Flagship & Advanced students,
This blog is to give guidance to students about the advanced test on History and Geography on the 1st of December. First let’s discuss history.
History
The test on 1st Dec will cover Ancient India (future tests will be on Medieval India and Modern India). The whole of Ancient India will be covered. Students tend to ignore ancient India, but it is an important topic from prelims and mains perspective. Questions regularly come from this portion, and having a good command over this topic can give you the crucial edge.
In the basic tests you must have already covered the basic NCERTs. Some other books if you have mastered the NCERTs are – Tamil Nadu Class 11 NCERT and Nitin Singhania notes. Here is a sample question –
Q.1) Consider the following statements about the Nalanda University:
1. Nalanda university was founded during the tenure of Kanishka.
2. Only Mahayana Buddhism was taught in Nalanda University
3. Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who came during Harsha’s reign, gave detailed account of Nalanda University.
Which of the following statement/s are correct?
a) All of the above
b) Only 3
c) 1 and 3
d) 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Only statement 3 is correct. Nalanda university was founded during the rule of Kumargupta of Gupta dynasty. Thus statement 1 is incorrect. Also while primary teaching focus was on Mahayana Buddhism, yet other ‘secular’ subjects like grammar, logic, epistemology and sciences were also taught in the university.
Q.14) Consider the following statements:
1. Kailashnath temple at Ellora represents excellent example of cave architecture built by Pallavas.
2. Seven Rath temples of Mahabalipuram is an example of rock cut temple built by Rashtrakutas.
Select the correct codes:
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Kailashnath temple at Ellora represents excellent example of cave architecture built by Rashtrakutas. Pallavas excelled in rock cut temple architecture. The classic example is the Rath temples of Mahabalipuram.
Geography
The test will cover climatology or chapters 13-25 from GC Leong. There will also be map questions. Climatology broadly covers topics such as weather, climate and vegetation.
1. Weather – Chapter 13 – this covers topics such as temperature, humidity etc. We noticed that students had difficulty in such topics in the basic tests (click here to see that analysis), so make sure to cover this chapter properly.
2. Climate – Chapter 14 – this covers topics such as cyclones and is very important for UPSC preparation.
3. Types of climate and vegetation – Chapter 15-25 – What is Sudan climate? Why are deserts located on the western coasts of continents? Questions from these chapters have a high probability of coming in prelims.
Here is a sample question –
Q.26) Which of the following is/are warm local winds?
1. Loo
2. Foehn
3. Bora
4. Mistral
5. Sirocco
Select the correct code
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2, 3 and 5
c) 1, 2 and 5
d) 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Bora and mistral are cold winds while others are warm winds.
Q.36) A geographic region has the following distinct characteristics:
1. Warm and dry climate
2. Mild and wet winter
3. Evergreen Oak trees
The above features are distinct characteristics of which one of the following regions?
a) Mediterranean
b) Eastern China
c) Central Asia
d) Atlantic coast of North America
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The Mediterranean climate is characterized by the winter rains while summers are dry. There is presence of trees such as oak.
