Chapter: The Earth
1.

The mapping of which of the following is most difficult ?

A. Mountains
B. Plateaus and Plains
C. Interior of the Earth
D. Oceans and their depth
Answer» C. Interior of the Earth
2.

Tides in the sea have stored in them: [CDS 1994]

A. hydraulic energy
B. kinetic energy
C. gravitational potential energy
D. a combination of all the above three forms of energy
Answer» D. a combination of all the above three forms of energy
3.

In the earliest days when life originated on earth, the atmosphere contained : [UDC 1993]

A. free oxygen
B. no oxygen
C. oxygen in fixed form
D. oxygen bound to carbon
Answer» D. oxygen bound to carbon
4.

Which one of the following would have occured if the earth had NOT been inclined on its own axis? [CDS 2002]

A. All the seasons would have been of same duration
B. The seasons would not have changed
C. The summers would have been of longer duration
D. The winters would have been of longer duration
Answer» B. The seasons would not have changed
5.

Latitude of place is indicative of its: [Asstt Comm PF 2002]

A. time
B. altitude
C. amount of rainfall
D. temperature
Answer» D. temperature
6.

The upper part of the mantle upon which the crust of the Earth floats is called: [IAS 2003]

A. barysphere
B. mesophere
C. mohorovic discontinuity
D. asthenosphere
Answer» D. asthenosphere
7.

Tides are complied and they vary from place to place because of: [IAS 2003]

A. the movement of Moon in relation to Earth
B. Uneven distribution of water over the globe
C. irregularities in the configuration of oceans
D. all of the above
Answer» D. all of the above
8.

Which of the following phenomenon is/are the effect of the rotation of the Earth? [IAS 2003] 1. Apparent movement of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars. 2. Flatness of the poles and bulge at the Equator. 3. Occurrence of' sunrise, noon and sunset 4. Magnetic field of the earth.

A. 1 and 3
B. 2 and 3
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer» D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
9.

The earth rotates around its axis from: [RRB 1991]

A. north to south
B. east to west
C. south to north
D. west to east
Answer» D. west to east
10.

The word used to describe the shape of earth is:

A. flat
B. circle
C. sphere
D. oblate spheroid
Answer» D. oblate spheroid
11.

The mean radius of the earth is approximately:

A. 3200 km
B. 6400 km
C. 9600 km
D. 12800 km
Answer» B. 6400 km
12.

What is the correct sequence of the following layers of the Earth as one moves from the surface to the interior: 1. Mantle 2. Crust 3. Core Select the correct answer by using the codes given below: [NDA 1993]

A. 1, 2, 3
B. 1, 3, 2
C. 2, 1, 3
D. 3, 1, 2
Answer» C. 2, 1, 3
13.

Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs on :

A. December 22
B. September 23
C. June 21
D. March 21
Answer» A. December 22
14.

One degree of the circumference of the earth measures(approx.) :

A. 100km
B. 111km
C. 151km
D. 175km
Answer» B. 111km
15.

Spring tides occur when: [CDS 1993]

A. the moon is nearest to the earth
B. the moon is farthest from the earth
C. the moon, the sun and the earth are at right angles with the earth at the apex
D. the moon, the sun and the earth are in the same line
Answer» D. the moon, the sun and the earth are in the same line
16.

Variation in duration of day and night is due to: 1. rotation of earth on its axis 2. revolution of earth around the sun 3. inclination of earth at an angle of

A. 1and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 3
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer» B. 2 and 3
17.

Days and nights are caused by : 1. rotation of the earth on its axis 2. revolution of the earth around the sun 3. inclination of the earth's axis

A. only 1 is correct
B. 1 and 2 are correct
C. 2 and 3 are correct
D. all are correct
Answer» A. only 1 is correct
18.

The speed of rotation of the earth is the highest: [NDA 1994]

A. along the Equator
B. at the North Pole
C. along the Tropic of Cancer
D. along the Arctic Circle
Answer» A. along the Equator
19.

"Mohs' Scale" is used to indicate the: [IAS 2003]

A. degree of brittleness of a substance
B. degree of hardness of minerals.
C. degree of viscosity of a liquid
D. degree of elasticity of a material
Answer» B. degree of hardness of minerals.
20.

At neap tide: 1. the sun and moon exert their force at right angles 2. the tidal amplitude is high 3. the low tides are very low

A. 1
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 2
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer» A. 1
21.

If a solar eclipse occurs when the moon is quite far from the earth, the eclipse would be likely to be :

A. total
B. partial
C. annular
D. none of these
Answer» C. annular
22.

What can be the maximum duration of totality for a solar eclipse?

A. 12.5 minutes
B. 7 minutes 40 seconds
C. 1 hour 40 seconds
D. There is no maximum duration
Answer» B. 7 minutes 40 seconds
23.

Which of the following are true regarding the crust of the earth? 1. It is the outer thin layer with a total thickness of about 100 km 2. It forms around 0.5 percent of the earth's volume 3. The outer covering of the crust is of sedimentary material 4. The lower layer of the crust consists of basaltic and ultra-basic rocks

A. I and II
B. I, II and III
C. I, II and IV
D. I, II, III and IV
Answer» C. I, II and IV
24.

The total surface area of earth is : [CDS 2000]

A. 510 million sq km
B. 610 million sq km
C. 710 million sq km
D. 810 million sq km
Answer» A. 510 million sq km
25.

What is the approximate equatorial circumference of the earth? [Hotel Management 1992]

A. 30,000 Km
B. 35,000 Km
C. 40,000 Km
D. 45,000 Km
Answer» C. 40,000 Km
26.

The approximate diameter of the earth is :

A. 4,200 Km
B. 6,400 Km
C. 12,800 Km
D. 15,600 Km
Answer» C. 12,800 Km
27.

The place which has the longest day and the shortest night on 22nd December, is :

A. Chennai
B. Madrid
C. Melbourne
D. Moscow
Answer» C. Melbourne
28.

Geostationary orbit is at a height of:

A. 6 km
B. 1000 km
C. 3600 km
D. 36,000 km
Answer» D. 36,000 km
29.

Owing to the equatorial bulge and the polar flattening, the polar radius of the earth falls short of the equatorial radius by about: [NDA 1991]

A. 22 km
B. 36 km
C. 41 km
D. 53 km
Answer» A. 22 km
30.

The earth is at the least distance from the sun (Perihelion) on :

A. December 22nd
B. January 3rd
C. July 4th
D. June 21st
Answer» B. January 3rd
31.

The earth is at the largest distance from the sun (Apehelion) on :

A. June 21st
B. January 3rd
C. July 4th
D. September 23rd
Answer» C. July 4th
32.

The Earth rotates-around an axis pointing towards: [NDA 1991]

A. the moon
B. the pole star
C. the sun
D. Venus
Answer» B. the pole star
33.

Which part of the earth's surface receives the highest amount of insolation?

A. Tropical deserts
B. Equatorial region
C. Savanna region
D. No such criteria
Answer» A. Tropical deserts
34.

Which one of the following cities does not have the same clock time as that of the other three cities at any given instant? [IAS 2007]

A. London (UK)
B. Lisbon (Portugal)
C. Accra (Ghana)
D. Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
Answer» D. Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
35.

Which of the following layers of the earth is believed to have the heaviest mineral materials of highest density ?

A. Central core
B. Crust
C. Mantle
D. Both (b) and (c)
Answer» A. Central core
36.

Assume that the moon takes exactly 30 days to complete the cycle and also assume that it rises in the east exactly at 6.48 p.m., on the first day. On the fourth day, at what time will it rise? [IAS 2002]

A. 8.24 p.m
B. 9. 12 p.m
C. 10.00 p.m
D. 11.48 p.m.
Answer» C. 10.00 p.m
37.

Which one of the following is present in the largest amount in terms of percent by mass in the earth's crust? [IAS 1997]

A. Silicon
B. Oxygen
C. Carbon
D. Calcium
Answer» B. Oxygen
38.

Study the following diagram and say which of the given statements is not correct regarding it :

A. It shows the earth's orbital position on 21st June
B. All parallels in the northern hemisphere have days equal to nights
C. There is continuous day north of the Arctic Circle
D. South of the equator the length of the day decreases with increasing latitude
Answer» B. All parallels in the northern hemisphere have days equal to nights
39.

The difference in the duration of day and night increases as one moves from:

A. west to east
B. east and west of the prime meridian
C. poles to equator
D. equator to poles
Answer» D. equator to poles
40.

The sun is never overhead at any time in : 1. North Temperate Zone 2. South Temperate Zone 3. North Frigid Zone 4. Torrid Zone

A. III only
B. I, II and III
C. II and III
D. I, II, III and IV
Answer» B. I, II and III
41.

Which of the following statements with regard to the term 'great circle' is not correct?

A. Equator is a great circle
B. A ship can save fuel and time by following the great circle arc between two points
C. Only one great circle can be drawn on a sphere
D. A great circle results when a plane passes through the centre of a sphere
Answer» C. Only one great circle can be drawn on a sphere
42.

The term 'syzygy' is referred to when the: [IAS 2004]

A. Earth is at perihelion and moon at perigee
B. Earth is at apehelion and moon at apogee
C. Moon and sun are at right angles with reference to the earth
D. Moon, sun and earth lie along a straight line
Answer» D. Moon, sun and earth lie along a straight line
43.

The sun reaches its maximum angular distance from the equator at the:

A. zenith
B. solstice
C. equinox
D. noontime
Answer» B. solstice
44.

The South Pole experiences continuous light at:

A. summer solstice
B. winter solstice
C. vernal equinox
D. no time
Answer» B. winter solstice
45.

The shortest day in Australia will be on:

A. June 21
B. December 22
C. September 23
D. March 21
Answer» A. June 21
46.

The permanent tilt of the earth's axis and the revolution of the earth in its orbit together cause: 1. deflection of winds and ocean currents 2. differences in time between places on different meridians 3. varying length of day and night at different times of the year 4. changes in the altitude of the mid-day sun at different times of the year

A. II, III and IV
B. I and IV
C. III and IV
D. I, II and III
Answer» C. III and IV
47.

Which of the following best describes longitude?

A. An imaginary line joining north and south poles
B. The distance between a place east or west of the Greenwich Meridian
C. The angular distance east or west of the Greenwich meridian
D. The position of a place on earth's surface with reference to the Prime Meridian
Answer» C. The angular distance east or west of the Greenwich meridian
48.

On December 22, the sun: 1. is not visible at north pole 2. is only visible for a few minutes at the Antarctic Circle 3. rises south of east and sets south of west at the Tropic of Cancer 4. rises south of east and set south of west at the equator

A. 1 and 3
B. 2, 3 and 4
C. 1, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer» C. 1, 3 and 4
49.

What is the correct sequence of the following in the context of the age of the earth since its origin? 1. Cenozoic 2. Mesozoic 3. Palaeozoic 4. Protozoic

A. 4, 3, 1, 2
B. 3, 4, 2, 1
C. 3, 4, 1, 2
D. 4, 3, 2, 1
Answer» D. 4, 3, 2, 1
50.

The latitude of a place expresses its angular position relative to the place of:

A. axis of the earth
B. equator
C. north pole
D. south pole
Answer» B. equator
51.

When would you record the maximum angle of incidence of the sun's rays at the north pole?

A. March 21
B. September 21
C. When the sun's rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Cancer
D. When the sun's rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Capricorn
Answer» C. When the sun's rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Cancer
52.

One degree of longitude on the equator is equal to a distance of:

A. 34.5 miles
B. 50 miles
C. 60 miles
D. 69 miles
Answer» B. 50 miles
53.

At the summer solstice, which one of the following latitudes will have the longest night? [NDA 2001]

A. 45°N
B. 45°S
C. 60°N
D. 60°S
Answer» D. 60°S
54.

The Tropic of Cancer passes through: [CPO AC 2003]

A. India and Iran
B. Iran and Pakistan
C. India and Saudi Arabia
D. Iran and Iraq
Answer» C. India and Saudi Arabia
55.

Which of these is the longest?

A. 0° Meridian
B. 180° E-W
C. 90° E
D. All are equal
Answer» D. All are equal
56.

Consider the following statements: 1. Earth is the fourth largest planet of the solar system 2. Earth's circumference is about 45000 km 3. Earth's polar diameter is about 43 km shorter than its equatorial diameter 4. Earth has a total surface area of 510 million sq.km Which of these statements are correct? [NDA 2002]

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 4
C. 2 and 3
D. 3 and 4
Answer» D. 3 and 4
57.

The core of the Earth is made up of: [IAS 2003]

A. mainly of iron in the liquid form
B. mainly of nickel in the liquid form
C. both iron and silica in the liquid form
D. both iron and magnesium in the plastic state
Answer» D. both iron and magnesium in the plastic state
58.

Which one of the following is not the effect of the revolution of the Earth. [IAS 2003]

A. Change of seasons
B. length of days and nights
C. Determination of latitudes
D. Change in the direction of winds and ocean currents
Answer» D. Change in the direction of winds and ocean currents
59.

Latitudes include 181 lines while longitudes are 360 lines because:

A. longitude is divided from prime meridian while latitude is from equator
B. longitude is divided from equator while latitude is from prime meridian
C. longitude is a line that connects North Pole to South Pole and latitude is divided from east to west
D. None of these
Answer» A. longitude is divided from prime meridian while latitude is from equator
60.

Which of the following statements is true?

A. Arctic circle, antarctic circle and equator are great circles
B. Both equator and longitudes are great circles
C. Both latitudes and longitudes are great circles
D. Both equator and latitudes are great circles
Answer» B. Both equator and longitudes are great circles
61.

Maximum difference in the spacing of longitudes is :

A. at poles
B. at equator
C. at tropics
D. at arctic circle
Answer» B. at equator
62.

Latitude of a point on the earth is measured by the distance in: [Asstt Grade 1990]

A. kilometers from the poles
B. kilometers from the equator
C. angles from the poles
D. angles from the equator
Answer» D. angles from the equator
63.

Latitude and longitude both:

A. pass through poles
B. run parallel to the equator
C. run parallel to each other
D. run perpendicular to each other
Answer» D. run perpendicular to each other
64.

Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [NDA 1993]

A. 66° 33' N latitude - Arctic Circle
B. 180°E or 180°W longitude- International Date Line
C. 23° 20' N latitude - Tropic of Cancer
D. 0° E or 0°W longitude – Equator
Answer» D. 0° E or 0°W longitude – Equator
65.

The latitude of a place is the same as the: [CDS 1991]

A. maximum altitude attained by the Sun at noon
B. altitude of the celestial pole
C. angle between the horizon and the equator
D. zenith distance of the full moon when on the meridian
Answer» D. zenith distance of the full moon when on the meridian
66.

Of the total volume of the earth, which layer forms the major part ?

A. Sial
B. Sima
C. Mantle
D. Core
Answer» D. Core
67.

The equatorial circumference is greater than the polar circumference by approximately:

A. 22 km
B. 68 km
C. 125 km
D. 625 km
Answer» B. 68 km
68.

The distance of the equator from either of the poles is :

A. 500 km
B. 5001 km
C. 10,002 km
D. 36,005 km
Answer» C. 10,002 km
69.

On the 21st June, the day light is seen at the North Pole for:

A. zero hrs.
B. 12 hrs.
C. 18 hrs.
D. 24 hrs.
Answer» D. 24 hrs.
70.

The amount of insolation received at a place on the surface of the earth depends on:

A. its climate
B. its latitude
C. its longitude
D. Both (a)and (b)
Answer» D. Both (a)and (b)
71.

If a place is located at 20°N, 80°E in which of the following continents does it lie? [CDS 1989]

A. Africa
B. Asia
C. Europe
D. North America
Answer» B. Asia
72.

Which of the following statements is correct ? 1. All meridians are of the same length 2. All latitudes are of the same length 3. The Prime Meridian is the longest meridian 4. The Equator is the longest latitude

A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 3 and 4
D. 1 and 4
Answer» D. 1 and 4
73.

The longest circle which can be drawn on the earth's surface passes through: [Asstt Grade 1993]

A. Equator
B. Tropic of Cancer
C. Arctic Circle
D. Tropic of Capricorn
Answer» A. Equator
74.

Japan is called ‘land of the rising sun’ because:

A. Sun rises there as soon as it sets
B. Sun always remains in the eastern part of the sky throughout the day in Japan
C. Japan being the Eastern most country in the World, it has the earliest sunrise
D. The rays of the sun get reflected from the waters of the sea and make the sunrise beautiful in Japan
Answer» C. Japan being the Eastern most country in the World, it has the earliest sunrise
75.

Which of the following phenomenon gives an evidence for the spherical shape of the earth?

A. Solar eclipse
B. Revolution
C. Lunar eclipse
D. Rotation of Earth
Answer» B. Revolution
76.

The speed of rotation of the earth is: [IFS 1991]

A. 25 km/sec.
B. 31 km/sec.
C. 39.5 km/sec.
D. 9.72 km/sec.
Answer» D. 9.72 km/sec.
77.

The point in the orbit of a moon that is farthest from the Earth and at which the moon's velocity is at a minimum, the known as:

A. Apehelion
B. Apigee
C. Umbra
D. Perihelion
Answer» B. Apigee
78.

Which of the following is not an effect produced by rotation of earth?

A. It causes days and nights
B. All heavenly bodies like sun, moon, planets appear to move from East to West
C. Winds change their directions
D. Poles have days and nights of 6 months duration
Answer» D. Poles have days and nights of 6 months duration
79.

The revelations of a satellite photograph of the earth are as follows: 1. the Southern hemisphere bulges slightly more than the Northern hemisphere 2. it is slightly pear shaped ellipsoid of rotation 3. the polar axis of the earth is slightly shorter than the equatorial axis 4. the equatorial circumference is about 40,000km Which of the above statements are correct ?

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
C. 1, 2 and 4
D. 2, 3 and 4
Answer» D. 2, 3 and 4
80.

Albedo is defined as:

A. UV radiations sent out by the SUN
B. a substance contained in the upper atmospheric layers of the earth, which is responsible for the reflection of/a part of solar radiations
C. celestial bodies in earth's atmosphere which add to the greenhouse effect
D. the amount of insolation reflected back to the space by the top of atmosphere, by clouds and ice-covered areas of the Earth's surface
Answer» D. the amount of insolation reflected back to the space by the top of atmosphere, by clouds and ice-covered areas of the Earth's surface
81.

The Sun shines vertically on the equator:

A. throughout the year
B. for six months
C. twice a year
D. once a year
Answer» C. twice a year
82.

The position of the sun is annually twice overhead at Singapore because of the: [Railways 1993]

A. rotation of the earth
B. revolution of the earth
C. elliptical path of the earth's orbit
D. parallelism of inclined axis of the earth
Answer» D. parallelism of inclined axis of the earth
83.

What is 'Siderial Day'?

A. The day on which the duration of sunshine is the maximum
B. The day on which the duration of sunshine and darkness are equal
C. The time during which the earth makes a complete rotation on its axis in respect of the fixed stars
D. The day on which the sun reaches its maximum distance from the equator
Answer» C. The time during which the earth makes a complete rotation on its axis in respect of the fixed stars
84.

The distance between the earth and the sun is smallest in the month of:

A. January
B. March
C. June
D. September
Answer» A. January
85.

The earth revolves round the sun in its orbit by approximately:

A. 1° per day
B. 2° per day
C. 3° per day
D. 5° per day
Answer» A. 1° per day
86.

There is a continual daylight or summer in the Arctic regions from:

A. 22nd December to 21st March
B. 21st March to 21st June
C. 21st March to 23rd September
D. 21st June to 22nd December
Answer» C. 21st March to 23rd September
87.

Antipodes are:

A. lines joining places having a time difference of 12 hours
B. places diametrically opposite on earth's surface
C. places located at a point where degree of latitude is equal to degree of longitude
D. lines joining places having the same depths
Answer» B. places diametrically opposite on earth's surface
88.

Which of the following pairs of metals are supposed to constitute the internal core of the earth?

A. Chromium and Iron
B. Magnesium and Lead
C. Iron and Copper
D. Nickel and Iron
Answer» D. Nickel and Iron
89.

Consider a specific point on the surface of the earth (say Delhi). The temperature at a given time of day (say 12.00 Noon) will in general be higher in summer than in winter. This is because: [IAS 1993]

A. the evaporation of water from atmosphere results in precipitation occurring in winter alone
B. Sun-rays falling on the earth are inclined more towards the sun in winter
C. the earth is closer to the sun in summer than in winter
D. the axis of the earth is inclined more towards the sun in winter
Answer» B. Sun-rays falling on the earth are inclined more towards the sun in winter
90.

Who among the following was first to measure the circumference of the Earth? [NDA 2008]

A. Eratosthenes
B. Aristotle
C. Hecataeus
D. Herodotus
Answer» A. Eratosthenes
91.

Heat received by earth from the Sun is known as:

A. insolation
B. solar heat
C. solar radiation
D. thermal radiation
Answer» A. insolation
92.

Lunar eclipse is caused when the: [Hotel Management 1991]

A. moon comes between the sun and the earth
B. earth comes between the sun and the moon
C. sun comes between the earth and moon
D. none of these
Answer» B. earth comes between the sun and the moon
93.

Lunar eclipse does not occur every month because:

A. the sun's orbit is not always in the same plane as the moon
B. the moon revolves at a slower speed than the earth
C. the moon's orbit is not all the time in the same plane as the earth
D. none of these
Answer» C. the moon's orbit is not all the time in the same plane as the earth
94.

Lunar eclipse occurs on :

A. New moon
B. Full moon
C. Half moon
D. Quarter moon
Answer» B. Full moon
95.

The Solar eclipse achieves totality only in limited geographical regions because: [IAS 1993]

A. the trajectories of the Earth around the Sun and the Moon around the Earth are not perfect circles
B. the size of the shadow of the Moon on the Earth is small compared to the cross-section of the Earth
C. sun rays can reach most of the peripheral regions of the shadow of the moon due to atmospheric refraction
D. the Earth is not a smooth flat surface, but has elevations and depressions
Answer» B. the size of the shadow of the Moon on the Earth is small compared to the cross-section of the Earth
96.

Solar eclipse occurs when:

A. Earth comes between sun and moon
B. Moon is at right angle to the earth
C. Moon comes between sun and earth
D. Sun comes between moon and earth
Answer» C. Moon comes between sun and earth
97.

The position of a planet when it is nearest to the Sun, is called:

A. perihelion
B. apihelion
C. apigee
D. perigee
Answer» A. perihelion
98.

The position of the earth in its orbit, when it is at its greatest distance from the Sun causing summer in the Northern hemisphere is :

A. Perihelion
B. Aplheuon
C. Perigee
D. Apogee
Answer» B. Aplheuon
99.

The time of Cairo is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich time Cairo is situated at :

A. 27° East
B. 28° West
C. 30° East
D. 30° West
Answer» C. 30° East
100.

When it is 8 P.M. in Tokyo, what is the time at Panama Canal which is located at 180° W of it?

A. 4.00 P.M.
B. 8.00 A.M.
C. 12.00 A.M.
D. 12.00 Noon
Answer» B. 8.00 A.M.
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