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. The constellation in Indian Mythology called “Sapta Rishi” is coterminous with which among the following?
[A] Orion
[B] Scorpio
[C] Ursa Major
[D] Ursa Minor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ursa Major]
Notes:
In ancient Indian astronomy, the asterism of the Big Dipper which is part of the constellation of Ursa Major is called saptarishi. It has 7 stars representing seven rishis, namely “Vashistha”, “Marichi”, “Pulastya”, “Pulaha”, “Atri”, “Angiras” and “Kratu”.
2. Which among the following is the average Orbital speed of the Earth around the Sun?
[A] 18.5 km / sec
[B] 29.7 km/s
[C] 31.5 km/s
[D] 33.6 km/s
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [29.7 km/s]
Notes:
The orbital speed of the Earth around the Sun averages about 30 km/s (108,000 km/h), which is fast enough to cover the planet’s diameter (about 12,700 km) in seven minutes, and the distance to the Moon of 384,000 km in four hours
3. What is Tugela an example of?
[A] Waterfall
[B] Shipping Canal
[C] Natural Lake
[D] Salt lake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Waterfall]
Notes:
Tugela is an example of a waterfall located in South Africa. Specifically, they are a series of seasonal waterfalls in the Drakensberg of the Royal Natal National Park in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Interestingly, Tugela Falls is known as the second tallest waterfall in the world with a total drop in five free-leaping falls of 948 meters (3110 feet).
4. Which among the following is a Tectonic Wetland?
[A] Tsomoriri in Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Nilnag in Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Loktak Lake in Manipur
[D] Deepor Beel in Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nilnag in Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Tectonic Wetlands examples are Nilnag in Jammu and Kashmir, Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh, and Nainital and Bhimtal in Uttaranchal. They are formed due to tectonic activity.
5. Match rivers labelled A, B, C and D on the given map with their names given in the list and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list:
List
1. St. Lawrence
2. Orinoco
3. Mackenzie
4. Amazon
5. Yukon

Codes: (UPSC Prelims 1998)
[A] A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
[B] A-5, B-3, C-1, D-2
[C] A-5, B-4, C-1, D-3
[D] A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A-5, B-3, C-1, D-2]
Notes:
In the given diagram of North America and South America
‘a’ marked river is Yukon
‘b’ marked river is Mackenzie
‘c’ marked river is St. Lawrence
‘d’ marked river is Orinoco
6. The high density of population in Nile Valley and Island of Java is primarily due to which of the following factors? (UPSC Prelims 2001)
[A] intensive agriculture
[B] industrialisation
[C] urbanisation
[D] topographic constraints
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [intensive agriculture]
Notes:
Due to availability of fertile alluvial soil intensive agricultural practices was possible in the Nile river and islands of Java. So, in this region high density of population is found.
7. Which of the following is the largest Archipelago of the world?
[A] Madagascar Islands
[B] Malay Archipelago
[C] Guayaneco Archipelago
[D] Hawaiian Archipelago
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malay Archipelago]
Notes:
The Malay Archipelago is the largest archipelago by area and fourth by the number of islands in the world. It comprises over 25,000 islands .It is situated between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean and between mainland Indochina and Australia. It includes Brunei, East Malaysia, East Timor, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. This location is also termed as the Maritime Southeast Asia.
8. Which of the following is the hottest star colour?
[A] Red
[B] Yellow
[C] Orange
[D] Blue
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Blue]
Notes:
The colour of the star reflects its temperature. Since wavelength of blue is minimum, its temperature is maximum ( Wein’s displacement law).
9. Which among the following is not a dwarf planet?
[A] Ceres
[B] Pluto
[C] Neptune
[D] Eris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Neptune]
Notes:
Dwarf planet is defined as a celestial body revolving a star with enough mass to have hydrostatic equilibrium but not enough mass to clear its path around the parent star. E.g Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Haumea, etc.
10. Which planet is associated with the moon Triton?
[A] Saturn
[B] Pluto
[C] Uranus
[D] Neptune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neptune]
Notes:
Triton is the first neptunian moon to be discovered. It is also the largest natural satellite of the planet Neptune.