IAS Mains Geography 2023 Expected Questions for 2023 Exam

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  1. Name the climatically controlled agents of erosion. Explain how they differ in terms of properties of matter. Compare thew landforms produced by each one of them
  2. Write a note on Palaeozoic glacial evidence for Continental Drift. (150 Words)
  3. Write a note on Systems approach to landforms analysis. (150 Words)
  4. Explain how Bosche and Haldenhang lead to the Theory of Slope Replacement. (400 Words)
  5. What is ‘Base level’ ? Explain the types of base level. (250 words)
  6. Define the term ‘meander’ and describe the basic characteristics of entrenched meander and ingrown meander. (150 words, 10 marks)
  7. State the concept of plate tectonics. How does it help in explaining the formation of Himalayas and Appalachain Mountains. (20 m)
  8. Explain the origin, distribution and characteristics of tropical cyclones
  9. Discuss the origin, movements and characteristics of air masses and explain their role in influencing world climates.
  10. Explain the basis of Koppen՚s classification of climates. Also mention its merits and limitations.
  11. Explain and illustrate the life-cycle of a temperate cyclone and also describe the weather associated with it.
  12. Examine critically the drawbacks of Koppen՚s Classification of climates. Explain how Thornthwaite attempted to overcome Koppen՚s limitations.
  13. Discuss the nature and composition of earth՚s atmosphere.
  14. Discuss the distribution of precipitation in the world
  15. Discuss the mechanism and significance of tricellular meridional circulation of atmosphere.
  16. Discuss the development of local winds, and their influence on local weather, giving three examples of the well-known local winds in the world
  17. Discuss the mechanism and origin of Monsoon winds and explain the role of El Nino on Monsoon circulation.
  18. How does Climate Change affect urban areas?
  19. Write a note on Inversion of temperature.
  20. Examine the various kinds of atmospheric humidity and their associated forms.
  21. Discuss Dew point and the various forms of condensation.
  22. Highlight the geomorphic features essentially found in topographies under the Second Cycle of Erosion.
  23. Discuss views on slope development provided by L. C. King.
  24. Karst Topography (Short Notes)
  25. Bring out the relevance of seismic study in determining the structure of earth՚s interiors
  26. Weathering is a complex phenomenon involving a number of the process and is influenced by various factors.
  27. Discuss the salient features of ‘sirocco’ and ‘mistral’ .
  28. Describe the origin and development of thunderstorms with examples.
  29. Discuss the nature and origin of Indian monsoon and recent techniques of its prediction.
  30. Explain the illustrate the ocean floor topography and give a detailed account of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
  31. Examine critically the theories of the formation of coral reefs and atolls.
  32. Present a concise account of bottom relief of the Indian Ocean.
  33. Discuss the different bases for classifying the ocean deposits and give a detailed account of pelagic deposits of the oceans.
  34. Describe the ideal conditions for coral reef formation and discuss the glacial control theory of coral reef formation.
  35. Answer in 200 words:

    (a) Examine economic significance of the resources of the Continental shelf of the Indian Ocean.

    (b) Comment on marine heat budget and the oceanic circulation system.

  36. Methods (Scientifically sound) of bathymetry and account of bottom topography of atlantic ocean.
  37. ‘’ Temperature, salinity and density differences in ocean water are the prime causes of ocean water circulation. ‘’ Elaborate.
  38. Different layers of ocean water above abyssal plain.
  39. Atolls present the most challenging explanation in the evolution of coral reefs՚. Discuss (250 words)
  40. “Offshore Acoustic Study helped the development of the concept of sea floor spreading.” Explain. (250 words)
  41. Compare the Subsidence and Glacial control theories on the formation of coral reefs. (400 Marks)
  42. Analyse the reasons for a comparatively poorer development of fishing grounds in tropical areas. (250 words)
  43. Illustrate the origin and nature of Sargasso Sea and Lagoon (150 w, 10 m)
  44. Present a classification of the soils of the world and give their economic significance.
  45. Define ecosystem and describe briefly its various components. Also discuss how and to what extent the modern man has affected the various types of ecosystems.
  46. Indicate the major biotic regions of the world and discuss the ecological aspects of the monsoon region.
  47. Discuss the relevance of ‘watershed’ , as an ecosystem for the purpose of sustainable development.
  48. Discuss the concept , components and functioning of an ecosystem.
  49. Give a brief account of the principal land biomes and their latitudinal distribution.
  50. Floristic kingdoms based on their global distribution
  51. Major components of IGBP. (150 words)
  52. Adaptation and distribution of animals in the Ethiopian realm. (400 words)
  53. Uniqueness of fauna in the Notogean realm. (150 words)
  54. Bring out the relationship between climate and vegetation in the Mountain Biome.
  55. State the uniqueness of the Eurasian Steppe Biome
  56. Define zoogeographic region. Also describe he basic faunal makeup of the Neo-Arctic zoogeographic region.
  57. Write an essay on ‘sustainable development’ from the perspective of geography.
  58. How would the impact of global warming differ from one part of the earth to another Give a reasoned account.
  59. Discuss how different types of mining lead to different types of environmental problem (400 words)
  60. Impact of Pleistocene Ice Age on the crust of the Earth.
  61. Types of endemic plants and their degree of vulnerability to extinction.
  62. What are the characteristics that make CHC a serious threat to the ecosystem? Give examples.
  63. Explain the levels of Noise pollution and the legislative measures to control it. (400 words)
  64. “Urban Solid Waste Management poses the greatest challenge in Metropolitan planning.” Elaborate. (250 words)
  65. Enumerate the major causes of increasing degradation of environment in hills and hillslopes, and state its down-valley impact.
  66. State the concept of erosion surfaces and highlight the factors responsible for their development.
  67. Give an account of recent observation on coral bleaching with reference to Clive Wilkinson՚s Report.
  68. Discuss the concept and application of systems analysis in human geography.
  69. Present a critical analysis of human and welfare approaches in Human Geography.
  70. Distinguish between radical and welfare approaches in geographic studies.
  71. ‘Quantitative Revolution and model building provided an empirical basis for geographicalresearch’ – Elaborate.
  72. Provide a broad classification of world cultural regions.
  73. Critically examine the method of deriving Human development index.
  74. Critically examine the changing perspective of the concept of areal differences.
  75. Welfare Approach in Human Geography
  76. Discuss the impact of positivism in paradigm shift in Geography
  77. “Ellen Churchill Semple is an ardent supporter of Determinism.”
  78. Explain the parameters for assessment and the spatial pattern of Human Development Indexin the world.
  79. Relevance of Heartland theory in Contemporary world.
  80. Elaborate the concept of mental map
  81. Explain the necessary conditions of takeoff and subsequent stages of development of a nation as propounded by Rostow.
  82. Discuss the contribution of geographers in the development of radical geography.
  83. Giving suitable examples, describe the importance of system analysis in geographical studies.
  84. “Indo-Gangetic hearth is considered to be one of the world՚s richest cultural realms.” Examine.
  85. Explain the qualitative and quantitative methods of delineation of sphere of urban influence.
  86. Examine the spatial patterns of development disparity prevailing in the world.
  87. Discuss Weber՚s theory of industrial location , and assess its relevance in the present – day context.
  88. Explain the concept of sustainable development and propose a model for agricultural development.
  89. Discuss the views of von Thunen on agricultural location.
  90. Discuss the consequences of Climate Change on agriculture and food security, and on the Coastal Zones of the world.
  91. Provide a geographical account of global production and distribution of food.
  92. Famine to a considerable extent, is a man made Hazard. Elaborate.
  93. Discuss the role of WTO in determining the pattern of World Trade.
  94. Mention the agriculture regions as classified by Whittlessy and discuss their relevance.
  95. Problems faced by industries which developed due to inertia.

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