Interior of the Earth Important Questions
These Interior of the Earth Important Questions cover important NCERT concepts related to Earth’s internal structure, seismic waves, earthquakes, crust, mantle, core, lithosphere and asthenosphere.
The chapter-wise questions include MCQs, one-word questions, assertion and reason questions and analytical descriptive questions useful for UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSC, CUET, CBSE board exams and competitive examinations.
NCERT Page Coverage: Page 20–24
Table of Contents
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
These MCQs from Interior of the Earth help students revise important concepts related to seismic waves, Earth structure, geological discontinuities and earthquake studies.
MCQ 1
The study of Earth’s interior is mainly based on:
- A. Direct and indirect sources
- B. Historical records only
- C. Satellite communication only
- D. Climatic data only
Page Reference: Page 20
MCQ 2
Which source provides direct information about Earth’s interior?
- A. Earthquake waves
- B. Mining and drilling
- C. Satellite imagery
- D. Ocean currents
Page Reference: Page 20
MCQ 3
The waves generated during earthquakes are called:
- A. Ocean waves
- B. Sound waves
- C. Seismic waves
- D. Pressure waves only
Page Reference: Page 21
MCQ 4
The point inside Earth where an earthquake originates is called:
- A. Epicentre
- B. Focus
- C. Fault line
- D. Crust
Page Reference: Page 21
MCQ 5
The point vertically above the focus on Earth’s surface is called:
- A. Mantle
- B. Fault
- C. Epicentre
- D. Core
Page Reference: Page 21
MCQ 6
Which seismic waves travel fastest?
- A. S-waves
- B. Surface waves
- C. P-waves
- D. Tidal waves
Page Reference: Page 22
MCQ 7
Which waves cannot travel through liquids?
- A. P-waves
- B. S-waves
- C. Surface waves
- D. Ocean waves
Page Reference: Page 22
MCQ 8
Surface waves mainly cause:
- A. Formation of minerals
- B. Maximum destruction during earthquakes
- C. Volcanic eruptions only
- D. Atmospheric pressure changes
Page Reference: Page 22
MCQ 9
The outermost layer of Earth is called:
- A. Mantle
- B. Core
- C. Crust
- D. Asthenosphere
Page Reference: Page 23
MCQ 10
Which layer lies below the crust?
- A. Core
- B. Mantle
- C. Lithosphere
- D. Biosphere
Page Reference: Page 23
MCQ 11
The innermost layer of Earth is known as:
- A. Mantle
- B. Crust
- C. Core
- D. Lithosphere
Page Reference: Page 24
MCQ 12
The mantle extends up to about:
- A. 70 km
- B. 400 km
- C. 2900 km
- D. 6371 km
Page Reference: Page 23
MCQ 13
The crust beneath oceans is mainly composed of:
- A. Sial
- B. Basalt
- C. Granite
- D. Nickel
Page Reference: Page 23
MCQ 14
The continental crust mainly consists of:
- A. Sima
- B. Basalt
- C. Sial
- D. Iron
Page Reference: Page 23
MCQ 15
Which discontinuity separates crust and mantle?
- A. Gutenberg Discontinuity
- B. Mohorovicic Discontinuity
- C. Conrad Discontinuity
- D. Seismic boundary
Page Reference: Page 23
MCQ 16
The Gutenberg discontinuity separates:
- A. Crust and mantle
- B. Mantle and core
- C. Inner and outer core
- D. Crust and lithosphere
Page Reference: Page 24
MCQ 17
The core is mainly composed of:
- A. Silica and aluminium
- B. Iron and nickel
- C. Magnesium and calcium
- D. Basalt and granite
Page Reference: Page 24
MCQ 18
The lithosphere includes:
- A. Crust and upper mantle
- B. Mantle and core
- C. Only crust
- D. Only mantle
Page Reference: Page 24
MCQ 19
Which layer is semi-molten and lies below lithosphere?
- A. Crust
- B. Asthenosphere
- C. Inner core
- D. Biosphere
Page Reference: Page 24
MCQ 20
Earthquake waves help scientists to:
- A. Predict rainfall only
- B. Study Earth’s interior structure
- C. Measure ocean depth only
- D. Study atmosphere only
Page Reference: Page 21
One-Word / Very Short Answer Questions
| Question | Answer | Page Reference |
|---|---|---|
| What are earthquake waves called? | Seismic waves | Page 21 |
| What is the origin point of an earthquake called? | Focus | Page 21 |
| What is the surface point above the focus called? | Epicentre | Page 21 |
| Which seismic waves travel fastest? | P-waves | Page 22 |
| Which waves cannot pass through liquids? | S-waves | Page 22 |
| Which waves cause maximum destruction? | Surface waves | Page 22 |
| Which is Earth’s outermost layer? | Crust | Page 23 |
| Which layer lies below the crust? | Mantle | Page 23 |
| Which is the innermost layer of Earth? | Core | Page 24 |
| Which discontinuity separates crust and mantle? | Mohorovicic Discontinuity | Page 23 |
| Which discontinuity separates mantle and core? | Gutenberg Discontinuity | Page 24 |
| What mainly composes the continental crust? | Sial | Page 23 |
| What mainly composes oceanic crust? | Basalt | Page 23 |
| Which layer lies below lithosphere? | Asthenosphere | Page 24 |
| Which metals dominate the core? | Iron and nickel | Page 24 |
Assertion and Reason Questions
Question 1
Assertion (A): Earthquake waves help in studying Earth’s interior.
Reason (R): Seismic waves behave differently in different materials.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 21
Question 2
Assertion (A): P-waves can travel through solids and liquids.
Reason (R): P-waves are compressional waves.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 22
Question 3
Assertion (A): S-waves cannot travel through liquids.
Reason (R): S-waves are transverse waves.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 22
Question 4
Assertion (A): Surface waves cause maximum destruction.
Reason (R): Surface waves move along Earth’s surface with strong intensity.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 22
Question 5
Assertion (A): The crust is Earth’s thinnest layer.
Reason (R): Crust forms the outermost solid surface of Earth.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 23
Question 6
Assertion (A): The mantle extends up to about 2900 km depth.
Reason (R): Mantle lies between crust and core.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 23
Question 7
Assertion (A): The core is mainly composed of iron and nickel.
Reason (R): High density materials moved towards Earth’s centre during differentiation.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 24
Important Exam-Based Concept Questions
Question 1
Explain the direct and indirect sources of information about Earth’s interior.
Page Reference: Page 20
Question 2
Describe the origin and characteristics of earthquakes.
Page Reference: Page 21
Question 3
Differentiate between focus and epicentre.
Page Reference: Page 21
Question 4
Explain the different types of seismic waves.
Page Reference: Page 22
Question 5
Differentiate between P-waves and S-waves.
Page Reference: Page 22
Question 6
Discuss the causes of destruction during earthquakes.
Page Reference: Page 22
Question 7
Explain the layered structure of Earth.
Page Reference: Page 23–24
Question 8
Differentiate between continental crust and oceanic crust.
Page Reference: Page 23
Question 9
Explain the characteristics of mantle and core.
Page Reference: Page 23–24
Question 10
Discuss the significance of Mohorovicic and Gutenberg discontinuities.
Page Reference: Page 23–24
Question 11
Explain the concept of lithosphere and asthenosphere.
Page Reference: Page 24
Question 12
Discuss how seismic waves help scientists study Earth’s interior.
Page Reference: Page 21–22
Question 13
Explain the composition and characteristics of Earth’s core.
Page Reference: Page 24
Question 14
Discuss the importance of geological studies in understanding Earth structure.
Page Reference: Page 20–24
Question 15
Explain the role of differentiation in the formation of Earth’s internal layers.
Page Reference: Page 24
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