Q. The continuous movement of water between land, oceans, and the atmosphere is known as
A). Evaporation
B). Water Cycle
C). Condensation
D). Precipitation
Answer: B). Water Cycle
Explanation: The water cycle refers to the continuous circulation of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
Q. A terrarium is best described as
A). A model of the solar system
B). A mini garden inside a glass container
C). A large outdoor greenhouse
D). A water purification device
Answer: B). A mini garden inside a glass container
Explanation: A terrarium is a small garden made inside a transparent container to observe plant growth.
Q. Salinity is best defined as the measure of
A). The amount of oxygen dissolved in water
B). The temperature of ocean water
C). The total amount of dissolved salts in water
D). The movement of ocean currents
Answer: C). The total amount of dissolved salts in water
Explanation: Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts present in a 100gm amount of water.
Q. The average salinity of ocean water is about
A). 10‰
B). 20‰
C). 35‰
D). 50‰
Answer: C). 35‰
Explanation: Ocean water typically has an average salinity of 35 parts per thousand (35‰).
Q. Salinity of seawater increases mainly due to
A). Heavy rainfall
B). Melting glaciers
C). High evaporation
D). River inflow
Answer: C). High evaporation
Explanation: Evaporation removes water but leaves salts behind, increasing salinity.
Q. Which sea has the highest salinity in the world?
A). Arabian Sea
B). Red Sea
C). Dead Sea
D). Mediterranean Sea
Answer: C). Dead Sea
Explanation: Dead sea in Isreal has salinity of 340 grams per litre of water.
Q. World Water Day is celebrated on
A). 5 June
B). 22 March
C). 16 September
D). 10 December
Answer: B). B). 22 March
Explanation: World Water Day is observed every year on 22 March to highlight the importance of freshwater and promote sustainable water use.
Q. Waves on the ocean surface are mainly caused by
A). Earth’s rotation
B). Wind blowing across the water
C). Ocean currents
D). Tides
Answer: B). Wind blowing across the water
Explanation: Most ocean waves are generated by the wind transferring energy to the water surface.
Q. The word ‘Tsunami’ is derived from which language?
A). Chinese
B). Japanese
C). Korean
D). Thai
Answer: B). Japanese
Explanation: The term “Tsunami” comes from the Japanese language means “Harbour Waves”.
Q. Tsunami is caused due to
A). Earthquake
B). Volcanic eruptions
C). Underwater landslides
D). All of these
Answer: D). All of these
Explanation: Tsunamis are triggered mainly by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides that suddenly displace large amounts of water.
Q. The devastating tsunami of 26 December 2004 was caused by an underwater earthquake near
A). Arabian Sea
B). Bay of Bengal
C). Indian Ocean
D). Mediterranean Sea
Answer: C). Indian Ocean
Explanation: The 2004 tsunami originated in the Indian Ocean after a massive undersea earthquake.
Q. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was triggered by an earthquake off the coast of
A). Sumatra
B). Japan
C). Philippines
D). Australia
Answer: A). Sumatra
Explanation: The epicenter of the earthquake was off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
Q. The magnitude of the 26 December 2004 earthquake that caused the tsunami was approximately
A). 5
B). 6
C). 7
D). 9
Answer: D). 9
Explanation: The earthquake measured about 9 on the Richter scale, making it one of the largest ever recorded.
Q. Indira Point submerged into the sea in
A). 1999
B). 2001
C). 2004
D). 2008
Answer: C). 2004
Explanation: Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), submerged after the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Q. Compared to the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean experiences
A). More frequent earthquakes
B). Less frequent and usually less intense earthquakes
C). Equal seismic activity
D). No seismic activity
Answer: B). Less frequent and usually less intense earthquakes
Explanation: The Indian Ocean has fewer and generally less intense earthquakes compared to the highly active Pacific Ocean.
Q. A sudden and unusual retreat of sea water from the shore indicates
A). A cyclone
B). A tsunami
C). A heavy storm
D). High tide
Answer: B). A tsunami
Explanation: The rapid withdrawal of water exposes the sea floor and signals an approaching tsunami.
Q. Tides are caused mainly by the
A). Wind blowing over the ocean
B). Gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth
C). Earth’s rotation only
D). Ocean currents
Answer: B). Gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on Earth
Explanation: The gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun causes the periodic rise and fall of ocean water, called tides.
Q. Spring tides occur when
A). The Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a straight line
B). The Sun, Moon, and Earth form a right angle
C). The Moon is far from Earth
D). Only the Sun influences the tides
Answer: A). The Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a straight line
Explanation: Spring tides happen during new and full moons when the Sun and Moon’s gravitational forces combine, producing higher high tides and lower low tides.
Q. Neap tides occur when
A). The Sun and Moon are aligned with Earth
B). The Sun, Moon, and Earth form a right angle
C). Only the Moon influences the tide
D). Tides do not occur
Answer: B). The Sun, Moon, and Earth form a right angle
Explanation: Neap tides occur during the first and third quarters of the Moon when the Sun and Moon’s forces partially cancel out, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.
Q. The rise and fall of water along the coast due to tidal forces are important for
A). Navigation and fishing
B). Rainfall measurement
C). Earthquake prediction
D). Wind formation
Answer: A). Navigation and fishing
Explanation: Tides help in navigation, fishing, and even generating tidal energy in some regions.
Q. Ocean currents are
A). Vertical movements of water only
B). Horizontal movements of seawater in a regular pattern
C). Sudden waves caused by storms
D). Tides caused by Moon’s gravity
Answer: B). Horizontal movements of seawater in a regular pattern
Explanation: Ocean currents are the continuous, horizontal movement of seawater in a definite direction.
Q. Warm ocean currents
A). Flow from polar regions to the equator
B). Flow from the equator towards the poles
C). Always remain stationary
D). Are found only in the Indian Ocean
Answer: B). Flow from the equator towards the poles
Explanation: Warm currents carry warm water from equatorial regions toward higher latitudes, affecting climate.
Q. Cold ocean currents
A). Flow from polar regions towards the equator
B). Flow from equator towards poles
C). Do not affect climate
D). Are not found in the Pacific Ocean
Answer: A). Flow from polar regions towards the equator
Explanation: Cold currents bring cold water from polar areas toward the tropics and influence coastal climate.
Q. Places where warm and cold ocean currents meet are best for
A). Desert formation
B). Fishing and marine life
C). Mountain formation
D). Tidal energy production
Answer: B). Fishing and marine life
Explanation: Seas around Japan and the eastern coast of North America are such example.
Q. Which of these is NOT a warm ocean current?
A). Gulf Stream
B). North Atlantic Drift
C). California Current
D). Brazilian Current
Answer: C). California Current
Explanation: The California Current is a cold ocean current flowing southward along the western coast of North America, unlike the other warm currents listed.
Q. Which of these is NOT a cold ocean current?
A). California Current
B). Labrador Current
C). Auglhas Current
D). Benguela Current
Answer: C). Auglhas Current
Explanation: The Auglhas Current is a warm ocean current in the Atlantic Ocean, unlike the other cold currents listed
Q. The Canary Current is a
A). Warm ocean current
B). Cold ocean current
C). Tidal current
D). Equatorial counter current
Answer: B). Cold ocean current
Explanation: The Canary Current is a cold ocean current flowing southward along the northwest coast of Africa, bringing cooler waters from the north.