20 multiple-choice (MCQ / objective) questions from this chapter, in every exam-style shape used in the paper. Every question comes with an explanation along with the answer, so you remember why the option is correct, not just which one it is.
1 Direct Questions
Direct Questions
- 1 markWhat are the external forces that affect the earth’s surface called?
(A) Endogenic forces(B) Exogenic forces(C) Geothermal forces(D) Tectonic forces - 1 markWhich of the following is NOT an endogenic process?
(A) Diastrophism(B) Volcanism(C) Earthquakes(D) Erosion - 1 markWhat is the force applied per unit area on a solid called?
(A) Strain(B) Pressure gradient(C) Stress(D) Equilibrium - 1 markWhich stress, acting along the faces of earth materials and breaking them, is also called a ‘separating force’?
(A) Gravitational stress(B) Molecular stress(C) Thermal stress(D) Shear stress - 1 markWhich process includes the movement of molten rock (magma) onto or toward the earth’s surface, and the formation of intrusive and extrusive forms?
(A) Diastrophism(B) Orogeny(C) Weathering(D) Volcanism - 1 markSolution, carbonation, hydration, oxidation and reduction fall under which type of weathering?
(A) Physical weathering(B) Chemical weathering(C) Biological weathering(D) Mechanical weathering - 1 markWhich of these is NOT one of the three forms of mass movement?
(A) Heave(B) Deposition(C) Flow(D) Slide - 1 markWhat mainly determines the work of groundwater as an erosional agent in a region?
(A) Amount of rainfall(B) Direction of the slope(C) Vegetation cover(D) Lithological character of the region
2 Assertion-Reason
Assertion-Reason
- 1 markAssertion (A): Landslides and debris avalanches occur more frequently in the Himalayas than in the Western Ghats.
Reason (R): The Western Ghats are tectonically more active and unstable than the Himalayas.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true
3 Match the Following
Match the Following
- 1 mark1) Diastrophism 2) Volcanism 3) Weathering 4) Mass movement | P) Movement of molten rock (magma) toward the earth’s surface Q) Processes that move, elevate or build up the earth’s crust R) Direct transfer of rock debris down a slope under gravity S) Mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition by the actions of weather and climate
(A) 1-P, 2-Q, 3-S, 4-R(B) 1-Q, 2-P, 3-R, 4-S(C) 1-Q, 2-P, 3-S, 4-R(D) 1-Q, 2-S, 3-P, 4-R - 1 mark1) Chemical weathering 2) Physical weathering 3) Biological weathering 4) Exfoliation | P) Solution, carbonation, hydration, oxidation, reduction Q) Gravitational forces, temperature change, expansion forces from crystal growth R) Contribution to or removal of minerals/ions from the growth or movement of organisms S) Flaking off of more or less curved sheets from over rocks or bedrock
(A) 1-Q, 2-P, 3-R, 4-S(B) 1-P, 2-Q, 3-S, 4-R(C) 1-P, 2-R, 3-Q, 4-S(D) 1-P, 2-Q, 3-R, 4-S
4 Statement-Based Questions
Statement-Based Questions
- 1 markStatement (i): Gravity is a directional force that activates all downslope movements of matter.
Statement (ii): Erosion, transportation and deposition are possible even without gravity and gradients.
(A) Only statement (i) is true(B) Only statement (ii) is true(C) Both statements are true(D) Both statements are false - 1 markStatement (i): Exfoliation is a process, not a result.
Statement (ii): Exfoliation domes and tors result due to unloading and thermal expansion respectively.
(A) Both statements are true(B) Both statements are false(C) Only statement (ii) is true(D) Only statement (i) is true
5 Arrange in the Correct Order
Arrange in the Correct Order
- 1 markArrange the erosion-deposition cycle by geomorphic agents in the correct order:
(A) Agents lose velocity due to a gentler slope → Sediments get deposited → Massive rocks break into fragments through weathering → Geomorphic agents transport the fragments(B) Geomorphic agents (water/ice/wind) transport the fragments → Massive rocks break into fragments through weathering → Sediments get deposited → Agents lose velocity due to a gentler slope(C) Sediments get deposited → Geomorphic agents (water/ice/wind) transport the fragments → Agents lose velocity due to a gentler slope → Massive rocks break into fragments through weathering(D) Massive rocks break into fragments through weathering → Geomorphic agents (water/ice/wind) transport the fragments → Agents lose velocity due to a gentler slope → Sediments get deposited - 1 markArrange the five soil-forming factors in the order the chapter itself gives them:
(A) Climate → Parent material (rocks) → Topography → Time → Biological activity(B) Time → Biological activity → Climate → Topography → Parent material (rocks)(C) Parent material (rocks) → Topography → Climate → Biological activity → Time(D) Topography → Parent material (rocks) → Biological activity → Climate → Time
6 Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the Blanks
- 1 markThe process of concentration of valuable mineral ores through weathering is called ________.
(A) Leaching(B) Exfoliation(C) Enrichment(D) Solution
7 Passage-Based Questions
Passage-Based Questions
Passage
Endogenic and exogenic forces are continuously active on the surface of the earth. Endogenic forces continuously elevate or build up parts of the earth’s surface, while exogenic processes try to even out this variation in relief. The reduction of relief differences through erosion is called Gradation. As long as the opposing actions of exogenic and endogenic forces continue, variations remain on the surface of the earth.
- 1 markAccording to the passage, variation in relief on the earth’s surface persists as long as:
(A) the opposing actions of exogenic and endogenic forces continue(B) only endogenic forces remain active(C) only exogenic forces remain active(D) gradation is fully complete
Passage
Soil formation is controlled by five basic factors: parent material (rock), topography, climate, biological activity and time. Parent material and topography are considered passive control factors, while climate and biological activity are active factors. Soils remain thin on steep slopes while they are deep and thick in flat upland areas. Time, the third important controlling factor, is also a passive control factor; only when these processes operate for a sufficiently long period does soil mature and develop its own profile.
- 1 markAccording to the passage, how many basic factors of soil formation are mentioned?
(A) Three(B) Four(C) Five(D) Six - 1 markAccording to the passage, which are the passive control factors in soil formation?
(A) Climate and biological activity(B) Parent material and topography(C) Time and climate(D) Biological activity and time
8 True / False
True / False
- 1 markStatement 1: The work of groundwater is controlled by climate.
Statement 2: The work of waves occurs at the interface of land and the hydrosphere, i.e. the coastal region.
(A) Both statements are true(B) Only statement 2 is true(C) Only statement 1 is true(D) Both statements are false
Answer Key and Explanations
Direct Questions
- (B) External forces are called exogenic forces, induced basically by energy received from the sun.
- (D) Diastrophism, volcanism and earthquakes are endogenic processes; erosion is an exogenic process.
- (C) Force applied per unit area is called stress; it is produced in a solid by pushing or pulling.
- (D) Forces acting along the faces of earth materials are shear stresses (separating forces); they result in angular displacement or slippage.
- (D) Volcanism includes the movement of magma onto or toward the earth’s surface and the formation of many intrusive and extrusive volcanic forms.
- (B) Solution, carbonation, hydration, oxidation and reduction are a group of chemical weathering processes that decompose or dissolve rocks.
- (B) The three forms of mass movement are heave, flow and slide. Deposition is a consequence of erosion, not a form of mass movement.
- (D) Unlike waves, the work of groundwater is not controlled by climate; it is determined more by the lithological character of the region.
Assertion-Reason
- (C) (A) is the chapter’s own true statement. (R) is false: the chapter states the Western Ghats are tectonically MORE stable than the Himalayas, not more active.
Match the Following
- (C) Diastrophism: processes that move/elevate/build the crust; Volcanism: movement of magma toward the surface; Weathering: mechanical and chemical breakdown; Mass movement: direct gravity-driven transfer of debris.
- (D) Chemical weathering: solution/carbonation/hydration etc.; Physical weathering: gravitational and thermal forces; Biological weathering: contribution of organisms; Exfoliation: flaking of curved sheets.
Statement-Based Questions
- (A) Statement (i) is true. Statement (ii) is false: without gravity and gradients there would be no mobility and hence no erosion, transportation and deposition possible.
- (C) Statement (i) is false: the chapter states exfoliation is a result but not a process. Statement (ii) is true.
Arrange in the Correct Order
- (D) The chapter’s own sequence is: rocks broken into fragments by weathering → transportation by agents → loss of velocity on gentler slopes → deposition.
- (C) The chapter’s own text gives this exact order: parent material (i) → topography (ii) → climate (iii) → biological activity (iv) → time (v).
Fill in the Blanks
- (C) This concentration of ores obtained through weathering is called Enrichment.
Passage-Based Questions
- (A) The passage states that as long as the opposing actions of both forces continue, variation on the earth’s surface remains.
- (C) The passage names five basic factors: parent material, topography, climate, biological activity and time.
- (B) The passage states parent material (rock) and topography are passive control factors; climate and biological activity are the active ones.
True / False
- (B) Statement 1 is false: groundwater’s work is controlled by lithological character, not climate. Statement 2 is true.
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