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. A barchan is primarily an example of which natural formation?
[A] A type of Rock
[B] A style of Dune
[C] A desert landform called Erg
[D] An expansive sandy terrain known as Sand sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A style of Dune]
Notes:
A barchan is indeed a type of dune. Characterized by its distinctive crescent shape and known to exist in arid desert environments, it faces the wind in a convex orientation. Barchans are not static; rather, they are able to shift and transform due to the predominant wind direction. This wind action contributes to their unique form and continual movement, enlightening us about the dynamic nature of desert topography.
2. On which of the following dates, the amplitude of the tides would be maximum?
[A] January 3, New Moon
[B] January 3, Moon in second quarter
[C] July 6, Full Moon
[D] December 21, New moon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [January 3, New Moon]
Notes:
On New Moon or Full moon, the tides will have higher amplitude. In the given dates, on January 3, Earth is at perihelion. This means that Earth on January 2 0r 3 is at closest distance from Sun. So, the tide would be highest in the year on Perihelion-New Moon. This spring tide would be the highest in the entire year.
3. Identify the desert with the help of given information:
- Large deposits of sodium nitrate are found in the desert
- The desert is known as the driest non-polar place in the world
- The desert is a cool coastal type desert
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Great Victoria Desert
[B] Gobi Desert
[C] Atacama Desert
[D] Gibson Desert
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Atacama Desert]
Notes:
All given features are of Atacama Desert. Atacama Desert is located over high altitudes, above 2,500 metres above sea level. It is sparsely populated, only a few thousand people (mostly farmers) live in the inland desert areas.
4. What are the grass lands of South America called?
[A] Stepes
[B] Prairies
[C] Pampas
[D] Savanna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pampas]
Notes:
In Europe and Asia, temperate grasslands are called steppes. In South America, grasslands are called pampas. In North America, temperate grasslands are called prairies.
5. Which cosmologist is not associated with the Steady State theory of the universe?
[A] Hermann Bondi
[B] Thomas Chamberlin
[C] Sir Fred Hoyle
[D] Thomas Gold
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thomas Chamberlin]
Notes:
The Steady state theory is an alternative to the Big Bang theory of the evolution of the universe. This theory is proposed by Herman Bondi, Thomas Gold and Sir Fred Hoyle. According to this theory, the universe though expanding, does not change its look over time.
6. Which is the earliest stage of the Big Bang epoch ?
[A] Planck epoch
[B] Unification epoch
[C] Inflationary epoch
[D] Electroweak epoch
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Planck epoch ]
Notes:
Planck epoch is the time immediately after the Big Bang that lasted for one Planck second. It is the earliest stage of the Big Bang.
7. Which of the following pairs of star colors and the temperature associated is/are correctly matched?
- Red Stars – more than 15000 degree celsius
- Blue Stars – 3000 degree celsius
- Yellow stars – 5000 degree celsius
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] Only 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Only 3]
Notes:
The color of the star determines its temperature. Red stars are the coolest stars ( approx 3000 degree celsius). The blue stars are the hottest stars .i.e. more than 15000 degree celcius. Our sun is a yellow star with temperature ranging from 5500 – 6000 degree celsius.
8. The Magellan spacecraft was sent to study which planet?
[A] Jupiter
[B] Saturn
[C] Mars
[D] Venus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Venus]
Notes:
The surface of the planet Venus was mapped in detail by the spacecraft Magellan in 1990-91.
9. Which is the only planet whose barycenter with the Sun lies outside the volume of the Sun?
[A] Jupiter
[B] Mars
[C] Earth
[D] Neptune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jupiter]
Notes:
Jupiter is the only planet whose barycenter ( the center of mass of two or more bodies orbiting each other and the point about which the two bodies orbit) with the sun lies outside the volume of the sun.
10. Which Era among the following means “ancient life”?
[A] Cenozoic Era
[B] Mesozoic era
[C] Paleozoic Era
[D] Neoproterozoic Era
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Paleozoic Era]
Notes:
The Paleozoic Era begins 544 million years ago up to 248 million years ago. It refers to ancient life. It is also known as the Age of Fishes
