2023
Q60. Which type of vegetation is found in the Sundarbans?
[SSC MTS (4 Sep 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Thorn forest
(B) Montane forest
(C) Mangrove forest
(D) Semi-evergreen forest
Answer: (C) Mangrove forest
Explanation: The Sundarbans consist of tidal mangrove vegetation in the Bengal delta. Salt-tolerant trees grow on muddy, frequently flooded land. Their tangled roots trap sediment, help conserve shorelines and provide habitats for aquatic organisms.
Q59. Sundari, a hardwood tree, is most closely associated with which forests?
[SSC CGL Tier-I (18 Jul 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Tropical deciduous
(B) Mangrove
(C) Montane
(D) Tropical evergreen
Answer: (B) Mangrove
Explanation: Sundari grows in the tidal mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, providing durable timber. These forests are found in saline deltaic conditions. The common name Sundarbans is traditionally associated with the characteristic sundari tree.
Q58. Match:
1. Tidal forests;
2. Deciduous forests;
3. Tropical evergreen forests,
with
A. Rainfall 100–200 cm;
B. Large deltas;
C. Rainfall above 200 cm.
[MP Police Constable (21 Aug 2023, Shift 2)]
(A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
(B) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
(C) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
(D) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
Answer: (B) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
Explanation: Tidal or mangrove forests occupy large river deltas. Tropical deciduous vegetation is associated with seasonal rainfall around 100–200 centimetres, while evergreen forests generally need more than 200 centimetres. The rainfall and landform clues give the matching sequence.
Q57. Which is the most widespread natural forest type in India?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I (17 Aug 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) Littoral forest
(B) Tropical thorn
(C) Montane forest
(D) Tropical deciduous forest
Answer: (D) Tropical deciduous forest
Explanation: Tropical deciduous, or monsoon, forests cover extensive parts of India. Their moisture-dependent subtypes occur across central, northern and peninsular regions. Seasonal shedding distinguishes them from evergreen forests, while mangroves are limited to suitable coasts.
Q56. Consider:
A. India has 20% of the world’s mangroves.
B. Mangroves are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which statement is correct?
[KVS Junior Secretariat Assistant (1 Mar 2023, Shift 1)]
(A) A only
(B) B only
(C) Both A and B
(D) Neither A nor B
Answer: (B) B only
Explanation: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands possess natural mangrove wetlands. However, India does not contain one-fifth of the world’s mangrove area. Mangroves flourish along suitable tropical coasts, protected creeks and estuaries.
Q55. In which areas of India are mangrove forests characteristically found?
[DSSSB Junior Secretariat Assistant (20 Sep 2023, Shift 4)]
(A) Wet hill slopes of the Western Ghats
(B) Deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery
(C) Upper northeastern hills
(D) Northwestern semi-arid plains
Answer: (B) Deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari and Cauvery
Explanation: Tidal conditions and river deposition in major coastal deltas favour mangrove vegetation. Their specialized roots survive salty, oxygen-poor soils. The Ganga, Mahanadi and peninsular east-coast river mouths provide suitable mangrove habitats.
Q54. Camels and wild asses are most associated with which natural vegetation?
[SSC MTS (14 Sep 2023, Shift 3)]
(A) Tropical evergreen forest
(B) Montane vegetation
(C) Thorn forest and scrub
(D) Mangrove forest
Answer: (C) Thorn forest and scrub
Explanation: Camels and wild asses are adapted to dry arid and semiarid environments, corresponding to thorn forest and scrub landscapes. These areas have low rainfall and vegetation with water-conserving features such as small leaves and deep roots.
Q53. Which tree–state pair is correctly matched?
[Odisha Police SI Paper-II (26 Nov 2023)]
(A) Teak—Jammu and Kashmir
(B) Deodar—Madhya Pradesh
(C) Sandalwood—Kerala
(D) Sundari—West Bengal
Answer: (D) Sundari—West Bengal
Explanation: Sundari is an important mangrove tree of the Sundarbans in West Bengal. Deodar is a Himalayan conifer, and teak is associated with tropical deciduous vegetation. The correct pair therefore identifies a tidal coastal species.
Q52. Into how many main groups is India’s natural vegetation commonly classified in school geography?
[SSC CPO (3 Oct 2023, Shift 3)]
(A) Six
(B) Five
(C) Nine
(D) Seven
Answer: (B) Five
Explanation: The familiar broad classification comprises tropical evergreen, tropical deciduous, tropical thorn and scrub, montane, and mangrove forests. This five-part scheme summarizes how climate, altitude, moisture and tidal conditions influence India’s major natural vegetation.
Q51. Arrange by decreasing rainfall:
I. Thorn forests;
II. Tropical deciduous forests;
III. Tropical evergreen forests.
[TGPSC AEE Paper-I (21 May 2023)]
(A) II–I–III
(B) I–II–III
(C) III–II–I
(D) I–III–II
Answer: (C) III–II–I
Explanation: Evergreen forests receive the greatest rainfall, ordinarily above 200 centimetres. Deciduous forests occupy seasonal monsoon rainfall belts, whereas thorn scrub develops in the driest areas. Therefore the sequence from wettest to driest is evergreen, deciduous, thorn.
