Q1. At which place will you find maximum sunlight in December ?
(a) Kanyakumari
(b) Pune
(c) Calcutta
(d) Leh
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (a) Kanyakumari
Explanation: Kanyakumari, being the southernmost tip of India, is closest to the equator. In December, it receives maximum sunlight compared to northern locations like Leh, which experience shorter days and lower solar angles.
Q2. The number of States having common boundary with the State of Madhya Pradesh
(a) 5
(b) 6
(c) 7
(d) 8
(UPSC Prelims 1979)
Answer: (c) 7
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh shares borders with seven states: Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Its central location makes it a key geographical connector in India.
Q3. International date line
(a) Roughly corresponds to 180th meridian, the regions to the east of which are counted as being one day earlier in their calendar dates than regions to the west
(b) Roughly corresponds to 180th meridian, the region to the west of which are counted as being one day earlier in their calendar dates than regions to the east
(c) Roughly corresponds to 90th meridian which falls on the opposite side of the Greenwich meridian
(d) Roughly corresponds to 135th meridian which falls on the opposite side of the Greenwich meridian
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (a) Roughly corresponds to 180th meridian, the regions to the east of which are counted as being one day earlier in their calendar dates than regions to the west
Explanation: The International Date Line lies near the 180° longitude, and crossing it eastward subtracts a day, while crossing westward adds a day, maintaining global time consistency.
Q4. What is the shortest route from Moscow to San Francisco ?
(a) Moscow to Europe; crossing Atlantic and East coast of North America
(b) Over the North pole and over Canada and crossing Pacific
(c) Moscow to Siberia to Japan and crossing Pacific
(d) Moscow to Europe to Greenland; crossing Atlantic and then North America
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (a) Moscow to Europe; crossing Atlantic and East coast of North America
Explanation: The shortest air route from Moscow to San Francisco typically involves flying westward over Europe, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and entering North America via the East Coast, due to the great circle route principle in aviation.
Q5. Why is there a severe difference in the climates of Northern and Southern Hemisphere ?
(a) Due to rotation of the earth around its axis
(b) Due to revolution of the earth around the sun of its orbit
(c) Both of the above
(d) None of the above
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (c) Both of the above
Explanation: The rotation of the Earth affects day-night cycles, while its revolution around the Sun and axial tilt cause seasonal variations. These factors lead to climatic differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Q6. There are two places P and Q. The longitudes of P and Q are 45° E and 60° W respectively. What will be the difference in their local times
(a) 7 hours
(b) 6 hours
(c) 3.5 hours
(d) Both places will have the same local time
Answer: (a) 7 hours
Explanation:
Each 15° of longitude corresponds to 1 hour of time difference.
Total difference = 45° + 60° = 105° → 105 ÷ 15 = 7 hours
So, the local time difference between P and Q is 7 hours.
Q7. In which of the following cities one can never see the sun shine overhead at noon?
(a) Delhi
(b) Visakhapatnam
(c) Trivandrum
(d) Bangalore
Answer: (a) Delhi
Explanation: Delhi, located north of the Tropic of Cancer, never experiences the sun directly overhead at noon. Only places between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn receive overhead sun during certain times of the year.
Q8. At a certain place, the Greenwich Mean Time is ahead by 12 hours. The place is located
(a) 180°W of GMT
(b) 180°E of GMT
(c) 90°W of GMT
(d) 90°E of GMT
(UPSC Prelims 1986)
Answer: (b) 180°E of GMT
Explanation: If a location is 12 hours ahead of GMT, it lies on the eastern side of the Prime Meridian, specifically at 180°E longitude. This is the International Date Line, where the time difference is greatest.