Geography of India & the World – Physical Geography of the World
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE)
Preliminary Examination – General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Geography of India & the World
Sub Topic: Physical Geography of the World
Physical Geography of the World – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. The Earth is composed of how many major internal layers?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five
Answer: B
Explanation: The Earth consists of three layers – Crust, Mantle, and Core.
Q2. The outermost layer of the Earth is known as:
A. Mantle
B. Core
C. Crust
D. Lithosphere
Answer: C
Explanation: The crust is the outermost solid layer of the Earth.
Q3. The layer responsible for volcanic activity is mainly:
A. Crust
B. Upper Mantle
C. Inner Core
D. Outer Core
Answer: B
Explanation: Magma originates in the upper mantle, leading to volcanic eruptions.
Q4. Which part of the Earth is composed mainly of iron and nickel?
A. Crust
B. Mantle
C. Core
D. Lithosphere
Answer: C
Explanation: The core (NiFe layer) contains iron and nickel.
Q5. The theory explaining the movement of continents is known as:
A. Plate tectonics
B. Continental Drift
C. Isostasy
D. Seafloor spreading
Answer: B
Explanation: Alfred Wegener proposed the Continental Drift Theory.
Q6. The Earth’s crust is divided into:
A. Two hemispheres
B. Seven continents
C. Several tectonic plates
D. Climatic zones
Answer: C
Q7. Which type of plate boundary causes earthquakes but no volcanism?
A. Convergent
B. Divergent
C. Transform
D. Constructive
Answer: C
Explanation: Transform boundaries cause earthquakes due to lateral movement.
Q8. Mountains formed by folding of the Earth’s crust are called:
A. Block mountains
B. Volcanic mountains
C. Fold mountains
D. Residual mountains
Answer: C
Q9. Which is the longest mountain range in the world?
A. Himalayas
B. Andes
C. Rockies
D. Alps
Answer: B
Explanation: The Andes are the longest continental mountain range.
Q10. The highest plateau in the world is:
A. Deccan Plateau
B. Plateau of Iran
C. Tibetan Plateau
D. Bolivian Plateau
Answer: C
Q11. Which landform is created by river deposition at its mouth?
A. Estuary
B. Delta
C. Gorge
D. Waterfall
Answer: B
Q12. The deepest ocean trench in the world is:
A. Tonga Trench
B. Java Trench
C. Puerto Rico Trench
D. Mariana Trench
Answer: D
Q13. Which is the largest ocean in the world?
A. Atlantic Ocean
B. Indian Ocean
C. Pacific Ocean
D. Arctic Ocean
Answer: C
Q14. Coral reefs are mostly found in:
A. Cold waters
B. Deep oceans
C. Shallow warm waters
D. Polar regions
Answer: C
Q15. Which of the following is a major ocean current?
A. Gulf Stream
B. Jet Stream
C. Trade Wind
D. Monsoon Wind
Answer: A
Explanation: The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current in the Atlantic.
Q16. The atmosphere is composed mainly of:
A. Oxygen
B. Nitrogen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Argon
Answer: B
Q17. The layer of atmosphere closest to the Earth is:
A. Stratosphere
B. Mesosphere
C. Troposphere
D. Thermosphere
Answer: C
Q18. Weather phenomena occur mainly in the:
A. Stratosphere
B. Troposphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Exosphere
Answer: B
Q19. The ozone layer is found in the:
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere
Answer: B
Q20. Winds that blow constantly from high pressure to low pressure belts are called:
A. Local winds
B. Seasonal winds
C. Planetary winds
D. Variable winds
Answer: C
Q21. Trade winds generally blow from:
A. Equator to poles
B. Poles to equator
C. Subtropical highs to equator
D. Equator to subtropics
Answer: C
Q22. Which climatic phenomenon is associated with abnormal warming of the Pacific Ocean?
A. La Niña
B. El Niño
C. Monsoon
D. Cyclone
Answer: B
Q23. Deserts are commonly found in:
A. Equatorial regions
B. Polar regions only
C. Subtropical high-pressure belts
D. Coastal lowlands
Answer: C
Q24. Which of the following is an example of a hot desert?
A. Gobi
B. Sahara
C. Atacama
D. Patagonian
Answer: B
Q25. The Earth’s shape is best described as:
A. Perfect sphere
B. Oblate spheroid
C. Prolate spheroid
D. Flat disc
Answer: B
Q26. The force responsible for deflection of winds is:
A. Gravitational force
B. Frictional force
C. Coriolis force
D. Centrifugal force
Answer: C
Q27. Which landform is created by wind erosion in deserts?
A. Delta
B. Yardang
C. Meander
D. Fjord
Answer: B
Q28. Fjords are associated with:
A. Desert regions
B. River valleys
C. Glacial erosion
D. Volcanic activity
Answer: C
Q29. Which natural hazard is caused by movement of tectonic plates?
A. Cyclone
B. Earthquake
C. Flood
D. Drought
Answer: B
Q30. Physical geography of the world helps in understanding:
A. Political boundaries
B. Cultural diversity
C. Natural environment and human activities
D. Administrative divisions
Answer: C
Explanation: Physical geography explains landforms, climate, resources, and human–environment interaction.
✅ APSC Prelims Value
✔ Covers Earth structure, landforms, oceans, atmosphere, climate
✔ Concept-based, elimination-friendly questions
✔ Ideal for static world geography
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