1. Consider the following statements regarding the layers of the earth:
- The Earth’s crust is thicker under oceans than under continents.
- The mantle is composed mainly of silicate minerals.
- The inner core is in a liquid state, while the outer core is solid.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
2. Which one of the following best describes the asthenosphere?
(a) The uppermost solid part of the mantle and crust
(b) The partially molten layer of the mantle beneath the lithosphere
(c) The innermost part of the Earth
(d) The solid portion of the Earth’s crust
3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding plate tectonics?
- The lithosphere is divided into several rigid plates that float on the asthenosphere.
- Plate movements are driven by convection currents in the mantle.
- The Himalayas were formed due to the convergence of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
4. Which of the following is an example of a transform plate boundary?
(a) Mid-Atlantic Ridge
(b) Himalayan mountain range
(c) San Andreas Fault
(d) East African Rift Valley
5. With reference to earthquakes, consider the following statements:
- The focus of an earthquake is always located on the Earth’s surface.
- Primary waves (P-waves) travel faster than secondary waves (S-waves).
- The intensity of an earthquake is measured using the Richter Scale.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 only
6. Which of the following volcanoes is considered an example of a shield volcano?
(a) Mount Fuji
(b) Mount Kilimanjaro
(c) Mauna Loa
(d) Mount St. Helens
7. Which one of the following statements regarding the “Ring of Fire” is correct?
(a) It is a volcanic belt surrounding the Atlantic Ocean.
(b) It is an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanoes along the Pacific Ocean.
(c) It is a tectonic plate boundary between Africa and Eurasia.
(d) It is a region where oceanic crust is continuously forming.
8. Block mountains are formed due to which type of faulting?
(a) Reverse faulting
(b) Normal faulting
(c) Strike-slip faulting
(d) Transform faulting
9. Consider the following statements regarding oceanic and continental crust:
- Oceanic crust is denser and primarily composed of basalt.
- Continental crust is thicker and composed mostly of granite.
- Oceanic crust is older than continental crust.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
10. The Andes Mountains have been formed due to which of the following geological processes?
(a) Collision of two continental plates
(b) Subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate
(c) Divergence of two oceanic plates
(d) Transform fault movement
11. The boundary where two tectonic plates move away from each other is known as:
(a) Convergent boundary
(b) Divergent boundary
(c) Transform boundary
(d) Subduction zone
12. Which of the following statements about the Earth’s core is correct?
- The outer core is responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field.
- The inner core is made up of molten iron and nickel.
- The temperature of the inner core is higher than that of the mantle.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
13. Consider the following statements about oceanic trenches:
- They are formed at convergent plate boundaries.
- They are the deepest parts of the ocean.
- The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of an oceanic trench.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
14. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of:
(a) Convergent plate boundary
(b) Divergent plate boundary
(c) Transform plate boundary
(d) Subduction zone
15. Which of the following geological features is NOT associated with a convergent plate boundary?
(a) Ocean trenches
(b) Volcanic arcs
(c) Rift valleys
(d) Fold mountains
16. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding tsunami formation?
- Tsunamis are caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
- They are most commonly associated with transform plate boundaries.
- Tsunami waves increase in height as they approach the shore.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
17. Which of the following is NOT a type of seismic wave?
(a) Primary (P) waves
(b) Secondary (S) waves
(c) Surface waves
(d) Oceanic waves
18. Which of the following best describes the concept of isostasy?
(a) The balance between the Earth’s crust and the mantle beneath it
(b) The movement of tectonic plates due to convection currents
(c) The process of mountain formation due to collision of plates
(d) The rise and fall of sea levels due to glacial melting
19. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?
(a) Himalayas – Divergent plate boundary
(b) Mariana Trench – Subduction zone
(c) San Andreas Fault – Convergent boundary
(d) Great Rift Valley – Transform fault
20. Consider the following pairs:
| Mountain Range | Formation Process |
|---|---|
| Andes | Subduction Zone |
| Himalayas | Continental Collision |
| Rockies | Transform Fault |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
21. The ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’ is associated with:
(a) High volcanic and earthquake activity
(b) A region of intense cyclones
(c) A continuous belt of grasslands
(d) The highest number of deep-sea trenches
22. Which of the following statements regarding oceanic ridges is/are correct?
- They are formed at divergent plate boundaries.
- They represent areas of high volcanic activity.
- The Himalayas are an example of an oceanic ridge.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
23. Consider the following statements about the Earth’s mantle:
- It extends from the base of the crust to the outer core.
- The upper mantle is partially molten and forms the asthenosphere.
- The mantle is completely solid and has no role in plate movement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
24. Which of the following volcanoes is an example of an active volcano?
(a) Mount Kilimanjaro
(b) Mount Vesuvius
(c) Mount Everest
(d) Deccan Traps
25. Which of the following statements regarding earthquake waves is correct?
(a) P-waves can travel through both solids and liquids.
(b) S-waves travel faster than P-waves.
(c) Surface waves are the fastest seismic waves.
(d) The epicenter is located inside the Earth’s crust.
26. The phenomenon of ‘sea-floor spreading’ is most commonly associated with:
(a) Oceanic trenches
(b) Rift valleys
(c) Mid-ocean ridges
(d) Subduction zones
27. Which of the following statements is/are correct about shield volcanoes?
- They have broad, gently sloping sides.
- Their lava has low viscosity, allowing it to spread over large areas.
- They are typically formed at convergent plate boundaries.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
28. The movement of tectonic plates is primarily driven by:
(a) Gravitational attraction of the Moon
(b) Convection currents in the mantle
(c) Ocean currents
(d) The Earth’s rotation
29. In the context of earthquakes, the term ‘liquefaction’ refers to:
(a) The solidification of magma into igneous rock
(b) The increase in groundwater levels due to seismic activity
(c) The process by which loose, saturated soil temporarily behaves like a liquid during an earthquake
(d) The melting of glaciers due to tectonic activity
30. Consider the following statements about hot spots:
- Hot spots are caused by localized plumes of magma rising from deep within the mantle.
- They are typically found only along plate boundaries.
- The Hawaiian Islands were formed due to a hot spot.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
31. Which of the following landforms is formed due to the deposition of lava?
(a) Fold mountains
(b) Shield volcanoes
(c) Oceanic trenches
(d) Karst topography
32. The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of which type of plate boundary?
(a) Convergent boundary
(b) Divergent boundary
(c) Transform boundary
(d) Subduction zone
33. Which of the following best describes a ‘subduction zone’?
(a) A region where two continental plates collide and form mountains
(b) A zone where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another
(c) A region where tectonic plates are moving apart
(d) A fault line where earthquakes never occur
34. The theory of Plate Tectonics is based on which of the following earlier concepts?
- Continental Drift Theory
- Sea-floor Spreading
- Isostasy
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
35. Consider the following statements regarding earthquakes:
- The focus of an earthquake is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the epicenter.
- The Richter scale measures the intensity of an earthquake.
- Earthquakes are more common along plate boundaries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
36. Which of the following statements is true about the asthenosphere?
(a) It is a part of the Earth’s crust.
(b) It is completely solid and rigid.
(c) It is a semi-molten layer that allows tectonic plates to move.
(d) It is responsible for the Earth’s magnetic field.
37. In which of the following locations would you most likely find a volcanic island arc?
(a) At a transform plate boundary
(b) Near a mid-ocean ridge
(c) Along a subduction zone where an oceanic plate is sinking under another oceanic plate
(d) In the middle of a continental plate
38. The presence of fossils of the same species on different continents was used as evidence to support which theory?
(a) Plate Tectonics
(b) Sea-floor Spreading
(c) Continental Drift
(d) Isostasy
39. Which of the following regions is most prone to earthquakes?
(a) Central Africa
(b) The eastern coast of South America
(c) The Himalayas and the Pacific Ring of Fire
(d) The interior of the Antarctic continent
40. The formation of the Himalayas is primarily due to:
(a) The collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates
(b) The sinking of an oceanic plate under a continental plate
(c) The movement of a transform fault
(d) The deposition of river sediments over millions of years
41. Which of the following best explains the presence of deep-sea trenches?
(a) They are formed due to sediment deposition along the ocean floor.
(b) They result from the subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another.
(c) They are formed due to the accumulation of coral reefs over time.
(d) They occur when magma pushes the seafloor upward.
42. Which of the following statements about the Lithosphere is correct?
(a) It includes only the Earth’s crust.
(b) It is composed of both the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
(c) It remains in a molten state at all times.
(d) It is responsible for generating the Earth’s magnetic field.
43. Which type of plate boundary is most likely to generate the strongest earthquakes?
(a) Divergent boundary
(b) Transform boundary
(c) Convergent boundary
(d) Passive margin
44. Which of the following correctly describes a mid-ocean ridge?
(a) A deep underwater trench formed by subduction
(b) A volcanic mountain range formed at a divergent boundary
(c) A region of flat oceanic crust with no tectonic activity
(d) A coastal zone where tsunamis frequently occur
45. The Andes mountain range in South America is an example of:
(a) Fold mountains formed due to a continental-continental collision
(b) Volcanic mountains formed at an oceanic-continental convergent boundary
(c) Mountains formed by fault block movements
(d) An ancient mountain range with no current tectonic activity
46. Which of the following statements about magma is/are correct?
- Magma with high silica content is more viscous and leads to explosive volcanic eruptions.
- Basaltic magma is low in viscosity and flows easily.
- The temperature of magma has no effect on its viscosity.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
47. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of shield volcanoes?
(a) They have gently sloping sides.
(b) They produce highly explosive eruptions.
(c) Their lava has low viscosity and spreads over large areas.
(d) They are commonly found in hotspots.
48. The term ‘Benioff Zone’ is associated with:
(a) A zone of earthquake activity along a subduction boundary
(b) A volcanic island arc formed at a divergent boundary
(c) A region of slow-moving tectonic plates in the Pacific
(d) An area of reduced seismic activity within a continent
49. Which of the following statements correctly describes the concept of Isostasy?
(a) It explains the movement of tectonic plates.
(b) It refers to the balance between the Earth’s crust and mantle.
(c) It is the process responsible for sea-floor spreading.
(d) It causes earthquakes in subduction zones.
50. Which of the following landforms is associated with transform plate boundaries?
(a) Rift valleys
(b) Fold mountains
(c) Strike-slip faults
(d) Volcanic island arcs
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