Q. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deserts?
A). Low rainfall
B). Extreme temperature
C). Thick vegetation cover
D). Scanty Vegetation
Answer: C). Thick vegetation cover
Explanation: Deserts have sparse or no vegetation due to lack of water, whereas little rainfall, extreme temperature variations
Q. What is the approximate area of the Sahara Desert?
A). 3.5 million sq. km
B). 8.5 million sq. km
C). 1.2 million sq. km
D). 5.0 million sq. km
Answer: B). 8.5 million sq. km
Explanation: The Sahara covers about 8.54 million square kilometers, making it the largest hot desert in the world.
Q. The Sahara Desert spreads over how many countries?
A). 5
B). 11
C). 20
D). 15
Answer: B). 11
Explanation: The Sahara Desert spans 11 countries in Northern Africa, including Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.
Q. What type of climate is found in the Sahara Desert?
A). Tropical monsoon
B). Hot
C). Temperate
D). Mediterranean
Answer: B). Hot desert (arid)
Explanation: The Sahara has a hot desert climate with extremely low rainfall and very high daytime temperatures.
Q. Why does the sky of the Sahara Desert appear very clear and bright?
A). Because of heavy rainfall
B). Due to absence of clouds and low humidity
C). Because of frequent fog
D). Because of dense vegetation
Answer: B). Due to absence of clouds and low humidity
Explanation: The Sahara has very low humidity and almost no clouds, making the sky appear bright and clear almost all year.
Q. Where was the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth?
A). Sahara Desert, Africa
B). Death Valley, USA
C). Gobi Desert, Asia
D). Thar Desert, India
Answer: A). Sahara Desert, Africa
Explanation: The highest temperature on Earth was recorded in Al Azizia in the Sahara desert, south of Tripoli, Libya (57.7°C in 1992).
Q. What is an oasis?
A). A desert with high rainfall
B). A fertile area in a desert with water
C). A mountain peak
D). A large river
Answer: B). A fertile area in a desert with water
Explanation: An oasis is a fertile area in a desert where water is available, allowing vegetation and human settlement.
Q. How is an oasis formed?
A). By heavy rainfall in deserts
B). By underground water reaching the surface
C). By melting glaciers
D). By river flooding
Answer: B). By underground water reaching the surface
Explanation: An oasis is formed when underground water reach the surface, creating a fertile area in an otherwise arid desert.
Q. Tafilalet Oasis is located in which country?
A). Egypt
B). Morocco
C). Algeria
D). Libya
Answer: B). Morocco
Explanation: The Tafilalet Oasis is the largest oasis (13,000 sq. km) in Morocco, situated in the southeastern part of the country near the Sahara Desert.
Q. Which tree is Not found in the Sahara and used as a source of food and water?
A). Date palm
B). Acacia
C). Cactus
D). Mango
Answer:D). Mango
Q. Which of the following animals is not typically found in the Sahara Desert?
A). Hyenas
B). Jackals
C). Polar bear
D). Scorpions
Answer: C). Morocco
Explanation: Polar bears live in Arctic regions, not in the hot Sahara Desert.
Q. The lifestyle of Sahara Desert people is mostly:
A). Sedentary farming
B). Nomadic
C). Urban industrial
D). Coastal fishing
Answer: B). Nomadic
Explanation: Due to harsh climate and scarce water, most Sahara Desert communities follow a nomadic lifestyle.
Q. What is the primary occupation of the Sahara Desert people?
A). Agriculture and fishing
B). Nomadic herding and trade
C). Industrial work
D). Mining
Answer: B). Nomadic herding and trade
Explanation: The Sahara Desert people mainly practice nomadic herding (camels, goats) and trade due to harsh desert conditions.
Q. Which of the following tribes is native to the Sahara Desert?
A). Tuaregs
B). Maasai
C). Inuit
D). Yanomami
Answer: A). Tuaregs
Explanation: The Bedouins and Tuaregs are nomadic tribes traditionally inhabiting the Sahara and Arabian deserts.
Q. Which of the following is a major mineral resource found in the Sahara Desert?
A). Coal
B). Phosphate
C). Gold
D). Copper
Answer: B). Phosphate
Explanation: The Sahara Desert is rich in phosphates, iron, manganese, uranium.
Q. Which fossil fuel is abundantly found in the Sahara Desert region?
A). Coal
B). Oil
C). Natural gas
D). Both B and C
Answer: D). Both B and C
Explanation: The Sahara region, particularly Libya, Algeria, and Egypt, is rich in oil and natural gas, making it a major energy supplier.
Q. Ladakh is located between which two ranges?
A). Aravalli Range and Vindhya Range
B). Karakoram Range and Zanskar Range
C). Satpura Range and Eastern Ghats
D). Shivalik Range and Nilgiri Hills
Answer: B). Karakoram Range and Zanskar Range
Explanation: Ladakh is located between Karakoram Range in the north and Zanskar Range in the south.
Q. What is the literal meaning of the word “Ladakh”?
A). Land of forests
B). Land of rivers
C). Land of passes
D). Land of snow
Answer: C). Land of passes
Explanation: The word Ladakh is made up of two words- “La” meaning ‘mountain pass’ and “Dak” meaning ‘country or land’. Ladakh is also known as as Khapa-chan which means snow land.
Q. Why does Ladakh receive very little rainfall?
A). It is located near the equator
B). It is covered by dense forests
C). It lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas
D). It is close to large oceans
Answer: C). It lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas
Explanation: Ladakh receives very little rainfall, as low as 10 cm every year.
Q. The climate of Ladakh is:
A). Hot and humid
B). Cold and dry
C). Warm and rainy
D). Stormy and humid
Answer: B). Cold and dry
Explanation: Ladakh has a cold and extremely dry climate due to high altitude.
Q. Which river flows through Ladakh?
A). Yamuna
B). Indus
C). Narmada
D). Ganga
Answer: B). Indus
Explanation: The Indus River flows through Ladakh and is the main source of water.
Q. Which famous pass connects Leh with Kashmir?
A). Nathu La
B). Rohtang Pass
C). Zoji La
D). Shipki La
Answer: C). Zoji La
Explanation: The National Highway 1A connects Leh to Kashmir valley through the Zoji La Pass.
Q. Ladakh is mainly inhabited by which groups of people?
A). Christian and Muslim
B). Christian and Buddhist
C). Buddhists and Muslims
D). Hindus and Christians
Answer: C). Buddhists and Muslims
Q. Which of these monasteries is NOT located in Ladakh?
A). Hemis Monastery
B). Thiksey Monastery
C). Lamayuru Monastery
D). Tawang Monastery
Answer: D). Tawang Monastery
Explanation: Tawang Monastery is located in Arunachal Pradesh, not in Ladakh. The other monasteries Hemis, Thiskey, Lamayuru and Shey are famous Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh.
Q. Match the following items found in Ladakh with their correct examples:
1. Fruit trees
2. Birds
3. Animals
a. Apricot, Apple, walnut
b. Yak, wild got, wild sheep
c. Raven, Robin, Redstart, Tibetan snowcock and Hoopoe
Options:
A). 1–a, 2–c, 3–b
B). 1–b, 2–a, 3–c
C). 1–c, 2–b, 3–a
D). 1–a, 2–b, 3–c
Answer: A). 1–a, 2–c, 3–b
Q. Which of these crops is NOT cultivated in Ladakh during summer?
A). Barley
B). Potatoes
C). Paddy
D). Beans
Answer: C). Paddy
Explanation: People grows barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnip in Ladakh during summer.
Q. The finest bats are made from which type of wood?
A). Mango wood
B). Teak wood
C). Willow wood
D). Pine wood
Answer: C). Willow wood
Explanation: The finest quality bats, especially cricket bats, are made from willow wood, known for its light weight and shock-absorbing qualities.
Q. The Manali–Leh road passes through how many major passes?
A). Two passes
B). Three passes
C). Four passes
D). Five passes
Answer: C). Four passes
Explanation: The Manali–Leh highway crosses four major passes — Rohtang La, Baralacha La, Lachung La, and Tanglang La.
Q. Egypt is famous for growing which of the following crops?
A). Wheat
B). Cotton
C). Rice
D). Tea
Answer: B). Cotton
Explanation: Egypt is well known for growing long-staple cotton, often called “Egyptian cotton,” which is famous worldwide for its high quality.
Match the following
1). Oasis A). Glacier
2). Bedoui B). Libya
3). Oil C). Depressions with water
4). Gangri D). Monastry
5). Lamayuru E). Sahara Desert
Options:
A). 1–C, 2–B, 3–D, 4–A, 5–E
B). 1–B, 2–A, 3–C, 4–D, 5–E
C). 1–D, 2–B, 3–E, 4–C, 5–A
D). 1–C, 2–E, 3–B, 4–A, 5–D
Answer: D). 1–C, 2–E, 3–B, 4–A, 5–D