UPSC Mains GEOGRAPHY-PAPER-I 2014

28 Questions • 400 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marks150 Wordseasy
Define the term 'meander' and describe the basic characteristics of entrenched meander and ingrown meander.
GeographyGeomorphology
2
10 Marks150 Wordseasy
Discuss the salient features of 'sirocco' and 'mistral'.
GeographyClimatology
3
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
Give an account of the nature of biosphere as an ecosystem.
GeographyEcologyEnvironment
4
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
State the uniqueness of the Eurasian Steppe Biome.
GeographyEcology
5
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
Illustrate the origin and nature of Sargasso Sea and Lagoon.
GeographyOceanography
6
20 Marksmedium
State the concept of plate tectonics. How does it help in explaining the formation of the Himalayas and Appalachian Mountains?
GeographyGeology
7
15 Markseasy
Describe the origin and development of thunderstorms with examples.
GeographyClimatology
8
15 Marksmedium
Enumerate the major causes of increasing degradation of environment in hills and hillslopes, and state its down-valley impact.
GeographyEnvironmental Science
9
20 Marksmedium
Discuss the nature and origin of Indian monsoon and recent techniques of its prediction.
GeographyClimatology
10
15 Marksmedium
State the concept of erosion surfaces and highlight the factors responsible for their development.
GeographyGeomorphology
11
15 Marksmedium
Give a critical account of reasons and consequences of marine pollution.
GeographyEnvironmental Science
12
20 Marksmedium
Explain weathering and mass wasting, and describe their geomorphic significance.
GeographyGeomorphology
13
15 Marksmedium
Define zoogeographic region. Also describe the basic faunal makeup of the Neo-Arctic zoogeographic region.
GeographyEcology
14
15 Marksmedium
Give an account of recent observations on coral bleaching with reference to Clive Wilkinson's Report.
GeographyEnvironmental Science
15
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
Elaborate the concept of mental map.
GeographyPsychology
16
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
Give an account of food security issues in developing countries.
GeographyEconomy
17
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
Discuss the factors responsible for counter-urbanisation.
GeographyDemography
18
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium
Explain the relevance of bottom-up and top-down approaches in the development of agrarian economy.
GeographyEconomy
19
10 Marks150 Wordshard
Critically analyse application of models in Geography.
GeographyResearch Methods
20
20 Marksmedium
Explain the necessary conditions of takeoff and subsequent stages of development of a nation as propounded by Rostow.
GeographyEconomy
21
15 Marksmedium
Discuss environmental and economic problems associated with coal production.
GeographyEnvironmentEconomy
22
15 Marksmedium
Discuss the contribution of geographers in the development of radical geography.
GeographySocial Science
23
15 Marksmedium
Giving suitable examples, describe the importance of system analysis in geographical studies.
GeographyResearch Methods
24
20 Marksmedium
“Rural sustainability is necessary for urban sustainability.” Discuss the statement in the backdrop of integrated development approach.
GeographyDevelopment
25
15 Marksmedium
“Indo-Gangetic hearth is considered to be one of the world's richest cultural realms.” Examine.
GeographyHistory
26
20 Marksmedium
Explain the qualitative and quantitative methods of delineation of the sphere of urban influence.
GeographyUrban Geography
27
15 Marksmedium
“World is passing through a global resource dilemma.” Comment.
GeographyEnvironmentEconomy
28
15 Marksmedium
“Food productivity with purity of ecosystem is the need of the hour.” Elaborate.
GeographyEnvironmentAgriculture