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
These MCQs from Interior of the Earth help students revise important concepts related to seismic waves, Earth structure, geological discontinuities and earthquake studies.
The study of Earth’s interior is mainly based on:
Page Reference: Page 20
Which source provides direct information about Earth’s interior?
Page Reference: Page 20
The waves generated during earthquakes are called:
Page Reference: Page 21
The point inside Earth where an earthquake originates is called:
Page Reference: Page 21
The point vertically above the focus on Earth’s surface is called:
Page Reference: Page 21
Which seismic waves travel fastest?
Page Reference: Page 22
Which waves cannot travel through liquids?
Page Reference: Page 22
Surface waves mainly cause:
Page Reference: Page 22
The outermost layer of Earth is called:
Page Reference: Page 23
Which layer lies below the crust?
Page Reference: Page 23
The innermost layer of Earth is known as:
Page Reference: Page 24
The mantle extends up to about:
Page Reference: Page 23
The crust beneath oceans is mainly composed of:
Page Reference: Page 23
The continental crust mainly consists of:
Page Reference: Page 23
Which discontinuity separates crust and mantle?
Page Reference: Page 23
The Gutenberg discontinuity separates:
Page Reference: Page 24
The core is mainly composed of:
Page Reference: Page 24
The lithosphere includes:
Page Reference: Page 24
Which layer is semi-molten and lies below lithosphere?
Page Reference: Page 24
Earthquake waves help scientists to:
Page Reference: Page 21
| 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 (A): Earthquake waves help in studying Earth’s interior.
Reason (R): Seismic waves behave differently in different materials.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 21
Assertion (A): P-waves can travel through solids and liquids.
Reason (R): P-waves are compressional waves.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 22
Assertion (A): S-waves cannot travel through liquids.
Reason (R): S-waves are transverse waves.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 22
Assertion (A): Surface waves cause maximum destruction.
Reason (R): Surface waves move along Earth’s surface with strong intensity.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 22
Assertion (A): The crust is Earth’s thinnest layer.
Reason (R): Crust forms the outermost solid surface of Earth.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 23
Assertion (A): The mantle extends up to about 2900 km depth.
Reason (R): Mantle lies between crust and core.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 23
Assertion (A): The core is mainly composed of iron and nickel.
Reason (R): High density materials moved towards Earth’s centre during differentiation.
Options:
Page Reference: Page 24
Explain the direct and indirect sources of information about Earth’s interior.
Page Reference: Page 20
Describe the origin and characteristics of earthquakes.
Page Reference: Page 21
Differentiate between focus and epicentre.
Page Reference: Page 21
Explain the different types of seismic waves.
Page Reference: Page 22
Differentiate between P-waves and S-waves.
Page Reference: Page 22
Discuss the causes of destruction during earthquakes.
Page Reference: Page 22
Explain the layered structure of Earth.
Page Reference: Page 23–24
Differentiate between continental crust and oceanic crust.
Page Reference: Page 23
Explain the characteristics of mantle and core.
Page Reference: Page 23–24
Discuss the significance of Mohorovicic and Gutenberg discontinuities.
Page Reference: Page 23–24
Explain the concept of lithosphere and asthenosphere.
Page Reference: Page 24
Discuss how seismic waves help scientists study Earth’s interior.
Page Reference: Page 21–22
Explain the composition and characteristics of Earth’s core.
Page Reference: Page 24
Discuss the importance of geological studies in understanding Earth structure.
Page Reference: Page 20–24
Explain the role of differentiation in the formation of Earth’s internal layers.
Page Reference: Page 24