On planet Earth there is no centrifugal force at the:
a) Equator
b) Tropic of Cancer
c) Tropic of Capricorn
d) Poles
Answer: d) Poles
At
the Poles (Zero Force): Centrifugal force depends on your distance from
the axis of rotation. At the exact north and south poles, you are on the
axis itself—the radius of rotation is zero, making the centrifugal force
zero.
At
the Equator (Maximum Force): In contrast, the equator is at the absolute
maximum distance from Earth’s axis of rotation. Because of this, the
centrifugal force is at its maximum at the equator. This outward pushing
force slightly counteracts the pull of gravity, which is why you weigh
fractionally less at the equator than you do at the poles. It is also the
reason Earth is not a perfect sphere, but rather bulges slightly around its
middle.
2. The phenomenon of trade winds takes place due to:
a) Conduction of heat
b) Convection of heat
c) Radiation
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Convection of heat(Trade
winds are primarily driven by the Hadley cell, a global-scale atmospheric
convection pattern where warm air rises at the equator and sinks in the
subtropics.)
3. The vertical movement of air is termed as:
a) Wind
b) Air Current
c) Air turbulence
d) Air mobility
Answer: b) Air Current(Horizontal
movement of air is called “wind,” while vertical movement is called
an “air current.”)
4. Consider the following statements:
i) Coriolis effect is zero at the Equator.
ii) Coriolis effect is more towards the poles.
iii) Coriolis effects are related to the decreasing rotational velocity with increasing latitudes.
Select the correct statements:
a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
b) (i) and (iii) only
c) (i), (ii) and (iv)
d) (ii) and (iv) only
Answer: a) (i), (ii) and (iii)(The
Coriolis effect is zero at the equator, reaches its maximum at the poles, and
is caused by the difference in the Earth’s rotational velocity at different
latitudes.)
5. Which one among the following water bodies separates the Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands?
a) 11° Channel
b) 10° Channel
c) Gulf of Mannar
d) Andaman Sea
Answer: b) 10° Channel
What are “Degree” Channels?
In geography, these channels are navigable straits or bodies
of water that are named after the specific lines of latitude (measured in
degrees North of the equator) that pass directly through them.
Here is the breakdown of the major degree channels
surrounding India:
8
Degree Channel (8° N latitude): Separates the Maldives (an
independent country) from Minicoy (the southernmost island of
India’s Lakshadweep archipelago).
9
Degree Channel (9° N latitude): Separates Minicoy Island from
the rest of the main Lakshadweep archipelago to its north.
10
Degree Channel (10° N latitude): Separates the Andaman Islands
(specifically Little Andaman) to the north from the Nicobar Islands
(specifically Car Nicobar) to the south in the Bay of Bengal. It is
approximately 150 km wide.
11
Degree Channel (11° N latitude): Bisects the Lakshadweep archipelago,
separating the Amindivi Islands (the northern group) from the Cannanore/Laccadive
Islands (the central group).
Bonus Geography Fact: While not a “degree”
channel, the Great Channel (sometimes called the 6 Degree Channel) is
another crucial water body in the region. It separates Great Nicobar (India’s
southernmost territory) from the island of Sumatra (Indonesia).
6. Which one of the following sets of states does not receive most of its rainfall from SW monsoon during the months of June to September?
a) Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat
b) Assam and Karnataka
c) Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan
d) Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir
Answer: d) Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir (Tamil Nadu receives most of its rain from the retreating/Northeast monsoon
in winter, while J&K receives significant precipitation from western
disturbances.)
7. Which of the following is correct?
i) Pakal Dul hydroelectric project is being constructed on Marusadar river.
ii) Marusadar is a tributary of Chenab river.
Select the correct code:
a) Only (i)
b) Only (ii)
c) Both (i) and (ii)
d) Neither (i) nor (ii)
Answer: c) Both (i) and (ii)(It is being
built on the Marusudar River in Jammu & Kashmir, which is the largest
tributary of the Chenab River.)
8. Which of the following is/are the chief characteristics of commercial grain farming of the middle latitude grasslands?
i) The size of farms are generally large.
ii) Cultivation is highly mechanized.
iii) It is a type of extensive farming.
Select the correct code:
a) (i) and (ii) only
b) (ii) only
c) (i), (ii) and (iii)
d) (i) and (iii) only
Answer: c) (i), (ii) and (iii)(Prairies
and steppes are characterized by massive, highly mechanized farms practicing
extensive agriculture with low yield per acre but high yield per person.)
9. The most potent sites to produce tidal energy include:
i) Gulf of Cambay
ii) Gulf of Kutch
iii) Ganges delta in the region of Sunderban
Select the correct code:
a) (i), (ii)
b) (i), (iii)
c) (i), (ii), (iii)
d) Only (ii)
Answer: c) (i), (ii), (iii)(The Gulf of
Kutch and Gulf of Cambay in Gujarat, as well as the Ganges delta in the
Sunderbans, have the highest tidal ranges in India.)
10. Which of the following statements are true?
i) Jet streams occur only in the Northern Hemisphere of the earth.
ii) Jupiter is the only other planet that experiences jet streams.
Select the correct code:
a) i only
b) ii only
c) Both i and ii
d) Neither i nor ii
Answer: d) Neither i nor ii(Jet streams
occur in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Other planets with
atmospheres, like Jupiter and Saturn, also experience jet streams.)
11. Which of the following statements is false with regard to earthquakes?
a) S-waves are quicker than P-waves
b) P-waves are recorded first on the seismograph
c) P-waves are longitudinal in nature
d) S-waves are transverse in nature
Answer: a) S-waves are quicker than P-waves
This statement is false because P-waves (Primary waves)
are the fastest seismic waves, which is exactly why they are recorded first on
a seismograph. S-waves are slower.
Here is a breakdown of how the different seismic waves
move through the Earth.
1. Body Waves (Travel through the Earth’s interior)
These waves originate from the focus (hypocenter) of the
earthquake and travel deep through the layers of the Earth.
P-Waves
(Primary Waves):
Speed:
The fastest seismic waves. They are the first to arrive at a seismic
station.
Motion:
Longitudinal (compressional). They push and pull the ground in the exact
same direction the wave is traveling—similar to how a slinky moves if you
push one end.
Medium:
They can travel through solids, liquids, and gases (which is why they can
pass right through the Earth’s liquid outer core).
S-Waves
(Secondary Waves):
Speed:
Slower than P-waves; they arrive second.
Motion:
Transverse (shear). They move the ground up and down or side to side,
perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling—like snapping a
rope.
Medium:
They can only travel through solid rock. They stop completely when
they hit the liquid outer core.
2. Surface Waves (Travel along the Earth’s surface)
When body waves reach the surface, they generate surface
waves. These are the slowest seismic waves, but they are the ones responsible
for the massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure during an
earthquake.
Love
Waves (L-Waves):
Motion:
They move the surface of the ground from side to side entirely in a
horizontal plane. They are the fastest surface wave and sheer the ground
laterally.
Rayleigh
Waves (R-Waves):
Motion:
They roll along the ground just like a wave rolls across a lake or an
ocean. Because they move the ground both up and down and side to side in
the same direction that the wave is moving, most of the shaking felt from
an earthquake is due to Rayleigh waves.
12. Which among the following is the upper-most stage of Holocene Epoch?
a) Meghalaya
b) Greenlandian
c) Northgrippian
d) Chibanian
Answer: a) Meghalaya(The Meghalayan Age
is the most recent subdivision of the Holocene Epoch, beginning about 4,200
years ago. It was named after a stalagmite found in Meghalaya, India.)
13. Which of the following causes tides?
i) Moon’s gravitational pull
ii) Sun’s gravitational pull
iii) Centripetal force due to earth’s rotation
iv) Coriolis force
Select the correct code:
a) i and ii
b) i, ii and iii
c) i, iii and iv
d) iii and iv
Answer: b) i, ii and iii(Tides are
primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, combined
with the centrifugal force created by the Earth-Moon system’s rotation.)
14. Which of the following are true regarding Temperate cyclones?
i) Temperate cyclones are more pronounced in the Northern hemisphere
ii) The eye of a temperate cyclone gets no rainfall
iii) They can form both on land as well as seas
Select the correct statements:
a) i only
b) ii only
c) i and iii
d) ii and iii
Answer: c) i and iii(Temperate/extra-tropical
cyclones can form over both land and water, unlike tropical cyclones. They also
do not have a calm, rain-free “eye” like tropical cyclones do, making
statement ii false.)
14. Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is a phenomenon associated with:
a) Jet streams
b) Prevailing winds
c) Ocean currents
d) Cyclones
Answer: c) Ocean currents(AMOC is a
major system of ocean currents that acts as a global conveyor belt, carrying
warm surface water north and cold deep water south.)
15. Which of the following introduced a state water policy to ensure conservation of water?
a) Meghalaya
b) Maharashtra
c) Karnataka
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: a) Meghalaya(In 2019, Meghalaya
became the first Indian state to approve a dedicated draft water policy to
protect its water sources.)
16. Among these tributaries, which one is the left bank tributary of Brahmaputra?
a) Subansiri
b) Kameng
c) Manas
d) Kalang
Answer: d) Kalang(Subansiri, Kameng, and
Manas are all right-bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra.)
17. Which of the following are East flowing rivers?
i) Godavari
ii) Narmada
iii) Mahanadi
iv) Cauvery
Select the correct code:
a) i, ii and iii
b) i, iii and iv
c) ii and iii
d) i, ii, iii and iv
Answer: b) i, iii and iv(Godavari,
Mahanadi, and Cauvery flow east into the Bay of Bengal. Narmada flows west into
the Arabian Sea.)
18. Basalt is an example of:
a) Sedimentary rock
b) Igneous rock
c) Metamorphic rock
d) 35:65 mixture of sedimentary and Metamorphic rock
Answer: b) Igneous rock(Specifically, it
is an extrusive volcanic igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of lava.)
1. Igneous Rocks
“Igneous” comes from the Latin word for fire.
These rocks are born from magma (molten rock beneath the surface) or lava
(molten rock above the surface).
How
they form: When hot, molten rock cools and crystallizes, it solidifies
into igneous rock.
Intrusive
vs. Extrusive:
Intrusive
igneous rocks (like Granite) cool slowly deep underground, allowing large
crystals to form.
Extrusive
igneous rocks (like Basalt or Obsidian) erupt onto the surface and cool
very quickly, resulting in small crystals or a glassy texture.
Common
Examples: Basalt, Granite, Pumice, Obsidian.
2. Sedimentary Rocks
These rocks are the Earth’s historians. They are often found
in distinct layers (strata) and are the only type of rock that contains
fossils.
How
they form: Over time, wind, water, and ice break down existing rocks
into tiny pieces called sediments (sand, pebbles, clay). These sediments
are washed into rivers and oceans, where they settle at the bottom. Over
millions of years, the weight of the layers on top compacts the bottom
layers, and minerals cement them together into solid rock.
Common
Examples: Sandstone, Limestone, Shale, Conglomerate.
3. Metamorphic Rocks
“Metamorphic” means “change of form.”
These are rocks that have been dramatically transformed by their environment
without actually melting.
How
they form: When existing igneous or sedimentary rocks are pushed deep
into the Earth’s crust, they are subjected to intense heat from magma and
extreme pressure from tectonic plate collisions. This bakes and squeezes
the rock, fundamentally changing its mineral structure and physical
appearance.
Common
Examples:
Limestone
(sedimentary) transforms into Marble.
Shale
(sedimentary) transforms into Slate.
Granite
(igneous) transforms into Gneiss.
19. Which of the following waves are first detected on a seismogram during an earthquake?
a) R-wave or Rayleigh wave
b) S-wave or Shear/surface wave
c) P-wave or Primary wave
d) L-wave or Love wave
Answer: c) P-wave or Primary wave
19. Occurrence of Hailstorms is due to:
a) Condensation
b) Freezing
c) Convection
d) Sublimation
Answer: c) Convection(Hail forms in
cumulonimbus clouds where strong upward convection currents carry water
droplets high enough to freeze.)
20. Equatorial low pressure belts are also referred to as:
a) Horse latitudes
b) Furious fifties
c) Roaring forties
d) Doldrums
Answer: d) Doldrums(Sailors historically
called this belt the Doldrums because the lack of horizontal wind could strand
sailing ships for weeks.)
21. Consider the following climatic characteristics:
i. They have warm moist summer and a cool dry winter.
ii. The mean monthly temperature varies between 4°C and 25°C and is strongly modified by maritime influence.
iii. Rainfall ranges from 60cm to 150cm.
iv. In summer tropical cyclones also occur.
Select the correct climatic type which possesses the above characteristics:
a) Mediterranean
b) Tropical Monsoon
c) West European type
d) China type
Answer: d) China type(Also known as the
Humid Subtropical climate, found on the eastern margins of continents,
characterized by summer monsoons/cyclones and moderate temperatures.)
22. Which instrument is used to measure the depth of water?
a) Fathometer
b) Galvanometer
c) Altimeter
d) Tube tester
Answer: a) Fathometer(It uses
echo-sounding to determine the depth of water in fathoms.)
23. Which of the following is a cold current of the Pacific Ocean?
a) Labrador Current
b) Canary Current
c) Okhotsk Current
d) Falkland Current
Answer: c) Okhotsk Current(Also known as
the Oyashio current. The Labrador, Canary, and Falkland are all currents in the
Atlantic Ocean.)
24. Considering the following statements regarding Continental Rise:
i. It is found between the Continental slope and Abyssal Plains.
ii. It is made up of sediments deposited by the Earth’s rivers and streams.
iii. The Depth of continental rise ranges from 4000-5000 metres.
iv. It is formed due to Mass Wasting.
Which of the following statements are correct?
a) i and ii only
b) ii and iii only
c) i, ii and iv only
d) i, ii, iii and iv
Answer: d) i, ii, iii and iv(The
continental rise is an underwater feature located between the continental slope
and the abyssal plain, formed largely by sediments deposited via turbidity
currents/mass wasting.)
25. Which of the following states of India shares a border with Nepal?
i. Uttarakhand
ii. Arunachal Pradesh
iii. Sikkim
iv. Bihar
Select the correct code:
a) i, ii and iii only
b) ii, iii and iv only
c) i, iii and iv only
d) i, ii, iii and iv
Answer: c) i, iii and iv only(Uttarakhand,
Sikkim, and Bihar share borders with Nepal. Arunachal Pradesh borders Bhutan,
China, and Myanmar, but not Nepal.)
26. Which of the following rivers flow into the Arabian Sea?
i. Narmada
ii. Tapi
iii. Mahanadi
iv. Godavari
Select the correct code:
a) i and ii only
b) i, ii & iii only
c) i & ii only
d) ii & iii only
Answer: a) i and ii only(Narmada and
Tapi are west-flowing rivers that empty into the Arabian Sea.)
27. The “Tigray region” which was in the news recently is located in which of the following countries?
a) Somalia
b) South Sudan
c) Ethiopia
d) Yemen
Answer: c) Ethiopia(Tigray is the
northernmost region of Ethiopia, known recently for the Tigray War.)
