Question 1

Quaternary timescale (onset): The last major glacial period that began about 2,000,000 years before present is commonly known as what? Select the correct epoch name used for the 'Ice Age' in GK context. Choose the correct term.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The epoch beginning ~2.58 million years ago is the Pleistocene, colloquially called the Ice Age because of repeated glacial–interglacial cycles. The Holocene follows the Pleistocene. Final Answer Pleistocene or Ice Age

Question 2

Sediment transport (process modes): Within a transporting medium (e.g., flowing water or wind), transport of particles can occur by which mechanisms? Recognize the standard modes of sediment movement used in geomorphology. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Asked: Modes by which material is transported in a medium. Concept/Approach In rivers/wind, particles and solutes are carried by solution (dissolved load), suspension (fine particles kept aloft), and traction (rolling/sliding along the bed). Thus, all listed mechanisms are valid transport modes. Final Answer All of the above

Question 3

World geography (largest by area): Which is the largest country in the world by total geographical area? Consider sovereign states only and compare overall land area plus internal waters. Choose the correct country.

Accepted Answer

Given data Asked to identify the world's largest country by area. Concept/Approach Compare total area (land + inland waters) of the listed sovereign states. Step-by-step • Russia ≈ 17.1 million km².• USA ≈ 9.8 million km²; Australia ≈ 7.7 million km²; Vatican City ≈ 0.49 km². Common pitfalls Confusing population rank with area rank, or mixing continent vs. country. Final Answer Russia

Question 4

Physiography (Himalayas): The Himalayan mountain system belongs to which major mountain type? Focus on origin and structure (orogeny) of the Himalayan chain. Choose the correct mountain type.

Accepted Answer

Given data Identify the genetic type of the Himalayas. Concept/Approach The Himalayas formed due to continental-continental collision (Indian and Eurasian plates), producing large-scale folding and uplift. Elimination • Not volcanic (no dominant volcanic origin).• Not block-faulted (rift/horst-graben type).• Not residual (denudational remnants). Final Answer Fold mountains

Question 5

Biomes & deserts: Hot and cold deserts together occupy nearly what fraction of the world's land area? Use widely cited global physical geography approximations. Choose the closest correct fraction.

Accepted Answer

Given data Estimate world land share under hot (+ cold) deserts. Concept/Approach Standard geography texts approximate deserts (hot + cold) at roughly one-third of Earth's land surface. Final Answer 1/3rd

Question 6

Atmospheric temperature profile: The temperature of the atmosphere increases rapidly in which layer above the one listed? Identify the layer where temperature shows a marked increase with height due to ozone absorption. Choose the correct layer.

Accepted Answer

Given data Asked: the layer where temperature increases with altitude. Concept/Approach In the troposphere temperature generally decreases with height; in the stratosphere it increases due to ozone absorbing UV radiation. (Higher up, the thermosphere/ionosphere also warms, but the standard GK answer for the layer with increasing temperature is the stratosphere.) Final Answer Stratosphere

Question 7

Cartography basics: The intersecting lines drawn on maps and globes are collectively called what? These lines help locate places using latitude–longitude coordinates. Choose the correct term.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The network of parallels (latitudes) and meridians (longitudes) forming intersections is called the geographic grid. Final Answer Geographic grids

Question 8

Earth's structure: What is the name of the layer immediately below the Earth's crust? Identify the correct mantle subdivision directly under the crust. Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Layer directly beneath the crust is sought. Concept/Approach Immediately below the crust lies the upper (outer) mantle, part of the lithosphere/asthenosphere system, not the core. Final Answer Outer mantle

Question 9

Space environment (Van Allen belts): The hazards of Earth's radiation belts include which of the following? Consider impacts on hardware and biology. Choose the correct set.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Charged particles trapped in radiation belts can: Disrupt and degrade electronics, Damage solar panels, and Pose biological risks (radiation exposure). Final Answer All of the above

Question 10

Orography (Himalayan ranges): Mount Everest, K2, and Kanchenjunga are located in which subdivision of the Himalayas? Focus on the inner, highest range of the Himalayan system. Choose the correct range.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The highest peaks occur in the Greater (Inner) Himalayas, also called the Himadri. Final Answer The Greater Himalayas

Question 11

Continents (smallest landmass): The landmass of which of the following continents is the least? Compare total continental area within the options. Choose the correct continent.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Among the listed continents, Australia is the smallest by area (~7.7 million km²), smaller than Europe (~10 million km²), Africa, and Asia. Final Answer Australia

Question 12

European seas: Which gulf separates Finland and Sweden in northern Europe? Identify the correct arm of the Baltic Sea between these two countries. Choose the correct gulf.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The Gulf of Bothnia is the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea and lies between Sweden (west) and Finland (east). Final Answer The Gulf of Bothnia

Question 13

Climatology terms: The highest and lowest values of a weather element observed over the entire record period are called what? Recognize the standard meteorological term for all-time highs/lows. Choose the correct term.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Across the whole observation period, the all-time maximum and minimum are termed absolute extremes (as opposed to relative or monthly extremes). Final Answer Absolute extremes

Question 14

World locations (island nations): The islands of Seychelles are located in which ocean? Use standard world map positioning relative to Africa and India. Choose the correct ocean.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Seychelles is an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and east of mainland Africa. Final Answer Indian Ocean

Question 15

Aeolian landforms: The highest sand dunes are found predominantly in which desert? Consider well-known dune fields and mega-dune heights. Choose the correct desert.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach The world's tallest dune fields and mega-yardangs are widely associated with the Sahara (e.g., dunes exceeding several hundred meters), surpassing the typical dune heights of Atacama, Kalahari, and Gobi. Final Answer The Sahara Desert

Question 16

Hydrogeology (aquifers): Groundwater confined between two impermeable layers is termed what? Focus on the technical name for water stored under confining beds. Choose the correct term.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach Water trapped between confining (impermeable) layers is called confined groundwater (within a confined aquifer). An artesian well is a structure that taps such an aquifer; the water itself is termed confined. Final Answer Confined groundwater

Question 17

Earth's axial tilt: The imaginary axis about which the Earth rotates is inclined at what angle to the plane of Earth's orbit (the ecliptic)? Give the standard rounded value used in geography. Choose the correct angle.

Accepted Answer

Given data Axial tilt (obliquity) ≈ 23.5° from the perpendicular to the orbital plane. Calculation Angle to the plane of orbit = 90° − 23.5° = 66.5° (≈ 66 1/2°). Final Answer 66 1/2°

Question 18

Mineral resources (Asia): The largest production of mica in Asia comes from which country? Consider long-standing global mica outputs. Choose the correct country.

Accepted Answer

Concept/Approach India has historically been the leading producer of mica in Asia (and among the top globally), with major belts in Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. Final Answer India

Question 19

The most explosive type of volcano is

Accepted Answer

the caldera

Question 20

The main dividing line between the geological regions of the Indo Gangetic plain and the peninsula is

Accepted Answer

the Vindhya range

World Geography Questions