Geology and Geophysics (GG) 2011 GATE Paper without solution GATE Notes | EduRev

 Page 1


2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
ONLINE Examination 
Duration : Three Hours                          Maximum Marks :100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
1. Questions must be answered using computers provided by the GATE at the examination centers. Each 
computer shall run specialized examination software that permits a maximum of one answer to be selected 
for questions of multiple choice type.  
2. Your answers shall be updated and saved on the server periodically and at the end of the examination. The 
examination will automatically stop once the duration of the examination is over. 
3. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. All questions are of multiple choice type. Each of 
these questions carries four choices for the answer labeled A, B, C and D. Only one of the four choices is 
the correct answer. 
4. Apart from General Aptitude (GA), there are two parts: Part A and Part B.  
5. Part A is common to both Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part A consists of 25 questions Q.1-Q.25 
that carry 1-mark each. 
6. Part B contains two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Geology candidates will 
attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only. Each 
of the sections (Section 1 and Section 2) consists of 30 questions (Q.26-Q.55) that carry 2-marks each. 
7. Questions Q.48 – Q.51 (2 pairs) are common data questions and question pairs (Q.52, Q.53) and (Q.54, 
Q.55) are linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer questions 
depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly 
answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
8. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA). Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1-mark each, and 
questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2-marks each. 
9. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark. Wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For 
Q.1–Q.25 and Q.56–Q.60, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.26–Q.51 and Q.61–
Q.65, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  The question pairs (Q.52, Q.53), and (Q.54, Q.55) 
are questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first 
question of the linked answer question pair, i.e. for Q.52 and Q.54, ? mark will be deducted for each 
wrong answer. There is no negative marking for Q.53 and Q.55.  
10. Calculator is allowed whereas charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. 
11. Rough work can be done in the specified area only.  
12. Candidates may use the back side of this page to record their answers for their own convenience. 
13. To login, type your Registration Number and password as per instructions provided in the envelope. 
14. In order to answer a question, you may select the question using the left side selection panel on the screen 
and choose the correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. The answered questions 
shall be indicated by a solid black ball on the selection panel. In order to change the answer, you may just 
click on another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, you may click 
on DESELECT ANSWER button. 
15. You may also select questions using NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons. 
16. You may also mark questions for reviewing later using MARK button. All marked questions are indicated 
by a rectangle in the selection panel. Questions which are answered but are marked for the review are 
indicated by a solid black rectangle and questions which are not answered but are marked for the review 
are indicated by an outlined rectangle in the selection panel. 
17. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
DECLARATION 
I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
 
Paper Code: GG      Registration No: _________________Name:______________________________ 
 
                                                                                                                       Signature 
GG 
Page 2


2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
ONLINE Examination 
Duration : Three Hours                          Maximum Marks :100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
1. Questions must be answered using computers provided by the GATE at the examination centers. Each 
computer shall run specialized examination software that permits a maximum of one answer to be selected 
for questions of multiple choice type.  
2. Your answers shall be updated and saved on the server periodically and at the end of the examination. The 
examination will automatically stop once the duration of the examination is over. 
3. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. All questions are of multiple choice type. Each of 
these questions carries four choices for the answer labeled A, B, C and D. Only one of the four choices is 
the correct answer. 
4. Apart from General Aptitude (GA), there are two parts: Part A and Part B.  
5. Part A is common to both Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part A consists of 25 questions Q.1-Q.25 
that carry 1-mark each. 
6. Part B contains two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Geology candidates will 
attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only. Each 
of the sections (Section 1 and Section 2) consists of 30 questions (Q.26-Q.55) that carry 2-marks each. 
7. Questions Q.48 – Q.51 (2 pairs) are common data questions and question pairs (Q.52, Q.53) and (Q.54, 
Q.55) are linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer questions 
depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly 
answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
8. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA). Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1-mark each, and 
questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2-marks each. 
9. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark. Wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For 
Q.1–Q.25 and Q.56–Q.60, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.26–Q.51 and Q.61–
Q.65, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  The question pairs (Q.52, Q.53), and (Q.54, Q.55) 
are questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first 
question of the linked answer question pair, i.e. for Q.52 and Q.54, ? mark will be deducted for each 
wrong answer. There is no negative marking for Q.53 and Q.55.  
10. Calculator is allowed whereas charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. 
11. Rough work can be done in the specified area only.  
12. Candidates may use the back side of this page to record their answers for their own convenience. 
13. To login, type your Registration Number and password as per instructions provided in the envelope. 
14. In order to answer a question, you may select the question using the left side selection panel on the screen 
and choose the correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. The answered questions 
shall be indicated by a solid black ball on the selection panel. In order to change the answer, you may just 
click on another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, you may click 
on DESELECT ANSWER button. 
15. You may also select questions using NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons. 
16. You may also mark questions for reviewing later using MARK button. All marked questions are indicated 
by a rectangle in the selection panel. Questions which are answered but are marked for the review are 
indicated by a solid black rectangle and questions which are not answered but are marked for the review 
are indicated by an outlined rectangle in the selection panel. 
17. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
DECLARATION 
I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
 
Paper Code: GG      Registration No: _________________Name:______________________________ 
 
                                                                                                                       Signature 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
PART A: COMMON TO BOTH GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CANDIDATES 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
The increase in the length of a day on the earth at a rate of 2.4 milliseconds/100 years is due to  
 
(A) prolate tidal bulge  (B) tidal friction 
Q.1 
(C) spring tide (D) bodily earth tide 
 
Which of the following rocks contributes the highest amount of radioactive heat in the earth’s 
crust? 
 
Q.2 
(A) basalt (B) gabbro (C)  dunite (D)  granite 
 
The P-wave velocity of the earth’s mantle at the Mohorovi ci c discontinuity is 
 
Q.3 
(A) 5.5 km/s (B) 6.0 km/s  (C) 7.0 km/s  (D) 8.0 km/s  
 
Variation of the geomagnetic field observed over the last 500 years indicates that the dipole 
moment of earth’s magnetic field has been 
 
(A) decreasing (B) increasing 
Q.4 
(C) constant (D) fluctuating randomly 
 
Which of the following statements is TRUE for the temperature variation with altitude in the 
earth’s atmosphere? 
 
(A) Temperature increases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
(B) Temperature decreases in stratosphere and increases in mesosphere 
(C) Temperature increases in stratosphere and decreases in mesosphere  
Q.5 
(D) Temperature decreases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
 
The deflection of ocean currents in the northern and southern hemispheres is due to  
 
(A) thermohaline circulation  (B) Coriolis effect 
Q.6 
(C) El Nino effect (D) monsoon effect 
 
Tsunamis are  
 
(A) gravity waves (B) acoustic waves 
Q.7 
(C) capillary waves (D) internal waves 
 
The planet which contributes maximum to the angular momentum of the solar system is 
 
Q.8 
(A) Earth  (B) Mars (C)  Jupiter (D)  Saturn 
 
The depositional feature that forms where a stream emerges from a  mountainous region  onto a 
plain is called  
 
Q.9 
(A) alluvial fan  (B) natural levee (C) delta   (D) point bar   
GG 
Page 3


2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
ONLINE Examination 
Duration : Three Hours                          Maximum Marks :100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
1. Questions must be answered using computers provided by the GATE at the examination centers. Each 
computer shall run specialized examination software that permits a maximum of one answer to be selected 
for questions of multiple choice type.  
2. Your answers shall be updated and saved on the server periodically and at the end of the examination. The 
examination will automatically stop once the duration of the examination is over. 
3. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. All questions are of multiple choice type. Each of 
these questions carries four choices for the answer labeled A, B, C and D. Only one of the four choices is 
the correct answer. 
4. Apart from General Aptitude (GA), there are two parts: Part A and Part B.  
5. Part A is common to both Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part A consists of 25 questions Q.1-Q.25 
that carry 1-mark each. 
6. Part B contains two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Geology candidates will 
attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only. Each 
of the sections (Section 1 and Section 2) consists of 30 questions (Q.26-Q.55) that carry 2-marks each. 
7. Questions Q.48 – Q.51 (2 pairs) are common data questions and question pairs (Q.52, Q.53) and (Q.54, 
Q.55) are linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer questions 
depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly 
answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
8. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA). Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1-mark each, and 
questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2-marks each. 
9. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark. Wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For 
Q.1–Q.25 and Q.56–Q.60, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.26–Q.51 and Q.61–
Q.65, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  The question pairs (Q.52, Q.53), and (Q.54, Q.55) 
are questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first 
question of the linked answer question pair, i.e. for Q.52 and Q.54, ? mark will be deducted for each 
wrong answer. There is no negative marking for Q.53 and Q.55.  
10. Calculator is allowed whereas charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. 
11. Rough work can be done in the specified area only.  
12. Candidates may use the back side of this page to record their answers for their own convenience. 
13. To login, type your Registration Number and password as per instructions provided in the envelope. 
14. In order to answer a question, you may select the question using the left side selection panel on the screen 
and choose the correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. The answered questions 
shall be indicated by a solid black ball on the selection panel. In order to change the answer, you may just 
click on another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, you may click 
on DESELECT ANSWER button. 
15. You may also select questions using NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons. 
16. You may also mark questions for reviewing later using MARK button. All marked questions are indicated 
by a rectangle in the selection panel. Questions which are answered but are marked for the review are 
indicated by a solid black rectangle and questions which are not answered but are marked for the review 
are indicated by an outlined rectangle in the selection panel. 
17. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
DECLARATION 
I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
 
Paper Code: GG      Registration No: _________________Name:______________________________ 
 
                                                                                                                       Signature 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
PART A: COMMON TO BOTH GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CANDIDATES 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
The increase in the length of a day on the earth at a rate of 2.4 milliseconds/100 years is due to  
 
(A) prolate tidal bulge  (B) tidal friction 
Q.1 
(C) spring tide (D) bodily earth tide 
 
Which of the following rocks contributes the highest amount of radioactive heat in the earth’s 
crust? 
 
Q.2 
(A) basalt (B) gabbro (C)  dunite (D)  granite 
 
The P-wave velocity of the earth’s mantle at the Mohorovi ci c discontinuity is 
 
Q.3 
(A) 5.5 km/s (B) 6.0 km/s  (C) 7.0 km/s  (D) 8.0 km/s  
 
Variation of the geomagnetic field observed over the last 500 years indicates that the dipole 
moment of earth’s magnetic field has been 
 
(A) decreasing (B) increasing 
Q.4 
(C) constant (D) fluctuating randomly 
 
Which of the following statements is TRUE for the temperature variation with altitude in the 
earth’s atmosphere? 
 
(A) Temperature increases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
(B) Temperature decreases in stratosphere and increases in mesosphere 
(C) Temperature increases in stratosphere and decreases in mesosphere  
Q.5 
(D) Temperature decreases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
 
The deflection of ocean currents in the northern and southern hemispheres is due to  
 
(A) thermohaline circulation  (B) Coriolis effect 
Q.6 
(C) El Nino effect (D) monsoon effect 
 
Tsunamis are  
 
(A) gravity waves (B) acoustic waves 
Q.7 
(C) capillary waves (D) internal waves 
 
The planet which contributes maximum to the angular momentum of the solar system is 
 
Q.8 
(A) Earth  (B) Mars (C)  Jupiter (D)  Saturn 
 
The depositional feature that forms where a stream emerges from a  mountainous region  onto a 
plain is called  
 
Q.9 
(A) alluvial fan  (B) natural levee (C) delta   (D) point bar   
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
Hanging valleys are formed by the geological action of  
 
Q.10 
(A) river (B) glacier (C) ocean  (D) wind  
 
The surface of discontinuity between older folded sedimentary strata and younger horizontal strata 
is known as 
 
(A) disconformity (B) parallel unconformity  
Q.11 
(C) angular unconformity (D) nonconformity 
 
The hardest oxide mineral in the Mohs’ scale of hardness is 
 
Q.12 
(A) corundum  (B) topaz (C)  quartz (D)  diamond 
 
The dominant constituent of ultramafic rocks in the earth’s mantle is 
 
Q.13 
(A) orthoclase (B) olivine (C) plagioclase  (D)  biotite 
 
A highly vesicular rock formed by solidification of viscous lava is  
 
Q.14 
(A) tuff (B) obsidian  (C) volcanic breccia   (D)  pumice  
 
The most suitable radioactive method for dating Holocene events is 
 
Q.15 
(A) U?Pb (B) Sm ?Nd   (C) Rb ?Sr  (D) C-14
 
  
 
Which of the following stratigraphic units is NOT of Proterozoic age? 
 
(A) Tipam Group (B) Bhima Group 
Q.16 
(C) Nallamalai Group (D) Semri  Group 
 
Rampura ?Agucha in Rajasthan is known for the ore deposit of 
 
Q.17 
(A) gold (B) tungsten  (C) zinc   (D) iron   
 
The geological age of the major hydrocarbon reservoir in the Bombay High oil field is 
 
Q.18 
(A) Cretaceous (B) Holocene (C) Oligocene  (D) Miocene   
 
The geophysical method for the exploration of disseminated sulfide deposits is 
 
(A) induced polarization (B)  self- potential 
Q.19 
(C) gravity (D)  magnetic 
 
In a borehole, high pressure gas zone is identified by  
 
(A) sonic logging (B) resistivity logging 
Q.20 
(C) temperature logging (D) density logging 
 
GG 
Page 4


2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
ONLINE Examination 
Duration : Three Hours                          Maximum Marks :100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
1. Questions must be answered using computers provided by the GATE at the examination centers. Each 
computer shall run specialized examination software that permits a maximum of one answer to be selected 
for questions of multiple choice type.  
2. Your answers shall be updated and saved on the server periodically and at the end of the examination. The 
examination will automatically stop once the duration of the examination is over. 
3. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. All questions are of multiple choice type. Each of 
these questions carries four choices for the answer labeled A, B, C and D. Only one of the four choices is 
the correct answer. 
4. Apart from General Aptitude (GA), there are two parts: Part A and Part B.  
5. Part A is common to both Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part A consists of 25 questions Q.1-Q.25 
that carry 1-mark each. 
6. Part B contains two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Geology candidates will 
attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only. Each 
of the sections (Section 1 and Section 2) consists of 30 questions (Q.26-Q.55) that carry 2-marks each. 
7. Questions Q.48 – Q.51 (2 pairs) are common data questions and question pairs (Q.52, Q.53) and (Q.54, 
Q.55) are linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer questions 
depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly 
answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
8. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA). Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1-mark each, and 
questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2-marks each. 
9. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark. Wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For 
Q.1–Q.25 and Q.56–Q.60, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.26–Q.51 and Q.61–
Q.65, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  The question pairs (Q.52, Q.53), and (Q.54, Q.55) 
are questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first 
question of the linked answer question pair, i.e. for Q.52 and Q.54, ? mark will be deducted for each 
wrong answer. There is no negative marking for Q.53 and Q.55.  
10. Calculator is allowed whereas charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. 
11. Rough work can be done in the specified area only.  
12. Candidates may use the back side of this page to record their answers for their own convenience. 
13. To login, type your Registration Number and password as per instructions provided in the envelope. 
14. In order to answer a question, you may select the question using the left side selection panel on the screen 
and choose the correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. The answered questions 
shall be indicated by a solid black ball on the selection panel. In order to change the answer, you may just 
click on another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, you may click 
on DESELECT ANSWER button. 
15. You may also select questions using NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons. 
16. You may also mark questions for reviewing later using MARK button. All marked questions are indicated 
by a rectangle in the selection panel. Questions which are answered but are marked for the review are 
indicated by a solid black rectangle and questions which are not answered but are marked for the review 
are indicated by an outlined rectangle in the selection panel. 
17. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
DECLARATION 
I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
 
Paper Code: GG      Registration No: _________________Name:______________________________ 
 
                                                                                                                       Signature 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
PART A: COMMON TO BOTH GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CANDIDATES 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
The increase in the length of a day on the earth at a rate of 2.4 milliseconds/100 years is due to  
 
(A) prolate tidal bulge  (B) tidal friction 
Q.1 
(C) spring tide (D) bodily earth tide 
 
Which of the following rocks contributes the highest amount of radioactive heat in the earth’s 
crust? 
 
Q.2 
(A) basalt (B) gabbro (C)  dunite (D)  granite 
 
The P-wave velocity of the earth’s mantle at the Mohorovi ci c discontinuity is 
 
Q.3 
(A) 5.5 km/s (B) 6.0 km/s  (C) 7.0 km/s  (D) 8.0 km/s  
 
Variation of the geomagnetic field observed over the last 500 years indicates that the dipole 
moment of earth’s magnetic field has been 
 
(A) decreasing (B) increasing 
Q.4 
(C) constant (D) fluctuating randomly 
 
Which of the following statements is TRUE for the temperature variation with altitude in the 
earth’s atmosphere? 
 
(A) Temperature increases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
(B) Temperature decreases in stratosphere and increases in mesosphere 
(C) Temperature increases in stratosphere and decreases in mesosphere  
Q.5 
(D) Temperature decreases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
 
The deflection of ocean currents in the northern and southern hemispheres is due to  
 
(A) thermohaline circulation  (B) Coriolis effect 
Q.6 
(C) El Nino effect (D) monsoon effect 
 
Tsunamis are  
 
(A) gravity waves (B) acoustic waves 
Q.7 
(C) capillary waves (D) internal waves 
 
The planet which contributes maximum to the angular momentum of the solar system is 
 
Q.8 
(A) Earth  (B) Mars (C)  Jupiter (D)  Saturn 
 
The depositional feature that forms where a stream emerges from a  mountainous region  onto a 
plain is called  
 
Q.9 
(A) alluvial fan  (B) natural levee (C) delta   (D) point bar   
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
Hanging valleys are formed by the geological action of  
 
Q.10 
(A) river (B) glacier (C) ocean  (D) wind  
 
The surface of discontinuity between older folded sedimentary strata and younger horizontal strata 
is known as 
 
(A) disconformity (B) parallel unconformity  
Q.11 
(C) angular unconformity (D) nonconformity 
 
The hardest oxide mineral in the Mohs’ scale of hardness is 
 
Q.12 
(A) corundum  (B) topaz (C)  quartz (D)  diamond 
 
The dominant constituent of ultramafic rocks in the earth’s mantle is 
 
Q.13 
(A) orthoclase (B) olivine (C) plagioclase  (D)  biotite 
 
A highly vesicular rock formed by solidification of viscous lava is  
 
Q.14 
(A) tuff (B) obsidian  (C) volcanic breccia   (D)  pumice  
 
The most suitable radioactive method for dating Holocene events is 
 
Q.15 
(A) U?Pb (B) Sm ?Nd   (C) Rb ?Sr  (D) C-14
 
  
 
Which of the following stratigraphic units is NOT of Proterozoic age? 
 
(A) Tipam Group (B) Bhima Group 
Q.16 
(C) Nallamalai Group (D) Semri  Group 
 
Rampura ?Agucha in Rajasthan is known for the ore deposit of 
 
Q.17 
(A) gold (B) tungsten  (C) zinc   (D) iron   
 
The geological age of the major hydrocarbon reservoir in the Bombay High oil field is 
 
Q.18 
(A) Cretaceous (B) Holocene (C) Oligocene  (D) Miocene   
 
The geophysical method for the exploration of disseminated sulfide deposits is 
 
(A) induced polarization (B)  self- potential 
Q.19 
(C) gravity (D)  magnetic 
 
In a borehole, high pressure gas zone is identified by  
 
(A) sonic logging (B) resistivity logging 
Q.20 
(C) temperature logging (D) density logging 
 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
The acceleration due to gravity (g) and universal gravitational constant (G) are related by the 
expression (M
e
 and R
e
 are the mass and radius of the earth, respectively) 
 
(A) 
e
e
GM
g
R
? (B) 
2
e
e
GM
g
R
? 
Q.21 
(C) 
e
e
GR
g
M
? (D) 
2
e
e
GR
g
M
? 
 
The metamorphic facies diagnostic of subduction zone is  
 
Q.22 
(A) hornblende hornfels (B) pyroxene hornfels (C) blueschist  (D) granulite 
 
 In a formation, if the density increases and elastic constants remain unchanged, then 
 
(A) both P and S wave velocities increase 
(B) P wave velocity increases and S wave velocity decreases 
(C) both P and S wave velocities  decrease 
Q.23 
(D) P wave velocity decreases and S wave velocity increases 
 
The Poisson ratio ( ? ) for rocks in terms of Lame’s constants ?  and ?  is 
 
Q.24 
(A) 
1
?
? ?
?
?
 (B) 
?
?
? ?
?
?
 (C)  
1
2( )
?
? ?
?
?
 (D)  
2( )
?
?
? ?
?
?
 
 
In seismic exploration, ‘ground roll’ represents  
 
Q.25 
(A) direct wave (B) surface wave  (C)  Stonely wave (D) shear wave  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GG 
Page 5


2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
GG : GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS 
ONLINE Examination 
Duration : Three Hours                          Maximum Marks :100 
Read the following instructions carefully. 
1. Questions must be answered using computers provided by the GATE at the examination centers. Each 
computer shall run specialized examination software that permits a maximum of one answer to be selected 
for questions of multiple choice type.  
2. Your answers shall be updated and saved on the server periodically and at the end of the examination. The 
examination will automatically stop once the duration of the examination is over. 
3. There are a total of 65 questions carrying 100 marks. All questions are of multiple choice type. Each of 
these questions carries four choices for the answer labeled A, B, C and D. Only one of the four choices is 
the correct answer. 
4. Apart from General Aptitude (GA), there are two parts: Part A and Part B.  
5. Part A is common to both Geology and Geophysics candidates. Part A consists of 25 questions Q.1-Q.25 
that carry 1-mark each. 
6. Part B contains two sections: Section 1 (Geology) and Section 2 (Geophysics). Geology candidates will 
attempt questions in Section 1 only. Geophysics candidates will attempt questions in Section 2 only. Each 
of the sections (Section 1 and Section 2) consists of 30 questions (Q.26-Q.55) that carry 2-marks each. 
7. Questions Q.48 – Q.51 (2 pairs) are common data questions and question pairs (Q.52, Q.53) and (Q.54, 
Q.55) are linked answer questions. The answer to the second question of the linked answer questions 
depends on the answer to the first question of the pair. If the first question in the linked pair is wrongly 
answered or is unattempted, then the answer to the second question in the pair will not be evaluated. 
8. Questions Q.56 – Q.65 belong to General Aptitude (GA). Questions Q.56 – Q.60 carry 1-mark each, and 
questions Q.61 – Q.65 carry 2-marks each. 
9. Unattempted questions will result in zero mark. Wrong answers will result in NEGATIVE marks.  For 
Q.1–Q.25 and Q.56–Q.60, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer. For Q.26–Q.51 and Q.61–
Q.65, ? mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.  The question pairs (Q.52, Q.53), and (Q.54, Q.55) 
are questions with linked answers. There will be negative marks only for wrong answer to the first 
question of the linked answer question pair, i.e. for Q.52 and Q.54, ? mark will be deducted for each 
wrong answer. There is no negative marking for Q.53 and Q.55.  
10. Calculator is allowed whereas charts, graph sheets or tables are NOT allowed in the examination hall. 
11. Rough work can be done in the specified area only.  
12. Candidates may use the back side of this page to record their answers for their own convenience. 
13. To login, type your Registration Number and password as per instructions provided in the envelope. 
14. In order to answer a question, you may select the question using the left side selection panel on the screen 
and choose the correct answer by clicking on the radio button next to the answer. The answered questions 
shall be indicated by a solid black ball on the selection panel. In order to change the answer, you may just 
click on another option. If you wish to leave a previously answered question unanswered, you may click 
on DESELECT ANSWER button. 
15. You may also select questions using NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons. 
16. You may also mark questions for reviewing later using MARK button. All marked questions are indicated 
by a rectangle in the selection panel. Questions which are answered but are marked for the review are 
indicated by a solid black rectangle and questions which are not answered but are marked for the review 
are indicated by an outlined rectangle in the selection panel. 
17. You must sign this sheet and leave it with the invigilators at the end of the examination. 
DECLARATION 
I hereby declare that I have read and followed all the instructions given in this sheet. 
 
Paper Code: GG      Registration No: _________________Name:______________________________ 
 
                                                                                                                       Signature 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
PART A: COMMON TO BOTH GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CANDIDATES 
Q. 1 – Q. 25 carry one mark each. 
The increase in the length of a day on the earth at a rate of 2.4 milliseconds/100 years is due to  
 
(A) prolate tidal bulge  (B) tidal friction 
Q.1 
(C) spring tide (D) bodily earth tide 
 
Which of the following rocks contributes the highest amount of radioactive heat in the earth’s 
crust? 
 
Q.2 
(A) basalt (B) gabbro (C)  dunite (D)  granite 
 
The P-wave velocity of the earth’s mantle at the Mohorovi ci c discontinuity is 
 
Q.3 
(A) 5.5 km/s (B) 6.0 km/s  (C) 7.0 km/s  (D) 8.0 km/s  
 
Variation of the geomagnetic field observed over the last 500 years indicates that the dipole 
moment of earth’s magnetic field has been 
 
(A) decreasing (B) increasing 
Q.4 
(C) constant (D) fluctuating randomly 
 
Which of the following statements is TRUE for the temperature variation with altitude in the 
earth’s atmosphere? 
 
(A) Temperature increases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
(B) Temperature decreases in stratosphere and increases in mesosphere 
(C) Temperature increases in stratosphere and decreases in mesosphere  
Q.5 
(D) Temperature decreases in both stratosphere and mesosphere 
 
The deflection of ocean currents in the northern and southern hemispheres is due to  
 
(A) thermohaline circulation  (B) Coriolis effect 
Q.6 
(C) El Nino effect (D) monsoon effect 
 
Tsunamis are  
 
(A) gravity waves (B) acoustic waves 
Q.7 
(C) capillary waves (D) internal waves 
 
The planet which contributes maximum to the angular momentum of the solar system is 
 
Q.8 
(A) Earth  (B) Mars (C)  Jupiter (D)  Saturn 
 
The depositional feature that forms where a stream emerges from a  mountainous region  onto a 
plain is called  
 
Q.9 
(A) alluvial fan  (B) natural levee (C) delta   (D) point bar   
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
Hanging valleys are formed by the geological action of  
 
Q.10 
(A) river (B) glacier (C) ocean  (D) wind  
 
The surface of discontinuity between older folded sedimentary strata and younger horizontal strata 
is known as 
 
(A) disconformity (B) parallel unconformity  
Q.11 
(C) angular unconformity (D) nonconformity 
 
The hardest oxide mineral in the Mohs’ scale of hardness is 
 
Q.12 
(A) corundum  (B) topaz (C)  quartz (D)  diamond 
 
The dominant constituent of ultramafic rocks in the earth’s mantle is 
 
Q.13 
(A) orthoclase (B) olivine (C) plagioclase  (D)  biotite 
 
A highly vesicular rock formed by solidification of viscous lava is  
 
Q.14 
(A) tuff (B) obsidian  (C) volcanic breccia   (D)  pumice  
 
The most suitable radioactive method for dating Holocene events is 
 
Q.15 
(A) U?Pb (B) Sm ?Nd   (C) Rb ?Sr  (D) C-14
 
  
 
Which of the following stratigraphic units is NOT of Proterozoic age? 
 
(A) Tipam Group (B) Bhima Group 
Q.16 
(C) Nallamalai Group (D) Semri  Group 
 
Rampura ?Agucha in Rajasthan is known for the ore deposit of 
 
Q.17 
(A) gold (B) tungsten  (C) zinc   (D) iron   
 
The geological age of the major hydrocarbon reservoir in the Bombay High oil field is 
 
Q.18 
(A) Cretaceous (B) Holocene (C) Oligocene  (D) Miocene   
 
The geophysical method for the exploration of disseminated sulfide deposits is 
 
(A) induced polarization (B)  self- potential 
Q.19 
(C) gravity (D)  magnetic 
 
In a borehole, high pressure gas zone is identified by  
 
(A) sonic logging (B) resistivity logging 
Q.20 
(C) temperature logging (D) density logging 
 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
 
The acceleration due to gravity (g) and universal gravitational constant (G) are related by the 
expression (M
e
 and R
e
 are the mass and radius of the earth, respectively) 
 
(A) 
e
e
GM
g
R
? (B) 
2
e
e
GM
g
R
? 
Q.21 
(C) 
e
e
GR
g
M
? (D) 
2
e
e
GR
g
M
? 
 
The metamorphic facies diagnostic of subduction zone is  
 
Q.22 
(A) hornblende hornfels (B) pyroxene hornfels (C) blueschist  (D) granulite 
 
 In a formation, if the density increases and elastic constants remain unchanged, then 
 
(A) both P and S wave velocities increase 
(B) P wave velocity increases and S wave velocity decreases 
(C) both P and S wave velocities  decrease 
Q.23 
(D) P wave velocity decreases and S wave velocity increases 
 
The Poisson ratio ( ? ) for rocks in terms of Lame’s constants ?  and ?  is 
 
Q.24 
(A) 
1
?
? ?
?
?
 (B) 
?
?
? ?
?
?
 (C)  
1
2( )
?
? ?
?
?
 (D)  
2( )
?
?
? ?
?
?
 
 
In seismic exploration, ‘ground roll’ represents  
 
Q.25 
(A) direct wave (B) surface wave  (C)  Stonely wave (D) shear wave  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GG 
2011                                                                                                                                                                              GEOLOGY & GEOPHYSICS  –  GG 
PART B (SECTION 1): FOR GEOLOGY CANDIDATES ONLY 
Q. 26 to Q. 55 carry two marks each. 
Choose the correct set of crystal faces for which ‘c’ crystallographic axis is the zone axis. 
 
(A) (100), (001), ( 100 ) (B) (010), (001), (010 ) 
Q.26 
(C) (010), ( 110 ), ( 100 ) (D) (110), (001), (110 ) 
 
The twin plane in the Manebach law is 
 
Q.27 
(A) (010) (B) (001) (C)  (100) (D)  (021) 
 
The figure below shows the pattern of increase ( i ) and decrease ( d ) in the interference colors of a 
mineral after insertion of mica plate. The optic sign of the mineral is 
 
                                                      
 
(A) uniaxial positive (B) uniaxial negative 
Q.28 
(C) biaxial positive (D) biaxial negative 
 
The igneous rock falling in the shaded field of the figure below is  
 
                                      
 
Q.29 
(A) granite (B) syenite  (C)  tonalite  (D) monzonite 
 
The figure below is the photomicrograph of a chloritoid mica schist in which chloritoid forms 
porphyroblasts. The formation of porphyroblasts in the crenulated matrix is 
  
                                         
 
(A) pre-tectonic (B) early syn-tectonic 
Q.30 
(C) late syn-tectonic (D) post-tectonic 
GG