WBCS Prelims World Geography Questions 2024
192. With reference to Cyclone, which of the following statements is/are correct?
(I) The formation of a cyclone is caused by difference in air pressure.
(II) Most of the cyclones develop over warm ocean waters in the tropical regions.
(III) The Eye of the Cyclone has dense cloud cover and the lowest temperature.
Select the answer using the codes given below:
(A) (II) only
(B) (I), (II) and (III)
(C) (II) and (III)
(D) (III) only
Answer & Explanation
Answer: The correct concept is: Statements (I) and (II) are correct; Statement (III) is incorrect.
(Note: The printed options appear to contain an error, as “(I) and (II) only” is missing.)
Explanation
Cyclones form due to the development of a low-pressure area surrounded by relatively high-pressure air, causing air to move inward and spiral because of the Coriolis force. Most tropical cyclones originate over warm ocean waters (sea surface temperature of about 26.5°C or above). The eye of a cyclone is generally calm, relatively cloud-free, and warmer than the surrounding eyewall, not densely clouded or the coldest part.
Exam Facts
- Correct statements: (I) and (II); (III) is incorrect.
- Minimum sea surface temperature required: 26.5°C (approximately) up to a depth of about 50–60 m.
- The Eye: Calm region with light winds, lowest pressure, and relatively higher temperature.
- Eyewall: Surrounds the eye; contains dense clouds, heaviest rainfall, and strongest winds.
- Tropical cyclones do not form over the Equator because the Coriolis force is negligible there.
- Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named by countries under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)/ESCAP Panel.
- India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi is the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for cyclone forecasting over the North Indian Ocean.
WBCS Prelims World Geography Questions 2023
169. Meaning of Man–Land Ratio is—
(A) The ratio between the total population and the actual utilization of land in a country.
(B) The ratio between total land and total population of a country.
(C) The ratio between the total plain land and mature population of a country.
(D) The ratio between total agricultural land and total male population.
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) The ratio between total land and total population of a country.
Explanation
The Man–Land Ratio refers to the relationship between the total land area and the total population of a region or country. It indicates the availability of land per person and helps assess population pressure on land resources. A low man–land ratio implies greater pressure on land due to a larger population.
Exam Facts
- Correct Answer: (B)
- Man–Land Ratio = Total Land Area ÷ Total Population
- It measures the availability of land per person.
- A low man–land ratio indicates high population pressure on land.
- A high man–land ratio indicates more land available per person.
- Do not confuse with Physiological Density, which is Total Population ÷ Arable (cultivable) Land.
- Arithmetic Density = Total Population ÷ Total Land Area.
- Agricultural Density = Agricultural Population ÷ Cultivable Land.
WBCS Prelims World Geography Questions 2022
36. As of 2022, which country is the biggest opium producer?
(A) China
(B) India
(C) Afghanistan
(D) Nepal
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Afghanistan
Explanation
As of 2022, Afghanistan was the largest producer of illicit opium in the world, accounting for the vast majority of global production. The country’s climate, extensive poppy cultivation, and long-standing illicit drug economy made it the dominant producer before the sharp decline in cultivation following the 2022 poppy cultivation ban.
Exam Facts
- Correct Answer: Afghanistan (as of 2022).
- Source crop: Opium is obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum).
- India is one of the few countries that legally cultivate opium for medical and scientific purposes under government control.
- Licensing authority in India: Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
- Major legal opium-producing states in India: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs: 1961 – the principal international treaty regulating narcotic drugs.
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 governs narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in India.
WBCS Prelims World Geography Questions 2021
92. The new station constructed and established by India in March, 2012 for scientific research in Antarctica is called—
(A) Priyadarshini
(B) Bharati
(C) Maitri
(D) Dakshin Gangotri
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (B) Bharati
Explanation
Bharati is India’s third permanent research station in Antarctica. It was commissioned in March 2012 at Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, to facilitate advanced scientific research in areas such as geology, atmospheric sciences, glaciology, and climate change.
Exam Facts
- Correct Answer: Bharati
- Commissioned: 18 March 2012
- Location: Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica
- India’s Antarctic research stations:
- Dakshin Gangotri – 1983 (first; now decommissioned and used as a supply base)
- Maitri – 1989 (second; still operational)
- Bharati – 2012 (third; operational)
- Indian Antarctic Programme: Launched in 1981.
- Nodal agency: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Antarctic Treaty: Signed in 1959, entered into force in 1961; India became a Consultative Party in 1983.
- Headquarters of NCPOR: Vasco da Gama, Goa.
166. The ratio of the diameters of Moon and Earth is nearly—
(A) 1 : 2
(B) 1 : 5
(C) 1 : 4
(D) 1 : 8
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) 1 : 4
Explanation
The Moon’s diameter is about 3,474 km, while the Earth’s diameter is about 12,742 km. Thus, the ratio of the Moon’s diameter to the Earth’s diameter is approximately 1 : 3.7, which is nearly 1 : 4.
Exam Facts
- Correct Answer: 1 : 4
- Earth’s mean diameter: 12,742 km
- Moon’s mean diameter: 3,474 km
- Earth–Moon diameter ratio: Approximately 1 : 3.67 (≈ 1 : 4)
- Average Earth–Moon distance: 384,400 km
- Moon’s gravity: About 1/6th of Earth’s gravity.
- Moon’s orbital period (Sidereal): 27.3 days
- Moon’s synodic period (New Moon to New Moon): 29.5 days
WBCS Prelims World Geography Questions 2020
59. Identify the correct pairs for the Northern Hemisphere.
- Winter Solstice — December 22nd
- Autumn Equinox — September 23rd
- Summer Solstice — June 21st
- Spring Equinox — March 21st
Choose the correct answer from the given code:
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 3 and 4
(D) All are correctly matched
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (D) All are correctly matched
Explanation
All four pairs are correctly matched for the Northern Hemisphere. The Summer Solstice occurs around 21 June, the Winter Solstice around 22 December, while the Spring (Vernal) Equinox and Autumnal Equinox occur around 21 March and 23 September, respectively.
Exam Facts
- Correct Answer: (D) All are correctly matched.
- Summer Solstice (21 June): Longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere; the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23½° N).
- Winter Solstice (22 December): Shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere; the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn (23½° S).
- Vernal (Spring) Equinox (21 March): The Sun is overhead at the Equator; day and night are nearly equal everywhere on Earth.
- Autumnal Equinox (23 September): The Sun is again overhead at the Equator; day and night are nearly equal.
- Tropic of Cancer: 23°30′ N (23½° N).
- Tropic of Capricorn: 23°30′ S (23½° S).
- Arctic Circle: 66°30′ N; Antarctic Circle: 66°30′ S.
104. The scale used for measuring the intensity of the earthquake is—
(A) Metric scale
(B) Quake scale
(C) Richter scale
(D) Epicenter scale
Answer & Explanation
Answer: (C) Richter scale
Explanation
The Richter Scale is commonly used in competitive examinations to measure the magnitude (often incorrectly referred to as intensity) of an earthquake. Scientifically, intensity refers to the effects and damage caused by an earthquake and is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale, whereas magnitude is measured using the Richter Scale or, more commonly today, the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw).
Exam Facts
- Correct Answer (Exam-oriented): Richter Scale
- Richter Scale: Developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter.
- Measures: Magnitude (energy released at the earthquake source).
- Current standard: Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) is now widely used by seismologists for large earthquakes.
- Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale: Measures the intensity (damage and observed effects) of an earthquake.
- Instrument used: Seismograph (Seismometer) records seismic waves.
- Focus (Hypocentre): Point inside the Earth where the earthquake originates.
- Epicentre: Point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus.
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