Geography Revision Questions

Question 1: Define Lithosphere.

Answer 1: The surface of the Earth made up of solid rock and soil is called the
lithosphere. It comprises the seven continents and the rocky ocean beds.

Question 2: Define Land, what part of the total surface area of the Earth does it occupy?
Answer 2: The part of the lithosphere that is not immersed under seas and oceans is
known as land. It occupies 29% of the total surface area of the Earth’s surface.

Question 3: What are continents? What are they usually separated by?
Answer 3: Continents are large land masses on the surface of the Earth. They are usually
separated from each other by water bodies called oceans.

Question 4: What do the edges of continents extend up to?

Answer 4: The edges of the continents extend up to the rocky ocean floors. Together the
ocean floors and continents form the lithosphere.

Question 5: What do the edges of continents extend up to?

Answer 5: The edges of the continents extend up to the rocky ocean floors. Together the
ocean floors and continents form the lithosphere.

Question 6: What are the three layers of the structure of the Earth?
Answer 6: The Earth is divided into three main layers. The outermost layer is the crust,
which is the thinnest layer. The layer that lies below the crust is the mantle. The
innermost layer is called the core.

Question 7: What are the two parts of the crust?

Answer 7: The crust is solid. It has two parts. The upper layer is made up of SIAL (silica +
alluminium) and the lower layer is made up of SIMA (silica + magnesium).

Question 8: Describe the thickness and density of the crust.

Answer 8: The thickness of the crust varies from 8 to 50 km. The core is thicker under
the continents and thinner under the oceans. The average density of the layer is between
2.7 and 3.

Question 9: Write a short note on the Mantle.

Answer 9: The mantle is the semi-solid layer of the Earth. It is rich in iron and
magnesium. This layer is about 2,850 km wide. Its average density is between 3.5 and 5.5.
Question 10: Describe the parts of the core.
Answer 10: The core has two parts. The outer core and inner core. The outer core is
liquid whereas the inner core is solid.

Question 11: What depth does the core start? What is the core mainly made up of? What
is its average density?
Answer 11: The c0re starts at a depth of 2,900 km. The core is mainly made up of iron
and nickel. The average density of the core is 5.1 to 13.

Question 12: What is the Earth’s crust composed of? What are minerals?
Answer 12: The Earth’s crust is composed of rocks and minerals. Minerals are inorganic
and natural substances that have definite chemical compositions.

Question 13: What are rocks? List the most common minerals in the Earth’s crust.
Answer 13: Rocks are made up of a combination of different minerals compacted
together. The most common minerals found in the Earth’s crust are silica, quartz,
feldspar, dolomite, gypsum, and calcite.

Question 14: How many minerals are there in the Earth’s crust?
Answer 14: There are about 2,000 minerals in the Earth’s crust and they combine
differently the form various types of rocks.

Question 15: List the three major rock types.

Answer 15: On the basis of formation rocks can be broadly classified into three groups -
igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.

Question 16: Where is magma found?

Answer 16: Magma lies beneath the Earth’s crust

Question 17: Igneous rocks are __________ and __________.

Answer 17: Igneous rocks are crystalline and compact.

Question 18: Do igneous rocks contain fossils why or why not? Where do igneous rocks
not occur?
Answer 18: Igneous rocks do not contain fossils as they are made after the cooling and
solidification of molten magma or lava. Fossils are the remains of dead organisms which
have decomposed but organisms can’t decompose in lava or magma hence fossils are not
found in igneous rocks. They do not occur in layers or strata.

Question 19: Where can the cooling and solidification of molten magma take place?
Answer 19: The cooling and solidification of molten magma can take place at some depth
within the Earth or at the surface. The molten magma that reaches the surface is known
as lava. Hence, there are two types of igneous rocks classified on the bases of place of
origin. intrusive igneous rocks which form at some depth in the Earth’s crust and
extrusive igneous rocks which form at the surface of the Earth.
Question 20: Where does the ‘igneous’ originate from? What are igneous rocks also
known as?
Answer 20: The word ‘igneous’ originates from the Latin word ‘ignis’ which means fire.
They are also called primary rocks as they were the first to be formed on the Earth’s
surface.

Question 21: What are both types of igneous rocks also known as and why?
Answer 21: Intrusive rocks are also known as plutonic rocks as they are named after the
Greek god of the underworld Pluto. Extrusive rocks are also known as volcanic rocks as
they reach the Earth’s surface during volcanic eruptions.

Question 22: Differentiate between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks on the basis of
place of origin.
Answer 22:
Intrusive Igneous Rocks Extrusive Igneous Rocks

During the formation of During the formation of

intrusive rocks the cooling of extrusive rocks the cooling of
magma takes place slowly. magma takes place quickly.

During the formation of During the formation of

intrusive rocks, large crystals intrusive rocks, small crystals
are formed. are formed.

Example - Granite Example - Basalt

Question 23: Differentiate between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks on the basis of
composition.
Answer 23:
Acidic Rocks Basic Rocks

Contains low percentage of

Contain more than 65% of silica
silica and high percentage of
and low percentage of oxides.
oxides.

Acidic rocks are less dense. Basic rocks are dense.

Acidic rocks are light coloured. Basic rocks are dark coloured.

Example - Granite Example - Basalt

Question 24: What are Sedimentary rocks? Where are they found?
Answer 24: Sedimentary rocks are formed from sediment accumulated over long
periods, usually underwater on the floors of shallow seas, rivers, and lakes. These rocks
are found in layers or strata.

Question 25: Sedimentary rocks contain __________ or remains of dead __________ and
__________.
Answer 25: Sedimentary rocks contain fossils or remains of dead animals and plants.

Question 26: List a few examples of sedimentary rocks.

Answer 26: Conglomerate, sandstone, limestone, chalk, calcite, and dolomite are
examples of sedimentary rocks.

Question 27: What are metamorphic rocks?

Answer 27: Metamorphic rocks are those rocks that are formed by the metamorphism of
pre-existing rocks. This can happen due to high pressure and temperature or in some
cases both.

Question 28: Why do igneous and sedimentary rocks change over long periods of time?
Answer 28: Igneous and sedimentary rocks change over long periods of time because of
movements in the Earth’s crust and volcanic or mountain building activity. The nature,
texture, colour, etc. of the rocks undergo a complete change

Question 29: List seven igneous or sedimentary rocks and their metamorphic
counterparts.
Answer 29:
Type of Rock Before Metaporphism After Metamorphism

Granite Gneiss
Igneous
Basalt Schist

Limestone Marble

Shale Slate
Sedimentary
Sandstone Quartz

Coal Graphite

Metaporphic Graphite Diamond

Question 30: Explain mechanically formed sedimentary rocks and give examples.
Answer 30: These rocks have been formed by the accumulation of materials derived from
other rocks that have been cemented together.
Eg.)
Conglomerate (rounded fragments)
Breccia (angular fragments)
Sandstone (coarse)
Mudstone (fine)
Shale (smooth)

Question 31: Explain organically formed sedimentary rocks and give examples.
Answer 31: These rocks have been formed by the accumulation of the remains of living
organisms.
Eg.)
Calcareous Rocks - limestone, chalk
Carbonaceous Rocks - Coal

Question 32: Explain chemically formed sedimentary rocks and give examples.
Answer 32: These rocks have been commonly formed by the process of evaporation of
water containing salts in solution.
Eg.)
Rocks Salt
Gypsum
Potash
Nitrates
Calcite
Dolomite

Question 32: “Rocks are of great value to us”, list some of the main benefits of rocks.
Answer 32:
The Main Benefits of Rocks are listed as follows:

Rocks gradually break up and disintegrate by mechanical, chemical, and biological

processes to form soil which humans need for food etc.
Rocks contain a great variety of minerals that yield metals such as iron, manganese,
and copper which are important raw materials for mineral-based manufacturing
industries.
Rocks such as marble and granite are used in construction industries. They are cut
into stones and are used for building houses, dams, roads, etc. Rocks also provide
materials such as limestone and gypsum used in the manufacturing of cement.