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Geography Mains Process
Geography Mains Process
Before that I’ll introduce myself – I’m Abhiram – cleared CSE 2010 in my first
attempt. My rank is mainly due to my marks in geography (385 marks –
196+189 in papers 1 & 2).
2. I did not prepare notes from standard text books, as I felt it was redundant.
Instead I wrote tips & headings on the margins of the book for easier
reference. I concentrated on my class notes for proper structuring of answers.
6. For answering less specific questions (eg: problems & prospects of agro-
based industries in bihar), use intelligent correlation to write comparatively
good answers. For eg: problems of agro industries are related to
geomorphology, climate, transportation, quality of manpower etc. You can opt
for either a bright or dull prospect, but substantiate the stand. If you are
positive, then suggest the advantages of bihar with respect to agri production,
large pool of manpower, flat land suitable for road/rail etc. Along with the
conditionality like bridges, better education & skill development of workforce
etc.
Coaching
Missing topics can be read from spectrum's geography.
It is not absolutely necessary to take coaching, but in a highly popular subject
like geo, it always helps to be a few steps ahead of the crowd which is
possible if you get good guidance.
Pls do not leave out any topic as a whole. Have a basic idea of everything in
the syllabus. But you can be selective while studying in-depth.
Majid Hussain
You don't need to study the whole of majid husain, but only those topics
mentioned in the syllabus.
Generally speaking, most candidates will answer the direct questions (like
those relating to cyclones,earthquakes, structure of earth, tides/coral reefs,
landforms, erosion etc.) With almost the same points, so try to maintain an
edge by introducing new diagrams or presenting your answer in a more
appealing manner.
Underlines
For small questions underline just underline one or two keywords. For the long
ones you'll have to underline just the key points. Too much of it make your
paper look ugly.
Headings
I used both headings (very frequently & only before starting non-intro paras) &
points (occassionally, but each point consisting of minimum 2-3 lines each) in
my geography answer paper.
For example: In geo mains 2010 paper 2 we had to write a short note on
"ethnic diversity of north-east tribes". Instead of just describing the north-
eastern tribes of india straightaway, i took course to the following format.
Answer to above question as written by me:
small intro – drew map of NE showing the strongholds of various tribes (bodo,
apatani, naga, garo, khasi etc.)
description of the ethnic diversity – description of how geography created &
re-inforced this diversity and divided the people into island-like communities with
each evolving its own distinct culture, all of which contributed to NE becoming a
ethnic diversity hotspot
(several mountain ranges like dafla/abor/mishmi/garo/khasi, perennial & swift
flowing rivers like subansiri/dihang/lohit/kameng, mountain gaps connecting
Tibet/myanmar/bhutan/chittagong with NE paved the way for intrusion of
mongolian races/languages, thick & impenetrable forests etc.)
small map of NE showing the above-mentioned geographic factors –
conclusion (just a single line – NE is a fine proof of how geography & ethnic
diversity go together)
Diagrams in the answers
Most of the diagrams were from the textbooks i followed, but sometimes i had
to innovate, as in the question regarding WTO…it is not necessary that there
be one diagrm per para, but try to include atleast one per page to break the
monotny & improve presentation.
Ans. YES. You have to do that. Also note the sea/ocean, rival claimants'
names & presence of natural resources (oil/gas/fish)
State map
Q. If in any question i have to prsent map of any state for example
orissa..should i draw the map of india and inside it should i show orissa or
only i draw map of orissa independently…if so..then remembring independent
maps of every state is going to be very difficult.
World Map
Q. How to practices world map..for example i have to show any country of
middle east like libya which is in news..how should i show…should i draw the
map of middle east and then i should show libya inside or independent.
In world map, normally they provide the maps & you're supposed to mark the
place/detail asked. They've not asked for maps of other countries till now in
my knowledge.
Suggestion (for world map) – go from macro to micro. Start from the continent
level landforms & boundaries. Then move onto major countries. Then to any
specific country in news (eg: an oil producing town of libya can be asked!)
Last Year map in both the papers is direct evidence for it.
I have done 10 and 13 entries in paper 1&2 respectively in all aspects the
question being asked including GMT.
I can give guidelines, I would be happy if it works for any of the aspirants.
1. Do all the entries in NCERT Books[6,7,8 class text book Land and people,11th
and
2. 12 class india and world]
th
3. Take a series of empty maps and try to locate all physical features at on place
and so on for various features.
4. Follow the hindu News Paper, Particularly for Indian Places.
5. This Year almost 4 difficult entries were in News.
6. Try to assosiate on map with another map
7. For Eg:After completion on Physical India, impose the map on political,Then
economic , transport etc
If you dont know the info for any place try to associate with the syllabus.
1. Political————Bundelkhand
2. River charcters—-sasonal and Dendritic
3. Economic———–Irrigation,electricity
4. Environmaent——Ravines
5. Other—————River linking
I think this particular description will get 80% marks
When you are doing map point kindly respect the rules of map pointing.
1. Corresponding symbols
2. Lettering(writing name)
3. Direction
4. Scale
Some more Gems by M G Kumar Rao
I think you may or may n't get the subject in ur first reading; but don't stop
reading.
I suggest you go through at least twice these books so that you will come to
know various links associated between topics. There is no need for you to read
each and every text book from 1st page to last page. I suggest you strictly bound
to syllabus.
In your 3 and 4 reading one must prepare notes from these books. By this
rd th
time you will come to know pulse of Union Public Service Commission.
I strongly believe one who follows sincerely these things at a time of 4-5Hrs
per day for geography, i think for all the 4 revisions including notes preparation
may take 85-100 days.
Understanding each and every word of syllabus
Minimum of 150 word notes on each and every sub topic of syllabus
Connectivity, application and analysis
Diagrams, pictures and graphs
Books are necessary but not sufficient. Because mains doesnot demand bookish
knowledge alone. You need to develop skill of linking, writing and application. It
will not come in a day but Keep on practicing the old question papers- it is the
only way to come out from this.
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