Geography 2022 Paper I 50 marks Elaborate

Q4

(a) Rise of surface temperature brings severe consequences. Elaborate the potential changes and threats associated with it in the world. (20 marks) (b) Describe how short term variations in temperature are related to the processes of receiving energy from the sun to the Earth's surface and dissipating it to the atmosphere. (15 marks) (c) With the help of suitable sketches describe the mountain genesis and mountain types. Give suitable examples from various mountain systems of the world. (15 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

(a) सागर सतह के तापमान में वृद्धि का गंभीर परिणाम होता है । इससे सम्बन्धित विश्व में संभाव्य परिवर्तनों एवं खतरों का विस्तृत वर्णन कीजिए । (20 अंक) (b) तापमान में अल्पकालिक परिवर्तनों का सम्बन्ध किस प्रकार पृथ्वी के धरातल एवं वायुमण्डल के सौरिक ऊर्जा प्राप्ति एवं व्यय तंत्र से सम्बन्धित है । वर्णन कीजिए । (15 अंक) (c) उचित आरेखों की सहायता से पर्वत निर्माण एवं पर्वत के प्रकारों का वर्णन कीजिए । विश्व के विविध पर्वत तंत्रों से उदाहरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । (15 अंक)

Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2022 Geography questions

Directive word: Elaborate

This question asks you to elaborate. 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 'elaborate' in part (a) demands comprehensive expansion with cause-effect linkages, while 'describe' in (b) and (c) requires systematic explanation with processes and illustrations. Allocate approximately 40% of time/words to part (a) given its 20 marks, with 30% each to parts (b) and (c). Structure: brief introduction establishing the interconnectedness of climate-energy-geomorphology systems; body addressing each sub-part sequentially with diagrams for (c); conclusion synthesizing how surface temperature rise ultimately feeds back into mountain geomorphology through glacial retreat and permafrost thaw.

Key points expected

  • Part (a): Global surface temperature rise consequences—sea level rise (thermal expansion + ice melt), extreme weather intensification, agricultural shifts and food security threats, biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption, human health impacts (heat stress, disease vectors), and socio-economic vulnerabilities in coastal and tropical regions
  • Part (b): Short-term temperature variations—diurnal and seasonal cycles explained through Earth's rotation/orbit, angle of incidence variations, differential heating of land and water, albedo effects, cloud cover modulation, and the role of atmospheric greenhouse effect in nocturnal cooling retardation
  • Part (c): Mountain genesis mechanisms—fold mountains (Himalayas, Alps, Rockies), fault-block mountains (Sierra Nevada, Vosges), volcanic mountains (Andes, Cascades), and residual/dome mountains (Black Hills, Aravallis); with labeled sketches showing compressional, tensional, and vertical tectonic forces
  • Integration point: Feedback between temperature rise and mountain systems—glacial retreat in Himalayas and Alps, permafrost degradation in high latitudes, and altered precipitation patterns affecting orographic systems
  • Regional specificity: Indian examples including Western Ghats (fault-block relict), Himalayas (active fold mountain), Aravallis (ancient fold mountains), and climate vulnerability of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) to temperature rise

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Concept correctness22%11Demonstrates precise understanding of radiative forcing and energy balance equations for (b); accurately distinguishes orogeny types with correct plate tectonic mechanisms for (c); and presents scientifically validated climate projections (IPCC AR6) with proper causal chains for (a), avoiding conflation of weather and climateShows generally correct concepts but with minor errors in energy transfer mechanisms, oversimplified mountain classification, or generic climate impacts without specific temperature thresholdsConfuses fundamental processes (e.g., conduction vs. radiation in energy transfer), misidentifies mountain types (calling Himalayas volcanic), or presents climate change as solely natural variation without anthropogenic forcing
Map / diagram20%10Provides three distinct, labeled diagrams: for (b) a schematic of Earth's energy budget showing incoming SW, reflected, absorbed, and outgoing LW radiation with diurnal variation; for (c) clear cross-sections of fold, fault-block, and volcanic mountain formation with force arrows and key features; all diagrams integrated with explanatory textIncludes at least two relevant diagrams with basic labeling, or three diagrams with minor errors in representation (e.g., missing arrow directions in energy flow, unclear fault geometry)Omits diagrams entirely, provides unlabeled sketches, or presents irrelevant maps (e.g., political maps instead of process diagrams)
Indian regional examples18%9For (a): cites specific Indian impacts—Sundarbans submergence, Himalayan glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and heat mortality in Ahmedabad; for (c): correctly identifies Aravallis as ancient fold mountains, Western Ghats as fault-block, and Himalayas as active collision zone with specific peaks and geological agesMentions generic Indian examples (Himalayas, Thar) without specificity, or conflates Western and Eastern Ghats in genesis; climate impacts cited without regional dataNo Indian examples, or factually wrong attributions (e.g., calling Nilgiris volcanic, or citing sea level rise impacts for Delhi)
Spatial analysis20%10Demonstrates latitudinal and altitudinal zonation in temperature variation patterns for (b); explains global distribution patterns of mountain systems tied to plate boundaries for (c); and analyzes spatially differentiated vulnerability to temperature rise—polar amplification, tropical vs. temperate impacts, coastal vs. continental for (a)Acknowledges spatial patterns but describes rather than analyzes; some zonation mentioned without explaining underlying mechanismsTreats all regions as uniformly affected; no recognition of spatial gradients, orographic effects, or latitude-altitude relationships
Application / policy20%10Connects to India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), specifically Himalayan and coastal missions; references Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction regarding GLOFs; suggests sustainable mountain development policies and renewable energy transitions based on solar potential variations analyzed in (b)Mentions generic climate policies (Paris Agreement) without Indian specificity, or makes superficial policy recommendations without linkage to analyzed processesNo policy or application dimension, or irrelevant suggestions (e.g., space colonization) without grounding in geographical analysis provided

Practice this exact question

Write your answer, then get a detailed evaluation from our AI trained on UPSC's answer-writing standards. Free first evaluation — no signup needed to start.

Evaluate my answer →

More from Geography 2022 Paper I