UPSC Mains 2019 Geography Optional Paper I questions

27 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Geography Optional PYQs

1. Describe phreatic eruptions and their consequences.

2. Explain the techniques to calculate potential evapotranspiration suggested by Thornthwaite.

3. Amensalism is a biotic factor that determines the geographic limits of species. Explain.

4. How do mountaineers constitute a threat to Mount Everest?

5. Why is it necessary to conserve genetic diversity of species? Do protected areas serve any useful purpose in this context?

   20 marks

6. Compare and contrast different types of plate boundaries.

   15 marks

7. Explain the nature of urban climates and their impact on global environmental change.

   15 marks

8. Discuss in detail the tri-cellular model of atmospheric circulation.

   20 marks

9. How are soil acidity and alkalinity related to soil fertility?

   15 marks

10. "The web of life is seamless and the consequences of disruption to one part of the ecosystem ripple throughout the whole." Elaborate.

    15 marks

11. Discuss the methods of measuring the intensity and magnitude of earthquakes. How are seismic zones demarcated?

    20 marks

12. The impact of floods on life and property can be most effectively reduced by hazard mapping. Comment.

13. How are ocean waves formed? Distinguish between a wave of oscillation and a wave of translation.

    15 marks

14. "A language originates at a particular place and diffuses to other locations through the migration of its speakers." Examine this statement in the context of language hot spots and endangered language hot spots.

15. Define stunting and wasting. Why are these more prevalent among children in developing countries?

16. Explain the relationship between net reproductive rate (NRR) and true replacement level of population.

17. What are natural regions? How are they different from planning regions?

18. Discuss the genetic classification of boundaries suggested by Hartshorne.

19. AM 2| Tao Ho ago Al stated siesta wares Vela FIST HDI has brought about a paradigm shift in the way people think about the development process. Critically examine the inherent limitations of HDI.

    20 marks

20. "A large-scale global shift in manufacturing is the outcome of deindustrialization in the developed world matched by industrialization in the developing world." Analyze this statement.

21. What do you mean by 'climate migrants'? Suggest appropriate policies and programmes for their resettlement.

    15 marks

22. What changes in the current planning, management and governance of human settlements are needed to face the changing environment including climate change and disaster vulnerabilities in cities?

    20 marks

23. Globalization can often subsume folk culture. What are its positive and negative effects?

    15 marks

24. "Growth is not uniform in different places." Critically examine this statement in the context of the growth pole theory.

25. ara fast a areas ale Ais Distinguish between 'isodapanes' and 'isotims'. Critically examine the least cost theory of industrial location given by Alfred Weber.

    20 marks

26. Assess the challenges for countries with the largest shares of aged populations.

    15 marks

27. Examine the relevance of the 'rimland theory' in the contemporary world.

    15 marks