MCQs on Assam Geography

Assam Geography MCQs curated for APSC, UPSC, SSC and state examinations, covering physiography, rivers, climate, soil, natural resources and economic geography, with detailed answers and explanations.

Q. Which of the following National Parks in Assam are correctly matched with their unique features or locations? 1. Raimona National Park - Located in Kokrajhar, famous for Golden Langur. 2. Dihing Patkai National Park - Known as the "Amazon of the East", constitutes lowland rainforest. 3. Orang National Park - Located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra, known for rhinos. 4. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park - Known for Feral Horses and is a Biosphere Reserve. Select the correct option:

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

View Answer
Answer: 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Raimona is in Kokrajhar and is home to the Golden Langur. Dihing Patkai is the last remaining contiguous patch of lowland rainforest. Dibru-Saikhowa is a Biosphere Reserve known for Feral Horses. Statement 3 is incorrect because Orang National Park is located on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra, not the south.
Q. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 regarding Assam, consider the following: 1. The Recorded Forest Area (RFA) constitutes approximately 34.21% of the total geographical area. 2. The total Forest Cover (RFA + Tree Cover) is 36.29% of the total geographical area. 3. There has been a slight decrease in the Forest Cover compared to the 2019 assessment. 4. The area under Very Dense Forest (VDF) has decreased significantly. Which of the statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1 and 3 only

View Answer
Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The Recorded Forest Area is 26,836 sq km, which is 34.21% of the state area. The total Forest Cover (including tree cover) is 36.29%. The report indicates a decrease of 15 sq km in forest cover compared to 2019. However, the area under Very Dense Forest (VDF) actually increased to 3,017 sq km in 2021 from 2,795 sq km in 2019, making statement 4 incorrect.
Q. Match the following Soil Types of Assam with their distribution areas: A. New Alluvial Soil B. Old Alluvial Soil C. Piedmont Soil (Bhabar & Tarai) D. Lateritic Soil 1. Extensive belt along the north-bank and south-bank plains including active floodplains. 2. Northern narrow zone along the Himalayan foothills. 3. Patches in Kokrajhar, Barpeta, Nalbari, and a narrow belt in south bank districts. 4. N.C. Hills (Dima Hasao) and parts of southern Karbi Plateau. Select the correct option:

A. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
B. A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
C. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
D. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

View Answer
Answer: A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
Explanation: New Alluvial soils are found in the extensive belt of active floodplains. Old Alluvial soils occur in patches in districts like Kokrajhar and Barpeta and between the piedmont and new alluvial zones. Piedmont soils (Bhabar and Tarai) are confined to the northern narrow zone along the Himalayan foothills. Lateritic soils are found extensively in N.C. Hills and southern Karbi Plateau.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the river systems of Assam: 1. The Brahmaputra river generally flows from East to West in Assam, while the Barak river flows from West to East in the Cachar plain. 2. The northern tributaries of the Brahmaputra are characterized by steep gradients and shallow braided channels, whereas the southern tributaries have flatter gradients and meandering channels. 3. The Subansiri and eastern tributaries shift their channels westward, while rivers between Subansiri and Pagladiya shift eastward. 4. The Barak river bifurcates into Surma and Kushiyara near Karimganj. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2, 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

View Answer
Answer: 2, 3 and 4 only
Explanation: The Brahmaputra flows East to West, but the Barak river, after entering Assam, flows sluggishly from East to West (not West to East) through the Cachar plain before bifurcating. The northern tributaries of the Brahmaputra indeed have steep gradients and braided channels, while southern ones are meandering. The channel shifting pattern described for Subansiri (westward) and rivers between Subansiri and Pagladiya (eastward) is correct. The bifurcation of Barak into Surma and Kushiyara occurs near Karimganj.
Q. Consider the following statements about forest types in Assam:

1. Tropical wet evergreen forests occur in areas of very high rainfall.
2. Reserved forests cover a significant portion of the state.
3. Mangrove forests dominate the Brahmaputra Valley.

Which are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

View Answer
Answer: 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Mangroves are coastal forests and do not occur in Assam. Evergreen forests and reserved forest areas are important features.
Q. Regarding wetlands (Beels) of Assam, consider the following:

1. They help in groundwater recharge.
2. They act as natural flood moderators.
3. They are completely absent in Upper Assam.

Which of the statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

View Answer
Answer: 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Wetlands support hydrological balance and flood control. They are present across Assam, including Upper Assam.
Q. Which of the following statements correctly describe Assam’s seismic vulnerability?

1. Assam lies in Seismic Zone V.
2. The 1950 Assam earthquake significantly altered river courses.
3. Seismic activity has no relation with landslides in Assam.

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

View Answer
Answer: 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Assam lies in the highest seismic risk zone. The 1950 earthquake caused massive geomorphic changes. Seismic activity strongly influences landslides, making statement 3 incorrect.
Q. Consider the following about soil types in Assam:

1. Alluvial soils dominate the Brahmaputra Valley.
2. Lateritic soils are found in parts of Karbi Anglong.
3. Peaty soils are common on hill slopes.

Which statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

View Answer
Answer: 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Peaty soils occur in waterlogged lowlands, not hill slopes. Alluvial and lateritic soils are prominent in Assam.
Q. Consider the following statements related to floods and erosion in Assam:

1. The annual floods in Assam are aggravated due to the east–west orientation of the Brahmaputra Valley.
2. Deforestation in the catchment areas of the Eastern Himalayas increases the sediment load of the Brahmaputra.
3. River bank erosion in Assam is mainly confined to the south bank of the Brahmaputra.
4. The occurrence of earthquakes in the Assam region has a direct impact on river course shifting.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

View Answer
Answer: 1, 2 and 4 only
Explanation: Correct answer is 1, 2 and 4 only.

Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct. The east–west alignment of the Brahmaputra Valley restricts north–south drainage, causing water congestion during monsoon.
• Statement 2 is correct. Large-scale deforestation in the Eastern Himalayan catchment enhances surface runoff and sediment load, intensifying floods and erosion.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. River bank erosion occurs on both north and south banks of the Brahmaputra, with the north bank often more severely affected in several stretches.
• Statement 4 is correct. Assam lies in a high seismic zone, and tectonic disturbances influence river gradients, channel migration, and course shifting.

Hence, option A is the correct answer.
Q. Consider the following statements regarding the physiography and drainage system of Assam:

1. The Brahmaputra in Assam shows a braided channel pattern mainly due to high sediment load and rapid decline in gradient.
2. The Barak River drainage basin primarily lies south of the Barail range and drains into the Bay of Bengal.
3. The Kopili River is a south-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra and is known for severe soil erosion in its basin.
4. The Assam Valley is structurally a part of the Himalayan foreland basin.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
D. 2 and 3 only

View Answer
Answer: 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation: All the given statements are correct.

Explanation:
• Statement 1 is correct because the Brahmaputra carries enormous sediment from the Himalayas and experiences a sudden decrease in slope in the Assam plains, resulting in a braided channel pattern.
• Statement 2 is correct as the Barak River flows south of the Barail Range and ultimately drains into the Bay of Bengal via the Meghna river system.
• Statement 3 is correct since the Kopili River, a south-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra, is notorious for intense bank erosion and sediment deposition problems.
• Statement 4 is correct because the Assam Valley is a tectonically active Himalayan foreland basin formed due to orogenic processes.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.