 Marks)

9. Describe the sequence of major paradigm shifts in geographic thought during

the twentieth century. (1999/60 Marks)

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10. What is understood by quantification in Geography? Discuss the significance of

quantification in modern geographical studies with examples. (1998/60 Marks)

11. Critically examine the concept of dualism with special reference to physical

versus human geography. (1997/60 Marks)

12. "The emergence of Behavioural Geography was due to the disillusionment with axioms on which

models were based and the axioms were far removed from reality." Comment. (1996/60 Marks)

13. Discuss the contributions of Al Beruni towards the development of geographical

knowledge.
(1995/60 Marks)

7: ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

1. Provide a geographical account of global production and distribution of (2009/30 Marks)

food.
2. Write short note on 'Limits to Growth' model. (2009/20 Marks)

3. Write down main agricultural types and their associated features with special

reference to Whittlesey. Show these regions on the World map provided to you. (2006/60 Marks)

4. Write short note: Concept of limits to growth. (2003/20 Marks)

5. To what extent do the regional patterns of economic development and human development in the

world correspond with each other? Highlight situations of departure, in particular. (2002/60 Marks)

6. Write short note: The limits to growth. (2000/20 Marks)

7. How far do the patterns of economic development and those of human development

correspond with each other in the world? Illustrate your answer with examples. (1999/60 Marks)

8. Explain the term resource management. Discuss its relevance in the context of global resource

scarcity and the future of mankind. (1998/60 Marks)

9. Write short note: Types of Farming. (1998/20 Marks)

10. Examine the bases of classification of agricultural regions as proposed by Whittlesey

and explain the cause for the essential difference between intensive subsistence tillage

with rice dominant and without rice in the crop association. (1996/60 Marks)

11. Write short note: Globalization of trade and industry. (1996/20 Marks)

12. Write short note: Dryland farming. (1995/20 Marks)

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 8: POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY

1. Elaborate the concept of Megalopolis and discuss the characteristics and problems related to

two such regions selecting one each from North America and Europe. (2009/60 Marks)

2. Discuss the social and economic theories of population (2008/60 Marks)

growth.
3. Write short note on Primate cities. (2008/20 Marks)

4. Write a note on the parameters used to describe the demographic transitions in the developing

countries like India. (2007/60 Marks)

5. Give an account of the functional bases of central place hierarchy. (2007/60 Marks)

6. Write short note: Delineation of Urban Fringe. (2007/20 Marks)

7. In urban geography, what are the concepts of primate city and Rank Size Rule? Discuss in
detail.
(2006/60 Marks)

8. Examine the concept of sphere of urban influence and discuss the qualitative and quantitative
methods used in its delimitation. (2003/60 Marks)

9. Discuss the causes and consequences of population migration in the (2000/60 Marks)
world.
10. Bring out the contrast between the internal structure of the pre-industrial and industrial
cities.
(1999/60 Marks)

11. Write short note: Primate city. (1999/20 Marks)

12. "Water is a scarce resource in plenty." Comment and discuss its importance in the
balanced habitat development. Support your answer with examples from Asia. (1997/60 Marks)

13. Write short note: Rural-urban fringe. (1997/20 Marks)

14. Write short note: Growth of population and food resources of the (1996/20 Marks)
world.
15. Examine the theories about population control and explain the relative merits of these theories
in
limiting population growth. (1995/60 Marks)

IAS VIDYALAYA 8
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