Locating Places on Earth – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Class 6
CBSE Class 6 Social Science — Chapter 1: Locating Places on Earth (MCQs)
CBSE Board Examinations: MCQs (Objective), Map skills, Short & Long answers, Practical assessment.
Content Bank — Chapter 1 (Topic-wise)
Topics: Understanding the Earth; Continents & Oceans; Maps & Map Types; Map Symbols, Scale & Orientation; Grid System — Latitude & Longitude; Cardinal Directions & Compass; Practical Map Skills.
Topic 1 — Understanding the Earth (MCQs 1–6)
1. Which model gives the most accurate representation of Earth’s true shape?
Answer: B. Globe
Explanation: A globe is a three-dimensional scale model of Earth and preserves relative shapes and positions with minimal distortion, unlike flat maps.
2. Approximately what percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by water?
Answer: C. 71%
Explanation: Oceans and seas cover about 71% of Earth’s surface while land (continents) makes up roughly 29%.
3. The solid outer layer of the Earth where we live is called:
Answer: C. Lithosphere
Explanation: The lithosphere includes Earth’s crust and upper mantle — the solid surface where landforms and soils exist.
4. The term 'oblate spheroid' refers to the Earth’s:
Answer: B. Slight flattening at poles
Explanation: Earth bulges at the equator and is slightly flattened at the poles due to rotation, hence 'oblate spheroid'.
5. Which of the following is NOT an Earth sphere?
Answer: C. Photosphere
Explanation: Photosphere refers to the sun’s visible surface, not an Earth sphere. Earth spheres include lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
6. Why are globes less convenient than maps for detailed local study?
Answer: C. Globes are bulky and show limited detail
Explanation: While globes are accurate in shape, their scale limits detail; maps can zoom into local areas and show more specifics.
Topic 2 — Continents & Oceans (MCQs 7–14)
7. How many continents are there on Earth?
Answer: C. 7
Explanation: The seven continents are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.
8. Which continent has the largest area?
Answer: B. Asia
Explanation: Asia is the largest continent by area and population, containing diverse geographic regions.
9. How many major oceans are there?
Answer: C. 5
Explanation: The five major oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (Antarctic) and Arctic.
10. Which ocean is the largest by area?
Answer: D. Pacific
Explanation: The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean, stretching between Asia/Australia and the Americas.
11. Which of these is a characteristic of continents?
Answer: B. Consist mainly of continental crust
Explanation: Continents are largely underlain by thicker, less dense continental crust, unlike ocean basins with oceanic crust.
12. Which ocean lies to the east of Africa?
Answer: C. Indian
Explanation: The Indian Ocean lies to the east and southeast of Africa, bordering countries like Somalia, Kenya, India and Australia.
13. Which ocean surrounds Antarctica?
Answer: B. Southern Ocean
Explanation: The Southern Ocean, also called the Antarctic Ocean, encircles Antarctica and connects the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
14. Which continent is entirely within the Southern Hemisphere?
Answer: C. Australia
Explanation: Australia lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, unlike Africa and South America which straddle the Equator.
Topic 3 — Maps & Types (MCQs 15–22)
15. A political map primarily shows:
Answer: C. Boundaries of countries and states
Explanation: Political maps focus on human-defined boundaries and administrative units rather than physical features.
16. Thematic maps are used to show:
Answer: B. A specific topic such as rainfall
Explanation: Thematic maps highlight spatial distribution of a particular subject like rainfall, soil types, or population.
17. Which map would be most useful for a city planner?
Answer: B. Large-scale city map
Explanation: Large-scale maps show details like streets and plots, which planners need for local decisions.
18. Which of the following is shown in a physical map?
Answer: B. Elevation and landforms
Explanation: Physical maps depict natural features such as mountains, rivers and elevation using colours and relief.
19. Which tool helps interpret symbols used on a map?
Answer: B. Legend
Explanation: The legend (or key) explains the meaning of symbols and colours used on the map.
20. Which of these map elements shows direction?
Answer: C. North arrow/compass rose
Explanation: The north arrow or compass rose indicates orientation and directions on the map.
21. If a map shows 1 cm = 50 km, this is an example of:
Answer: A. A scale
Explanation: The scale gives the ratio between distances on the map and actual ground distances, enabling measurement conversions.
22. Cartographers are professionals who:
Answer: B. Make maps
Explanation: Cartographers design and produce maps, deciding symbols, scales and details for specific purposes.
Topic 4 — Grid System: Latitude & Longitude (MCQs 23–30)
23. Latitude lines run:
Answer: B. East–West
Explanation: Latitudes (parallels) are horizontal lines encircling Earth east–west used to measure north–south position.
24. Which latitude is 0°?
Answer: B. Equator
Explanation: The Equator is the 0° latitude line dividing Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
25. Longitude lines meet at:
Answer: C. Poles
Explanation: Meridians (longitudes) are semicircles that converge and meet at the North and South Poles.
26. The Prime Meridian passes through which city?
Answer: B. Greenwich
Explanation: The Prime Meridian (0° longitude) runs through Greenwich in London and serves as the reference for longitudes.
27. Coordinates are written in the order:
Answer: B. Latitude, Longitude
Explanation: Standard convention writes latitude (N/S) first followed by longitude (E/W), e.g., 28°N, 77°E.
28. Which parallel marks 23.5°N and passes through India?
Answer: C. Tropic of Cancer
Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer at approx. 23.5°N passes through India and marks the northernmost latitude where the sun can be overhead.
29. Which of these pairs correctly shows latitude and longitude format?
Answer: B. 28°N, 77°E
Explanation: Latitude (28°N) comes first, then longitude (77°E). Option C is not standard notation and D swaps values.
30. Meridians are also called:
Answer: B. Great circles
Explanation: Meridians are semicircles of great circles passing through poles; great circles represent shortest routes on a sphere.
Topic 5 — Cardinal Directions & Compass (MCQs 31–36)
31. The four cardinal directions are:
Answer: A. N, S, E, W
Explanation: North, South, East and West are primary cardinal directions used in navigation and maps.
32. If you face north, east will be on your:
Answer: B. Right
Explanation: When facing north, east is to the right and west to the left.
33. A compass needle aligns roughly with:
Answer: B. Magnetic north
Explanation: Compasses point towards magnetic north; difference between magnetic and true north is called declination.
34. Inter-cardinal directions include:
Answer: B. NE, SW
Explanation: Inter-cardinal directions (NE, NW, SE, SW) lie between the main cardinal points and give finer bearings.
35. Magnetic declination is the angle between:
Answer: B. Magnetic north and true north
Explanation: Declination varies by location and must be considered when using a compass with maps.
36. Which device would you use to determine direction in the field?
Answer: B. Compass
Explanation: A magnetic compass indicates direction by aligning its needle with Earth’s magnetic field.
Topic 6 — Practical Map Skills & Revision (MCQs 37–40)
37. To find distance between two towns on a map you should use the:
Answer: B. Scale
Explanation: Measure the distance on the map and convert using the map’s scale (e.g., 1 cm = 50 km) to get the real-world distance.
38. An atlas is a book of:
Answer: B. Maps
Explanation: An atlas collects various maps and is useful for geographic study and reference.
39. Which of the following helps check map symbol meanings quickly?
Answer: B. Legend
Explanation: The legend explains symbols and colours used so readers can interpret map features correctly.
40. Regular practice of map labelling helps students mainly to improve:
Answer: B. Speed and accuracy
Explanation: Practice improves the student’s speed, neatness and accuracy in map labelling—key for scoring in exams.
Note: These MCQs and explanations follow the NCERT syllabus and are ideal for CBSE Class 6 exam preparation and quick revision.