Geography MCQ Questions with answers

Radiometric dating is the most accurate method for determining the age of the Earth. It involves measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes, such as uranium-238 and potassium-40, in rocks and minerals. By analyzing these isotopes and their decay products, scientists have estimated the Earth's age to be approximately 4.54 billion years.

Deserts cover about 33% (or 1/3rd) of the Earth's land surface. A desert is defined as an area receiving less than 250 mm (10 inches) of rainfall per year.

Breakdown of Earth's Surface:

Total Earth's surface area: ~510 million sq km

Land area: ~149 million sq km (~29% of Earth's surface)

Desert area: ~50 million sq km (~33% of land area)


Types of Deserts:

1. Hot Deserts:

Sahara Desert (Africa) – Largest hot desert (~9.2 million sq km)

Arabian Desert (Middle East)

Kalahari Desert (Africa)

Australian Desert (Australia)



2. Cold Deserts:

Antarctic Desert (Antarctica) – Largest overall (~14 million sq km)

Arctic Desert (Arctic region)

Gobi Desert (Mongolia & China)




Since deserts occupy about 1/3rd of the Earth's land area, the correct answer is:

✔ (D) 1/3rd

The Indus River originates from Lake Manasarovar in the Kailash Range, located in Tibet, China.

It then flows through Ladakh (India), Pakistan, and finally into the Arabian Sea.


Other Options Explained:

(A) Hindukush range – Lies in Afghanistan and Pakistan, not the origin of Indus.

(B) Himalayan range – The Indus flows through the Himalayas but does not originate there.

(D) Karakoram range – The Indus passes through this range but does not originate there.


Thus, the correct answer is (C) Kailash range.

The Troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending up to 8-15 km above the Earth's surface.

It contains most of the Earth's weather, including clouds, rain, and storms.

The temperature decreases with altitude in this layer.


Other Options Explained:

(A) Stratosphere – Lies above the troposphere and contains the ozone layer.

(B) Thermosphere – A high-altitude layer where the auroras occur.

(D) Mesosphere – Above the stratosphere; meteors burn up here.


Thus, the correct answer is (C) Troposphere.

The Konkan Railway connects Roha (Maharashtra) to Mangalore (Karnataka).

It passes through Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, covering a distance of 741 km.

This railway line is known for its scenic beauty, tunnels, and bridges along the Western Ghats.


Other Options Explained:

(A) Goa – Mangalore – Goa is on the route, but the railway starts from Roha.

(C) Kanyakumari – Mangalore – Kanyakumari is not part of the Konkan Railway.

(D) Kanyakumari – Mumbai – The route includes parts of Konkan Railway but extends beyond its official endpoints.


Thus, the correct answer is (B) Roha – Mangalore.

Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree and is used as a spice and condiment.

It has a sweet and aromatic flavor and is widely used in cooking, baking, and traditional medicine.


Other Options Explained:

(B) Clove – Derived from flower buds, not bark.

(C) Neem – Used for medicinal purposes, but not as a condiment.

(D) Palm – Does not have a bark used as a spice.


Thus, the correct answer is (A) Cinnamon.

Gravity is the force that holds the atmospheric air close to the Earth.

Without gravity, the air molecules would escape into space.

The gravitational pull keeps the oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases in the atmosphere from drifting away.


Other Options Explained:

(B) Winds – Caused by pressure differences but do not hold the atmosphere in place.

(C) Clouds – Are formed due to condensation of water vapor and do not influence atmospheric retention.

(D) Rotation of the Earth – Affects weather patterns but does not hold the air to Earth.


Thus, the correct answer is (A) Gravity.

The Nilgiri Hills are well-known for their Eucalyptus plantations.

Eucalyptus trees were introduced by the British in the 19th century for timber and oil production.

These trees grow well in the cool and moist climate of the Nilgiris.


Other Options Explained:

(A) Sal – Mostly found in central and eastern India.

(B) Pine – Grows in Himalayan regions, not common in Nilgiris.

(D) Teak – Found in tropical forests, but not as dominant in Nilgiris as Eucalyptus.


Thus, the correct answer is (C) Eucalyptus.

The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest living bird on Earth.

It can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall and weigh around 150 kg (330 lbs).

Although flightless, it is the fastest running bird, reaching speeds of 70 km/h (43 mph).


Other Options Explained:

(A) Emu – The second-largest bird, native to Australia.

(C) Albatross – Has the largest wingspan (up to 12 feet), but is not the largest bird.

(D) Siberian Crane – A large migratory bird but much smaller than an ostrich.


Thus, the correct answer is (B) Ostrich.

The Rihand Dam is built on the Rihand River, a tributary of the Son River, in Uttar Pradesh.

It is India’s largest reservoir and is located in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.

The dam provides irrigation and hydroelectric power to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.


Other Options Explained:

(A) Gujarat and Maharashtra – Do not receive irrigation from Rihand Dam.

(B) Odisha and West Bengal – Mainly rely on other dams like Hirakud Dam.

(D) Kerala and Karnataka – Are not connected to the Rihand River system.


Thus, the correct answer is (C) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.