24 extra multiple-choice questions for Population Geography (12th Standard Geography, Samacheer Kalvi), beyond the ones printed in the textbook — each with the correct option highlighted and a clear, worked explanation. Free to read in English and Tamil.
Q1
The ten most populous countries of the world together make up nearly what share of the world's population?
- A. 40%
- B. 50%
- C. 60%Correct
- D. 70%
Explanation. The lesson notes that population distribution is uneven worldwide: the ten most populous countries together make up nearly 60% of the world's population.
Q2
Physiological or nutritional density of population is the ratio between
- A. total population and total land area
- B. total population and total cropped areaCorrect
- C. working-age population and total cropped area
- D. rural population and total land area
Explanation. Physiological or nutritional density is the ratio between total population and total cropped area. It is a more refined measure of the man-land ratio than simple arithmetic density.
Q3
Which one of the following is not among the four major areas of high population density (more than 100 persons per sq.km) named in the lesson?
- A. Eastern Asia
- B. Southern Asia
- C. North-Eastern part of the USA
- D. Central part of the USACorrect
Explanation. The four high density areas are Eastern Asia, Southern Asia, the north-eastern USA and Central and North-Western Europe. The central part of the USA is listed as a moderate density area.
Q4
Assertion (A): Australia, with an average density of 2 persons per sq.km, is one of the most sparsely populated countries of the world.
Reason (R): The inhabitants of Australia have a high standard of living.
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of ACorrect
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Explanation. The book states both facts, but a high standard of living does not explain low density. The reasons it gives for low density are unfavourable environment, lack of economic activities, poor transport and government policy.
Q5
Match the country with the record given in the lesson.
a) Niger - 1) Highest population growth rate (3.83% in 2017)
b) South Sudan - 2) Lowest life expectancy (49.81 years)
c) Monaco - 3) Highest fertility rate (6.49)
d) Chad - 4) Highest life expectancy (89.52 years)
- A. a-3, b-1, c-4, d-2Correct
- B. a-1, b-3, c-4, d-2
- C. a-3, b-1, c-2, d-4
- D. a-4, b-1, c-3, d-2
Explanation. Niger has the highest fertility rate of 6.49, South Sudan the highest growth rate of 3.83% (2017), Monaco the highest life expectancy of 89.52 years and Chad the lowest at 49.81 years (2015).
Q6
The Rate of Natural Increase (RNI), which leaves out migration, is calculated as
- A. CBR + CDR
- B. CBR - CDRCorrect
- C. CDR - CBR
- D. CBR - CDR + net migration rate
Explanation. RNI equals the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate, with no migration. When CBR is greater than CDR the population increases. Adding net migration gives the growth rate instead.
Q7
Using the Rule of 70, what is the doubling time of a population growing at a constant rate of 1.4% per year?
- A. 35 years
- B. 50 yearsCorrect
- C. 70 years
- D. 98 years
Explanation. Doubling time = 70 / growth rate = 70 / 1.4 = 50 years. The lesson applies the same rule to a 2.08% rate: 70 / 2.08 = 33.6 years.
Q8
According to the United Nations, the world population reached 6 billion on October 12, 1999. How is this day celebrated?
- A. World Population Day
- B. Day of 6 BillionCorrect
- C. Population Explosion Day
- D. Census Day
Explanation. The UN records that the 6 billion figure was reached on October 12, 1999, which is celebrated as the Day of 6 Billion. World population reached 7 billion on October 31, 2011.
Q9
Which country, now the world's 7th largest, is projected to surpass the United States and become the third largest country in the world shortly before 2050?
- A. Pakistan
- B. Indonesia
- C. NigeriaCorrect
- D. Ethiopia
Explanation. Among the ten largest countries, Nigeria is growing the most rapidly. Its population is projected to surpass that of the United States, making it the third largest country shortly before 2050.
Q10
Pick the odd one out on the basis of population growth rate.
- A. Canada
- B. Japan
- C. New Zealand
- D. MexicoCorrect
Explanation. Canada, Japan and New Zealand are developed countries listed under areas of low growth rate. Mexico is listed among the areas of high growth rate, with Iran, Colombia, Peru and Kenya.
Q11
A situation where the number of people that can be supported is the same as the available resources is called
- A. Over population
- B. Under population
- C. Optimum populationCorrect
- D. Population explosion
Explanation. The lesson defines optimum population as the situation where the number of people that can be supported equals the available resources. Over population exceeds the resources and under population falls short of them.
Q12
According to the 2011 census, the sex ratio of India is
- A. 933 females for every 1000 malesCorrect
- B. 943 females for every 1000 males
- C. 996 females for every 1000 males
- D. 1037 females for every 1000 males
Explanation. The sex ratio of India is 933 females for every 1000 males according to 2011. Tamil Nadu has 996 and Puducherry 1037 females for 1000 males.
Q13
Consider the following statements:
1. Kerala has the highest sex ratio among Indian states.
2. Tamil Nadu has 996 females for 1000 males.
3. Qatar has the highest female to male ratio in the world.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 onlyCorrect
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Explanation. Kerala has the highest sex ratio in India, followed by Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu has 996 females for 1000 males. Qatar, with 315 males per 100 females, has the highest male to female ratio, so statement 3 is wrong.
Q14
Which country is given in the lesson as an example of a stationary age-sex pyramid?
- A. Bangladesh
- B. United States
- C. AustriaCorrect
- D. Kenya
Explanation. Stationary pyramids show a somewhat equal proportion of the population in each age group, so the population is stable. Austria has a stationary age-sex pyramid; Bangladesh is expansive and the USA constrictive.
Q15
Assertion (A): Constrictive age-sex pyramids are constricted at the bottom.
Reason (R): They show declining birth rates, since each succeeding age group is getting smaller and smaller.
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of ACorrect
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Explanation. Constrictive pyramids have a lower percentage of younger people because birth rates are declining and each succeeding age group is smaller. That is why the base is narrow. The United States has a constrictive pyramid.
Q16
Which state presently has the highest literacy rate in India, at 94.65 percent?
- A. Kerala
- B. Mizoram
- C. TripuraCorrect
- D. Bihar
Explanation. The case study states that Tripura has the highest literacy rate in India at 94.65 percent. In the 2011 census Kerala had 93.91 percent and Mizoram 91.58 percent.
Q17
Between 15 and 40% of a graduating class in which country move to the US, according to the lesson's discussion of brain drain?
- A. Mexico
- B. CanadaCorrect
- C. Germany
- D. Russia
Explanation. As a country-of-origin example of brain drain, the lesson says between 15 and 40% of a graduating class in Canada will move to the US. It also notes that 30% of Mexicans with a PhD are in the US.
Q18
Which type of migration takes place within a state or district, crosses no state boundary and is usually missed in census data?
- A. International migration
- B. Internal migration
- C. Local migrationCorrect
- D. Involuntary migration
Explanation. Local migration happens within a state or district for reasons such as buying a new house in the same town, and is hard to research because census data miss it. Americans change residence every 5 to 7 years.
Q19
Involuntary migration, in which the migrant has no role in the decision-making process, mostly includes
- A. brain drain
- B. slaveryCorrect
- C. local migration
- D. internal migration
Explanation. Involuntary migration is forced migration and mostly includes slavery. About 11 million African slaves were brought to the Americas between 1519 and 1867. Refugees of military conscription are also involuntary migrants.
Q20
Which of the following is a pull factor of migration?
- A. Desertification
- B. Famine or drought
- C. Political fear or persecution
- D. Family linksCorrect
Explanation. A pull factor relates to the country to which a person migrates and attracts people. Family links are listed among pull factors, while desertification, famine and persecution are push factors.
Q21
As an example of accelerated habitat loss, rainforests originally covered 14% of the earth's surface. About how much do they cover today?
- A. 6%Correct
- B. 10%
- C. 12%
- D. 30%
Explanation. Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's surface but today cover only about 6%, and may shrink further because of vegetation removal, logging and deforestation. More than half of the original wetlands have also been lost.
Q22
According to the global outlook of water resources cited in the lesson, activities influenced by overpopulation have left how much of the planet's fresh water readily accessible for human use?
- A. Less than 1%Correct
- B. About 6%
- C. About 13.3%
- D. About 30%
Explanation. Under the impact 'decrease of fresh water', the lesson says overpopulation has polluted most lakes, streams, rivers and ground water, leaving less than 1% of the planet's fresh water readily accessible for human use.
Q23
Waiving certain parts of income tax, or lowering income tax rates, for couples who have one or two children is an example of which measure to control overpopulation?
- A. Changing social norms
- B. Providing tax benefits or concessionsCorrect
- C. Promotion of adopting child
- D. Creating awareness campaigns
Explanation. Under 'Providing Tax Benefits or Concessions', governments can bring tax exemption policies, such as waiving part of income tax or lowering rates for couples with one or two children.
Q24
Which of the following is not given in the lesson as a reason why populations keep increasing and give rise to overpopulation?
- A. Immigration
- B. Decline in mortality rates
- C. Medical breakthroughs
- D. Decline in birth ratesCorrect
Explanation. The lesson names immigration, the decline in mortality rates, medical breakthroughs and increased birth rates as the reasons populations increase towards overpopulation. A decline in birth rates would slow growth instead.
