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. Who among the following formulated Nebular theory?
[A] Laplace
[B] Newton
[C] Kepler
[D] Ptolemy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Laplace]
Notes:
Nebular theory was formulated by Laplace which describes the formation of the Sun and solar system. Laplace along with his colleague John Michel, introduced the idea of a “dark star,” which later came to be called as black hole.
2. Which elements are found mostly in Lithosphere?
[A] Aluminium & Silicon
[B] Aluminium & Iron
[C] Magnesium and Silicon
[D] Silicon & Iron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Aluminium & Silicon]
Notes:
Oxygen, aluminum, calcium, iron, and silicon are the most abundant elements in Earth’s lithosphere.
3. What type of crops are predominantly grown in Africa?
[A] Cereal Crops
[B] Root Crops
[C] Cash Crops
[D] Oil Crops
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Root Crops]
Notes:
Africa is home to a variety of cuisines and food crops, but root crops such as yams, cassava, and sweet potatoes are predominant. These crops are vital for nutrition and food security in many African countries because they are high in carbohydrates, adaptable to various climatic and soil conditions, and have high yield potential. This makes them the primary source of caloric intake for many Africans, contributing significantly to the agricultural economy of the continent.
4. Which country is home to the hottest recorded place on Earth?
[A] Iran
[B] Libya
[C] Saudi Arabia
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Libya]
Notes:
The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was in El Azizia, Libya on September 13, 1922. The temperature reached a staggering 57.8 degrees Celsius (136 degrees Fahrenheit). This record temperature was later contested by a new world record temperature of 56.7°C (134°F) which was recorded in Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley, USA. However, the Death Valley record has faced controversies and hence remains debatable.
5. Tibetan Plateau can be best placed in which among the following categories of Plateus?
[A] Intermontane Plateu
[B] Continental Plateau
[C] Volcanic Plateau
[D] Dissected Plateu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Intermontane Plateu]
Notes:
Plateaus are classified according to their surrounding environment.
1. Intermontane plateaus are the highest in the world, bordered by mountains. The Tibetan Plateau is one such plateau.
2. Piedmont plateaus are bordered on one side by mountains and on the other by a plain or sea.
3. Continental plateaus are bordered on all sides by the plains or seas, forming away from mountains.
4. Volcanic plateaus are produced by volcanic activity. The Columbia Plateau in the north-western United States of America is one such plateau.
5. Dissected plateaus are highly eroded plateaus cut by rivers and broken by deep narrow valleys.
6. Which of the following is different from the other three on the basis of their locations?
[A] Canaries Current
[B] Benguela Current
[C] Guinea Current
[D] Labrador Current
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guinea Current]
Notes:
The Guinea Current is different because it is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa, while the other three currents (Canaries, Benguela, and Labrador) are in the Atlantic but are associated with different regions: the Canaries Current flows near the Canary Islands, the Benguela Current flows along the southwest coast of Africa, and the Labrador Current is found off the coast of Canada.
7. 12 constellations referred to as zodiac belongs to which of the following groupings? (UPSC Prelims 1989)
[A] Imaginary region that encompass the path of the planets
[B] Signs of Roman gods
[C] A group of stars
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Imaginary region that encompass the path of the planets]
Notes:
Zodiac constellations are the 12 constellations that lie along the plane of the ecliptic, which is defined by the circular path of the Sun across the sky, as seen from Earth. The 12 constellations in the zodiac family can all be seen along the ecliptic. They are: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius and Pisces.
8. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists :
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List I
|
List II
|
|
(Volcanic Mountain)
|
(Country)
|
|
I. Mt. Rainier
|
(A) Italy
|
|
II. Etna
|
(B) Mexico
|
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III. Paricutin
|
(C) Philippines
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IV. Taal
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(D) USA
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Codes: (UPSC Prelims 1999)
[A] I-D, II-B, III-A, IV-C
[B] I-D, II-A, III-B, IV-C
[C] I-B, II-A, III-D, IV-C
[D] I-D, II-C, III-B, IV-A
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [I-D, II-A, III-B, IV-C]
Notes:
Mount Rainier, also known as Tahoma or Tacoma, is a large active stratovolcano located 59 miles south-southeast of Seattle, USA in Mount Rainier National Park.
Mount Etna, or Etna, is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania. It lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
Parícutin is a cinder cone volcano located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, near the city of Uruapan and about 322 kilometers west of Mexico City. The volcano surged suddenly from the cornfield of local farmer Dionisio Pulido in 1943, attracting both popular and scientific attention.
Taal Volcano is a complex volcano located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the second most active volcano in the Philippines with 33 historical eruptions. All of these eruptions are concentrated on Volcano Island, an island near the middle of Taal Lake.
9. Which one of the areas marked as A, B, C and D in the given figure of the cyclone, witnesses heavy torrential short-duration rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms?

(UPSC Prelims 1999)
[A] A
[B] B
[C] C
[D] D
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [B]
Notes:
In the given figure ‘B’ lies between two cyclone zone ‘A’ and ‘D’. At the ‘B’ marked region rainfall would be accompanied by thunder storms.
10. Padre Island National Seashore is located in which country?
[A] United States
[B] Australia
[C] United Kingdom
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
Padre Island National Seashore is located in the United States. It is the fourth longest beach in the world. The beach separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna Madre.