176. Consider the following statements: 1. Kuiper belt lies beyond Neptune's orbit. 2. Kuiper belt contains all the officially recognized dwarf planets. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: (a) Kuiper belt is a belt beyond Neptune's orbit consisting of remnants of the Solar system like the asteroids but composed of frozen volatiles. It is home to three officially recognized dwarf planets, Pluto, Haumea and Makemake.

177. Which is the only continent that lies in all four hemispheres? (a) Asia (b) Europe (c) Africa (d) North America

Solution: (c) Africa is the only continent which lies in all four hemispheres due to Equator and Prime Meridian passing through the continent.

178. Which of the following rivers cross/crosses equator twice? 1. Nile 2. Congo 3. Amazon Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only

Solution: (b) Congo is the only river in the world that crosses equator twice.

179. With reference to Great Barrier Reef, consider the following statements: 1. It is the world's largest coral reef system. 2. It can be seen from outer space. 3. It is presently threatened due to coral bleaching. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) All of the above

O Solution: (d) All given statements are correct. Great Barrier Reef, which is a world heritage site has been threatened due to coral bleaching, a result of increasing temperatures of oceans caused by global warming. Coral bleaching occurs when algae is removed from coral polyps which otherwise has a symbiotic relationship

180. Which of the following countries of Africa is known as the nation of thousand hills? (a) Uganda (b) Rwanda (c) Kenya (d) Somalia

Solution: (b) Rwanda is known as the land of thousand hills. Recently in news due to the agreement signed in Kigali (capital of Rwanda) known as Kigali agreement, to amend the Montreal protocol Montreal protocol is an international treaty to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances from the atmosphere. Kigali agreement aims to reduce use of Hydroflourocarbons by 80-85 percent till 2045.

181. Consider the following pairs: Coast 1. Gold coast Ghana 2. Grain coast Guinea Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Country

Solution: (a) Gold coast: Ghana Grain coast: Sierra Leone and Liberia Slave coast: Togo, Benin and Nigeria lvory coast: Cote d'Ivoire

Solution:(d) Horn of Africa is a peninsula in North East Africa. It denotes four countries, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia. D Solution: (d)

184. Which of the following river(s) form(s) the Northern plains of India? 1. Indus 2. Ganga 3. Brahmaputra Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the above

Solution: (c) Northern plains have been formed by the deposition of alluvium which makes it very fertile for cultivation and the most thickly populated regiorn of India.

186. Consider the following pairs: Country Plateau 1. Kimberly plateauSouth Africa 2. Katanga plateau Democratic Republic of Congo Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: (b) Kimberley plateau is in Australia The city, Kimberly in South Africa is rich for mining diamonds but it is not Kimberley plateau.

188. Consider the following statements: 1. Brazil forms a common boundary with all the countries of South America. 2. Brazil is the only country through which Equator and Tropic of Capricorn pass through. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

189. Which of the following forests are called monsoon forests? (a) Tropical rain forests (b) Tropical deciduous forests (c) Coniferous forests (d) Mangrove forests

190. Consider the following statements: 1. Delta is a triangular landform formed at the mouth of a river. 2. Sunderbans, formed at the mouth of the river Brahmaputra, is the world's largest delta. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: (d) Delta is a piece of land that is formed at the confluence of a river and a sea which is the mouth of the river. It is not always triangular. Sunderbans delta is formed by Ganga and Brahmaputra and hence also called Ganga-Brahmaputra delta.

191. Arrange the following cities in the North -South direction: 1. Cairo 2. Damascus 3. Pyongyang 4. Lima Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 2, 3,1,4 (b) 3, 2, 1,4 (c) 1, 3, 2, 4 (d) 3, 1, 2,4

Solution: (b) The correct order of the given cities from North To South is Pyongyang in North Korea, Damascus in Syria, Cairo in Egypt and Lima in Peru.

193. Which of the following planets are called ice giants? 1. Saturn 2. Uranus 3. Neptune Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) All of the above

Solution: (c) The cities from West to East are Vienna in Austria, Stockholm in Sweden and Kiev in Ukraine.

196. Why are coniferous forests cone shaped? (a) To stand upright in the frozen ground. (b) To allow snow to glide off its branches. (c) To absorb water from falling snow. (d) None of the above.

Solution: (b) Coniferous forests are found in very cold areas covered by snow. The trees are adapted to the harsh climate with its conical shape to allow snow to glide off its branches easily.

199. Consider the following statements: 1. North Pole is located in the middle of Arctic ocean. 2. India has no Arctic research stations. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: (d) The planets in increasing order of their size are Mercury, Mars, Venus, Earth, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter.