✅ SECTION A – PART 1 (MCQs) – ENGLISH
Q1 (i)
“Human geography is the synthetic study of relationship between human societies and earth’s surface.” Who gave this definition?
A) Ellen C. Semple B) Ratzel C) Vidal de la Blache D) Griffith Taylor
Correct Answer: C) Vidal de la Blache
Explanation: Vidal de la Blache emphasized the interaction between humans and their natural surroundings, calling human geography a synthetic study of this relationship.
Q1 (ii)
Which is the most populous country in Asia?
A) Afghanistan B) Bangladesh C) Pakistan D) China
Correct Answer: D) China
Explanation: According to global demographic data, China has the largest population in Asia.
Q1 (iii)
What is the shifting agriculture called in the north-eastern states of India?
A) Jhuming B) Milpa C) Ladang D) Kumari
Correct Answer: A) Jhuming
Explanation: Shifting cultivation in northeast India is traditionally known as jhum or jhuming.
Q1 (iv)
The basic industry is—
A) Paper B) Leather C) Iron–steel D) Textile
Correct Answer: C) Iron–steel
Explanation: Iron and steel serve as the foundation for all heavy industries; hence they are called basic industries.
Q1 (v)
Which is an example of a tertiary activity?
A) Transport B) Agriculture C) Mining D) Research
Correct Answer: A) Transport
Explanation: Transport is a service-sector activity that supports economic operations, making it a tertiary activity.
Q1 (vi)
Modern means of communication is—
A) Telegraph B) Morse Code C) Telex D) Internet
Correct Answer: D) Internet
Explanation: The internet is the most advanced and modern form of communication technology.
Q1 (vii)
Which sea route is called “The Big Trunk Route”?
A) Northern Pacific Sea Route B) Southern Atlantic Sea Route C) Northern Atlantic Sea Route D) Southern Pacific Sea Route
Correct Answer: C) Northern Atlantic Sea Route
Explanation: The Northern Atlantic route connects major industrial regions of North America and Europe, making it the busiest global sea lane.
Q1 (viii)
An entrepôt of Asia is—
A) Rotterdam B) Singapore C) Copenhagen D) Mumbai
Correct Answer: B) Singapore
Explanation: Singapore acts as a major trans-shipment and re-export centre for Asia.
Q1 (ix)
Where is the headquarters of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)?
A) Geneva B) Rome C) Delhi D) Vienna
Correct Answer: A) Geneva
Explanation: WTO’s headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
Q1 (x)
An example of a “garrison” town is—
A) Haridwar B) Ujjain C) Ambala D) Pushkar
Correct Answer: C) Ambala
Explanation: Ambala hosts major military establishments, making it a classic garrison town.
Q1 (xi)
The beverage crop is—
A) Finger millet B) Coffee C) Grapes D) Sugarcane
Correct Answer: B) Coffee
Explanation: Coffee is consumed as a drink, hence classified as a beverage crop.
Q1 (xii)
“Aravari Pani Sansad” is the watershed management scheme of which state?
A) Tamil Nadu B) Gujarat C) Andhra Pradesh D) Rajasthan
Correct Answer: D) Rajasthan
Explanation: The Aravari Pani Sansad is a community-led watershed initiative in Rajasthan.
Q1 (xiii)
Which campaign was launched to ensure water availability per person in India?
A) Jal Kranti B) Pani Bachao C) Save Environment D) Neeru-Meeru
Correct Answer: A) Jal Kranti
Explanation: The Government of India launched Jal Kranti Abhiyan to ensure sustainable water availability for all.
Q1 (xiv)
Which of the following is a metallic mineral?
A) Graphite B) Mica C) Copper D) Petroleum
Correct Answer: C) Copper
Explanation: Copper is a metallic mineral, unlike graphite, mica, and petroleum.
Q1 (xv)
Bauxite is the ore of which metal?
A) Iron B) Aluminium C) Manganese D) Gold
Correct Answer: B) Aluminium
Explanation: Bauxite is the primary ore used to extract aluminium.
Q1 (xvi)
Who presented the concept of the “Indira Gandhi Canal”?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru B) Indira Gandhi C) Jamnalal Bajaj D) Kanwar Sain
Correct Answer: D) Kanwar Sain
Explanation: Engineer Kanwar Sain proposed the idea of the Rajasthan Canal, later renamed the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Q1 (xvii)
Which organisation builds strategically important roads?
A) State Road Organisation B) National Highway Organisation C) Border Road Organisation D) District Road Organisation
Correct Answer: C) Border Road Organisation (BRO)
Explanation: BRO constructs roads in border and strategic regions to support defence and connectivity.
Q1 (xviii)
Which subsidiary port was built to reduce pressure on Mumbai Port?
A) Chennai B) Marmagao C) Kandla D) Jawaharlal Nehru
Correct Answer: D) Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva)
Explanation: JNPT (Nhava Sheva) was developed near Mumbai to handle container traffic and reduce congestion.