The earth’s plate responsible for causing earthquakes is:
Mantle
 Outer core
Inner core
 Crust
Ans d
In 1596, who suggested in his work ‘Thesaurus Geographicus’ that the continents of the earth were not always located in their present positions?
a) Alfred Wegener
b) Isaac Newton
c) Abraham Ortelius
d) Charles Lyell
Ans c Abraham Ortelius was a pioneering cartographer who observed the jigsaw-like fit of continents and proposed early ideas about continental drift.
The highly viscous, mechanically-weak and ductile region of Earth’s upper mantle is called:
a) Lithosphere
b) Outer core
c) Inner core
d) Asthenosphere
Ans d The asthenosphere lies beneath the lithosphere and is characterized by its semi-molten state due to high temperature and pressure, allowing for tectonic plate movement.
Which one of the following is a major plate?
a) Cocos Plate
b) Nazca Plate
c) Juan De Fuca Plate
d) North American Plate
Ans d The North American Plate is one of the seven major tectonic plates that make up Earth’s lithosphere.
Which layer of Earth is responsible for its magnetic field?
a) Inner core
b) Crust
c) Mantle
d) Outer core
Ans d The outer core’s liquid state and movement generate Earth’s magnetic field through dynamo action.
What is the average thickness of the continental crust?
a) 10 km
b) 20 km
c) 50 km
d) 30 km
Ans  d The average thickness of continental crust varies but generally falls around 30-40 km.
How does temperature vary towards the center from the earth’s surface?
a) Decreases
b) Remains constant
c) Increases
d ) Fluctuates
Ans c Temperature increases with depth due to geothermal gradients; it can reach extreme levels at Earth’s center.
Which among the following elements is most abundant in Earth’s crust? –
a) Oxygen
b ) Silicon
 c ) Aluminium
d ) Iron
Ans a Oxygen constitutes about 46.6% by weight in Earth’s crust, making it the most abundant element.
The theory of plate tectonics proposes that Earth’s lithosphere is divided into how many major plates?
a ) 5
b ) 6
 c) 7
 d ) 8
Ans c There are seven major tectonic plates recognized in modern geology.
Which layer has both solid and liquid states within Earth’s structure? –
a) Core
b ) Mantle
 c ) Crust
 d ) Asthenosphere
Ans a The core consists of both solid inner core and liquid outer core components.
.
11 According to the Continental Drift Theory, what evidence supports the idea of continental drift?
 
A) Matching coastlines of continents
B) Similar fossils on different continents
C) Geological formations across oceans
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
 
12 What is the primary force that Wegener suggested caused continental drift?
A) Tidal forces
B) Wind erosion
C) Earth’s rotation and centrifugal force
D) Volcanic activity
Answer: C) Earth’s rotation and centrifugal force
13 Which of the following is NOT considered a piece of evidence for continental drift?
A) Fossil distribution
B) Magnetic stripes on ocean floor
C) Ice age deposits
D) The presence of deserts in Africa
Answer: D) The presence of deserts in Africa
 
14 What did Alfred Wegener believe about the continents’ movement over time?
A) They remained stationary.
B) They moved rapidly.
C) They drifted slowly over geological time.
D) They were fixed in place by tectonic plates.
Answer: C) They drifted slowly over geological time.
 
15 Which continent was NOT part of Gondwana according to Wegener’s theory?
A)South America
B) Africa
C) Antarctica
D) North America 
Answer: D) North America
 
16 What type of rock formations provide evidence for continental drift through their age and composition similarities across continents? 
A) Igneous rocks
 B) Sedimentary rocks 
C) Metamorphic rocks
 D) All types of rocks


Answer: B) Sedimentary rocks
 
17 In which era did Pangaea begin to break apart into separate continents?
– A) Paleozoic Era
– B) Mesozoic Era
– C) Cenozoic Era
– D) Precambrian Era
Answer: B) Mesozoic Era
 
18 In which era did Pangaea begin to break apart into separate continents?
– A) Paleozoic Era
– B) Mesozoic Era
– C) Cenozoic Era
– D) Precambrian Era
Answer: B) Mesozoic Era
 
19Who initially proposed the convection current theory?
A) Alfred Wegener
B) Arthur Holmes
C) Harry Hess
D) John Tuzo Wilson
Answer: B) Arthur Holmes
 
20 What is considered the primary reason behind the flow of convection currents in the mantle?
A) Gravitational pull
B) Thermal differences
C) Magnetic forces
D) Tectonic plate movements
Answer: B) Thermal differences
 
21Which layer of the Earth is primarily involved in convection currents?
A) Crust
B) Mantle and outercore
C) Outer core
D) Inner core
Answer: B) Mantle
 
22What is a consequence of convection currents in the Earth’s mantle?
A) Formation of mountains
B) Creation of ocean basins
C) Movement of continents
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
 
23How does temperature affect convection currents?
A) Higher temperatures slow down currents.
B) Lower temperatures increase density, causing upward flow.
C) Higher temperatures decrease density, causing upward flow.
D) Temperature has no effect on convection currents.
Answer: C) Higher temperatures decrease density, causing upward flow.
 
24 What happens to materials that are heated within a fluid due to convection?
A ) They sink immediately.
B ) They remain stationary.
C ) They rise as they become less dense.
D ) They evaporate into gas form.
Answer: C ) They rise as they become less dense.
 
25What drives thermal convection within fluids like magma? 
A ) The Coriolis effect
B ) Gravity and buoyancy forces
 C ) Wind patterns
 D ) Solar radiation
Answer: B ) Gravity and buoyancy forces
 
26 What is one major effect of convective heat transfer on Earth’s surface features?
– A ) It causes erosion only
– B ) It leads to uniform temperature distribution
– C ) It contributes to mountain building and rift formation
– D ) It has no significant impact on surface features
Answer: C ) It contributes to mountain building and rift formation
27Who proposed the seafloor spreading hypothesis?
A. Alfred Wegener
B. Harry Hess
C. Robert Dietz
D. John Tuzo Wilson
 
Ans B
 
28 What instrument was used in mapping the variations in the Earth’s magnetic field in oceanic rocks?
A. Seismograph
B. Sonar
C. Magnetometer
D. Barometer
 
Ans C
 
29The process by which magma rises forming a new oceanic lithosphere layer is called:
A. Sea floor subsidence.
B. Ocean basin formation.
C. Plate tectonics.
D. Sea floor spreading
 
Ans d
 
30 Which one of the following is not evidence of seafloor spreading?
A) Magnetic anomalies
B) Age differences in rocks
C) Seafloor drilling
D) Fossil fuels
 
Ans  D
 
31 The geological phenomenon where new oceanic crust is formed and older crust is pushed away is called Seafloor spreading theory is also known as:
A) Continental drift theory
B) Plate tectonics
C) The mid-ocean ridge system
D) Subduction theory
Ans C
32 What type of rock forms as a result of seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges?
A) Granite 
 B) Sandstone 
  C) Limestone 
  D)  Basalt
Ans D
33. The “Ring of Fire” is a zone characterized by intense tectonic activity, including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Which tectonic boundaries does it primarily encircle? 
(A) Divergent boundaries 
(B) Convergent boundaries 
(C) Transform boundaries 
(D) Subduction boundaries
Answer:(B) Convergent boundaries
 
34 Which tectonic boundary is responsible for the formation of volcanic island arcs?   
 (A) Divergent boundary   
 (B) Convergent boundary   
 (C) Transform boundary   
 (D) Subduction boundary

    Answer:  (D) Subduction Boundary
 
35 What do we call the process by which tectonic plates grind past each other horizontally? – (A) Divergence  
(B) Convergence   
(C) Subduction   
 (D) Transform faulting
  Answer:  (D) Transform faulting
36What type of stress occurs at convergent boundaries? 
A ) Tensional stress
 B ) Compressional stress
C ) Shear stress
 D ) None
Answer: B) Compressional stress.
37 Which statement about oceanic crust compared to continental crust is correct?
A ) Oceanic crust is thicker than continental crust
 B ) Continental crust is denser than oceanic crust
 C ) Oceanic crust can be recycled back into the mantle at subduction zones
 D ) Continental crust does not participate in plate movements
Answer: C) Oceanic crust can be recycled back into the mantle at subduction zones.
38 What phenomenon occurs when two continental plates collide?
A) One plate sinks beneath another.
B) New ocean floor forms.
C) Mountain ranges are created.
D) Earthquakes cease to occur.
Answer: C) Mountain ranges are created.
 
39 The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of which type of boundary?
A) Divergent boundary
B) Convergent boundary
C) Transform boundary
D) Continental-continental collision
Answer: C) Transform boundary.
40 At which discontinuity does the transition occur between the outer core and inner core?
A) Mohorovičić Discontinuity
B) Lehmann Discontinuity
C) Gutenberg Discontinuity
D) Repetti Discontinuity
Answer: B) Lehmann Discontinuity
41Which is the force that continuously elevates or builds up parts of the earth’s surface?
(a) Exogenic forces
(b) Endogenic forces
(c) Gradation
(d) Degradation
 Ans: A)
42With reference to Continental drift theory, Which of the following are major forces responsible for drifting of continents?
Pole fleeing force
Tidal force
Attraction of moon and sun
Convection currents
Choose the correct answer using the correct code given below.
a) 1,2 and 4 only
b) 1 ,3 and 4 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 2 and 3 only
Ans: c
Exp: Alfred Wegener suggested continental Drift Theory. According to Continental Drift Theory there existed one big landmass which he called Pangaea which was covered by one big ocean called Panthalassa.  A sea called Tethys divided the Pangaea into two huge landmasses: Laurentia (Laurasia) to the north and Gondwanaland to the south of Tethys. Statement 1 and 2 is correct: Wegener proposed that the movement accountable for the drifting of the continents was instigated by tidal force and pole fleeing force. The polar-fleeing force relates to the rotation of the earth.
 
43 With reference to tillite, consider the following statement.
Tillite are metamorphic rock.
The tillite provides unambiguous evidence of paleoclimates.
Choose the incorrect statement using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above
Ans: b
Exp:  Statement 1 is incorrect: It is the sedimentary rock formed out of deposits of glaciers.
Statement 2 is correct: The tillite provides unambiguous evidence of paleoclimates and also of drifting of continents.
44 Which of the following is/are correct about Indian plate?
The Indian plate is tectonically different from the Peninsular India plate.
It forms a convergent plate boundary with the Himalayas, it also extends to Pakistan and Myanmar as well.
Select the correct answer using codes below:
a.  1 only
b.  2 only
c.  Both 1 and 2
d.  Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : b
Indian Plate
The Indian plate includes Peninsular India and the Australian continental portions.
The subduction zone along the Himalayas forms the northern plate boundary in the form of continent continent convergence.
In the east, it extends through Rakinyoma Mountains of Myanmar towards the island arc along the Java Trench.
The eastern margin is a spreading site lying to the east of Australia in the form of an oceanic ridge in SW Pacific.
The Western margin follows Kirthar Mountain of Pakistan.
 
45Which of the following evidences supports the Continental Drift ?
Jig-Saw-Fit of shorelines of Africa and South America
Rocks of Same Age across the Oceans
Tillite & Placer Deposits
Select the correct answer using codes below:
1 & 3 only
.  1, & 2 only
  2 & 3 only
  All of the above
Answer : d
 
46Consider the following statements regarding Plate tectonics:
1. Plate tectonics theory is contrary to continental drift theory.
2. It is the theory that Earth’s outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle.
3. The driving force behind plate tectonics is convection in the mantle.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
 
Ans B
47 The energy emanating from within the earth is the main force behind endogenic geomorphic processes. This energy is mostly generated by:
1. Radioactivity inside the earth
2. Tidal friction
3. Primordial heat from the origin of the earth
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans d
 
48  Consider the Statements :
1 . Term plate was first used by Tuzo Wilson. Hypothesis of plate tectonics was first outlined by W.J. Morgan in 1967.
2 Diastrophism refers to deformation of the Earth’s crust.
3 Epeirogenic or continent forming movements are radial movements . They can cause upliftment or subsidence of continents.
4  Transform Plate boundary is called  Spreading Zone  and refer as ” Constructive Plate Margin
How many of the Statements :
 one only
two only
three only
All
Ans c
49.  Which of the following landforms and/ or geological process related with  Destructive  Plate Margin ?
1.  Subduction Zone
2 Composite Volcanoes
3  Rift valleys
4Trenches
5Young Fold Mountains
Select the Correct code:
 1 and 3
2 and 4 
1,  2 and 3
1,2 , and 4 ,5 
Ans d
 
 
50 Consider  the Statements :
1.   Sea Floor Spreading Theory explain the movement of Continents .
2. Convectional Currents   in the Core  drag  mantle Plates according to Plate tectonic Theory.
3  Apparent Affinity  of physical features , botancial evidence , Placer deposits  and rocks off same age are the key evidences of Plate tectonics theory
How many of the Statements are True?
 One only
Two only
All Three
None
Ans d