Test: Major Landforms- 1 - Class 5 MCQ

On 29th May 1953, Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer, and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, a Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer, became the first men to successfully climb the highest mountain peak, Mount Everest. They reached the summit of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, as part of the British expedition led by John Hunt. Their historic achievement marked a significant milestone in mountaineering history.

The elevation of land is measured from the level of the sea, which is taken as the reference point of zero. This reference point is known as sea level. It is the average level of the surface of the world's oceans and serves as a baseline for measuring the height or depth of landforms and bodies of water on Earth. By using sea level as a reference, scientists and surveyors can accurately determine the elevation of mountains, hills, valleys, and other features on the Earth's surface.

The huge water bodies are called the ocean basins. The ocean basins are vast, deep depressions on the Earth's surface that are filled with seawater. They cover approximately 70% of the Earth's surface and are divided into several major oceans, including the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean. The ocean basins play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, storing large amounts of heat and carbon dioxide, and supporting diverse marine ecosystems.

The large landmasses are known as continents. Continents are the major land areas on Earth's surface that are separated by ocean basins. There are a total of seven continents: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia (sometimes referred to as Oceania), and South America. Continents are characterized by their distinct geological features, diverse ecosystems, and human populations. They play a significant role in shaping the Earth's geography and have their unique cultural, social, and environmental characteristics.

The two main divisions of the Earth's surface are continents and ocean basins. Continents refer to the large landmasses on Earth, while ocean basins refer to the vast, deep depressions filled with seawater. The continents are the major land areas above sea level, whereas the ocean basins are the extensive areas covered by oceans and characterized by their relatively lower elevation. Together, continents and ocean basins make up the primary components of the Earth's surface, shaping its geography and providing habitat for diverse ecosystems.

The biosphere is a narrow zone on Earth where land, water, and air come together, and it contains all forms of life. It refers to the sum of all ecosystems and includes the interactions between living organisms and their environment. The biosphere encompasses various biomes, which are distinct ecological regions characterized by specific climate, vegetation, and animal life. It is within the biosphere that the diversity of life, including plants, animals, and microorganisms, exists and thrives.

Water covered by a large area of the Earth's surface is called the hydrosphere. The hydrosphere refers to all the water on Earth, including oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and even water vapor in the atmosphere. It plays a vital role in various Earth processes, such as the water cycle, climate regulation, and providing habitat for aquatic organisms. The hydrosphere is an essential component of the Earth's overall system and interacts with other spheres, such as the atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.

The gaseous layers that surround the Earth are called the atmosphere. The atmosphere is a layer of gases that envelops the planet and extends several kilometers above the Earth's surface. It is composed of various gases, primarily nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%), along with traces of other gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and noble gases. The atmosphere plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth by providing oxygen, regulating temperature, protecting against harmful radiation, and facilitating weather and climate patterns.

The solid portion of the Earth on which we live is called the lithosphere. The lithosphere refers to the outermost layer of the Earth's structure, which includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is composed of solid rocks, minerals, and soil. The lithosphere is characterized by its rigidity and is divided into several tectonic plates that interact with each other, leading to various geological phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains. It is on the lithosphere that landforms, continents, and landmasses are found, providing a physical foundation for life on Earth.