Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Water (Oceans) Important Questions

Water (Oceans) Important Questions

These Water (Oceans) Important Questions cover important NCERT concepts related to oceans, ocean relief features, salinity, ocean temperature, waves, tides and ocean currents.

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 104–111

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

These MCQs from Water (Oceans) help students revise important oceanographic concepts related to ocean relief, salinity, tides, waves and ocean currents.

MCQ 1

About how much percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by water?

  • A. 51%
  • B. 61%
  • C. 71%
  • D. 81%
Answer: C. 71%

Page Reference: Page 104

MCQ 2

The Pacific Ocean is the:

  • A. Smallest ocean
  • B. Deepest and largest ocean
  • C. Warmest ocean only
  • D. Saltiest ocean only
Answer: B. Deepest and largest ocean

Page Reference: Page 104

MCQ 3

The average depth of oceans is approximately:

  • A. 1000 metres
  • B. 2500 metres
  • C. 3800 metres
  • D. 7000 metres
Answer: C. 3800 metres

Page Reference: Page 104

MCQ 4

The continental shelf is:

  • A. Deep ocean trench
  • B. Gently sloping submerged extension of continent
  • C. Mid-ocean ridge
  • D. Volcanic island only
Answer: B. Gently sloping submerged extension of continent

Page Reference: Page 105

MCQ 5

The continental slope connects:

  • A. Ocean trenches and ridges
  • B. Continental shelf and deep ocean floor
  • C. Islands and coral reefs
  • D. Rivers and deltas only
Answer: B. Continental shelf and deep ocean floor

Page Reference: Page 105

MCQ 6

The deep ocean floor is also called:

  • A. Abyssal plain
  • B. Continental shelf
  • C. Lagoon
  • D. Coral reef
Answer: A. Abyssal plain

Page Reference: Page 105

MCQ 7

The Mariana Trench is located in:

  • A. Atlantic Ocean
  • B. Indian Ocean
  • C. Pacific Ocean
  • D. Arctic Ocean
Answer: C. Pacific Ocean

Page Reference: Page 106

MCQ 8

Mid-oceanic ridges are mainly formed due to:

  • A. Sediment deposition
  • B. Plate tectonic activity
  • C. River erosion
  • D. Coral growth only
Answer: B. Plate tectonic activity

Page Reference: Page 106

MCQ 9

Ocean water salinity is measured in:

  • A. Percentages only
  • B. Parts per thousand
  • C. Kilometres
  • D. Degrees Celsius
Answer: B. Parts per thousand

Page Reference: Page 107

MCQ 10

Average salinity of ocean water is about:

  • A. 15‰
  • B. 25‰
  • C. 35‰
  • D. 50‰
Answer: C. 35‰

Page Reference: Page 107

MCQ 11

Salinity increases with:

  • A. Heavy rainfall
  • B. River inflow
  • C. High evaporation
  • D. Ice melting only
Answer: C. High evaporation

Page Reference: Page 107

MCQ 12

Ocean temperature decreases with increasing:

  • A. Salinity only
  • B. Depth
  • C. Wind speed only
  • D. Tides only
Answer: B. Depth

Page Reference: Page 108

MCQ 13

The boundary separating warm surface water and cold deep water is called:

  • A. Thermocline
  • B. Halocline
  • C. Pycnocline
  • D. Shelf break
Answer: A. Thermocline

Page Reference: Page 108

MCQ 14

Horizontal movement of ocean water is called:

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

Page Reference: Page 109

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 109

MCQ 16

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 109

MCQ 17

The Labrador Current is a:

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

Page Reference: Page 109

MCQ 18

Ocean waves are mainly generated by:

  • A. Earthquakes only
  • B. Winds
  • C. Volcanic eruptions only
  • D. Salinity changes only
Answer: B. Winds

Page Reference: Page 110

MCQ 19

Tides are caused mainly by:

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

Page Reference: Page 111

MCQ 20

The highest tides are called:

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

Page Reference: Page 111

One-Word / Very Short Answer Questions

Question Answer Page Reference
How much of Earth’s surface is covered by water? 71% Page 104
Which is the largest ocean? Pacific Ocean Page 104
What is the submerged extension of continent called? Continental shelf Page 105
Which feature connects shelf and deep ocean floor? Continental slope Page 105
What is the deep ocean floor called? Abyssal plain Page 105
Which is the deepest ocean trench? Mariana Trench Page 106
In which unit is salinity measured? Parts per thousand Page 107
What is average ocean salinity? 35‰ Page 107
Which layer separates warm and cold ocean water? Thermocline Page 108
What is horizontal movement of ocean water called? Ocean current Page 109
Which warm current flows in Atlantic Ocean? Gulf Stream Page 109
Which cold current flows near Canada? Labrador Current Page 109
What mainly generates ocean waves? Winds Page 110
What causes tides? Gravitational pull of Moon and Sun Page 111
Which tides are highest? Spring tides Page 111
Which tides occur during right-angle position of Moon and Sun? Neap tides Page 111
Which giant sea waves are caused by underwater earthquakes? Tsunami Page 110
Where are coral reefs mainly found? Warm shallow tropical waters Page 106
Which factor increases salinity? Evaporation Page 107
Which ocean feature is economically important for fishing? Continental shelf Page 105

Assertion and Reason Questions

Question 1

Assertion (A): Continental shelves are economically important regions.

Reason (R): Rich fishing grounds and mineral resources are found on continental shelves.

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 105

Question 2

Assertion (A): Salinity increases in regions of high evaporation.

Reason (R): Evaporation removes water but leaves salts behind.

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 107

Question 3

Assertion (A): Ocean temperature decreases with depth.

Reason (R): Sunlight penetrates only upper layers of ocean 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 108

Question 4

Assertion (A): Thermocline separates warm and cold ocean water.

Reason (R): Temperature changes rapidly across thermocline zone.

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 108

Question 5

Assertion (A): Warm ocean currents increase coastal temperatures.

Reason (R): Warm currents transport heat from equatorial 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 109

Question 6

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

Reason (R): Cold currents originate from higher latitudes.

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 109

Question 7

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

Reason (R): Friction between air 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 110

Question 8

Assertion (A): Tsunamis are highly destructive ocean waves.

Reason (R): Underwater earthquakes displace large volumes of water suddenly.

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 110

Question 9

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

Reason (R): Gravitational attraction affects ocean water levels on 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 111

Question 10

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 111

Important Exam-Based Concept Questions

Question 1

Explain the importance of oceans on Earth.

Page Reference: Page 104

Question 2

Describe the major relief features of ocean floor.

Page Reference: Page 105–106

Question 3

Explain the characteristics and importance of continental shelves.

Page Reference: Page 105

Question 4

Discuss the formation and significance of ocean trenches.

Page Reference: Page 106

Question 5

Explain the formation of mid-oceanic ridges.

Page Reference: Page 106

Question 6

Discuss the causes and distribution of ocean salinity.

Page Reference: Page 107

Question 7

Explain the factors affecting ocean temperature.

Page Reference: Page 108

Question 8

Describe the concept and significance of thermocline.

Page Reference: Page 108

Question 9

Explain the causes and characteristics of ocean currents.

Page Reference: Page 109

Question 10

Differentiate between warm and cold ocean currents.

Page Reference: Page 109

Question 11

Discuss the influence of ocean currents on climate.

Page Reference: Page 109

Question 12

Explain the formation and characteristics of ocean waves.

Page Reference: Page 110

Question 13

Describe the causes and effects of tsunamis.

Page Reference: Page 110

Question 14

Explain the causes of tides.

Page Reference: Page 111

Question 15

Differentiate between spring tides and neap tides.

Page Reference: Page 111

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