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. Continent where Tundra type of climate is NOT found?
[A] Asia
[B] North America
[C] Europe
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Australia]
Notes:
In the continent of Australia, the northern section of Australia has a more tropical influenced climate, hot and humid in the summer, and quite warm and dry in the winter, while the southern parts are cooler with mild summers and cool, sometimes rainy winters. So it doesn’t have Tundra type of climate.
2. What is the number of known satellites of Jupiter?
[A] 35
[B] 55
[C] 42
[D] 79
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [79]
Notes:
There are 79 known moons of Jupiter, and they form a satellite system known as Jovian system. The most massive of the moons are the four Galilean moons: Io; Europa; Ganymede; and Callisto, which were independently discovered in 1610 by Galileo Galilei and Simon Marius and were the first objects found to orbit a body that was neither Earth nor the Sun.
3. Amazon river is the largest river in the world by volume and has the largest drainage basin in the world. This accounts for approximately what fraction of the world’s total river flow?
[A] 10%
[B] 20%
[C] 30%
[D] 40%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [20%]
Notes:
Amazon river is the largest river in the world by volume and has the largest drainage basin in the world. This accounts for approximately 20% of the world’s total river flow. The Amazon River flows in South America.
4. In context with Equator, consider the following statements:
- The length of Day & Night are practically equal always
- Places on the Equator experience the quickest rates of sunrise and sunset in the world
- Equator is the only line of latitude which is also a great circle
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
Please note that the first statement is not correct. Equator has theoretical constant 12 hours of day and night throughout the year, though in practice there are variations of a few minutes due to the effects of atmospheric refraction and because sunrise and sunset are measured from the time that the edge of the Sun’s disk is on the horizon, rather than the center of the disk.
5. In which of the following years did Halley’s Comet return to perihelion in the 1980s? (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] 1986
[B] 1988
[C] 1989
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1986]
Notes:
Halley’s Comet reached perihelion in 1986. It follows an elliptical orbit with a period of roughly 75–76 years; it remains a member of the Solar System between visible returns.
6. On a half-moon night, what is the angle between the moon and the sun when measured from earth? (UPSC Prelims 1991)
[A] 45°
[B] 60°
[C] 90°
[D] 180°
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [90°]
Notes:
At 90° angular separation from the Sun, you on the Earth see half of the Moon’s illuminated side and half of its night side. The phase is called a quarter phase because you can see a quarter of the Moon’s entire surface (and 90 degrees is one-quarter of 360 degrees).
7. Even though Pluto is usually farther from the Sun than Neptune, its highly elliptical orbit brought it closer to the Sun for twenty years from 1979. During that period, which of the following was farther from the Sun than Pluto? (UPSC Prelims 1993)
[A] Jupiter
[B] Saturn
[C] Uranus
[D] Neptune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neptune]
Notes:
From 1979 to 1999, Pluto was closer to the Sun than Neptune. Their three-dimensional orbital paths do not intersect in a way that causes a collision. Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006; Neptune is the outermost of the eight planets. Editorial note: Wording or facts updated for accuracy.
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. Which of the following is the largest canyon in Africa?
[A] Antelope Canyon
[B] Colca Canyon
[C] Fish River Canyon
[D] Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fish River Canyon]
Notes:
The Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa. It is situated in Namibia. Also, the Fish River is the longest interior river in Namibia.
10. The term planetoids is used for __?
[A] Satellites of Solar System
[B] Dwarf Planets
[C] Comets
[D] Asteroids
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Asteroids]
Notes:
Asteroids are tiny planetary bodies that revolve round the sun. They are present between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. As they revolve around the sun like other planets, they are also called as planetoids.
