UPSC Prelims World Geography previous year questions in the "Multi-statement (Traditional Style)" question pattern — real questions with answers and explanations.
2026Multi-statement (Traditional Style)World Political Geography & Borders
Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?
1. Bahrain
2. Syria
3. Qatar
4. Egypt
Select the answer using the code given below:
A.1 and 2
B.1 and 3
C.2 and 3
D.3 and 4
Explanation: * Bahrain & Qatar (1 and 3): The Strait of Hormuz serves as the vital geographic bottleneck connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the broader Indian Ocean. Ships coming from nations inside the Persian Gulf—such as Bahrain and Qatar—must cross this strait to reach open ocean waters. * Syria & Egypt (2 and 4): Syria borders the Mediterranean, and Egypt borders the Mediterranean and Red Seas; neither country is located inside the Persian Gulf, so their ships do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
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2026Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Oceanography & Hydrological Features
Which of the following statements with reference to Lake Turkana is/are correct?
1. It is the largest desert lake in the world.
2. The lake is situated in South Sudan along the eastern fringe of the Sahara desert.
3. The lake is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also referred to as the 'Jade Sea'.
Select the answer using the code given below:
A.1 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3
Explanation: * Statement 1 is correct: Lake Turkana is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake. * Statement 2 is incorrect: It lies mainly in northern Kenya, with its northern tip extending into southwestern Ethiopia. It is not located in South Sudan or the Sahara desert. * Statement 3 is correct: It is Africa's fourth-largest lake, nicknamed the "Jade Sea" due to its striking turquoise color, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
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2025Multi-statement (Traditional Style)World Political Geography & Borders
Consider the following statements:
I. Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska are a few kilometers from each other, but when people are waking up and getting set for breakfast in these cities, it would be different days.
II. When it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Tuesday in Nome.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A.I only
B.II only
C.Both I and II
D.Neither I nor II
Explanation: * Statement I is correct: Anadyr (Siberia) and Nome (Alaska) are separated by a 20-hour time difference despite their geographical proximity, meaning breakfast time occurs on different days of the week in each city. * Statement II is incorrect: The International Date Line (IDL) runs between them. Alaska lies to the east of the IDL and Siberia lies to the west. When traveling westward across the IDL, you gain a day, and when traveling eastward, you lose a day. Therefore, when it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Sunday in Nome, not Tuesday.
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2024Current AffairsMulti-statement (Traditional Style)Global Demographics & Resources
Consider the following countries:
1. Italy
2. Japan
3. Nigeria
4. South Korea
5. South Africa
Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population?
A.1, 2 and 4
B.1, 3 and 5
C.2 and 4 only
D.3 and 5 only
Explanation: * Item 1 is included: Italy is known for its rapidly aging population, where over 23% of the demographic was older than 65 in 2019, with models predicting its population could halve by 2100. * Item 2 is included: Japan holds the world's oldest population average and faces sharp population declines from its historical peak. * Item 3 is not included: Contrary to aging trends, Nigeria has a soaring birth rate and is projected to hold one of the world's largest working-age populations by 2100. * Item 4 is included: South Korea faces a severe demographic crisis with a plunging fertility rate that hit a record low of 0.68 in 2024, threatening its welfare stability. * Item 5 is not included: South Africa does not rank among the global frontrunners frequently highlighted for structural population halving or extreme sub-replacement drops. * Therefore, countries 1, 2, and 4 are correct.
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2024Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Oceanography & Hydrological Features
Consider the following statements:
1. The Red Sea receives very little precipitation in any form.
2. No water enters the Red Sea from rivers.
A.1 only
B.2 only
C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: * Statement 1 is correct: The geographic terrain surrounding the Red Sea experiences an extremely arid climate, resulting in exceptionally low levels of localized precipitation or rainfall in any form. * Statement 2 is incorrect: While it is factually correct that no significant or major perennial river systems drain into the Red Sea, there are various small streams, wadis, and seasonal rivulets that periodically discharge fresh water into it. Thus, stating that "no water" enters from rivers is factually inaccurate.
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