Q50. Which region is known as the granary of South India?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2016]
(A) Coimbatore
(B) Tiruchirappalli
(C) Thanjavur
(D) Thiruvananthapuram
Answer: (C) Thanjavur
Explanation: Thanjavur occupies part of the Cauvery delta, an area of deep alluvial soils and long-established irrigation. Rice cultivation, sometimes involving multiple harvests in a year, explains the title used in regional agricultural geography.
Q49. What type of farming is locally called jhoom?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2016]
(A) Shifting cultivation
(B) A kind of music
(C) A tribal dance
(D) A soil type
Answer: (A) Shifting cultivation
Explanation: Jhoom or jhum refers to shifting cultivation, especially in parts of northeastern India. Vegetation is cleared and plots cultivated temporarily before fields are left fallow. The practice is closely connected with hilly landscapes and traditional land-use systems.
Q48. In which region is tank irrigation traditionally especially important?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2016]
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Rajasthan
(C) Andhra Pradesh
(D) Himalayan states
Answer: (C) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Tank irrigation has long been prominent in the peninsular region, especially parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Hard-rock terrain, seasonal streams and village tanks favour storage-based irrigation compared with the deep alluvial groundwater systems of northern plains.
2015
Q47. Which Uttar Pradesh district was particularly known for orange production?
[UP Lower Subordinate Main Examination, 2015]
(A) Lucknow
(B) Unnao
(C) Saharanpur
(D) Allahabad
Answer: (C) Saharanpur
Explanation: Saharanpur is cited in the archived examination source as an important orange-growing district. Local horticulture combines suitable microclimatic conditions with established nursery and orchard practices, explaining geographically distinctive fruit specializations.
Q46. For irrigation programmes, assess: (1) AIBP began in 1996–97 as direct loans to poor farmers; (2) Command Area Development began in 1974–75 to improve irrigation-water use.
[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2015]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: AIBP assisted the completion of state irrigation projects rather than directly lending to individual farmers. Command Area Development sought better water delivery and efficiency within irrigated command areas, making statement two correct.
Q45. Which state is called the Sugar Bowl of India?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2015]
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Punjab
(C) Andhra Pradesh
(D) Bihar
Answer: (A) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh’s extensive sugarcane area and sugar-mill network underpin its association with sugar production. Western and central districts are prominent, supported by alluvial soils, irrigation infrastructure and proximity to processing facilities.
Q44. In India, sugarcane cultivation is generally an example of which farming type?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2015]
(A) Plantation agriculture
(B) Shifting cultivation
(C) Irrigated cultivation
(D) Nomadic cultivation
Answer: (C) Irrigated cultivation
Explanation: Sugarcane typically requires considerable moisture during its long growing season. Even where monsoon rain is substantial, supplementary irrigation is often needed. This makes water availability a central determinant of its geographical distribution.
Q43. Why did sugar production show a shift toward southern India?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2015]
(A) Cheaper labour alone
(B) Only more local consumers
(C) Only lower electric charges
(D) Higher cane yield and sucrose content
Answer: (D) Higher cane yield and sucrose content
Explanation: Warmer growing conditions, relatively long crushing periods and higher sucrose recovery in parts of peninsular India favoured sugar manufacturing. Geography of both cultivation and processing influences the spatial distribution of India’s sugar industry.
Q42. Which conditions contributed to stronger sugar production in South India: higher yield, higher sucrose, cheaper labour, longer crushing?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2015]
(A) Higher yield and sucrose only
(B) Higher yield, sucrose and cheaper labour
(C) Higher yield, cheaper labour and longer crushing
(D) Higher yield, higher sucrose and longer crushing
Answer: (D) Higher yield, higher sucrose and longer crushing
Explanation: Southern sugar-producing regions can benefit from higher sugarcane yield, more sucrose in mature cane and a longer operating season for mills. These advantages partially explain the industry’s changing geographical pattern beyond the traditional northern cane belt.
Q41. Which weather conditions are most suitable for wheat cultivation?
[WBCS Main (Indian Geography), 2015]
(A) Moderate temperature and moderate rainfall
(B) High temperature with heavy rain
(C) High temperature and moderate rain
(D) Low temperature and very low rain
Answer: (A) Moderate temperature and moderate rainfall
Explanation: Wheat favours a relatively cool growing period and comparatively dry, warm conditions during ripening. Moderate rainfall or irrigation is important. Northern India’s winter season and alluvial plains support its major wheat-growing regions.
