Q20. Which rock system provides the largest quantity of coal in India?
[UPPSC RO/ARO General Studies (20 September 2020)]
- (A) Dharwar system
- (B) Gondwana system
- (C) Vindhyan system
- (D) Tertiary system
Answer: (B) Gondwana system
Explanation: The Gondwana basins contain most of India’s major coal-bearing sedimentary sequences. Plant matter accumulated in ancient continental depressions and later underwent coalification. Tertiary coal also exists, especially in northeastern India, but represents a smaller share.
Q19. India’s major iron-ore reserves are associated with which rock system?
[UPPSC Block Education Officer (16 August 2020)]
- (A) Dharwar
- (B) Cuddapah
- (C) Vindhyan
- (D) Gondwana
Answer: (A) Dharwar
Explanation: Precambrian Dharwar and related ancient metamorphic belts host economically important iron formations, along with other metallic mineral deposits. Gondwana basins are more closely identified with coal, while Vindhyan and Cuddapah successions contain widespread sedimentary rocks.
Q18. Which group of rocks occurs in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district?
[CGPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (2020)]
- (A) Cuddapah group
- (B) Gondwana group
- (C) Dharwar group
- (D) Vindhyan group
Answer: (C) Dharwar group
Explanation: The southern Chhattisgarh region around Bijapur includes ancient crystalline and metamorphic formations grouped with the Dharwar system in conventional regional classifications. Such old peninsular rocks differ from later coal-bearing Gondwana sediments and younger volcanic formations.
Q17. Match Dharwar series with areas:
a. Champion;
b. Chilpi;
c. Rialo;
d. Iron-ore.
Areas:
i. Singhbhum–Bonai;
ii. Delhi–Alwar;
iii. Kolar–Raichur;
iv. Balaghat–Jabalpur.
[MPSC State Services Preliminary Examination (2020)]
- (A) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i
- (B) a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i
- (C) a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
- (D) a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
Answer: (A) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i
Explanation: Champion is linked to the Kolar–Raichur gold belt, Chilpi to the Balaghat region, Rialo to Delhi–Alwar and the iron-ore series to Singhbhum–Bonai. The pairings illustrate the broad geographic spread of ancient Indian metalliferous rock belts.
Q16. Which ancient sea separated the Indian subcontinent from the northern mainland millions of years ago?
[SSC CHSL (14 October 2020, Shift 1)]
- (A) Tethys
- (B) Typhon
- (C) Prometheus
- (D) Aegina
Answer: (A) Tethys
Explanation: The Tethys Ocean lay between northern Eurasian-related landmasses and the drifting Indian continent. As India converged with Eurasia, its sedimentary deposits were folded, faulted and raised, contributing to formation of the Himalayas and adjoining mountain belts.
Q15. Which is India’s youngest mountain range?
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (2020)]
- (A) Himalayas
- (B) Aravalli Range
- (C) Western Ghats
- (D) Vindhya Range
Answer: (A) Himalayas
Explanation: The Himalayas formed during Cenozoic continental collision, much later than the principal mountain-building events of the peninsular Aravalli, Vindhya and Western Ghats regions. Their active uplift, sharp relief and earthquake hazard reflect a continuing tectonic process.
Q14. Which rock type mainly forms the Maharashtra Plateau?
[MPSC State Services Mains, General Studies Paper I (2019)]
- (A) Dharwar
- (B) Cuddapah
- (C) Basalt
- (D) Granite
Answer: (C) Basalt
Explanation: Maharashtra contains a large expanse of Deccan Trap basalt formed by successive volcanic lava outpourings. The nearly horizontal flows produce characteristic step-like topography and weather into black soils across substantial parts of the plateau.
Q13. Which movements are relevant to the formation of fold mountains: a. Lateral movements; b. Vertical movements; c. Two continental blocks moving parallel in the same direction?
[MPSC State Services Mains, General Studies Paper I (2019)]
- (A) Only a
- (B) a and b
- (C) b and c
- (D) All three
Answer: (B) a and b
Explanation: Crustal shortening associated with horizontal convergence is central to folding, and vertical uplift may accompany mountain building. Two blocks merely moving parallel in the same direction need not undergo compressive convergence, so statement c is excluded.
Q12. Which of these is an igneous rock?
[SSC CHSL (11 July 2019, Shift 2)]
- (A) Granite
- (B) Marble
- (C) Limestone
- (D) Slate
Answer: (A) Granite
Explanation: Granite forms by slow crystallisation of magma beneath Earth’s surface and is an intrusive igneous rock. Marble and slate are metamorphic, while limestone is sedimentary. Ancient granitic bodies are widespread across India’s Peninsular Block.
Q11. What is the study of rocks’ composition, texture, structure, origin and distribution called?
[SSC CGL (12 June 2019, Shift 3)]
- (A) Lithology
- (B) Geology
- (C) Geomorphology
- (D) Petrology
Answer: (D) Petrology
Explanation: Petrology investigates how rocks form, their constituent minerals and the textures recording geological processes. It is more specific than broad geology or surface-focused geomorphology. Petrological analysis helps distinguish India’s ancient shield rocks from sedimentary and volcanic units.
