Physical Geography: Geomorphology Previous Year Questions

Following are the questions on Geomorphology (Paper-1, Physical Geography) that previously appeared in Civil Services Mains (Optional) Examination:

• Year 2014: What do you mean by mass wasting and weathering? Explain their significance in Geomorphology. OR Define Plate Tectonics Theory. How does this theory helps in explaining the formation of Himalayas and Appalachian mountains? OR What do you mean by erosion surfaces? State all the factors that are responsible for the development of erosion surfaces. OR What do you mean by meander? Explain the basic characteristics of entrenched meander and ingrown meander.
• Year 2013: Explain in 250 words what do you mean by base level and what are its types? OR Write in 150 words about what are the differences between arid cycle and normal cycle of Davis?
• Year 2012: Write in 250 words about various programs which are initiated by International Council of Science (ICSU) on Earth System Studies. OR Explain the characteristics of standard epigene cycle of erosion in 250 words. OR Write about systems approach to land form analysis in 150 words. OR Write in 150 words about Palaeozoic glacial evidence for Continental Drift. OR Explain in 400 words how Bosche and Haldenhang lead to the theory of slope replacement?
• Year 2011: What are the climatically controlled agents of erosion? Explain how they differ in their properties of matter and compare the land forms produced by each one of them. OR What do you mean by Isostasy as postulated by Airy and Pratt?
• Year 2010: Write short notes on Karst Topography. OR How seismic study helps us in determining the internal structure of earth? OR Explain why weathering is a complex phenomenon involving a number of processes and what are the factors that influences it?
• Year 2009: Write about geomorphic features that are found under Second Cycle of Erosion. AND L.C. King's view on slope development.
• Year 2008: What do you mean by Geomorphic cycle? What are the views of Davis and Penck on this cycle.
• Year 2007: What do you mean by Isostasy as postulated by Airy and Pratt?
• Year 2006: Describe Alfred Wegener's Continental Drift theory.
• Year 2005: "Structure is a dominant control factor in the evolution of landforms" - Discuss this statement citing suitable examples.
• Year 2004: Endogenic forces produces what type of landforms?
• Year 2003: Explain sequential development of landforms in coastal areas.
• Year 2002: Provide a Critique to Davis's model of Geographical Cycle.
• Year 2001: Critically analyse the theory of Isostasy.
• Year 2000: Write about the origin and growth of young fold mountains with reference to theory of Plate Tectonics.
• Year 1999: Difference between the theories of Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics.
• Year 1998: What do you mean by Volcanicity? Explain how Plate Tectonics theory helps in explaining the mechanism of volcanism and volcanic eruptions?
• Year 1997: What do you mean by polycyclic landforms? Analytically write about this type of land form of a selected region.
• Year 1996: What do you mean by mechanical and chemical weathering? How they are related in the formation of soil.
• Year 1995: What are the limitations of Continental Drift Theory? How Plate Tectonics Theory is an improvement over it?
• Year 1994: What is cycle of erosion? What are the differences in views of Penck and Davis on this cycle?
• Year 1993: What are the factors which are responsible for the rejuvenation in landscape? Also describe the resultant land form.
• Year 1992: How volcanism and diastrophism are responsible for evolution of landscape? Give suitable examples.