Q1. Consider the following statements:
- Loktak Lake is the only floating lake in India.
- Barapani (Umiam) Lake is a natural lake formed by tectonic activity.
- Sambhar Lake is India’s largest inland salt lake.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Loktak Lake (Manipur) is famous for phumdis (floating biomass) → unique floating lake → Correct.
- Umiam Lake (Meghalaya) is an artificial reservoir from a dam on Umiam River → Not tectonic → Incorrect.
- Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan) is India’s largest inland saline lake → Correct.
Q2. Consider the following pairs:
| Port | Feature |
- Paradip Port — Major port handling highest iron ore exports
- Deendayal Port (Kandla) — Tidal port in a gulf
- Cochin Port — Located on a natural harbour
How many pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation:
- Paradip (Odisha) is a key iron-ore exporting port → Correct.
- Deendayal Port lies in Gulf of Kutch, a tidal environment → Correct.
- Cochin Port is a natural harbour on the Arabian Sea → Correct.
Q3. Consider the following trees:
- Sal (Shorea robusta)
- Sundari (Heritiera fomes)
- Deodar (Cedrus deodara)
How many of the above are evergreen?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- Sal → Moist deciduous → Not evergreen.
- Sundari → Mangrove evergreen species → Correct.
- Deodar → It is a large evergreen coniferous tree reaching 40–50 metres (131–164 feet) tall, exceptionally 60 m (197 ft) with a trunk up to 3 m (10 ft) in diameter.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Indian agriculture:
- India has the largest area under rice cultivation in the world.
- India is the largest producer of pulses globally.
- Cropping intensity in India has crossed 200%.
How many statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Explanation:
- India has the largest rice cultivation area → Correct.
- India is the top pulses producer → Correct.
- Cropping intensity – ~150% nationally; 200% only in pockets (Punjab, Haryana) → Incorrect.
Q5. Which of the following is the best example of a lagoon on the eastern coast of India?
(a) Ashtamudi Lake
(b) Pulicat Lake
(c) Lonar Lake
(d) Naini Lake
Answer: (b) Pulicat Lake
Explanation:
- Pulicat Lake (AP–TN coast) is a classic lagoon separated by Sriharikota barrier island → Correct.
- Ashtamudi → Estuary/backwater (Kerala).
- Lonar → Meteorite crater lake.
- Naini → Tectonic lake.
