World & Physical Geography MCQs
World Geography Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Quiz for State and UPSC Civil Services Examinations. Objective Questions on Physical Geography and World Geography for competitive examinations.
1. What is normally found in the western side of the continents situated near tropics?
[A] Mountains
[B] Deserts
[C] Rivers
[D] Lakes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Deserts]
Notes:
Deserts are generally towards the western side of the continents in the subtropics. This is mainly because the region has prevailing of easterly winds in the subtropics which doesn’t carry the winds with moisture.
2. Which of the following is the correct location for Milwaukee Deep?
[A] Puerto Rico Trench
[B] Cayman Trough
[C] Manila Trench
[D] Hikurangi Trench
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Puerto Rico Trench]
Notes:
Milwaukee Deep is located in the Puerto Rico Trench and is known as the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean. It was named after the USS Milwaukee, the ship that first discovered it. Deep ocean trenches like the Puerto Rico Trench are formed by the geologic process of subduction, where one tectonic plate is forced under another.
3. If the earth had no satellite of its own i.e., the moon, which of the following phenomena will not occur ?
[A] Neap tides
[B] Ocean currents
[C] Spring tides
[D] Tides
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Spring tides]
Notes:
The moon has a significant impact on tides, due to the gravitational attraction of the moon on the Earth’s water. This effect is magnified when the moon’s gravitational attraction aligns with the gravitational pull of the sun. This produces the highest high tides and lowest low tides, known as spring tides. When the pull of the moon and the sun are perpendicular to each other, the lowest high tides and highest low tides, collectively termed neap tides, are produced. While ocean currents are primarily affected by winds and the Coriolis force, tides can have a large impact on currents near the coasts.
4. Crystal formation can be found more commonly in which of the following types of rocks?
[A] Intrusive igneous rocks
[B] Extrusive igneous rocks
[C] Metamorphic rocks
[D] Sedimentary rocks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Intrusive igneous rocks]
Notes:
When an igneous rock has cooled quite slowly at depth inside the earth, it is known as intrusive rock. As the molten material solidifies below the surface, it cools very slowly and forms rocks with large crystals. Granite is an example of it.
5. Which of the following clouds is responsible for “Solar halo”, an optical phenomenon which leads to formation of colored or white rings or arcs and spots in the sky?
[A] Cirrostratus
[B] Cirrocumulus
[C] Cumulonimbus
[D] Altostratus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cirrostratus]
Notes:
Cirrostratus is the only clouds which is responsible for the formation of haloes. A halo is an optical phenomena produced by light interacting with ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. It leads to formation of colored or white rings or arcs and spots in the sky.
6. In which of the following continents Savanna grasslands are found? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] North America
[B] Africa
[C] Australia
[D] East Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Africa]
Notes:
Savannas are generally found between the desert biome and the rainforest biome. They are mostly located near the equator. The largest savanna is located in Africa. Nearly half of the continent of Africa is covered with savanna grasslands.
7. How much is the average elevation of Tibetan Plateau above sea level? (UPSC Prelims 1994)
[A] 2 km
[B] 3 km
[C] 4 km
[D] 5 km
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4 km]
Notes:
Tibetian Plateau towers over southwestern China at an average elevation of 4000 m above sea level and is known as “the roof of the world.” It covers more than 2.5 million square km. The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is the highest and largest plateau in the world.
8. Which of the Earth’s magnetic poles recently crossed the Prime Meridian?
[A] Magnetic North Pole
[B] Magnetic South Pole
[C] Neither of the poles
[D] Both the poles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Magnetic North Pole]
Notes:
The geographical poles of the earth are different from the magnetic poles of the earth. Recently, the magnetic north pole of the earth crossed the Prime Meridian. It was earlier in Canadian Arctic region. It has now moved towards Siberia.
9. Desert soil is example of which among the following?
[A] Zonal soils
[B] Azonal soils
[C] Intra-zonal Soils
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Azonal soils]
Notes:
Parent rock undergoes limited alternation and low climate activity in case of desert soil. Desert soils are light in colour and humus content is very low.
10. Which Isthmus connects the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf?
[A] Isthmus of Rivas
[B] Isthmus of Corinth
[C] Madison Isthmus
[D] Isthmus of Avalon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Isthmus of Corinth]
Notes:
The Isthmus of Corinth is a narrow land bridge that connects the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf. Its width is 6.3 km. It connects the landmasses of the Peloponnese peninsula and the rest of Greece.
