Geography 2021 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Describe

Q1

Answer the following in about 150 words each: (a) Describe the concept of 'Altiplanation'. (10 marks) (b) What are the important factors responsible for airmass modifications? (10 marks) (c) Discuss the hazards associated with rise of sea-surface temperature. (10 marks) (d) Gene pool centres are 'Good Hope' for biodiversity conservation. Elucidate. (10 marks) (e) Describe how ecosystem services of Himalaya are essential for Highland-Lowland sustainability in Asia. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए : (a) उच्चस्थ समतलन (अल्टीप्लेनेशन) अवधारणा का वर्णन कीजिए । (10 अंक) (b) वायु संहति रूपान्तरण हेतु उत्तरदायी महत्वपूर्ण कारक क्या हैं ? (10 अंक) (c) सागर-सतह के तापमान में वृद्धि से सम्बन्धित संकटों की विवेचना कीजिए । (10 अंक) (d) जीन कोश केन्द्र जैवविविधता संरक्षण के लिए 'अच्छी आशा' हैं । स्पष्ट कीजिए । (10 अंक) (e) एशिया में उच्चभूमि-निम्नभूमि की स्थिरता के लिये हिमालय की पारिस्थितिकीय सेवाएं कैसे जरूरी हैं, वर्णन कीजिए । (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Describe

This question asks you to describe. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'describe' demands systematic exposition of processes and characteristics across all five sub-parts. Allocate approximately 30 words (20% time) per sub-part given equal 10-mark weightage. Structure each part as: definition/concept → mechanism → significance/example. For (a) emphasize freeze-thaw dynamics; (b) focus on surface properties and trajectory; (c) link SST rise to cyclogenesis and coral bleaching; (d) connect Vavilov's centres to India's Western Ghats/Eastern Himalaya; (e) illustrate upstream-downstream linkages. No conclusion needed; maximize content density within word limits.

Key points expected

  • (a) Altiplanation: Define as periglacial terrace formation; explain freeze-thaw weathering, solifluction, and nivation creating stepped benches; mention altiplanation terraces in Tien Shan or Rocky Mountains
  • (b) Airmass modification: Identify surface properties (temperature, moisture, roughness), trajectory over different surfaces, vertical mixing, and seasonal/time factors; contrast maritime-continental transformation
  • (c) SST rise hazards: Link to tropical cyclone intensification (Arabian Sea/Bay of Bengal), coral bleaching (Lakshadweep, Gulf of Mannar), sea level rise, and fishery disruption
  • (d) Gene pool centres: Explain Vavilov's centres of origin; identify Indian centres (Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, Eastern Himalaya) as megadiversity zones; link to in-situ conservation and crop wild relatives
  • (e) Himalayan ecosystem services: Detail water tower function (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus), climate regulation, biodiversity corridor, and hazard mitigation for Indo-Gangetic plains

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness25%12.5Precisely defines altiplanation as periglacial terrace formation through nivation and solifluction; correctly identifies thermodynamic and mechanical factors in airmass modification; accurately links SST rise to ENSO-cyclone intensity and coral bleaching thresholds; correctly applies Vavilov's gene centre theory to Indian megadiversity zones; accurately describes Himalayan cryosphere-hydrology nexusBasic definitions present but conflates altiplanation with other periglacial processes; lists modification factors without explaining mechanisms; mentions cyclones and bleaching without causal mechanisms; vague reference to biodiversity hotspots without gene centre concept; general mention of rivers without cryosphere linkConfuses altiplanation with plantation or planation surfaces; misunderstands airmass classification; conflates SST with sea level rise only; fails to mention Vavilov or gene pools; describes Himalaya only as barrier without ecosystem services
Map / diagram15%7.5Includes sketch of altiplanation terrace cross-section with nivation hollow; diagram showing airmass trajectory modification; map marking SST anomaly zones and cyclone tracks; annotated map of Vavilov centres with Indian locations; schematic of Himalayan watershed showing highland-lowland connectivityMentions need for diagrams but provides only one or two rough sketches; labels incomplete or inaccurate; no spatial referencingNo diagrams despite high visual potential; or entirely irrelevant sketches
Indian regional examples20%10For (c): cites Arabian Sea cyclone intensification (Tauktae, Amphan), Lakshadweep coral bleaching; for (d): specifies Western Ghats (centre of origin for rice, pepper), Eastern Himalaya (citrus, banana); for (e): details Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin dependency, Siachen-Karakoram water storageGeneric mention of Indian Ocean, Western Ghats, or Himalayan rivers without specific incidents or mechanisms; no named cyclones or speciesNo Indian examples; or incorrect examples (e.g., citing Deccan Traps for gene centres)
Spatial analysis20%10Demonstrates latitudinal/altitudinal zonation in altiplanation; explains continental-maritime transition zones for airmass modification; analyses spatial pattern of SST anomalies and cyclone genesis regions; maps gene centre distribution to topographic complexity; explicitly links Himalayan orography to monsoon dynamics and downstream hydrologyAcknowledges spatial patterns without explaining causal mechanisms; lists locations without spatial relationshipsNo spatial dimension; treats all processes as aspatial
Application / policy20%10Links altiplanation to permafrost engineering; connects airmass modification to aviation/agricultural forecasting; cites IMD cyclone forecasting, coral restoration, and National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture; references CBD Aichi targets, India's Biological Diversity Act 2002; details Himalayan conservation through ICIMOD, Chipko movement legacy, and transboundary water agreementsMentions climate change or conservation generally without specific policy instruments; vague reference to sustainable developmentNo policy or applied dimension; purely academic treatment

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