UP Board Class 12 Geography Question Paper with Answer Key and Solutions PDF (February 20, Code 322 AK)

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify the school of thought in human geography that posits nature as the dominant force in shaping human societies and activities. This is a fundamental concept in the study of human-environment interaction.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's analyze the given options:


Possibilism: This concept argues that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but the culture and decisions of human beings are the primary determinants of societal development. It emphasizes human agency.

Positivism: This is a philosophical approach that emphasizes empirical, observable, and scientifically verifiable data. In geography, it focuses on creating general laws and theories, rather than the specific relationship of nature's supremacy.

Environmental determination (or Environmental Determinism): This doctrine holds that the physical environment, particularly factors like climate and terrain, is the primary force shaping human culture, behavior, and societal development. It directly implies the supremacy of nature over human actions.

Neo-determinism (or Stop-and-Go Determinism): Proposed by Griffith Taylor, this is a middle path. It suggests that humans can choose from possibilities offered by the environment, but their choices have consequences. Nature is not seen as supreme, but its limits must be respected.


Based on the definitions, Environmental determination is the concept that explicitly believes in the supremacy of nature.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, the correct concept that believes in the supremacy of nature is Environmental determination.
Quick Tip: To easily differentiate these concepts, remember their core ideas: \textbf{Determinism:} Nature controls humans. \textbf{Possibilism:} Humans have choices within nature's limits. \textbf{Neo-determinism:} A compromise - neither absolute control nor absolute freedom.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question requires knowledge of the approximate populations of the countries listed to identify the one with the largest population.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's compare the approximate populations of the given countries (as of the early 2020s):


Bangladesh: The population is approximately 170 million.

Pakistan: The population is approximately 235 million.

United States of America (U.S.A.): The population is approximately 335 million.

Afghanistan: The population is approximately 40 million.


Comparing these figures: \(335 million (U.S.A.) > 235 million (Pakistan) > 170 million (Bangladesh) > 40 million (Afghanistan)\).

Thus, the United States of America has the maximum population among the given options.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The United States of America (U.S.A.) has the highest population among the choices provided.
Quick Tip: For competitive exams, it's highly beneficial to remember the top 10 most populous countries in order. The top three are consistently India, China, and the U.S.A. Knowing this single fact would immediately lead to the correct answer here.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where a single crop is cultivated on a large scale. These crops are grown for profit and are often exported. The question asks to identify the crop from the list that does not fit this description.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's examine each option:


Tea: Grown on large estates called tea gardens, it is a classic example of a plantation crop, requiring significant capital and labor.

Rubber: Cultivated on large plantations, especially in Southeast Asia, for its latex. It is a major industrial raw material and a typical plantation crop.

Maize (Corn): Maize is a cereal grain. While it can be grown on a large commercial scale (commercial grain farming), it is primarily classified as a food crop or a staple grain, not a traditional plantation crop like tea or coffee. It is grown under various agricultural systems worldwide.

Coffee: Grown on large estates known as coffee plantations, especially in Latin America and Africa. It is a high-value commercial crop and a prime example of a plantation crop.


Tea, Rubber, and Coffee fit the definition of plantation crops. Maize is the exception.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, Maize is not considered a plantation crop in the traditional sense.
Quick Tip: Remember that plantation crops are typically perennial (live for many years) and are grown in tropical or subtropical climates for export. Cereal grains like maize, wheat, and rice are usually classified under different farming types.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify the specific type of agriculture that is characteristically associated with the cultivation of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapes.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's analyze the options:


Co-operative farming: This is an organizational model where farmers pool their resources. It is not defined by the type of crop grown.

Plantation agriculture: This involves large-scale farming of a single cash crop like tea, rubber, or coffee, but it is not specifically known for citrus fruits.

Mediterranean agriculture: This is a highly specialized form of commercial agriculture found in regions with a Mediterranean climate (hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters). This type of agriculture is famous for viticulture (grape cultivation) and the farming of citrus fruits and olives.

Market gardening (Horticulture): This involves the intensive cultivation of high-value crops like vegetables, fruits, and flowers for nearby urban markets. While it could include citrus fruits, the term 'Mediterranean agriculture' is specifically and famously associated with them.


The most accurate and specific answer is Mediterranean agriculture, as it is defined by its specialization in citrus fruits and grapes.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The type of agriculture known for the farming of citrus fruits is Mediterranean agriculture.
Quick Tip: Always associate climatic regions with their specific agricultural types. The Mediterranean climate is unique and directly linked to Mediterranean agriculture, which specializes in viticulture (grapes), olives, and citrus fruits.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

Economic activities are classified into different sectors. The question asks to identify the activity that belongs to the tertiary sector.


Primary Sector: Involves the extraction of raw materials from the earth. (e.g., farming, mining, fishing, hunting).

Secondary Sector: Involves the processing of these raw materials into finished goods. (e.g., manufacturing, construction, weaving).

Tertiary Sector: Involves providing services to consumers and businesses. (e.g., trade, transport, banking, healthcare).



Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's classify the given options:


Weaving: This is a manufacturing process that converts raw fiber (like cotton or wool) into cloth. It falls under the secondary sector.

Farming: This involves cultivating land to grow crops. It is a direct extraction of resources from nature and belongs to the primary sector.

Trading: This involves the buying and selling of goods. It does not produce a tangible product but provides a service. Therefore, it is a tertiary activity.

Hunting: This is the activity of pursuing and killing wild animals. It is a form of gathering resources directly from nature and belongs to the primary sector.


Based on this classification, trading is the only tertiary activity.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The tertiary activity among the given options is Trading.
Quick Tip: A simple way to remember the sectors is: Primary = Extraction (getting raw stuff). Secondary = Manufacturing (making stuff). Tertiary = Services (doing stuff for others).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks for the state with the highest population density, not the highest total population. Population density is defined as the number of people per unit of area (usually per square kilometer).


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's look at the population density data for the given states as per the 2011 Census of India:


Uttar Pradesh: Has the largest population in India, but its density is 829 persons per sq. km.

West Bengal: Has a population density of 1,028 persons per sq. km.

Kerala: Has a population density of 860 persons per sq. km.

Punjab: Has a population density of 551 persons per sq. km.


Comparing the values, West Bengal (1,028) has the highest population density among the given options. It is important to note that the state with the highest population density in India is Bihar (1,106), but it is not listed as an option.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Among the given choices, West Bengal has the highest density of population.
Quick Tip: Be very careful to distinguish between 'highest population' and 'highest population density'. Uttar Pradesh has the highest population, but Bihar has the highest population density. In this question's options, West Bengal is the densest.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question is about the route of the Indira Gandhi Canal, one of the most extensive canal systems in India. It was built to provide water for irrigation to the arid and semi-arid regions of the Thar Desert.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

The Indira Gandhi Canal originates at the Harike Barrage, which is located at the confluence of the Satluj and Beas rivers in the state of Punjab. From its origin, the canal's route is as follows:


It runs for some distance through Punjab and Haryana.

Its main and longest stretch passes through the state of Rajasthan, providing irrigation to several districts like Ganganagar, Bikaner, and Jaisalmer.

The canal does not pass through Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, or Madhya Pradesh. Its primary beneficiary state is Rajasthan.


Therefore, among the given options, Rajasthan is the correct answer.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The Indira Gandhi Canal passes through the state of Rajasthan.
Quick Tip: The Indira Gandhi Canal is famously known as the "lifeline of Rajasthan" because it transformed vast tracts of the Thar Desert into agriculturally productive land. This strong association makes it easy to remember that the canal's primary path is through Rajasthan.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

The question asks to identify the primary resource extracted from "Bombay High" (now known as Mumbai High). This requires knowledge of major mineral and energy resource locations in India.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's analyze the options in the context of Bombay High:


Bombay High (Mumbai High) is a large offshore oilfield located in the Arabian Sea, about 176 kilometers off the coast of Mumbai.

It is India's largest and most significant oil and gas production field, operated by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

It is famous for the extraction of crude petroleum, which is a type of mineral oil, and natural gas.

The other options are terrestrial minerals found elsewhere in India: Copper is mined mainly in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Iron-ore in Odisha and Jharkhand, and Bauxite in Odisha and Gujarat.


Thus, Bombay High is specifically associated with the mining (drilling) of mineral oil.


Step 3: Final Answer:

"Bombay High" is famous for the mining of Mineral oil.
Quick Tip: The word "High" in geological terms can refer to a structural high or dome, which is a common feature for trapping oil and gas. Associating the name "Bombay High" with an offshore oil platform is a key piece of information for Indian geography.

N/A Quick Tip: To define human geography simply, focus on its core theme: the study of the dynamic relationship between human beings (the cultural environment) and their natural environment. It's about where people are, what they are like, and how they interact with their surroundings.

N/A Quick Tip: Think of 'human resource' not just as people, but as 'people power'. It's the idea that a nation's greatest asset is its skilled, healthy, and educated population, which can drive innovation and economic growth.

N/A Quick Tip: A simple way to remember the difference: \textbf{Primary} = \textbf{Raw}. Getting raw materials directly from nature. \textbf{Secondary} = \textbf{Making}. Using those raw materials to make something new.

N/A Quick Tip: Imagine a typical village where houses are all grouped together along streets, with open fields surrounding the entire village. This compact, nucleated pattern is the defining feature of a clustered settlement.

N/A Quick Tip: For irrigation in India, think "ground vs. surface". The two primary methods are using groundwater (wells/tubewells) and using surface water from rivers (canals). These two cover the vast majority of irrigation in the country.

N/A Quick Tip: Remember the core idea of the HADP: developing hill areas based on their unique strengths (like growing fruits or tea) while carefully protecting their fragile environment. It's a blend of economic growth and ecological preservation.

N/A Quick Tip: Always remember the Indian context: "Females per 1000 Males". A simple way to recall this is to think about the social concern it addresses – the deficit of females in the population. The formula is designed to highlight this number.

N/A Quick Tip: When asked about coal in India, think of the Damodar Valley, often called the "Ruhr of India". This region in Jharkhand and West Bengal is home to the most famous and productive coalfields like Jharia and Raniganj.

N/A Quick Tip: Use the acronym \textbf{ESPE} to remember the four pillars: \textbf{E}quity, \textbf{S}ustainability, \textbf{P}roductivity, and \textbf{E}mpowerment. These four concepts form the foundation of the human development approach.

N/A Quick Tip: To simplify, remember: \textbf{Nomadic Herding:} Traditional, moving for survival, multiple animals. \textbf{Commercial Rearing:} Modern, stationary (on ranches), for profit, one specialized animal type.

N/A Quick Tip: For factors affecting any heavy industry like Iron and Steel, always think of the "Big Four": \textbf{Raw Materials}, \textbf{Power}, \textbf{Transport}, and \textbf{Market}. These are the fundamental geographical and economic factors that determine its location and success.

N/A Quick Tip: The most crucial phrase to remember for sustainable development is: \textbf{"meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."} This single sentence perfectly encapsulates the core idea of balancing today's needs with tomorrow's resources.

N/A Quick Tip: Think of urbanisation as the "growth of cities". Its main problems stem from growing too fast: too many people lead to a shortage of everything – houses, clean water, open space, and clean air, which results in slums and pollution.

N/A Quick Tip: Visualize the demographic transition as a simple story of two lines (birth rate and death rate) on a graph: \textbf{Stage 1:} Both lines are high and close together. \textbf{Stage 2:} The death rate line drops, creating a wide gap (population boom). \textbf{Stage 3:} The birth rate line starts to drop, closing the gap. \textbf{Stage 4:} Both lines are low and close together again.

N/A Quick Tip: To structure your answer, always remember the three main categories of factors: \textbf{Geographical} (nature-related), \textbf{Economic} (job and money-related), and \textbf{Social/Political} (people and government-related). This framework will help you cover all key points comprehensively.

N/A Quick Tip: When classifying towns by function, think about the primary reason for the town's existence or fame. Is it a capital? A factory hub? A military base? A pilgrimage site? Answering this will help you place it in the correct category.

N/A Quick Tip: To remember India's petroleum resources, create a mental map with three key zones: \textbf{West Coast (Offshore):} Dominated by the giant Mumbai High. \textbf{Northeast (Onshore):} The historic fields of Assam (Digboi). \textbf{West (Onshore):} The fields of Gujarat and the new discoveries in Rajasthan.

N/A Quick Tip: To simplify: \textbf{Nature} is the 'what' and 'how' of the subject – what it studies (human-environment interaction) and how it views this relationship (determinism vs. possibilism). \textbf{Scope} is the 'how much' – the vast range of topics it covers, from population and cities to economy and politics.

N/A Quick Tip: For map questions, it is essential to have a strong mental map of India's political boundaries. Regularly practice locating all states and their capitals. For demographic data like population density and literacy, remember the top-ranking states: Bihar for density, UP for total population, and Kerala for literacy and HDI.