CUET 2026 May 11 Shift 1 Geography Question Paper Available- Download Answer Key and Solution PDF

Concept:

The modern periodic table is classified into four main blocks (\(s\), \(p\), \(d\), and \(f\)) based on the subshell in which the differentiating (last) electron enters. Different element families and types are positioned in specific blocks based on their electronic configurations.

Step 1: Identify the block for Alkaline Earth metals (A).

Alkaline Earth metals constitute Group 2 of the periodic table (e.g., Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium). Their valence shell configuration is \(ns^{2}\), meaning the last electron enters the \(s\)-orbital.
Therefore, they belong to the \(s\)-block. \[ A \rightarrow I \]

Step 2: Identify the block for Transition Elements (B).

Transition elements are those that have incompletely filled \(d\)-orbitals in their ground state or in any of their common oxidation states. They occupy the middle section of the periodic table (Groups 3 to 12).
Therefore, they belong to the \(d\)-block. \[ B \rightarrow III \]

Step 3: Identify the block for Transuranic Elements (C).

Transuranic elements are the chemical elements with atomic numbers greater than 92 (which is the atomic number of Uranium). All of these are artificially synthesized and fall under the actinide series, where the \(5f\)-orbitals are progressively filled.
Therefore, they belong to the \(f\)-block. \[ C \rightarrow IV \]

Step 4: Identify the block for Metalloids (D).

Metalloids (such as Boron, Silicon, Germanium, Arsenic, Antimony) exhibit intermediate properties between metals and non-metals. They form a zig-zag line on the right side of the periodic table, where the valence electrons are entering the \(p\)-orbitals.
Therefore, they belong to the \(p\)-block. \[ D \rightarrow II \]

Step 5: Conclusion.

Matching all the pairs correctly:
A \(\rightarrow\) I, B \(\rightarrow\) III, C \(\rightarrow\) IV, D \(\rightarrow\) II.

Hence, the correct option is (B). Quick Tip: Remember the general layout of the periodic table to quickly solve matching questions: s-block: Extreme left (Alkali and Alkaline Earth metals). p-block: Extreme right (Non-metals, Metalloids, Halogens, Noble gases).d-block: Middle (Transition metals). f-block: Bottom rows (Lanthanides and Actinides / Transuranic elements).

Concept:

The evolution of geographical thought developed through different approaches and schools over time.

Step 1: Identify the earliest stage.

Regional Analysis developed first during the early twentieth century.

It focused on:


Study of regions
Areal differentiation
Unique characteristics of places


Thus:
3 comes first

Step 2: Identify the next development.

After regional analysis, geographers emphasized:
Spatial Organisation

This became important during the quantitative revolution.

Thus:
1 comes next

Step 3: Identify later schools.

Humanistic, Radical and Behavioural schools emerged later as critiques of quantitative geography.

Thus:
2 follows

Step 4: Identify the latest stage.

Post-modernism developed much later in contemporary geography.

Thus:
4 comes last

Step 5: Write the final sequence.
\[ 3 \rightarrow 1 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 4 \]

Step 6: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{3,\;1,\;2,\;4} \] Quick Tip: Regional Geography dominated early geographical thought, while Post-modernism is considered one of the most recent approaches.

Concept:

Demographic Transition Theory explains the changes in birth rate, death rate, and population growth as a country develops economically and socially.

Step 1: Examine Statement I.

Demographic Transition Theory studies trends in:


Birth rate
Death rate
Population growth


Using these trends, future population patterns of an area can be estimated.

Hence, Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Examine Statement II.

In the first stage of demographic transition:


Birth rate is high
Death rate is also high
Population growth remains low


Medical advancements reducing mortality occur mainly in the second stage.

Therefore, Statement II is incorrect.

Step 3: Choose the correct option.
Statement I is correct, Statement II is incorrect.

Step 4: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{Statement I is correct, Statement II is incorrect.} \] Quick Tip: In the first stage of Demographic Transition Theory, both birth rate and death rate are high due to poor healthcare and limited technology.

Concept:

Population growth rate varies among continents depending on birth rate, death rate, healthcare, and economic development.

Step 1: Identify the continent with highest growth rate.

Africa had the highest population growth rate during 2010--15 because of:


High birth rate
Improving healthcare
Declining mortality rate


Thus:
2 comes first

Step 2: Identify the next highest growth rate.

Latin America had moderate population growth, higher than Asia.

Thus:
3 comes second

Step 3: Place Asia in order.

Asia showed significant but comparatively lower growth than Africa and Latin America.

Thus:
1 comes third

Step 4: Identify the lowest growth rate.

Europe had the lowest population growth due to:


Low fertility rate
Aging population
Slow natural increase


Thus:
4 comes last

Step 5: Write the final descending order.
\[ 2 \rightarrow 3 \rightarrow 1 \rightarrow 4 \]

Step 6: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{2,\;3,\;1,\;4} \] Quick Tip: Africa has consistently shown the highest population growth rate among continents in recent decades.

Concept:

Population change depends on births, deaths, and migration.

Step 1: Check Crude Birth Rate (CBR).

CBR is calculated as:

where:


\(B_i\) = number of live births
\(P\) = total population


Thus, option (A) is correctly matched.

Step 2: Check Crude Death Rate (CDR).

CDR is calculated as:

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where:


\(D\) = number of deaths
\(P\) = total population


Thus, option (B) is correctly matched.

Step 3: Check Growth Rate formula.

Population growth depends on:
\[ (Births-Deaths) + (In-migration-Out-migration) \]

Thus, option (C) is correctly matched.

Step 4: Check Natural Growth formula.

Natural growth is calculated as:
\[ Births-Deaths \]

NOT:
\[ Births+Deaths \]

Hence, option (D) is incorrectly matched.

Step 5: Conclusion.

Therefore, the NOT correctly matched pair is:
\[ \boxed{Natural Growth: Births + Deaths} \] Quick Tip: Natural population growth always means: \[ Birth Rate - Death Rate \] Migration is not included in natural growth.

Concept:

Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index used to measure overall human development of countries.

It considers:


Health
Education
Standard of living


Step 1: Examine Statement 1.

HDI was developed by:


Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq
Prof. Amartya Sen


Thus, Statement 1 is correct.

Step 2: Examine Statement 2.

HDI values range between:
0 and 1

NOT between 0 and 100.

Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect.

Step 3: Examine Statement 3.

Access to resources and standard of living are measured through:
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)

in US dollars.

Thus, Statement 3 is correct.

Step 4: Identify correct statements.

Correct statements are:
1 and 3

Step 5: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{1 and 3} \] Quick Tip: HDI values closer to 1 indicate higher human development.

Concept:

Different farming systems are identified based on land ownership, crop pattern, labour, and investment.

Step 1: Analyze the ownership pattern.

The question mentions:
Large estates owned by Europeans in colonies

This is a major feature of plantation farming developed during the colonial period.

Step 2: Analyze crop pattern.

The farming system focuses on:
Single crop cultivation (Monoculture)

Plantation agriculture commonly grows:


Tea
Coffee
Rubber
Sugarcane
Cocoa


on large estates.

Step 3: Analyze investment pattern.

Plantation agriculture requires:


High capital investment
Scientific management
Processing units
Skilled labour


Thus, all given characteristics match plantation agriculture.

Step 4: Eliminate other options.


Intensive subsistence farming → small farms with high labour input
Mediterranean agriculture → fruit and vine cultivation
Extensive grain farming → mechanized wheat farming


These do not match the given features.

Step 5: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{Plantation Agriculture} \] Quick Tip: Plantation agriculture is usually export-oriented and practiced mainly in tropical regions.

Concept:

Primary activities evolved gradually with human civilization and technological development.

Step 1: Identify the most ancient activity.

The earliest human economic activity was:
Gathering

Primitive humans depended on:


Fruits
Roots
Forest products
Hunting


Thus:
3 comes first

Step 2: Identify the next stage.

After gathering, humans began:
Nomadic Herding

People moved from place to place with animals in search of pasture.

Thus:
2 comes second

Step 3: Identify commercial livestock rearing.

Commercial livestock rearing developed later with:


Scientific breeding
Ranching
Commercial production


Thus:
1 comes third

Step 4: Identify the most modern activity.

Market gardening is a highly specialized and intensive modern agricultural activity.

It focuses on:


Vegetables
Fruits
Urban market supply


Thus:
4 comes last

Step 5: Write the final order.
\[ 3 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 1 \rightarrow 4 \]

Step 6: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{3,\;2,\;1,\;4} \] Quick Tip: Gathering and hunting are considered the oldest human economic activities in geography.

Concept:

Shifting cultivation is known by different local names in different parts of the world.

Step 1: Identify Milpa region.

Milpa is the local name of shifting cultivation in:
\[ Central America/Mexico \]

Thus:
\[ A \rightarrow 2 \]

Step 2: Identify Jhumming region.

Jhumming or Jhum cultivation is practiced mainly in:
\[ Northeast India \]

Thus:
\[ B \rightarrow 1 \]

Step 3: Identify Ladang region.

Ladang is practiced in:
\[ Indonesia/Malaysia \]

Thus:
\[ C \rightarrow 4 \]

Step 4: Identify Ray region.

Ray is the local name used in:
\[ Vietnam \]

Thus:
\[ D \rightarrow 3 \]

Step 5: Write the final matching.
\[ A-2,\; B-1,\; C-4,\; D-3 \]

Step 6: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{A-2,\; B-1,\; C-4,\; D-3} \] Quick Tip: Shifting cultivation is known by many regional names such as Jhum, Milpa, Ladang and Ray.

Concept:

Mediterranean agriculture is a commercial farming system characterized by specialized crop cultivation.

Step 1: Examine Statement I.

Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized because it focuses on:


Citrus fruits
Olives
Grapes
Vegetables


for commercial markets.

Hence, Statement I is correct.

Step 2: Examine Statement II.

Viticulture means:
Grape cultivation

Grape farming is one of the most important specialties of the Mediterranean region.

Thus, Statement II is also correct.

Step 3: Determine relationship between statements.

Viticulture is an example showing why Mediterranean agriculture is highly specialized.

Therefore, Statement II correctly explains Statement I.

Step 4: Conclusion.

Hence, the correct answer is:
\[ \boxed{Both statements are correct and II explains I} \] Quick Tip: Mediterranean agriculture is famous worldwide for grapes, olives and citrus fruit cultivation.