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. Which among the following was the first comet to be observed by a manned spacecraft?
[A] Comet Kohoutek
[B] Halley’s Comet
[C] Comet Borrelly
[D] Kreutz Sungrazers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Comet Kohoutek ]
Notes:
Comet Kohoutek was first sighted on 7 March 1973 by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek. Kohoutek was observed by the crews of Skylab 4 and Soyuz 13; it thus became the first comet to be observed by a manned spacecraft.
2. Which among the following dates would normally represent a Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere?
[A] December 26
[B] January 14
[C] December 21
[D] January 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [December 21]
Notes:
The winter solstice is on December 21 in the Northern hemisphere. The summer solstice is on June 21.
3. Which among the following is the standard map projection for nautical purposes (suitable for showing sea routes)?
[A] Mercator projection
[B] Cassini projection
[C] Gnomonic projection
[D] Polyconic Projection
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mercator projection]
Notes:
Mercator projection is the standard map projection for nautical purposes. It was created in 1569 by Gerardus Mercator for navigational purposes. The Mercator projection is widely used for navigation charts because any straight line on a Mercator projection map is a line of constant true bearing. This enables a navigator to plot a straight-line course. The Mercator projection is uniquely suited to marine navigation because it maps trajectories of constant bearing (called rhumb lines or loxodromes) to straight lines. Courses and bearings are measured using a compass rose or protractor, and the corresponding directions are easily transferred from point to point. The Mercator projection became popular because it shows relative sizes accurately and is useful for navigation.
4. Near which of the following countries a Tropical Storm will originate?
[A] England
[B] West Indies
[C] China
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [West Indies]
Notes:
Tropical cyclones originate in the doldrums near the equator, about 10° away from it.
5. The largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world is located in which among the following countries?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The area of the United States known as the South Plains is the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world
6. “Here we find hot dry summers and warm wet winters. There are no rains in summer except occasional thunderstorms. Almost all rains are in winter. The vegetation in this climate is characterized by shrubs and small deciduous trees like the scrub oak.”
Identify the climate from the quotation given above.
[A] Tropical monsoon climate
[B] Mediterranean climate
[C] Humid continental climate
[D] Tropical Savanah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mediterranean climate]
Notes:
Warm wet winters are hallmark of Mediterranean climate. During summer, regions of Mediterranean climate are dominated by subtropical high pressure cells, with dry sinking air capping a surface marine layer of varying humidity and making rainfall impossible or unlikely except for the occasional thunderstorm, while during winter the polar jet stream and associated periodic storms reach into the lower latitudes of the Mediterranean zones, bringing rain, with snow at higher elevations. As a result, areas with this climate receive almost all of their precipitation during their winter season, and may go anywhere from 4 to 6 months during the summer without having any significant precipitation. (Wikipedia)
7. Eskers and Drumlins are features, formed by? (UPSC Prelims 1990)
[A] Running water
[B] Underground water
[C] The action of wind
[D] Glacial action
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Glacial action]
Notes:
Most eskers are argued to have formed within ice-walled tunnels by streams which flowed within and under glaciers. They tended to form around the time of the glacial maximum when the glacier was slow and sluggish. After the retaining ice walls melted away, stream deposits remained as long winding ridges.
Drumlin, oval or elongated hill believed to have been formed by the streamlined movement of glacial ice sheets across rock debris, or till. Drumlins are commonly found in clusters numbering in the thousands. Often arranged in belts, they disrupt drainage so that small lakes and swamps may form between them.
8. In which one of the following oceans is Diamantina Trench situated? (UPSC Prelims 2006)
[A] Pacific Ocean
[B] Atlantic Ocean
[C] Indian Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Ocean]
Notes:
The Diamantina Trench is a deep sea trench in the South East Indian Basin. With a maximum depth of 8,047 meters, it is the deepest trench of the Indian Ocean, deeper than the better-known Java Trench.
9. Rama Setu or Rama Bridge is located in which gulf?
[A] Gulf of Khambhat
[B] Gulf of Kutch
[C] Gulf of Oman
[D] Gulf of Mannar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gulf of Mannar]
Notes:
Rama Setu or Adam’s Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu. The Rama Setu separates the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait. It is located Pamban Island and Mannar Island.
10. Which among the following sequence of Eons is correct?
[A] Archean, Hadean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic
[B] Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic
[C] Archean, Hadean, Phanerozoic and Proterozoic
[D] Hadean, Archean, Phanerozoic and Proterozoic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic]
Notes:
Eon is the largest division of the geologic time scale. The Eons in sequence are Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic.
