Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Movements of Ocean Water Important Questions

Movements of Ocean Water Important Questions

These Movements of Ocean Water Important Questions cover important NCERT concepts related to ocean waves, tides, tsunami, ocean currents and oceanic circulation.

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 114–117

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

These MCQs from Movements of Ocean Water help students revise important oceanic movement concepts related to waves, tides, tsunami and ocean currents.

MCQ 1

The horizontal movement of ocean water is known as:

  • A. Tide
  • B. Wave
  • C. Ocean current
  • D. Tsunami
Answer: C. Ocean current

Page Reference: Page 114

MCQ 2

Ocean waves are mainly generated by:

  • A. Earthquakes only
  • B. Winds
  • C. Salinity only
  • D. Ocean trenches only
Answer: B. Winds

Page Reference: Page 114

MCQ 3

The highest part of a wave is called:

  • A. Trough
  • B. Crest
  • C. Swash
  • D. Undertow
Answer: B. Crest

Page Reference: Page 114

MCQ 4

The lowest part of a wave is called:

  • A. Crest
  • B. Trough
  • C. Surf
  • D. Current
Answer: B. Trough

Page Reference: Page 114

MCQ 5

The movement of water particles in waves is mainly:

  • A. Horizontal only
  • B. Circular
  • C. Vertical only
  • D. Stationary
Answer: B. Circular

Page Reference: Page 114

MCQ 6

Tsunamis are mainly caused by:

  • A. Strong winds
  • B. Underwater earthquakes
  • C. Heavy rainfall
  • D. Tides only
Answer: B. Underwater earthquakes

Page Reference: Page 115

MCQ 7

Tsunami waves travel fastest in:

  • A. Shallow water
  • B. Deep oceans
  • C. Rivers only
  • D. Coastal lagoons only
Answer: B. Deep oceans

Page Reference: Page 115

MCQ 8

The periodic rise and fall of ocean water is called:

  • A. Ocean current
  • B. Tide
  • C. Wave drift
  • D. Upwelling
Answer: B. Tide

Page Reference: Page 116

MCQ 9

Tides are mainly caused by:

  • A. Winds only
  • B. Gravitational pull of Moon and Sun
  • C. Earthquakes only
  • D. Ocean currents only
Answer: B. Gravitational pull of Moon and Sun

Page Reference: Page 116

MCQ 10

The highest tides are called:

  • A. Neap tides
  • B. Spring tides
  • C. Drift tides
  • D. Slack tides
Answer: B. Spring tides

Page Reference: Page 116

MCQ 11

Spring tides occur during:

  • A. Half moon phase
  • B. New moon and full moon
  • C. Quarter moon only
  • D. Winter season only
Answer: B. New moon and full moon

Page Reference: Page 116

MCQ 12

Neap tides occur when:

  • A. Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned
  • B. Moon and Sun pull at right angles
  • C. Earth stops rotating
  • D. Cyclones develop only
Answer: B. Moon and Sun pull at right angles

Page Reference: Page 116

MCQ 13

The force mainly responsible for tides is:

  • A. Coriolis force
  • B. Frictional force
  • C. Gravitational force
  • D. Magnetic force
Answer: C. Gravitational force

Page Reference: Page 116

MCQ 14

Ocean currents are influenced by:

  • A. Winds
  • B. Temperature differences
  • C. Salinity differences
  • D. All of these
Answer: D. All of these

Page Reference: Page 117

MCQ 15

Warm ocean currents generally move from:

  • A. Poles to equator
  • B. Equator to poles
  • C. East to west only
  • D. West to east only
Answer: B. Equator to poles

Page Reference: Page 117

MCQ 16

Cold currents generally originate from:

  • A. Equatorial regions
  • B. Polar regions
  • C. Desert regions only
  • D. Tropical islands only
Answer: B. Polar regions

Page Reference: Page 117

MCQ 17

The Gulf Stream is a:

  • A. Cold current
  • B. Warm current
  • C. Polar current
  • D. Tidal current only
Answer: B. Warm current

Page Reference: Page 117

MCQ 18

The Labrador Current is a:

  • A. Warm current
  • B. Cold current
  • C. Equatorial current
  • D. Seasonal current only
Answer: B. Cold current

Page Reference: Page 117

MCQ 19

Warm ocean currents generally cause:

  • A. Cooling of coastal regions
  • B. Increase in coastal temperature and humidity
  • C. Reduction of rainfall completely
  • D. Desert formation only
Answer: B. Increase in coastal temperature and humidity

Page Reference: Page 117

MCQ 20

Cold ocean currents generally lead to:

  • A. Warm humid climate
  • B. Lower coastal temperatures
  • C. Cyclones only
  • D. Heavy convectional rainfall only
Answer: B. Lower coastal temperatures

Page Reference: Page 117

One-Word / Very Short Answer Questions

Question Answer Page Reference
What is the highest part of a wave called? Crest Page 114
What is the lowest part of a wave called? Trough Page 114
What mainly generates ocean waves? Winds Page 114
What are giant sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes called? Tsunami Page 115
What causes tides? Gravitational pull of Moon and Sun Page 116
Which tides are highest? Spring tides Page 116
Which tides occur during quarter moon phases? Neap tides Page 116
What is horizontal movement of ocean water called? Ocean current Page 117
Which warm current flows in Atlantic Ocean? Gulf Stream Page 117
Which cold current flows near eastern Canada? Labrador Current Page 117
Which warm current flows near Japan? Kuroshio Current Page 117
What are circular ocean current systems called? Gyres Page 117
Which region experiences strongest wave erosion? Coastlines Page 114
What is distance between two wave crests called? Wave length Page 114
What is vertical distance between crest and trough called? Wave height Page 114
Which tides occur during full moon? Spring tides Page 116
Which bay is famous for high tides? Bay of Fundy Page 116
Which currents generally move from equator toward poles? Warm currents Page 117
Which currents generally originate in polar regions? Cold currents Page 117
Which oceanic movement regulates climate? Ocean currents Page 117

Assertion and Reason Questions

Question 1

Assertion (A): Ocean waves are mainly generated by winds.

Reason (R): Friction between wind and water transfers energy to ocean surface.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 114

Question 2

Assertion (A): Water particles in waves move in circular paths.

Reason (R): Energy moves forward while water particles mainly oscillate in place.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 114

Question 3

Assertion (A): Tsunamis become highly destructive near coasts.

Reason (R): Wave height increases as tsunami enters shallow water.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 115

Question 4

Assertion (A): Tides are caused by gravitational pull of Moon and Sun.

Reason (R): Ocean water responds to gravitational attraction of celestial bodies.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 116

Question 5

Assertion (A): Spring tides are higher than neap tides.

Reason (R): Gravitational pull of Sun and Moon acts together during spring tides.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 116

Question 6

Assertion (A): Neap tides occur during quarter moon phases.

Reason (R): Sun and Moon pull at right angles during neap tides.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 116

Question 7

Assertion (A): Warm ocean currents influence nearby coasts positively.

Reason (R): Warm currents increase coastal temperature and humidity.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 8

Assertion (A): Cold ocean currents lower temperatures of nearby coastal regions.

Reason (R): Cold currents originate in high latitude regions.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 9

Assertion (A): Ocean currents help regulate climate.

Reason (R): Ocean currents redistribute heat across 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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 10

Assertion (A): Fishing grounds are often found where warm and cold currents meet.

Reason (R): Nutrient-rich waters support abundant marine life in such regions.

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
Correct Option: A

Page Reference: Page 117

Important Exam-Based Concept Questions

Question 1

Explain the formation and characteristics of ocean waves.

Page Reference: Page 114

Question 2

Describe the major parts of a wave.

Page Reference: Page 114

Question 3

Explain how water particles move in ocean waves.

Page Reference: Page 114

Question 4

Discuss the causes and effects of tsunamis.

Page Reference: Page 115

Question 5

Explain why tsunamis become destructive near coastlines.

Page Reference: Page 115

Question 6

Describe the causes and characteristics of tides.

Page Reference: Page 116

Question 7

Differentiate between spring tides and neap tides.

Page Reference: Page 116

Question 8

Explain the influence of Moon and Sun on tides.

Page Reference: Page 116

Question 9

Discuss the causes of ocean currents.

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 10

Differentiate between warm and cold ocean currents.

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 11

Explain the climatic influence of ocean currents.

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 12

Discuss the importance of ocean currents in marine fisheries.

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 13

Explain the role of Coriolis force in oceanic circulation.

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 14

Describe the characteristics of Gulf Stream and Labrador Current.

Page Reference: Page 117

Question 15

Explain the concept of gyres in ocean circulation.

Page Reference: Page 117

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