Physical Geography- 1 - SSC CGL Free MCQ Test with solutions

The outer core is a liquid layer composed mainly of iron and nickel, responsible for generating Earth’s magnetic field. The crust is solid and thin, the mantle is semi-solid, and the inner core is solid iron and nickel.

Earth’s rotation on its axis (24 hours) causes day and night, while its revolution around the Sun (365.25 days) causes seasonal changes due to the tilt of its axis.

Earth is the only planet known to support life due to its suitable atmosphere, water, and temperature range. Mars and Venus are too extreme, and Jupiter is a gas giant.

The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful UV radiation. The troposphere is where weather occurs, the mesosphere is colder, and the thermosphere is where auroras occur.

The International Date Line is near the 180° longitude, with deviations. Crossing from east to west (e.g., Asia to America) subtracts a day, not adds, making statement 2 incorrect.

Solar energy is renewable as it is derived from the Sun and is inexhaustible. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are non-renewable as they take millions of years to form.

The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake based on seismic wave amplitude. The Mercalli Scale measures intensity, the Beaufort Scale measures wind speed, and the Saffir-Simpson Scale measures hurricane strength.

Cyclones are low-pressure systems with strong winds rotating around a central eye. In the Northern Hemisphere, they rotate counterclockwise due to the Coriolis effect, making statement 2 incorrect.

The Ring of Fire is a major volcanic and seismic belt encircling the Pacific Ocean, hosting numerous active volcanoes. The other options are tectonic or volcanic regions but not specific to the Pacific.

The tropical zone, near the equator, has high temperatures and heavy rainfall year-round. Temperate zones have distinct seasons, polar zones are cold, and arid zones are dry.

Tsunamis are primarily caused by undersea earthquakes that displace large volumes of water. Volcanic eruptions and landslides can also trigger tsunamis but are less common causes, and cyclones cause storm surges, not tsunamis.

The troposphere is the lowest atmospheric layer where weather occurs. The thermosphere is one of the hottest layers due to solar radiation absorption, not the coldest, making statement 2 incorrect.

Coal is a non-renewable fossil fuel widely used for electricity generation. Wind, hydropower, and solar energy are renewable resources.

Dormant volcanoes are inactive but have the potential to erupt again. Active volcanoes erupt regularly, extinct volcanoes are unlikely to erupt, and shield volcanoes refer to a shape, not activity status.

Jet streams are narrow, fast-flowing air currents in the upper atmosphere (troposphere/stratosphere). They significantly influence weather patterns, such as guiding cyclones, making statement 2 incorrect.

Latitude determines the angle of solar radiation, affecting temperature and climate zones (tropical, temperate, polar). Altitude, ocean currents, and wind patterns also influence climate but are secondary to latitude’s role.

Laterite soil is common in tropical regions with heavy rainfall, where leaching removes nutrients, making it less fertile. Alluvial soil is found in river plains, black soil in volcanic regions, and loess soil in wind-deposited areas.

Terracing reduces landslide risk by stabilizing slopes and slowing water runoff. Overgrazing, deforestation, and urbanization increase landslide risks by destabilizing soil.

Droughts lead to water scarcity, affecting agriculture, drinking water, and ecosystems. They do not increase soil fertility, reduce seismic activity, or enhance vegetation growth.

The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) at Greenwich is the reference for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and global time zones. The International Date Line manages date changes, while the Equator and Tropic of Cancer are latitude lines.