Geography of India & the World – Human & Social Geography
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) – Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Geography of India & the World
Sub-Topic: Human & Social Geography
Human & Social Geography – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. Human geography primarily focuses on the study of:
A. Landforms and geological structures
B. Atmospheric processes
C. Relationship between humans and their environment
D. Ocean currents and tides
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Human geography studies how human population, culture, economy, and settlements interact with the natural environment. It emphasizes human–environment relationships, unlike physical geography.
Q2. Which of the following is considered a component of social geography?
A. Climate classification
B. Soil formation
C. Population distribution
D. Rock cycle
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Social geography examines population characteristics such as distribution, density, literacy, migration, and social structure.
Q3. Population density refers to:
A. Total population of a region
B. Population growth rate
C. Number of persons per unit area
D. Urban population percentage
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Population density is calculated as population divided by land area, usually expressed as persons per sq. km.
Q4. Which factor most strongly influences human settlement patterns?
A. Latitude
B. Availability of water
C. Earth’s rotation
D. Longitude
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Human settlements historically developed near water sources for drinking, agriculture, trade, and transport.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a push factor of migration?
A. Poverty
B. Unemployment
C. Better healthcare
D. Natural disasters
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Better healthcare is a pull factor that attracts people to a destination, while poverty and disasters push people away.
Q6. Rural settlements are primarily associated with:
A. Industrial activities
B. Service sector
C. Agricultural activities
D. IT sector
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Rural settlements depend mainly on agriculture and allied activities such as fishing, forestry, and animal husbandry.
Q7. Which type of settlement develops along roads, rivers, or canals?
A. Compact settlement
B. Scattered settlement
C. Linear settlement
D. Circular settlement
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Linear settlements develop along transport routes or water bodies due to ease of movement and trade.
Q8. The term ‘urbanization’ refers to:
A. Growth of villages
B. Increase in agricultural land
C. Increase in urban population
D. Decline in population
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Urbanization is the process by which population shifts from rural to urban areas, increasing city population and size.
Q9. Which sector employs the maximum population in India?
A. Secondary
B. Tertiary
C. Quaternary
D. Primary
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
India’s economy is still agrarian, and the primary sector employs the largest share of the workforce.
Q10. Literacy rate is defined as:
A. Percentage of educated people
B. Percentage of people above 18 years
C. Percentage of people who can read and write
D. Percentage of school-going children
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Literacy rate measures the percentage of people aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding.
Q11. Which age group is considered economically productive?
A. 0–14 years
B. 15–59 years
C. 60–75 years
D. Above 75 years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The working population falls in the 15–59 years age group and contributes directly to economic activities.
Q12. Sex ratio is expressed as:
A. Females per 1000 males
B. Males per 1000 females
C. Total population ratio
D. Child population ratio
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Sex ratio is the number of females per 1000 males, reflecting gender balance in a population.
Q13. Migration within the same country is called:
A. International migration
B. Seasonal migration
C. Internal migration
D. Forced migration
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Movement of people within national boundaries is termed internal migration.
Q14. Which continent has the highest population density?
A. Africa
B. Europe
C. Asia
D. South America
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Asia has the largest population and several densely populated regions, making it the most densely populated continent.
Q15. A metropolitan city generally has a population of:
A. More than 1 lakh
B. More than 5 lakh
C. More than 10 lakh
D. More than 50 lakh
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
In India, a metropolitan city typically has a population exceeding 1 million (10 lakh).
Q16. Which activity belongs to the tertiary sector?
A. Mining
B. Farming
C. Manufacturing
D. Banking
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The tertiary sector provides services, such as banking, education, transport, and healthcare.
Q17. Which factor affects population distribution the MOST?
A. Political boundaries
B. Climate and relief
C. Longitude
D. Time zone
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Favorable climate, fertile soil, flat land, and water availability attract dense population.
Q18. Slums are commonly associated with:
A. Rural settlements
B. Industrial towns
C. Urban areas
D. Coastal villages
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Slums develop in urban areas due to rapid urbanization, housing shortage, and migration.
Q19. Which of the following is a social indicator?
A. Rainfall
B. Literacy rate
C. Temperature
D. Soil pH
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Literacy rate reflects social development, unlike physical indicators such as rainfall or temperature.
Q20. Which occupation is directly dependent on natural resources?
A. Teaching
B. Trade
C. Agriculture
D. Banking
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Agriculture depends directly on land, water, climate, and soil, making it resource-based.
Q21. Which settlement type is common in tribal regions?
A. Compact
B. Linear
C. Scattered
D. Urban
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Tribal and hilly regions usually have scattered settlements due to uneven terrain and forest cover.
Q22. Which factor causes rural-to-urban migration?
A. Mechanization of agriculture
B. Industrialization
C. Deforestation
D. Soil erosion
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Industrialization creates employment opportunities in cities, attracting rural population.
Q23. Which of the following best describes a cultural region?
A. Similar landforms
B. Common language and traditions
C. Same latitude
D. Similar climate
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Cultural regions are defined by shared language, religion, customs, and traditions.
Q24. Population explosion refers to:
A. Decline in population
B. Sudden increase in population
C. Migration of population
D. Urban growth
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Population explosion means a rapid and uncontrolled increase in population.
Q25. Which is a characteristic of urban settlements?
A. Low population density
B. Primary activities
C. High population density
D. Scattered houses
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Urban areas are characterized by high population density, infrastructure, and service-based economy.
Q26. Which economic activity converts raw materials into finished goods?
A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Tertiary
D. Quaternary
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The secondary sector includes manufacturing and processing industries.
Q27. Which factor leads to uneven population distribution in India?
A. Uniform climate
B. Varied relief and climate
C. Equal resources
D. Similar soil
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
India’s diverse physical features result in uneven population distribution.
Q28. Which of the following is an example of internal migration in India?
A. India to UAE
B. Assam to Delhi
C. India to USA
D. Nepal to India
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Migration from Assam to Delhi occurs within national boundaries, making it internal migration.
Q29. Which group is dependent population?
A. 15–59 years
B. 20–40 years
C. 0–14 and 60+ years
D. 25–50 years
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Children and elderly depend on the working population, hence termed dependent population.
Q30. Human geography differs from physical geography because it:
A. Studies landforms
B. Focuses on climate
C. Emphasizes human activities
D. Studies oceans
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Human geography concentrates on human population, culture, economy, and settlements, unlike physical geography which studies natural features.
✅ APSC Exam Tip
Human & Social Geography questions often test:
- Definitions
- Cause–effect relationships
- Population concepts
- Settlement patterns
- Economic activities
Revise concepts with examples from India and the world for higher accuracy in APSC Prelims.
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