UPSC World Geography – Chapter 20: Changes in Critical Geographical Features, Flora and Fauna (22 MCQs)

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UPSC World Geography – Chapter 20: Changes in Critical Geographical Features, Flora and Fauna (22 MCQs) – 22 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.  

Surtsey, a volcanic island that emerged in 1963, lies off the coast of:

Correct Answer: C [Iceland]

Explanation:

Surtsey was built by a submarine eruption in 1963 off the south coast of Iceland, in the Vestmannaeyjar islands.

2.  

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1979) is also known as the:

Correct Answer: B [Bonn Convention]

Explanation:

the CMS was concluded at Bonn, Germany, in 1979, so it is called the Bonn Convention.

3.  

The volcano Paricutin is in:

Correct Answer: C [Mexico]

Explanation:

Paricutin rose from a cornfield in Michoacán, Mexico, in 1943 and buried nearby villages and farmland.

4.  

Teak is a characteristic timber of:

Correct Answer: A [Myanmar]

Explanation:

Myanmar's monsoon forests are the classic source of teak, a valuable tropical hardwood also grown in India and Thailand.

5.  

According to IPBES, the largest driver of biodiversity loss on land is:

Correct Answer: A [change in land use]

Explanation:

IPBES (2019) ranks change in land and sea use, mainly habitat loss, as the largest driver of biodiversity loss on land.

6.  

The "30 × 30" target is part of the:

Correct Answer: C [Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework]

Explanation:

The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) aims to protect 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030.

7.  

Cheetahs were reintroduced in India in 2022 at:

Correct Answer: D [Kuno National Park]

Explanation:

Cheetahs from Namibia were released in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on 17 September 2022 under Project Cheetah.

8.  

The Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted violently in 2022 in:

Correct Answer: D [Tonga]

Explanation:

Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai is a submarine volcano in the Kingdom of Tonga; its January 2022 blast circled the globe.

9.  

CITES regulates:

Correct Answer: A [international trade in endangered species]

Explanation:

CITES (1973) controls international trade in endangered wild animals and plants through permits under its appendices.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Polders are areas of land reclaimed from the sea.
2. Paricutin emerged in a cornfield in Mexico.
3. The 2004 earthquake lowered the whole of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands uniformly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are true; statement 3 is false, as the 2004 earthquake lifted North Andaman but lowered the Nicobar coast.

11.  

Assertion (A): Many fish species are shifting towards the poles.

Reason (R): Ocean waters are warming, and species follow their preferred temperatures.

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

Explanation:

Both are true and R explains A: as seas warm, fish move polewards to stay within their preferred temperatures.

12.  

Mount Rainier lies in:

Correct Answer: D [the Cascade Range of the USA]

Explanation:

Mount Rainier is a stratovolcano of the Cascade Range in Washington State, USA.

13.  

The Living Planet Index (2026) reported an average decline in monitored wildlife populations since 1970 of about:

Correct Answer: D [73 per cent]

Explanation:

The WWF Living Planet Report 2026 found monitored wildlife populations fell on average by 73 per cent between 1970 and 2022.

14.  

Douglas fir is mainly associated with:

Correct Answer: A [Canada]

Explanation:

Douglas fir is a softwood conifer of western North America, especially British Columbia in Canada.

15.  

The Palm Jumeirah is an example of:

Correct Answer: C [an artificial island]

Explanation:

Dubai.

16.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Paricutin emerges in Mexico
2. Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted
3. Surtsey emerges off Iceland
4. CITES signed

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Explanation:

1943, 1963, 1973, 2022.

17.  

Large volcanic eruptions such as Pinatubo (1991) tend to:

Correct Answer: B [cool the global climate for a year or two]

Explanation:

sulphate aerosols reflect sunlight.

18.  

Taal volcano is located in:

Correct Answer: B [the Philippines]

Explanation:

Luzon.

19.  

Mahogany is a valuable tropical hardwood of:

Correct Answer: C [Honduras and Central America]

Explanation:

Mahogany is a tropical hardwood native to Central America; Honduras mahogany is the classic commercial timber.

20.  

Prosopis juliflora, an invasive tree across the dry parts of India, is native to:

Correct Answer: B [the Americas]

Explanation:

Prosopis juliflora is native to Mexico and Central and South America; it was introduced into India and later turned invasive.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 1999

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

List-I (Volcanic Mountain) – A. Mt. Rainier; B. Etna; C. Paricutin; D. Taal

List-II (Country) – 1. Italy; 2. Mexico; 3. Philippines; 4. U.S.A.

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

Explanation:

Rainier is in the USA, Etna in Italy, Paricutin in Mexico and Taal in the Philippines, giving A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 1999

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

List-I (Timber) – A. Cedar; B. Douglas Fir; C. Mahogany; D. Teak

List-II (Country) – 1. Myanmar; 2. Canada; 3. Mexico; 4. Honduras

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

Explanation:

Cedar is matched with Mexico, Douglas fir with Canada, mahogany with Honduras and teak with Myanmar: A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1.

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