Class 11 Fundamental of Physical Geography Practice Paper

Class 11 Fundamental of Physical Geography

Multiple Choice Questions (Including Assertion–Reason Type)

Q 1 – The age of the Earth is estimated mainly through:

A. Fossil evidence

B. Radiometric dating

C. Sedimentary rocks

D. Solar radiation

B. Radiometric dating

Q 2. Which force is responsible for the flattening of Earth at poles?

A. Gravitational force

B. Tectonic force

C. Centrifugal force

D. Coriolis force

C. Centrifugal force

A. Both true, R explains A

B. Both true, R not explains A

C. A true, R false

D. A false, R true

Q 3. Assertion (A): Oceanic crust is thinner than continental crust.

Reason (R): Oceanic crust is mainly composed of silica and aluminium.

C. A true, R false

Q 4. Assertion (A): Fold mountains are formed due to compressional forces.

Reason (R): Convergent plate boundaries generate horizontal pressure.

A. Both true, R explains A

Q 5. Assertion (A): Earthquakes are concentrated along plate boundaries.

Reason (R): Plates interact and release energy.

A. Both true, R explains A

Q 6. Assertion (A): Winds always move from high pressure to low pressure.

Reason (R): Pressure gradient force initiates air movement.

A. Both true, R explains A

Q 7. Assertion (A): Mechanical weathering is dominant in arid regions.

Reason (R): Temperature variation is high in deserts.

A. Both true, R explains A

Q 8. Assertion (A): Sea breeze blows during the day.

Reason (R): Land heats faster than sea.

 A. Both true, R explains A

Q 9. Assertion (A): Ocean trenches are deepest parts of oceans.

Reason (R): They are formed at convergent plate boundaries.

A. Both true, R explains A

Q 10. The Mohorovicic discontinuity separates:

A. Crust and mantle

B. Mantle and core

C. Lithosphere and asthenosphere

D. Crust and core

A. Crust and mantle

Q 11. Which type of plate boundary is responsible for volcanic island arcs?

A. Divergent

B. Transform

C. Oceanic–continental convergent     

D. Oceanic–oceanic convergent

D. Oceanic–oceanic convergent

Q 12. The slow downslope movement of soil under gravity is called:

A. Landslide

B. Soil creep

C. Solifluction

D. Slump

Ans. B. Soil creep

Q 13. Which process dominates in the youthful stage of a river?

A. Deposition

B. Transportation

C. Vertical erosion

D. Lateral erosion

C. Vertical erosion

Q 14. Which cloud type indicates fair weather?

A. Cumulonimbus

B. Cirrus

C. Cumulus

D. Nimbostratus

C. Cumulus 

Q 15. The lapse rate refers to:

A. Increase of temperature with height

B. Decrease of temperature with height

C. Constant temperature

D. Sudden change of temperature

B. Decrease of temperature with height

Q 16. The Coriolis force is maximum at:

A. Equator

B. Tropics

C. Mid-latitudes

D. Poles

D. Poles

Q 17. Which ocean current is warm?

A. Labrador Current

B. Canary Current

C. Gulf Stream

D. Oyashio Current

C. Gulf Stream

Q 18. The main cause of tides is:

A. Earth’s rotation

B. Moon’s gravitational pull

C. Ocean currents

D. Winds

B. Moon’s gravitational pull

Q 19. Which landform is formed by wind erosion?

A. Delta

B. Yardang

C. Floodplain

D. Meander

B. Yardang

Q 20. Which latitude receives vertical rays of the Sun twice a year?

A. Equator

B. Tropic of Cancer

C. Tropic of Capricorn

D. Poles

A. Equator

Q 21. Which factor controls the salinity of oceans most?

A. Ocean depth

B. Temperature

C. Evaporation and rainfall

D. Waves

C. Evaporation and rainfall

Q 22. Which type of rainfall occurs due to mountain barriers?

A. Convectional

B. Cyclonic

C. Orographic

D. Frontal

C. Orographic

Q 23. The largest desert of the world is:

A. Sahara

B. Thar

C. Gobi

D. Antarctic Desert

D. Antarctic Desert

Q 24. Which movement causes earthquakes?

A. Endogenic sudden movement

B. Exogenic slow movement

C. Gradation

D. Weathering

A. Endogenic sudden movement

Q 25. The deepest layer of Earth is:

A. Mantle

B. Inner core

C. Outer core

D. Crust

B. Inner core

Q 26. Which process forms stalactites?

A. Mechanical weathering

B. Oxidation

C. Carbonation

D. Hydration

C. Carbonation

Q 27. Which gas is most abundant in the atmosphere?

A. Oxygen

B. Carbon dioxide

C. Nitrogen

D. Argon

C. Nitrogen

Q 28. The zone of maximum biodiversity on Earth is:

A. Temperate grasslands

B. Polar region

C. Tropical rainforest

D. Taiga

C. Tropical rainforest

Q 29. Which layer of atmosphere contains ionized gases?

A. Troposphere

B. Stratosphere

C. Mesosphere

D. Ionosphere

D. Ionosphere

Q 30. The process by which rocks break without chemical change is

A. Chemical weathering

B. Mechanical weathering

C. Mass wasting

D. Erosion

B. Mechanical weathering

SECTION B – Source Based Questions (3 Marks Each) (Q 31 & Q 32)

Source:
Q 31. “The Earth’s interior is studied through indirect sources like seismic waves.”

(a)  Name two types of seismic waves.

The two main types of seismic waves are Primary (P) waves and Secondary (S) waves.

(b) Which seismic wave cannot travel through liquid?

S waves cannot travel through liquid because they require a rigid medium for propagation.

(c)  What do seismic waves indicate about the Earth’s interior?

Seismic waves help scientists understand the layered structure, density, and physical state of the Earth’s interior, such as the presence of a liquid outer core.

Q 32. Source Based Question – Plate Tectonics

Source:
“Plate tectonics explains continental drift and mountain building.”

(a) Who proposed the theory of continental drift?

The theory of continental drift was proposed by Alfred Wegener.

(b) Name one evidence supporting continental drift.

One major evidence is the jigsaw fit of coastlines, especially between South America and Africa.

(c) Mention one result of plate convergence.

Fold mountains are formed due to the convergence of tectonic plates.

SECTION C – Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each) (Q 33 to Q 36)

Q 33. Describe three characteristics of fold mountains.

Fold mountains possess the following characteristics:

  1. Formed by Compressional Forces: They develop due to horizontal pressure at convergent plate boundaries.
  2. Great Height and Length: Fold mountains like the Himalayas extend over long distances and have high peaks.
  3. Parallel Ranges: They usually consist of several parallel ranges with valleys in between.

 Q 34. Why is the troposphere important for life? Explain any three reasons.

  1. Weather Phenomena: All weather activities like rainfall, storms, and clouds occur in the troposphere.
  2. Life-Supporting Gases: It contains oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide essential for living organisms.
  3. Water Vapour: Almost all atmospheric water vapour exists in this layer, making life possible.

Q 35. Explain any three types of ocean movements.

  1. Waves: Oscillatory movements caused mainly by wind action on the ocean surface.
  2. Tides: Periodic rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
  3. Ocean Currents: Large-scale horizontal movements of ocean water influenced by winds, temperature, and Earth’s rotation.

Q 36. What is mass wasting? Name and explain two types.

Mass wasting refers to the downslope movement of weathered material under the influence of gravity.

  1. Landslide: Sudden movement of rock and debris down a steep slope.
  2. Soil Creep: Very slow movement of soil particles down gentle slopes.

SECTION D – Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each) (Q 37 to Q 44)

Q 37. Explain the structure of the Earth in detail.

The Earth consists of three concentric layers:

  1. Crust:
    • Outermost and thinnest layer
    • Continental crust (rich in silica and aluminium) and oceanic crust (rich in silica and magnesium)
  2. Mantle:
    • Lies below the crust
    • Extends up to 2,900 km
    • Composed mainly of silicate minerals rich in iron and magnesium
    • Source of magma
  3. Core:
    • Innermost layer composed of nickel and iron (nife)
    • Divided into outer liquid core and inner solid core

Responsible for Earth’s magnetic field

Q 38. Describe Wegener’s theory of continental drift.

Alfred Wegener proposed that all continents were once united into a single landmass called Pangaea, surrounded by Panthalassa.

Evidences:

  • Matching coastlines of Africa and South America
  • Similar fossils found on different continents
  • Geological similarities

Limitations:

Could not explain the force responsible for continental movement.

Q 39. Explain the process of plate tectonics.

Plate tectonics explains the movement of large lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere.

Types of plate boundaries:

  1. Convergent: Plates collide forming mountains or trenches
  2. Divergent: Plates move apart creating mid-ocean ridges
  3. Transform: Plates slide past causing earthquakes

This process explains earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

Q 40. Discuss the stages of a river and associated landforms.

  1. Youthful Stage: Dominated by vertical erosion; V-shaped valleys and waterfalls form.
  2. Mature Stage: Lateral erosion and transportation dominate; meanders and floodplains develop.
  3. Old Stage: Deposition dominates; deltas and ox-bow lakes are formed.

Q 41. Explain the composition and structure of the atmosphere.

The atmosphere is composed of gases like nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapour.

Structure:

  • Troposphere: Weather layer
  • Stratosphere: Ozone layer
  • Mesosphere: Coldest layer
  • Thermosphere: Ionosphere present

Exosphere: Outermost layer

Q 42. Describe the different types of rainfall.

  1. Convectional Rainfall: Caused by intense heating and rising air, common in equatorial regions.
  2. Orographic Rainfall: Occurs when moist air is forced to rise over mountains.
  3. Cyclonic Rainfall: Associated with low-pressure systems and frontal activity.

Q 43. Explain the causes and effects of earthquakes.

Causes:

  • Sudden movement of tectonic plates
  • Release of accumulated energy along faults

Effects:

  • Loss of life and property
  • Ground shaking and tsunamis
  • Changes in landforms

 Q 44. Discuss the distribution of temperature on Earth.

Temperature distribution depends on:

  1. Latitude: Decreases from equator to poles
  2. Altitude: Temperature decreases with height
  3. Ocean Currents: Warm currents raise temperatures; cold currents lower them
  4. Winds: Transfer heat across regions
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