UPSC World Geography – Chapter 18: Australia, Oceania and the Polar Regions (24 MCQs)

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UPSC World Geography – Chapter 18: Australia, Oceania and the Polar Regions (24 MCQs) – 24 questions, subject: Geography. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The largest desert of Australia is the:

Correct Answer: C [Great Victoria Desert]

Explanation:

The Great Victoria Desert, spanning Western and South Australia, is the largest of Australia's deserts.

2.  

The highest peak of mainland Australia is:

Correct Answer: B [Mount Kosciuszko]

Explanation:

Mount Kosciuszko (about 2,228 m) in the Great Dividing Range is the highest point of mainland Australia.

3.  

The Torres Strait separates Australia from:

Correct Answer: D [New Guinea]

Explanation:

The Torres Strait lies between Cape York in Queensland and the island of New Guinea.

4.  

The Pilbara region of Australia is best known for:

Correct Answer: D [iron ore]

Explanation:

The Pilbara in Western Australia is the country's main iron-ore mining region.

5.  

The two main islands of New Zealand are separated by the:

Correct Answer: A [Cook Strait]

Explanation:

Cook Strait separates New Zealand's North Island from its South Island.

6.  

The largest river system of Australia is the:

Correct Answer: B [Murray–Darling]

Explanation:

The Murray and its tributary the Darling drain south-eastern Australia, forming its largest river system.

7.  

Rotorua in New Zealand is known for its:

Correct Answer: C [geysers and hot springs]

Explanation:

Rotorua lies in the volcanic zone of the North Island, known for geysers, hot springs and geothermal activity.

8.  

Guam and Palau belong to:

Correct Answer: C [Micronesia]

Explanation:

Guam and Palau are small islands of Micronesia in the western Pacific.

9.  

The highest peak of Antarctica is:

Correct Answer: D [Vinson Massif]

Explanation:

Vinson Massif (about 4,892 m) in the Ellsworth Mountains is Antarctica's highest peak.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959.
2. The Madrid Protocol bans mineral mining in Antarctica.
3. India is a permanent member of the Arctic Council.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 and the Madrid Protocol bans mining; India is only an Arctic Council observer.

11.  

Assertion (A): Pastoral farming is possible in the dry interior of eastern Australia.

Reason (R): Bores tap water under pressure from the Great Artesian Basin.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Artesian bores supply water to stock in the dry interior, so the Basin is what makes grazing possible there.

12.  

India's Antarctic station set up in 2012 is:

Correct Answer: D [Bharati]

Explanation:

Bharati, in the Larsemann Hills, was commissioned in 2012 as India's third Antarctic station.

13.  

The largest ice shelf of Antarctica is the:

Correct Answer: D [Ross Ice Shelf]

Explanation:

The Ross Ice Shelf, in the Ross Sea, is the largest ice shelf of Antarctica.

14.  

New Caledonia, a French territory in Melanesia, is known for:

Correct Answer: A [nickel]

Explanation:

New Caledonia holds some of the world's largest nickel deposits, and nickel dominates its economy.

15.  

Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda) is:

Correct Answer: C [a salt lake and the lowest point of Australia]

Explanation:

Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre in South Australia is a mostly dry salt lake about 15 m below sea level.

16.  

Merino sheep are reared in Australia mainly for:

Correct Answer: B [wool]

Explanation:

The Merino is a fine-wool breed, the basis of Australia's wool industry.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Bharati station set up
2. Maitri station set up
3. Antarctic Treaty signed
4. Dakshin Gangotri set up

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [3-4-2-1]

Explanation:

1959, 1983, 1989, 2012.

18.  

Which one of the following is a low coral atoll State threatened by sea-level rise?

Correct Answer: B [Tuvalu]

Explanation:

Tuvalu consists of low coral atolls and reef islands only a few metres above sea level.

19.  

India became an observer in the Arctic Council in:

Correct Answer: A [2013]

Explanation:

India was admitted as an observer to the Arctic Council at the Kiruna ministerial meeting in May 2013.

20.  

The Southern Alps are in:

Correct Answer: A [New Zealand]

Explanation:

The Southern Alps run along New Zealand's South Island, rising to Aoraki/Mount Cook.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2009

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List I (Geographic feature) – A. Great Victoria Desert; B. Grand Canyon; C. Lake Winnipeg; D. Southern Alps

List II (Country) – 1. Australia; 2. Canada; 3. New Zealand; 4. USA

Correct Answer: B [A-1; B-4; C-2; D-3]

Explanation:

Great Victoria Desert – Australia, Grand Canyon – USA, Lake Winnipeg – Canada, Southern Alps – New Zealand.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2007

The largest coral reef in the world is found near the coast of which one of the following countries?

Correct Answer: A [Australia]

Explanation:

the Great Barrier Reef.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2001

A class of animals known as "Marsupials" is a characteristic feature of :

Correct Answer: B [Australia]

Explanation:

Australia's long isolation let marsupials such as kangaroos, koalas and wombats dominate its native mammals.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2000

Assertion (A) : In Australia, cattle rearing is done more for meat than for milk.

Reason (R) : Australians are traditionally non vegetarians

Correct Answer: B [Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Both statements are true, but beef cattle reflect vast grazing land and export markets, not the Australian diet.

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