Question 1

Consider the following statements regarding fluvial depositional landforms:
1. Natural levees are low, linear ridges composed primarily of fine silts and clays, found parallel to the banks of large rivers.
2. Point bars are depositional features found on the concave side of meanders, characterized by sediments of a uniform size.
3. Natural levees are often cut into individual mounds, whereas point bars typically exhibit a more uniform profile and width.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Natural levees are ridges of 'coarse deposits', not fine silts and clays. Statement 2 is incorrect. It contains a terminology swap; point bars contain 'mixed sizes of sediments', not a uniform size. Statement 3 is correct. Natural levees are described as being 'quite often cut into individual mounds', while point bars are described as being 'almost uniform in profile and in width'. Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Question 2

Consider the following statements regarding the geomorphic work of running water:
Statement I: The most significant depositional landforms created by running water are typically associated with rivers on medium to gentle slopes.
Statement II: As a river's gradient becomes gentler, its velocity decreases, reducing its sediment-carrying capacity and leading to deposition.
Statement III: Most erosional landforms are associated with youthful rivers on steep gradients because the high velocity provides the energy required for vigorous erosion.
Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Statements I and II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. Statement I is correct. The source material indicates that while small depositional forms can occur on steep slopes, they are minor compared to those on medium to gentle slopes, where deposition is greatest. Statement II is also correct. It accurately describes the causal mechanism: a gentler gradient reduces stream velocity, which in turn reduces the water's ability to transport sediment, causing it to be deposited. This directly explains why the phenomenon in Statement I occurs. Statement III, while a correct statement on its own, describes the process of erosion on steep gradients and is not the direct explanation for deposition on gentle slopes. Therefore, Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.

Question 3

Consider the following rows matching the stage of river development with its associated characteristics:
Row 1: Youth - Poorly integrated streams, waterfalls and rapids are common, and stream divides are broad and flat.
Row 2: Mature - Disappearance of waterfalls, sharp stream divides, and streams flowing in meanders confined within deep V-shaped valleys.
Row 3: Old - Formation of a peneplain, few smaller tributaries with gentle gradients, and broad, flat divides with swamps and marshes.
In how many of the above rows is the stage correctly matched with all its given characteristics?

Accepted Answer

All three rows. All three rows are correctly matched based on the provided text. Row 1 is correct: The 'Youth' stage is characterized by 'Streams are few...with poor integration', 'Waterfalls and rapids may exist', and 'Streams divides are broad and flat with marshes, swamp and lakes'. Row 2 is correct: The 'Mature' stage features valleys that 'are still V-shaped but deep', 'stream divides turn sharp', and 'Waterfalls and rapids disappear'. The streams may flow in meanders confined within the valley. Row 3 is correct: The 'Old' stage is described with 'Smaller tributaries...are few with gentle gradients', 'Divides are broad and flat with lakes, swamps and marshes', and the ultimate landscape is a 'peneplain (an almost plain)'.

Question 4

Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of fluvial landscapes:
Statement I: The final product of the erosional cycle by running water is a peneplain, a lowland of faint relief.
Statement II: The formation of a peneplain is driven by a shift in the dominant fluvial process from downward cutting to lateral erosion of valley sides.
Statement III: The process of peneplanation is characterized by the complete absence of any resistant rock remnants on the landscape.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Statements I and II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.. Statement I is correct as the text defines a peneplain as 'a lowland of faint relief with some low resistant remnants...This type of plain forming as a result of stream erosion is called a peneplain'. Statement II is also correct and provides the causal mechanism for Statement I. The text states, 'In the middle stages, streams cut their beds slower, and lateral erosion of valley sides becomes severe. Gradually, the valley sides are reduced to lower and lower slopes...leaving finally, a lowland of faint relief'. This shows the shift from down-cutting to lateral erosion is the cause. Statement III is incorrect. The text explicitly mentions that a peneplain has 'some low resistant remnants called monadnocks standing out here and there'. Therefore, the landscape is not completely featureless. Thus, Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I.

Question 5

Consider the following statements regarding fluvial erosional landforms:
1. A canyon is characterized by steep, step-like side slopes and is typically wider at its top than at its bottom.
2. Gorges commonly form in horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks due to their deep, narrow profile.
3. An entrenched meander forms when a river with a pre-existing sinuous course experiences uplift, leading to dominant vertical erosion into bedrock.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. A canyon is defined by its steep, step-like side slopes and a profile that is wider at the top than at the bottom, distinguishing it from a gorge. Statement 2 is incorrect. The formation of these landforms is highly dependent on rock structure. Gorges are typically formed in hard rocks, which allow for the maintenance of steep, straight sides. Canyons, in contrast, commonly form in horizontally bedded sedimentary rocks. The statement incorrectly swaps the rock types associated with gorges and canyons. Statement 3 is correct. An entrenched meander is formed when a river with a meandering course on a gentle slope experiences a change, such as tectonic uplift, which increases its gradient. This leads to accelerated vertical erosion, causing the river to cut deeply into the underlying bedrock while preserving its sinuous pattern. Since statements 1 and 3 are correct, the correct option is (b).

Question 6

Consider the following rows matching a fluvial landform with its defining characteristic or formation process:
Row 1: Plunge Pool - A more or less circular depression on a rocky stream bed formed by the abrasion of rock fragments.
Row 2: River Terrace - A surface marking a former floodplain level, resulting from vertical erosion by the stream into its own deposits.
Row 3: Canyon - A deep valley with very steep to straight sides, which is almost equal in width at its top and bottom.
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one row. Row 1 is incorrectly matched. The description provided—a circular depression on a rocky stream bed formed by abrasion of rock fragments—defines a pothole, not a plunge pool. A plunge pool is a much larger and deeper hole formed at the base of a waterfall. Row 2 is correctly matched. River terraces are indeed remnants of former valley floors or floodplains, created when a stream cuts vertically downwards into its own depositional layers, leaving behind step-like surfaces. Row 3 is incorrectly matched. The description—a deep valley with steep, straight sides and nearly equal width at top and bottom—defines a gorge. A canyon is characterized by steep, step-like side slopes and is wider at its top than at its bottom. Therefore, only one row is correctly matched.

Question 7

Consider the following rows:
Row 1: Gorge - Characterised by almost equal width at its top and bottom.
Row 2: Canyon - Typically forms in hard, resistant crystalline rocks.
Row 3: Entrenched Meander - Primarily formed by active lateral erosion on valley sides.
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Row 1 is correctly matched. The text states, 'A gorge is almost equal in width at its top as well as its bottom.' Row 2 is incorrectly matched. The text specifies that canyons 'commonly form in horizontal bedded sedimentary rocks.' It is gorges that form in 'hard rocks.' This swaps the characteristic rock types. Row 3 is incorrectly matched. Entrenched meanders form due to dominant vertical erosion as a river cuts down into bedrock following uplift. The text clarifies that for streams on steep gradients (which form these features), 'Lateral erosion on the sides of the valleys is not as significant.' Active lateral erosion is characteristic of meanders on gentle floodplains. Therefore, only one row is correctly matched.

Question 8

Consider the following statements regarding depositional landforms:
1. A spit is a ridge of sand and shingle formed in the off-shore zone, lying approximately parallel to the coast but unattached to it.
2. When a bay is almost completely enclosed by bars and spits, it eventually develops into a lagoon which can subsequently get filled by sediment from the land.
3. Glacial till consists of roughly stratified and assorted rock fragments that are somewhat rounded at their edges.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. The description provided is for an off-shore bar, which is a ridge of sand and shingle lying parallel to the coast. A spit is a depositional feature that is attached to one end of a bay or a headland. Statement 2 is correct. The process described is accurate. Bars and spits can extend across the mouth of a bay, enclosing it to form a lagoon, which is then gradually filled with sediment from terrestrial sources or the beach. Statement 3 is incorrect. The characteristics mentioned—being roughly stratified, assorted, and containing rounded rock fragments—are properties of glacio-fluvial outwash deposits. In contrast, glacial till is unassorted debris with angular to sub-angular rock fragments. Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Question 9

Consider the following statements regarding glacial depositional landforms:
1. Glacial till consists of roughly stratified and assorted rock fragments that are somewhat rounded at their edges.
2. Outwash deposits, also known as glacio-fluvial deposits, are formed by streams of melting ice.
3. The rock fragments found within glacial till are characteristically angular to sub-angular in form.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect. It swaps the characteristics of glacial till with those of outwash deposits. The features described—stratified, assorted, and rounded fragments—belong to outwash deposits. Glacial till is unassorted and contains angular fragments. Statement 2 is correct. Outwash deposits are formed by melt-water streams from glaciers and are therefore also termed glacio-fluvial deposits. Statement 3 is correct. A defining characteristic of glacial till is that the rock fragments are angular to sub-angular, having been deposited directly by melting ice without the rounding action of prolonged water transport. Therefore, only two statements are correct.

Question 10

Consider the following rows matching coastal depositional features with their descriptions:
Row 1: Spit - A ridge of sand and shingle formed in the off-shore zone, lying approximately parallel to the coast.
Row 2: Barrier Bar - An off-shore bar that is exposed due to the addition of sand, commonly forming across the mouth of a bay.
Row 3: Lagoon - A broad and wide coastal plain that develops after a bay has been completely filled with sediment.
In how many of the above rows is the feature correctly matched with its description?

Accepted Answer

Only one row. Row 1 is incorrect. The description provided is that of an off-shore bar. A spit is a depositional feature that is attached to the land (a headland or one side of a bay) at one end. Row 2 is correct. A barrier bar is an off-shore bar that has accumulated enough sediment to become exposed above sea level, often creating a barrier across a bay or river mouth. Row 3 is incorrect. A lagoon is the body of water enclosed by bars or spits. The description provided refers to a coastal plain, which is the landform that may develop after a lagoon is completely filled with sediment. Therefore, only one row is correctly matched.

Question 11

Consider the following statements regarding depositional landforms:
1. Glacio-fluvial outwash deposits are characterized by being roughly stratified and assorted, with rock fragments that are somewhat rounded.
2. Beaches are described as permanent features of depositional shorelines, with their constituent sediment primarily originating from wave erosion.
3. A ridge of sand formed in the off-shore zone, lying approximately parallel to the coast, which gets keyed up to a headland is known as a barrier bar.

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is correct. Glacio-fluvial deposits, or outwash, are formed by melt-water streams. The action of flowing water sorts the material by size (assorted), deposits it in layers (stratified), and rounds the rock fragments, distinguishing it from unassorted, angular glacial till. Statement 2 is incorrect. Beaches are explicitly temporary features, not permanent. Their size and composition can change seasonally. Furthermore, their sediment comes from land via rivers as well as from wave erosion, not primarily from one source. Statement 3 is incorrect. A ridge of sand parallel to the coast that becomes attached or 'keyed up' to a headland is defined as a spit. A barrier bar is an off-shore bar that has been exposed above sea level but is not necessarily attached to land.

Question 12

Consider the following statements:
1. Alluvial fans are formed because streams flowing from higher levels experience a sudden decrease in gradient, causing a loss of carrying capacity.
2. Sand dunes along low sedimentary coasts typically form long ridges perpendicular to the coastline.
3. When a bay is enclosed by bars and spits, it may develop into a lagoon, which then gradually fills with sediment to form a coastal plain.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. The formation of an alluvial fan is a direct result of a stream moving from a steep, high-gradient mountain slope to a low-gradient plain. This change in slope reduces the stream's velocity and energy, causing it to deposit its coarse load. Statement 2 is incorrect. Sand dunes that form as long ridges behind a beach are oriented parallel to the coastline, not perpendicular to it. This orientation is a result of the prevailing wind action on sand lifted from the beach. Statement 3 is correct. The process described is accurate: the formation of barriers, bars, and spits can isolate a bay from the open sea, creating a lagoon. Over time, sediment from land and the beach fills the lagoon, eventually forming a coastal plain.

Question 13

Consider the following statements regarding the features associated with river meanders: 1. In a mature meander, the concave bank, known as the cut-off bank, experiences active deposition, presenting a long, gentle profile. 2. Point bars are depositional features that typically form on the inner, convex curve of a meander where water velocity is lower. 3. An oxbow lake is formed when a river cuts a new, shorter channel across the narrow neck of land at an inflection point, abandoning the old meander loop. How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect. It reverses the characteristics of the banks. The concave (outer) bank is the site of active erosion and undercutting, known as the cut-off bank, which forms a steep scarp. The convex (inner) bank is where deposition occurs, creating a gentle profile. Statement 2 is correct. On the inside of a meander bend (the convex bank), the water flow is slower, leading to the deposition of sediment and the formation of point bars. Statement 3 is correct. As meanders become highly sinuous, the erosion at the inflection points can cause the river to breach the narrow neck of land, creating a 'cut-off'. The old, abandoned loop subsequently forms an oxbow lake. Therefore, only two statements (2 and 3) are correct.

Question 14

Consider the following rows matching a glacial landform with its description. Row 1: Drumlin - A sinuous ridge of sorted sand and gravel deposited by a subglacial river. Row 2: Esker - An elongated, oval hill of unsorted till with its long axis parallel to the direction of ice movement. Row 3: Medial Moraine - A ridge of till formed at the junction where two tributary glaciers merge. Row 4: Hanging Valley - A U-shaped valley formed by a tributary glacier that lies at a lower elevation than the main glacial trough. In how many of the above rows is the glacial landform correctly matched with its description?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Row 1 is incorrectly matched. The description provided (a sinuous ridge of sorted glacio-fluvial deposits) is that of an Esker, not a Drumlin. Row 2 is incorrectly matched. The description (an elongated hill of unsorted till) is that of a Drumlin, not an Esker. The definitions in Row 1 and Row 2 have been swapped. Row 3 is correctly matched. A medial moraine is indeed formed from the lateral moraines of two glaciers that converge. Row 4 is incorrectly matched. A hanging valley is formed by a tributary glacier, but it lies at a higher elevation than the main glacial trough, often resulting in a waterfall where it joins the main valley. Therefore, only one row (Row 3) is correctly matched.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding different types of sand dunes: 1. Barchan dunes are crescent-shaped with their horns pointing upwind, against the direction of the wind. 2. Transverse dunes consist of long ridges of sand oriented parallel to the dominant wind direction. 3. Parabolic dunes are U-shaped with their arms pointing upwind and are often stabilized by vegetation. How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Barchan dunes are crescent-shaped, but their horns point downwind, in the direction of wind movement. Statement 2 is incorrect. Transverse dunes are long ridges oriented perpendicular (at a right angle) to the wind direction. Longitudinal dunes are the ones oriented parallel to the wind. Statement 3 is correct. Parabolic dunes are U-shaped or hairpin-shaped, with their arms pointing upwind (opposite to Barchans), and their formation is often associated with blowouts where vegetation anchors the arms. Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the formation of Karst topography:
Statement I: The development of Karst topography is primarily driven by the physical or mechanical removal of materials by moving groundwater.
Statement II: Karst landforms are most prominently developed in rocks like limestones or dolomites because their high calcium carbonate content makes them highly susceptible to chemical solution.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct. Statement I is incorrect. The formation of Karst landforms is dominated by chemical processes, specifically solution and precipitation. The role of physical or mechanical erosion by moving groundwater is considered insignificant in the development of these topographies. Statement II is correct. The defining characteristic of Karst regions is their geology, which consists of rocks like limestone or dolomite. These rocks are rich in calcium carbonate, making them highly susceptible to dissolution by groundwater. This chemical susceptibility is the fundamental reason why such distinct landforms develop in these areas.

Question 17

Consider the following landforms associated with Karst topography:
1. Lapies
2. Uvalas
3. Stalagmites
4. Sinkholes
How many of the above are primarily formed by erosional processes?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Statement 1 is correct. Lapies are an extremely irregular and rugged surface marked by a maze of points, grooves, and ridges, formed by the differential solution (an erosional process) of limestone. Statement 2 is correct. Uvalas, or valley sinks, are formed when multiple sinkholes and dolines coalesce, which involves slumping of intervening walls and roof collapse of caves—all erosional activities. Statement 3 is incorrect. Stalagmites are depositional features. They are formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from water dripping onto the cave floor. Statement 4 is correct. Sinkholes are depressions formed either solely through solution action (solution sinks) or by the collapse of a cave roof (collapse sinks), both of which are erosional processes. Therefore, three of the landforms listed (Lapies, Uvalas, and Sinkholes) are primarily formed by erosion.

Question 18

Consider the following pairs regarding Karst landforms:
Row 1: Uvala - A long, narrow trench formed by the coalescence of several sinkholes.
Row 2: Lapies - An extremely irregular surface with grooves and ridges formed by differential solution along joints.
Row 3: Pillar - A speleothem that rises from the floor of a cave, formed by dripping water.
In how many of the above rows is the landform correctly described?

Accepted Answer

Only two rows. Let's analyze each row:
- Row 1 is correct. The text defines Uvalas (or valley sinks) as 'long, narrow to wide trenches' that form when 'sinkholes and dolines join together'.
- Row 2 is correct. The text describes lapies as 'an extremely irregular landscape with a maze of points, grooves, and ridges' which 'form due to differential solution activity along parallel to sub-parallel joints'.
- Row 3 is incorrect. This describes a stalagmite. A pillar is formed by the fusion of a stalactite (hanging from the ceiling) and a stalagmite (rising from the floor). This is a terminology swap. Therefore, only two rows are correctly matched.

Question 19

With reference to the features of Karst topography, consider the following statements:
1. Stalagmites hang from the ceilings of caves as icicles of different diameters, tapering towards their free ends.
2. Collapse sinks, also referred to as dolines, are more common than solution sinks.
3. Caves with openings at both ends are referred to as tunnels.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Let's evaluate each statement:
- Statement 1 is incorrect. It describes stalactites. Stalagmites are the features that rise from the floor of the caves. This is a classic 'Spatial Swap' trap.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. The text explicitly states, 'Solution sinks are more common than collapse sinks.' The statement reverses this fact, creating a 'Scale Distortion' trap.
- Statement 3 is correct. The text clearly mentions, 'Caves with openings at both ends are called tunnels.'
Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Question 20

Consider the following rows regarding glacial landforms:
Row 1: Esker - A sinuous ridge composed of coarse materials, deposited by meltwater streams flowing in channels beneath the glacier.
Row 2: Drumlin - An oval-shaped ridge of glacial till where the blunter, steeper stoss end faces away from the source of the ice.
Row 3: Lateral Moraine - A ridge of debris deposited at the end (toe) of a glacier, often joining with others to form a horse-shoe shape.
In how many of the above rows is the landform correctly described?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Row 1 is correct. An esker is accurately described as a sinuous ridge of coarse materials deposited by subglacial meltwater streams. Row 2 is incorrect. This is a [SPATIAL SWAP] trap. For a drumlin, the blunter and steeper stoss end faces towards the source of the ice, not away from it. The statement incorrectly reverses this orientation. Row 3 is incorrect. This is a [TERMINOLOGY & ORIGIN SWAP] trap. The description provided matches a terminal moraine, which is deposited at the toe of a glacier. A lateral moraine, in contrast, forms as a ridge of debris along the sides of a glacial valley. Therefore, only one row is correctly matched.

Question 21

Consider the following rows regarding Himalayan glaciers and rivers:
Row 1: Gangotri Glacier --- Feeds the Alakananda river
Row 2: Alkapuri Glacier --- Feeds the Bhagirathi river
Row 3: Deoprayag --- Confluence of Alakananda and Bhagirathi to form Ganga
In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Row 1 is incorrectly matched. The Gangotri glacier's meltwater from its snout (Gaumukh) feeds the Bhagirathi river, not the Alakananda. Row 2 is incorrectly matched. The Alkapuri glacier feeds the Alakananda river, not the Bhagirathi. The rivers associated with the glaciers have been swapped, which is a common trap. Row 3 is correctly matched. The rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi join at Deoprayag to form the river Ganga. Therefore, only one row is correctly matched.

Question 22

Consider the following statements regarding glacial features:
1. A tarn lake is a body of water that typically forms within a horn after a glacier disappears.
2. Arêtes are sharp, saw-toothed ridges formed by the progressive headward erosion of the walls between two or more cirques.
3. The highest peaks in both the Alps (Matterhorn) and the Himalayas (Everest) are examples of cirques formed by headward erosion.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. This is a [Terminology Swap]. A lake of water that forms within a cirque after a glacier disappears is called a cirque or tarn lake. It does not form within a horn, which is a peak. Statement 2 is correct. The divides between cirque side walls or head walls get narrow due to progressive erosion, turning into serrated or saw-toothed ridges known as arêtes. Statement 3 is incorrect. This is another [Terminology Swap]. The Matterhorn and Everest are cited as examples of horns, which are high, sharp-pointed peaks, not cirques, which are deep troughs or basins. Therefore, only one statement (Statement 2) is correct.

Question 23

Consider the following statements regarding coastal depositional landforms:
1. A bar is a ridge of sand or shingle that is always visible above the water surface, running parallel to the coast.
2. A spit is a depositional feature that is attached to a headland at one end and extends into a bay.
3. A lagoon is formed when a wave-cut platform gets filled with sediment from the land, creating a coastal plain.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect. Bars are defined as submerged ridges of sand and/or shingle. A feature that appears above water is a barrier bar, which is distinct from a bar. Statement 2 is correct. A spit is a depositional landform that is attached to a headland and extends into a bay. Statement 3 is incorrect. A lagoon is formed when barrier bars and spits enclose a body of water by blocking the mouth of a bay. A wave-cut platform is an erosional feature, not the origin of a lagoon. The subsequent filling of a lagoon with sediment leads to the formation of a coastal plain, but this is not the process of lagoon formation itself. Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Question 24

Consider the following two statements:
Statement-I: The west coast of India is predominantly characterized by erosional landforms.
Statement-II: The west coast of India is a high, rocky, retreating (submerged) coast where waves break with great force against the land.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.. Statement-I is correct. The west coast of India is a prime example of a high, rocky, submerged coast where erosional features like sea cliffs and wave-cut platforms are dominant. Statement-II is also correct as it accurately describes the geomorphological nature of India's west coast. The causal link is direct: The characteristics described in Statement-II (high, rocky, submerged coast) create a high-energy environment where powerful waves break directly against the landmass. This intense and constant wave action is the primary mechanism for erosion, leading to the prevalence of erosional landforms mentioned in Statement-I. Therefore, Statement-II provides the correct scientific explanation for Statement-I.

Question 25

Consider the following rows matching a coastal type with its dominant process and a characteristic landform:
Row 1: High Rocky Coast : Depositional processes dominate : Spit
Row 2: Low Sedimentary Coast : Erosional processes dominate : Delta
Row 3: Submerged Coast : Cliff retreat and platform formation : Wave-built terrace
In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched in all respects?

Accepted Answer

None. Row 1 is incorrectly matched. While spits can form on high rocky coasts during later stages, the dominant process is erosion, not deposition. The text states, 'Along the high rocky coasts... Erosion features dominate.' Row 2 is incorrectly matched. Low sedimentary coasts are dominated by depositional processes, not erosion. While deltas are characteristic of these coasts, the stated dominant process is wrong. Row 3 is incorrectly matched. A submerged coast is a high, rocky coast where cliff retreat and wave-cut platform formation (an erosional process) occur. However, a wave-built terrace is a depositional feature that forms in front of the wave-cut terrace from deposited material. It is not a direct product of the erosional process of cliff retreat itself. Therefore, none of the rows are correctly matched in all three aspects.

Question 26

Consider the following rows regarding sand dune types and their characteristics:

Row 1: Barchans - Crescent-shaped dunes where the points or wings are directed upwind, i.e., facing the wind.
Row 2: Parabolic Dunes - U-shaped dunes with arms extending upwind, often formed where sandy surfaces are partially covered by vegetation.
Row 3: Seif - A type of longitudinal dune, described as being similar to a barchan but with only one wing or point.

In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect. Barchans are crescent-shaped dunes, but their points or wings are directed away from the wind direction (downwind), not upwind. The concave side faces the wind. Statement 2 is correct. Parabolic dunes are indeed U-shaped, form in partially vegetated areas, and their arms or tips point upwind. Statement 3 is correct. A Seif is a type of longitudinal dune, and the description provided accurately characterizes it as being similar to a barchan with a single wing. Therefore, only two rows (Row 2 and Row 3) are correctly matched.

Question 27

Consider the following geomorphic agents and processes responsible for the formation of features in hot deserts:

1. Wind action, including deflation and abrasion
2. Running water in the form of sheet floods
3. Mass wasting

How many of the above are significant agents in shaping desert landscapes?

Accepted Answer

All three. Statement 1 is correct. Wind action is a dominant geomorphic agent in deserts, creating features through processes like deflation, abrasion, and impact. Statement 2 is correct. Running water, manifesting as sheet floods after torrential rains, is a crucial agent for moving weathered materials and accomplishing mass erosion in desert environments. Statement 3 is correct. Mass wasting is a fundamental process, often working in conjunction with running water, that contributes to the formation of many desert features. Since all three are significant agents, all three statements are correct.

Landforms And Their Evolution

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