Chapter 1 - The Earth in the Solar
System
This
chapter gives basic introduction about the terms associated with the solar
system and universe.
The
questions related to the terms are usually directly asked in the prelims
examination.
UPSC 2012: A person
stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which
was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no
instruments to find the direction, but he located the polestar. The most
convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the
(a)
direction facing the polestar
(b)
direction opposite to the polestar
(c)
direction keeping the polestar to his left
(d)
direction keeping the polestar to his right
Ans: c
Chapter 2 - Globe: Latitudes and
Longitudes
This
chapter discusses about the concepts related to Longitudes and Latitudes. It
also explains the methodology for calculation of standard time.
The
questions related to ‘International Date line or the movement of person
crossing prime meridian and its impact of time’ have been asked before UPSC
2011, but a student should not skip the basic concept for the better
understanding of further chapters.
Chapter 3 - Motions of the Earth
This
chapter discusses about the phenomenon related to ‘Rotation’ and ‘Revolution’
of the earth and its effect on the seasons, climate, etc.
The
questions in this section are usually related to the effect of Rotation and
Revolution of the Earth. This topic is important as many questions have been
asked in the prelims examination related to that.
UPSC 2013: Variations in the length
of daytime and nighttime from season to season are due to
(a) The earth’s rotation on its axis
(b) The earth’s revolution round the sun in an
elliptical manner
(c) Latitudinal position of the place
(d) Revolution of the earth on a titled axis
Ans: d
It is related to mapping and scaling. However,
for the prelims examination, this chapter is not important. A student can skip the chapter.
Chapter 5 - Major Domains of the Earth
This chapter introduces the student to the
concept of Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere. It also introduces
about the continents and oceans.
The basic questions on the definitions are not
asked directly in the paper but a student should know the definitions as it
will act as foundation for further studies.
UPSC
2013: On the planet earth, most of the
freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater,
the largest proportion:
(a)
Is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
(b)
Is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c)
Exists as groundwater
(d)
Exists as soil moisture
Ans:
c
Chapter 6 - Major Landforms of the
Earth
This chapter introduces the student to the
internal and external forces that lead to landform formation. It also explains
different landforms – mountains, plains and plateaus and their significance.
UPSC 2013: Consider
the following
1.
Electromagnetic
radiation
2.
Geothermal
energy
3.
Gravitational
force
4.
Plate
movements
5.
Rotation
of the earth
6.
Revolution
of the earth
Which
of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the
earth?
(a)
1, 2, 3 and 4 only
(b)
1, 3, 5 and 6 only
(c)
2, 4, 5 and 6 only
(d)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Ans: a