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Lithosphere - Earth's Interior and Landforms PYQs – Geography, SSC & Railway

84 Lithosphere - Earth's Interior and Landforms (Geography) questions asked in recent SSC and Railway exams, newest first, with exam, date & shift, answers and solutions.

📚 84 questionsSSC 42 · Railway 42
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 15 September 2026 Shift 1 · Geomorphic processes and mass movements

Q1. Which of the following statements best explains the process of soilfluction, its geographic occurrence, and its geomorphic implications, particularly in periglacial and high-latitude environments?

  1. (a) Soilfluction is a type of chemical weathering in tropical regions where downward movement of clay minerals occurs due to intense leaching under high rainfall.
  2. (b) Soilfluction refers to the slow, gravity-driven movement of water-saturated regolith over impermeable permafrost layers in periglacial regions, forming lobate structures and contributing to solifluction terraces on gentle slopes.
  3. (c) Soilfluction is the rapid downslope movement of rock and debris caused by seismic shaking in arid mountainous regions, typically resulting in talus cones and debris aprons.
  4. (d) Soilfluction occurs exclusively in volcanic terrains where lava alters soil cohesion, triggering landslides with high speed and deep incision.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Soilfluction refers to the slow, gravity-driven movement of water-saturated regolith over impermeable permafrost layers in periglacial regions, forming lobate structures and contributing to solifluction terraces on gentle slopes.

Answer: Option 2 — Soilfluction refers to the slow, gravity-driven movement of water-saturated regolith over impermeable permafrost layers in periglacial regions …
Solifluction (Latin solum = soil, fluere = to flow; the paper prints it as "soilfluction") is the slow flow of water-logged soil down a slope under gravity.
In periglacial regions the summer thaw wets only the top active layer while the permafrost beneath stays frozen and impermeable, so the saturated layer creeps downhill even on gentle slopes of 2 to 5 degrees, leaving lobes, terraces and sheets.
Revision note — Mass movements
• Mass movement (mass wasting) is the downslope transfer of rock and soil under gravity alone, without a transporting agent such as a river or glacier; water reduces friction and is the usual trigger.
• Slow movements: soil creep (imperceptible, tilted fences and bent tree trunks), solifluction (saturated soil over permafrost, periglacial zones), rock creep and talus creep.
• Rapid movements: earthflow, mudflow (volcanic mudflows are called lahars), debris avalanche.
• Landslides: slump (backward rotation of the sliding block), debris slide, rockslide (affects material to considerable depth), rockfall (free fall from a cliff, builds talus or scree cones).
• Periglacial means the zone bordering glaciers, with ground that freezes and thaws — Siberia, Alaska, northern Canada, Tibet; its Koppen climate type is ET (tundra), with permafrost and mosses and lichens.
• Related periglacial features: patterned ground (stone polygons), pingos, thermokarst from thawing permafrost.
Do not mix these up
• Solifluction vs soil creep — both are slow, but solifluction needs saturation and a frozen impermeable layer; creep needs neither.
• Solifluction vs mudflow — solifluction moves a few centimetres a year; a mudflow is a rapid, channelled flow after heavy rain or an eruption.
Also asked from this topic: the landslide type with backward rotation of the slipping material (slump); the landslide type that affects material to considerable depth (rockslide); the Koppen climate with permafrost soil and mosses and lichens (ET, tundra).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 15 September 2026 Shift 2 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q2. Which phenomenon is most directly responsible for plate tectonics on Earth?

  1. (a) Rotation of the Earth's core
  2. (b) Convection currents in the mantle
  3. (c) Gravitational pull of the Moon
  4. (d) Heat from the lithosphere
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Convection currents in the mantle

Answer: Option 2 — Convection currents in the mantle
Heat from the core and from radioactive decay sets up slow convection cells in the mantle; hot material rises, cools, spreads sideways and sinks.
The rigid lithospheric plates riding on the soft asthenosphere are dragged along by this flow, so they move, collide and split.
Revision note — Plate tectonics and the Earth's interior
• Alfred Wegener proposed continental drift in 1912 (Pangaea, Laurasia and Gondwana); Arthur Holmes suggested mantle convection as the driving force in the 1930s.
• Harry Hess explained sea-floor spreading in 1961; the theory of plate tectonics was formalised in 1967 by McKenzie, Parker and Morgan.
• The lithosphere (crust plus uppermost mantle, about 100 km thick) is broken into 7 major plates and many minor ones.
• It rests on the asthenosphere, the partly molten layer of the upper mantle reaching down to about 400 km.
• Three kinds of boundary: divergent (mid-ocean ridges, new crust), convergent (subduction trenches and fold mountains) and transform (San Andreas Fault).
• The Himalayas rose from the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasian plate; the Indian plate still moves north at about 5 cm a year.
• Discontinuities: Moho between crust and mantle, Gutenberg between mantle and core at about 2,900 km, Lehmann between outer and inner core.
Do not mix these up
• Lithosphere vs asthenosphere — the lithosphere is the rigid plate itself; the asthenosphere is the weak layer beneath it on which the plate moves.
• Convection in the mantle vs rotation of the core — the core's rotation generates the magnetic field, not plate motion.
Also asked from this topic: the plate boundary that formed the Himalayas (convergent); why the asthenosphere lets plates move (it is partially molten); the San Andreas Fault's boundary type (transform).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 11 September 2026 Shift 2 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q3. Which of the following statements best explains why the inner core of the Earth remains solid, despite temperatures being similar to or even higher than the outer core?

  1. (a) The inner core is composed of materials that have extremely low melting points.
  2. (b) The gravitational pull at Earth's center compresses the inner core, raising its melting point beyond ambient temperature.
  3. (c) The magnetic field of the Earth solidifies the inner core through electromagnetic crystallization.
  4. (d) Convection currents in the mantle cool the inner core more rapidly than the outer layers.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) The gravitational pull at Earth's center compresses the inner core, raising its melting point beyond ambient temperature.

Answer: Option 2 — The gravitational pull at Earth's center compresses the inner core, raising its melting point beyond ambient temperature.
The melting point of iron rises with pressure.
At the centre the pressure is about 3.6 million atmospheres, so iron stays solid even at roughly 5,500 °C — hotter than the surface of the Sun.
Revision note — The core of the Earth
• The core begins at the Gutenberg discontinuity (about 2,900 km deep) and reaches the centre at 6,371 km; it is made of nickel and iron (NiFe).
• Outer core: 2,900–5,150 km, liquid; its convection of molten iron generates the Earth's magnetic field (geodynamo).
• Inner core: radius about 1,220 km, solid; discovered in 1936 by the Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann, and the boundary between the two cores is the Lehmann discontinuity.
• S-waves cannot travel through liquid, so they vanish in the outer core — the shadow zone of S-waves covers the whole region beyond 105° from the epicentre.
• P-waves slow down and bend on entering the liquid outer core, giving a P-wave shadow zone between 105° and 145°.
• The core is the densest layer, about 11–13 g/cm³; the Earth's average density is 5.5 g/cm³.
• The core makes up about 16 % of the Earth's volume but nearly one-third of its mass.
Do not mix these up
• Outer core vs inner core — outer is liquid and makes the magnetic field; inner is solid because of pressure.
• Gutenberg vs Lehmann discontinuity — Gutenberg separates mantle and core (2,900 km); Lehmann separates outer and inner core (about 5,150 km).
• Moho vs Conrad discontinuity — Moho separates crust and mantle; Conrad lies within the crust, between sial and sima.
Also asked from this topic: the layer that generates the Earth's magnetic field (outer core); the depth of the mantle–core boundary (about 2,900 km); the discontinuity separating crust and mantle (Moho).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 10 September 2026 Shift 1 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q4. Which of the following statements best explains how the Theory of Plate Tectonics provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the distribution of earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain-building processes across the Earth’s surface?

  1. (a) Plate tectonics explains crustal deformation exclusively at convergent boundaries, with no significant tectonic activity observed along divergent or transform boundaries.
  2. (b) The movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere is driven by slab pull, ridge push, and mantle convection currents, leading to varied geological phenomena like ocean trench formation, rift valleys, and fault lines.
  3. (c) The Himalayas were formed by oceanic-continental convergence, resulting in subduction and volcanic mountain formation along the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
  4. (d) Plate tectonics states that major tectonic activity is confined to oceanic crust, while continental plates are geologically stable and unaffected by internal earth processes.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) The movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere is driven by slab pull, ridge push, and mantle convection currents, leading to varied geological phenomena like ocean trench formation, rift valleys, and fault lines.

Answer: Option 2 — The movement of lithospheric plates over the asthenosphere is driven by slab pull, ridge push, and mantle convection currents
This is the theory in one sentence: rigid lithospheric plates ride on the weak, partly molten asthenosphere, pushed and pulled by mantle convection, ridge push and slab pull.
It names all three boundary types and their landforms — trenches, rift valleys and faults — which is exactly the comprehensive framework the question asks for.
Revision note — Plate tectonics
• Alfred Wegener proposed continental drift in 1912, with the single landmass Pangaea and the ocean Panthalassa; Harry Hess explained sea-floor spreading in 1960.
• The term plate tectonics was given by W. J. Morgan in 1967; the lithosphere is broken into about 7 major plates and many minor ones.
• Driving forces: mantle convection currents, ridge push at spreading centres and slab pull at subduction zones — slab pull is taken to be the strongest.
• Divergent boundary — plates move apart: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the East African Rift Valley, new crust and rift valleys.
• Convergent boundary — plates collide: the Mariana Trench, the Andes, the Himalayas; deep trenches, volcanoes and fold mountains.
• Transform boundary — plates slide past each other: the San Andreas Fault in California; earthquakes but no volcanoes.
• The Himalayas are fold mountains from the continental-continental collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates over the closing Tethys Sea — which is why they carry no volcanoes.
• About 68 per cent of the world's earthquakes occur in the Circum-Pacific belt, the Ring of Fire.
Do not mix these up
• Lithosphere vs asthenosphere — the lithosphere is the rigid plate material; the asthenosphere below it is weak and partly molten, which is what lets the plates move.
• Himalayas vs Andes — the Himalayas came from continental-continental collision and have no volcanoes; the Andes came from oceanic-continental subduction and are volcanic.
Also asked from this topic: the boundary type that raised the Himalayas (convergent); the two plates that collided (Indian and Eurasian); why the asthenosphere lets plates move (it is partially molten).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 10 September 2026 Shift 3 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q5. Which of the following regions of India is most susceptible to earthquakes due to its tectonic activity and convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates?

  1. (a) Eastern Ghats
  2. (b) Deccan Plateau
  3. (c) Indo-Gangetic Plain
  4. (d) Himalayan Belt
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Himalayan Belt

Answer: Option 4 — Himalayan Belt
The Himalayas sit on the collision boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates, where the Indian plate is still pushing north.
That continuing convergence gives the belt India's strongest and most frequent earthquakes.
Revision note — Earthquakes and India's seismic zones
• The Himalayas are fold mountains raised by the collision of the Indian (Indo-Australian) plate with the Eurasian plate, which folded the sediments of the Tethys Sea.
• India is divided into four seismic zones, II to V (under IS 1893:2016; a 2025 revision that added a Zone VI was withdrawn in early 2026); Zone V is the highest risk.
• Zone V covers the entire North-East, Kashmir, parts of Himachal and Uttarakhand, the Rann of Kachchh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The Deccan Plateau and most of peninsular India lie in the stable Zone II, the lowest-risk band.
• Magnitude is measured on the Richter scale (Charles F. Richter, 1935), a logarithmic scale; intensity is measured on the Mercalli scale; a seismograph records the waves.
• P waves are fastest and pass through solids and liquids; S waves travel only through solids, which is how the liquid outer core was found; surface waves are slowest but most destructive.
Do not mix these up
• Richter scale vs Mercalli scale — Richter measures the energy released at the source; Mercalli measures the damage felt at a place.
• Focus vs epicentre — the focus (hypocentre) is the point of origin inside the Earth; the epicentre is the point on the surface directly above it.
Also asked from this topic: the plates whose collision formed the Himalayas (Indian, Eurasian); what the Richter scale measures (magnitude); the zone where no S-waves are detected (shadow zone).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 10 September 2026 Shift 3 · Minerals (geological)

Q6. Which mineral is most abundant in the Earth's continental crust?

  1. (a) Olivine
  2. (b) Amphibole
  3. (c) Feldspar
  4. (d) Mica
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Feldspar

Answer: Option 3 — Feldspar
Feldspar is the most abundant mineral group in the Earth's crust, making up roughly half of the continental crust.
Granite, the typical continental rock, is largely feldspar with quartz and mica.
Revision note — Minerals and the Earth's crust
• By element the crust is oxygen (about 46.6 per cent), silicon (about 27.7 per cent), aluminium (8.1 per cent), iron (5.0 per cent), then calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium.
• By mineral the order is feldspar (about 50 per cent), then quartz, then pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas and olivine.
• The continental crust is called sial (silica + alumina); the oceanic crust is sima (silica + magnesium) and the core is nife (nickel + iron).
• Continental crust is about 30–70 km thick with density near 2.7; oceanic crust is only about 5–10 km thick and denser, near 3.0.
• The Mohorovicic (Moho) discontinuity, identified by Andrija Mohorovicic in 1909, separates crust from mantle; the Conrad discontinuity lies inside the crust.
• Olivine and pyroxene are rich in iron and magnesium and dominate the mantle and oceanic crust, which is why they are not the continental answer.
Do not mix these up
• Most abundant element vs most abundant mineral — the element is oxygen; the mineral is feldspar.
• Sial vs sima — sial is the lighter continental crust; sima is the denser oceanic crust.
Also asked from this topic: the main mineral constituents of the continental mass (silica and alumina, i.e. sial, SSC MTS 2026); the discontinuity separating crust and mantle (Moho, SSC GD 2026).
SSC Stenographer 2026 – 9 September 2026 Shift 2 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q7. Which major internal boundary of the Earth separates the mantle from the outer core and is characterized by a sudden drop in seismic wave velocities?

  1. (a) Moho Discontinuity
  2. (b) Lehmann Discontinuity
  3. (c) Gutenberg Discontinuity
  4. (d) Conrad Discontinuity
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Gutenberg Discontinuity

Answer: Option 3 — Gutenberg Discontinuity
The Gutenberg discontinuity, at a depth of about 2,900 km, is the boundary between the mantle and the outer core.
P-wave velocity drops sharply there and S-waves stop altogether, because the outer core is liquid.
Revision note — Interior of the Earth and its discontinuities
• Conrad discontinuity — inside the crust, between the upper sialic layer and the lower simatic layer.
• Mohorovicic (Moho) discontinuity — between the crust and the mantle; identified by Andrija Mohorovicic in 1909.
• The Moho lies about 35 km down under the continents but only about 5 km under the ocean floor.
• Repetti discontinuity — between the upper and the lower mantle.
• Gutenberg discontinuity — between the mantle and the outer core, at about 2,900 km.
• Lehmann discontinuity — between the outer core and the inner core, at about 5,150 km; named after Inge Lehmann, who showed in 1936 that the inner core is solid.
• The Earth's radius is about 6,371 km. Because S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core, no direct S-waves are recorded anywhere beyond 105° from the epicentre; the band between 105° and 145° is the shadow zone of P-waves (NCERT figures; seismology texts give about 103°–142°).
• The core is also called NIFE, from nickel and iron, the metals that make it up.
Do not mix these up
• Moho vs Gutenberg — Moho is the crust-mantle boundary; Gutenberg is the mantle-core boundary.
• Gutenberg vs Lehmann — Gutenberg separates mantle from outer core; Lehmann separates outer core from inner core.
Also asked from this topic: the discontinuity that separates the crust from the mantle (Moho, SSC GD 2026); the depth of the boundary between the mantle and the core (about 2,900 km, RRB NTPC 2026).
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 20 June 2026 Shift 3 · Fluvial landforms

Q8. Which of the following landforms develops when a river cuts through a ridge, forming a narrow and steep-sided passage?

  1. (a) Dune
  2. (b) Gorge
  3. (c) Moraines
  4. (d) Plain
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Gorge

Landform: River Erosion Feature
When a river cuts through a ridge or hard rock layer,
it creates anarrow, deep valley with steep sides.
This landform is called aGorge(or Canyon).
Other options:
• Dune → Wind-deposited sand formation
• Moraines → Glacial deposits
• Plain → Flat lowland area
Answer: Option 2 → Gorge
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 June 2026 Shift 1 · Types of mountains, plateaus and plains

Q9. A plateau that is surrounded by mountains on all sides is generally referred to as a:

  1. (a) Piedmont plateau
  2. (b) Dissected plateau
  3. (c) Lava plateau
  4. (d) Intermontane plateau
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Intermontane plateau

Topic: Types of Plateaus
Intermontane Plateau:A plateau surrounded by mountains on all sides.
Examples: Tibetan Plateau, Bolivian Plateau, Colorado Plateau.
Other Types:
Piedmont Plateau: Located at the foot of mountains.
Dissected Plateau: Eroded by rivers and streams.
Lava Plateau: Formed by volcanic eruptions.
Answer: Option 4 → Intermontane plateau
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 June 2026 Shift 3 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q10. Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, known for its frequent and persistent eruptions, is located in _______, which reported a new eruption at a vent located in the west part of the Southeast Crater in February 2025.

  1. (a) Italy
  2. (b) Estonia
  3. (c) Luxembourg
  4. (d) Serbia
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Italy

Mount Etna - Europe's Largest Active Volcano
Location:Sicily, Italy
Key Facts:
• Tallest active volcano in Europe (~3,350m)
• One of the world's most active volcanoes
• Located on the east coast of Sicily
• Frequent eruptions with lava flows
Recent Activity: New eruption reported in
February 2025 at Southeast Crater's west vent.
Answer: Option 1 → Italy
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 18 June 2026 Shift 3 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q11. High sea waves triggered by an undersea earthquake are called:

  1. (a) Monsoon winds
  2. (b) Tsunamis
  3. (c) Land depressions
  4. (d) Glacial surges
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Tsunamis

Topic: Natural Disasters - Tsunamis
Tsunamis are large ocean waves caused by sudden displacement of water.
Primary Cause:Undersea earthquakes (seismic activity)
Other Causes:Volcanic eruptions, underwater landslides, meteorite impacts
Characteristics:High-speed waves in deep ocean, massive height near coast
Answer: Option 2 → Tsunamis
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 18 June 2026 Shift 3 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q12. Which of the following desert features forms due to parallel retreat of slopes through backwasting?

  1. (a) Stalagmite
  2. (b) Playa
  3. (c) Pediplain
  4. (d) Blowout
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Pediplain

Desert Landform Formation
Parallel retreat of slopes throughbackwastingis a key process in arid regions.
Backwasting → slopes retreat backward maintaining same angle
Creates flat erosional surfaces at mountain base
Pediplain= extensive flat/gently sloping bedrock surface
Formed by coalescence of multiple pediments
Result of long-term slope retreat in deserts
Other options:
Stalagmite → cave deposit (not desert feature)
Playa → temporary lake bed (deposition)
Answer: Option 3 → Pediplain
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 June 2026 Shift 3 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q13. Which of the following pairs is formed inside limestone caves by deposition?

  1. (a) Levees and meanders
  2. (b) Drumlins and eskers
  3. (c) Cirques and horns
  4. (d) Stalactites and stalagmites
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Stalactites and stalagmites

Topic: Limestone Cave Formations
Stalactites:Hang from cave ceiling, formed by dripping water depositing calcium carbonate.
Stalagmites:Rise from cave floor, formed by dripping water depositing minerals upward.
Other options:
• Levees & meanders → River features
• Drumlins & eskers → Glacial deposits
• Cirques & horns → Glacial erosion features
Answer: Option 4 → Stalactites and stalagmites
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 June 2026 Shift 3 · Weathering and erosion

Q14. The peeling of curved sheets from massive rocks due to temperature changes is known as:

  1. (a) Exfoliation
  2. (b) Salt crystallisation
  3. (c) Abrasion
  4. (d) Carbonation
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Exfoliation

Topic:Weathering Processes
Exfoliationis a physical weathering process where curved sheets or layers peel off from massive rocks.
Caused by repeated heating and cooling cycles, creating expansion and contraction.
Common in areas with large temperature variations (deserts, high altitudes).
Also calledonion-skin weatheringdue to concentric layer formation.
Answer: Option 1 → Exfoliation
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 16 June 2026 Shift 3 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q15. Which of the following is a depositional landform formed by wind action?

  1. (a) Barchan
  2. (b) Inselberg
  3. (c) Moraine
  4. (d) Yardang
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Barchan

Topic: Depositional Landforms by Wind
Barchan:Crescent-shaped sand dune formed by wind deposition in deserts.
Inselberg:Erosional landform (isolated hill in desert).
Moraine:Depositional landform formed by glaciers, not wind.
Yardang:Erosional landform formed by wind abrasion.
Answer: Option 1 → Barchan
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 15 June 2026 Shift 2 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q16. The asthenosphere plays an important role in plate movements because:

  1. (a) It is partially molten and allows plates to move
  2. (b) It forms the Earth’s magnetic field
  3. (c) It is made of water bodies
  4. (d) It is perfectly solid and rigid
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) It is partially molten and allows plates to move

Topic: Asthenosphere and Plate Tectonics
Theasthenosphereis a layer in the upper mantle (80-200 km depth).
It ispartially moltenand has a plastic, ductile consistency.
This semi-fluid nature allows the rigid lithospheric plates above it to move slowly over it.
This movement is the basis ofplate tectonicsand continental drift.
Answer: Option 1 → It is partially molten and allows plates to move
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 14 June 2026 Shift 1 · Fluvial landforms

Q17. Which process mainly helps in the formation of V-shaped valleys in mountainous regions?

  1. (a) Glacier movement
  2. (b) Wave action
  3. (c) River erosion
  4. (d) Wind erosion
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) River erosion

V-shaped valleysare characteristic landforms in mountainous regions.
Formation Process:
Rivers cut vertically downward through rocks in mountains.
Fast-flowing water erodes the valley floor more than sides.
This creates steep valley walls meeting at narrow bottom.
Key Points:
Glacier movement → U-shaped valleys (wide, flat bottom)
River erosion → V-shaped valleys (narrow, pointed bottom)
Wind/wave action → not significant in mountain valleys
Answer: Option 3 → River erosion
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 14 June 2026 Shift 2 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q18. The zone on Earth where no S-waves are detected is known as:

  1. (a) Active zone
  2. (b) Shadow zone
  3. (c) Seismic belt
  4. (d) Epicentral gap
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Shadow zone

Topic: Seismic Waves and Earth's Interior
S-waves (Secondary waves) cannot pass through liquid.
Earth's outer core is liquid, blocking S-waves.
This creates a zone (103° to 143° from epicenter) where S-waves are not detected.
This zone is called theShadow Zone.
Answer: Option 2 → Shadow zone
SSC GD 2026 – 31 May 2026 Shift 3 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q19. In the context of Earth's structure, which discontinuity separates the crust and the mantle?

  1. (a) Moho
  2. (b) Repetti
  3. (c) Conrad
  4. (d) Gutenberg
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Moho

Correct Answer: Moho (Option 1)
The Mohorovicic Discontinuity (Moho) is the boundary that separates the Earth's crust from the mantle. It was discovered by Croatian seismologist Andrija Mohorovicic in 1909, when he noticed a sudden increase in seismic wave velocities at a certain depth, indicating a change in rock density.
Key discontinuities in Earth's interior:
- Conrad Discontinuity: Separates upper crust from lower crust
- Moho ( Mohorovicic ): Separates crust from mantle
- Gutenberg (Wiechert-Gutenberg): Separates mantle from outer core (depth ~2900 km)
- Lehmann Discontinuity: Separates outer core from inner core
Why others are wrong:
- Repetti: A discontinuity within the mantle (at ~920 km depth); not the crust-mantle boundary.
- Conrad: Separates the upper and lower crust; not the crust-mantle boundary.
- Gutenberg: Marks the mantle-core boundary, not the crust-mantle boundary.
SSC GD 2026 – 27 May 2026 Shift 2 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q20. Which of the following is NOT correct regarding the work of wind?

  1. (a) Wind is an active factor of erosion and deposition in desert areas.
  2. (b) The base of a mushroom rock is narrow and the top is wide.
  3. (c) Loess deposits are not found in China.
  4. (d) Sand dunes are examples of the work of wind in desert areas.
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Loess deposits are not found in China.

Correct Answer: Loess deposits are not found in China — Option (c)
The statement 'Loess deposits are not found in China' is INCORRECT (FALSE) — China actually has some of the world's largest and thickest loess deposits. About Loess and China: Loess: Fine-grained, wind-blown sediment (primarily silt); Colour : Yellowish (due to iron oxide minerals); Formation: Deposited by wind over thousands of years; China's Loess Plateau ( Huangtu Plateau): Located in north-central China (covering parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Henan and other provinces); One of the world's largest loess deposits; Up to 300 meters thick in some places; Covers an area of about 640,000 sq km; The Yellow River (Huang He) flows through this plateau — the river gets its yellow colour from loess sediment; The Loess Plateau is one of the most extensively studied loess regions in the world; So the statement 'Loess deposits are NOT found in China' is completely FALSE — making option (c) the correct answer to 'which is NOT correct'; About other options (all TRUE): Option (a) — Wind IS an active factor of erosion and deposition in desert areas — TRUE; Wind erosion creates features like deflation hollows, yardangs, mushroom rocks; Wind deposition creates loess, sand dunes, bajada; Option (b) — Mushroom rock (Gara/ छत्रक शैल ): Base is narrow (wind erosion is stronger near the ground where sand grains are heavier); Top is wider (less abrasion at higher levels) — TRUE; Option (d) — Sand dunes ARE examples of wind deposition in deserts — TRUE.
Option (a) Wind is an active factor of erosion and deposition in desert areas — Incorrect as an answer (this statement is TRUE): Wind is indeed a very active agent of erosion AND deposition in desert/arid areas; wind erosion creates deflation hollows, yardangs, and mushroom rocks; wind deposition creates loess, sand dunes, and other aeolian features; this statement is correct and therefore NOT the answer to 'which is NOT correct.' The candidate selected this (RED = wrong selection).
Option (b) The base of a mushroom rock is narrow and the top is wide — Incorrect as an answer (this statement is TRUE): Mushroom rocks (also called Gara or pedestal rocks) have a narrow base and wide top because wind erosion is stronger near the ground (coarse, heavy sand grains travel close to the ground) causing more abrasion at the base; upper parts experience less abrasion giving the mushroom-like shape; this is TRUE and NOT the answer.
Option (d) Sand dunes are examples of the work of wind in desert areas — Incorrect as an answer (this statement is TRUE): Sand dunes ( बालू टिब्बा ) are classic examples of wind deposition in desert environments; they form when wind loses velocity and deposits the sand it was carrying; types include barchan dunes, seif dunes, star dunes, and transverse dunes; this statement is TRUE and NOT the answer.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 9 May 2026 Shift 2 · Weathering and erosion

Q21. Which of the following statements about volcanism is most accurate in the context of geomorphic processes?

  1. (a) It is controlled by rainfall and temperature
  2. (b) It mainly builds or elevates parts of the crust
  3. (c) It only lowers existing landforms
  4. (d) It requires running water to operate
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) It mainly builds or elevates parts of the crust

Topic: Volcanism - Endogenic Process
Volcanism is anendogenic (internal) processdriven by Earth's internal heat and tectonic activity.
Key Facts:
• Volcanism involves eruption of molten rock (magma/lava), ash, and gases from Earth's interior.
• It creates new landforms like volcanic mountains, plateaus, and islands (e.g., Hawaii, Deccan Plateau).
•Builds and elevatesEarth's crust through deposition of volcanic material.
Options 1, 3, 4 are incorrect as volcanism is independent of climate/water and primarily constructive.
Answer: Option 2 → It mainly builds or elevates parts of the crust
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 9 May 2026 Shift 2 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q22. Which seismic waves are the fastest and travel through both solids and liquids inside the Earth?

  1. (a) Rayleigh waves
  2. (b) S waves
  3. (c) Surface waves
  4. (d) P waves
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) P waves

Seismic Waves Classification:
P waves (Primary waves):Fastest seismic waves, travel through solids, liquids, and gases.
S waves (Secondary waves):Slower than P waves, travel only through solids.
Surface waves (Rayleigh & Love):Slowest, travel along Earth's surface only.
P waves arrive first at seismograph stations due to highest velocity.
Answer: Option 4 → P waves
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2025-26 – 8 May 2026 Shift 2 · Weathering and erosion

Q23. Which of the following types of weathering is common in areas with large temperature differences between day and night?

  1. (a) Carbonation
  2. (b) Solution
  3. (c) Exfoliation
  4. (d) Oxidation
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Exfoliation

Topic: Physical Weathering
Exfoliationis a physical weathering process caused by repeated expansion and contraction of rocks.
Large day-night temperature differences cause rock surfaces to heat and cool rapidly.
This creates stress, causing outer layers to peel off like onion layers.
Common in deserts and high-altitude regions with extreme temperature variations.
Other options are chemical weathering processes requiring moisture.
Answer: Option 3 → Exfoliation
SSC GD 2026 – 4 May 2026 Shift 1 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q24. Which of the following plate boundaries formed the Himalayas?

  1. (a) Divergent boundary
  2. (b) Transform boundary
  3. (c) Hotspot boundary
  4. (d) Convergent boundary
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Convergent boundary

Correct Answer: Convergent boundary — Option (d)
The Himalayas were formed by a convergent plate boundary — specifically the collision between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, which began approximately 50 million years ago. When two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary, neither subducts; instead, the crust buckles and folds upward to form fold mountains like the Himalayas.
Option (a) Divergent boundary — Incorrect: Divergent boundaries involve plates moving apart, forming rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges, not mountain ranges.
Option (b) Transform boundary — Incorrect: Transform boundaries involve plates sliding past each other horizontally, often causing earthquakes but not mountain formation.
Option (c) Hotspot boundary — Incorrect: Hotspots are mantle plumes below tectonic plates that form volcanic islands (like Hawaii), not fold mountain ranges.
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 25 March 2026 Shift 1 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q25. At approximately what depth inside the Earth is the boundary between the mantle and the core located?

  1. (a) 1,900 km
  2. (b) 2,900 km
  3. (c) 3,900 km
  4. (d) 4,900 km
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) 2,900 km

Earth's Internal Structure
The Earth has three main layers:
• Crust (0-100 km)
• Mantle (100-2,900 km)
• Core (2,900-6,371 km)
TheGutenberg Discontinuitymarks the boundary between the mantle and outer core.
This boundary is located at approximately2,900 kmdepth from Earth's surface.
Answer: Option 2 → 2,900 km
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 24 March 2026 Shift 1 · Types of mountains, plateaus and plains

Q26. Which of the following processes is/are primarily responsible for the formation of fold mountains such as the Himalayas?

  1. (a) Erosion by rivers
  2. (b) Wind deposition
  3. (c) Volcanic eruptions
  4. (d) Plate collision
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Plate collision

Topic: Formation of Fold Mountains
Fold mountains form whentectonic plates collideand compress sedimentary rock layers, causing them to fold and rise.
Himalayas Example:
Formed by collision of Indian Plate with Eurasian Plate (~50 million years ago).
Other processes:
• Erosion (Option 1) - wears down mountains, doesn't create them
• Wind deposition (Option 2) - forms dunes, not mountains
• Volcanic eruptions (Option 3) - create volcanic mountains, not fold mountains
Answer: Option 4 → Plate collision
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 24 March 2026 Shift 3 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q27. Which of the following types of weathering is primarily responsible for the formation of karst landscapes?

  1. (a) Mechanical weathering
  2. (b) Thermal weathering
  3. (c) Biological weathering
  4. (d) Chemical weathering
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Chemical weathering

Topic: Karst Landscapes Formation
Karst landscapesform in limestone/carbonate rock regions through dissolution.
Chemical weathering(carbonation) dissolves limestone:
CO₂ + H₂O + CaCO₃ → Ca(HCO₃)₂ (soluble)
Creates features: caves, sinkholes, underground drainage.
Mechanical/thermal/biological weathering break rocks physically but don't dissolve limestone.
Answer: Option 4 → Chemical weathering
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 19 March 2026 Shift 1 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q28. Which region is known as the “Ring of Fire” due to frequent volcanic activity?

  1. (a) Indian Ocean Floor
  2. (b) East African Rift
  3. (c) Pacific Ocean Rim
  4. (d) Mid Atlantic Ridge
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Pacific Ocean Rim

Ring of Fire
The Pacific Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
It is a 40,000 km horseshoe-shaped belt associated with a nearly continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts.
About 75% of world's active volcanoes and 90% of world's earthquakes occur in this region.
Answer: Option 3 → Pacific Ocean Rim
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2025-26 – 17 March 2026 Shift 3 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q29. Which volcano type is also known as a stratovolcano due to its layered structure?

  1. (a) Fissure volcano
  2. (b) Shield volcano
  3. (c) Cinder cone volcano
  4. (d) Composite volcano
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Composite volcano

Stratovolcano= Composite volcano with alternating layers
Structure: Layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and ash
Characteristics: Steep slopes, explosive eruptions, conical shape
Examples: Mount Fuji, Mount Vesuvius, Mount Rainier
Answer: Option 4 → Composite volcano
SSC MTS 2025 – 19 February 2026 Shift 2 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q30. Which of the following is the indirect source to provides information about the interior of the Earth?
I. Volcano
II. Earthquake

  1. (a) Only I
  2. (b) Only II
  3. (c) Both I and II
  4. (d) Neither I nor II
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Only II

The correct answer is option 2.
Earthquakes are the primary indirect source of information about Earth's interior. Seismic waves (P-waves and S-waves) generated by earthquakes travel through the Earth and are detected by seismographs. The speed and path of these waves change as they pass through different layers, providing indirect evidence about Earth's internal structure, composition, and density.
Volcanoes are considered a more direct source — they bring material from deep inside the Earth (mantle) to the surface, providing direct samples of the interior material.
Option 1 is incorrect: Volcanoes bring interior material to the surface, making them a more direct (not indirect) source of information.
Option 3 is incorrect: Including volcanoes as an indirect source is debatable in standard classification; only earthquakes are classified as indirect sources.
Option 4 is incorrect: Earthquakes are clearly an indirect source of information about Earth's interior.
SSC MTS 2025 – 19 February 2026 Shift 3 · Rocks and the rock cycle

Q31. In the context of constituents of Earth crust, which of the following is NOT the type of Rocks?

  1. (a) Igneous
  2. (b) Sedimentary
  3. (c) Metamorphic
  4. (d) Caldera
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Caldera

Correct Answer: Caldera (Option 4)
The three types of rocks that make up Earth's crust are:
Igneous rocks – formed from cooled and solidified magma or lava.
Sedimentary rocks – formed from compressed layers of sediment over time.
Metamorphic rocks – formed when existing rocks are transformed by heat and pressure.
Caldera is NOT a type of rock. It is a large volcanic depression or crater formed when a volcano collapses after a major eruption or when a magma chamber empties and the overlying land sinks.
SSC MTS 2025 – 5 February 2026 Shift 1 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q32. In the context of crust, the main mineral constituents of the continental mass are _____.

  1. (a) Silica and alumina
  2. (b) Nickel and ferrous
  3. (c) Silica and magnesium
  4. (d) Nickel and bauxite
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Silica and alumina

Correct Answer: Silica and alumina
The continental crust is known as the SIAL layer (Si = Silica, Al = Alumina/ Aluminium ). Silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) are the dominant mineral constituents of the continental mass, making granite the most common rock of continents.
Why other options are wrong:
Nickel and ferrous - These constitute the NIFE layer (Earth's core), not the continental crust.
Silica and magnesium - These form the SIMA layer (oceanic crust), not the continental crust.
Nickel and bauxite - Not the defining constituents of continental crust.
Delhi Police Head Constable (Ministerial) 2025-26 – 12 January 2026 Shift 2 · Glacial landforms

Q33. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the formation, composition, and geomorphic importance of eskers in glacial landscapes?

  1. (a) Eskers are steep-sided, elongated ridges composed mainly of till, formed by subaerial erosion during glacial retreat in temperate climates.
  2. (b) Eskers are sinuous ridges of stratified sand and gravel deposited by subglacial meltwater streams flowing within ice tunnels, serving as evidence of former glacial drainage patterns.
  3. (c) Eskers are depositional features formed by wind action on glacial outwash plains, typically consisting of fine loess deposits accumulated during the last ice age.
  4. (d) Eskers form due to the lateral morainic deposition along valley sides and primarily indicate the maximum extent of glacial advance.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Eskers are sinuous ridges of stratified sand and gravel deposited by subglacial meltwater streams flowing within ice tunnels, serving as evidence of former glacial drainage patterns.

Option 2 is correct. Eskers are long, winding (sinuous) ridges of stratified (layered) sand and gravel. They form when meltwater streams flowing through tunnels within or beneath a glacier deposit their sediment load. When the glacier retreats, these tunnel-fill deposits are left as ridge-like landforms on the landscape — serving as important geomorphic evidence of former subglacial drainage patterns.
• Option 1 is wrong: Eskers are composed of stratified sand and gravel (fluvioglacial deposits), not till (unstratified glacial sediment); and they form from subglacial meltwater streams, not subaerial erosion.
• Option 3 is wrong: Eskers are formed by water (meltwater streams), not wind action; loess is a wind-deposited material and unrelated to esker formation.
• Option 4 is wrong: Eskers are not morainic deposits along valley sides; moraines form from debris carried on/in the ice. Eskers indicate subglacial drainage routes, not the maximum extent of glacial advance.
Delhi Police Head Constable (Ministerial) 2025-26 – 9 January 2026 Shift 1 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q34. Which of the following statements best reflects the Mantle Plume Hypothesis and its implications in explaining intraplate volcanism and hotspot tracks, particularly in contrast to plate boundary processes?

  1. (a) Mantle plumes are narrow, buoyant columns of cold material rising from the upper mantle, forming island arcs and rift valleys primarily at divergent plate boundaries.
  2. (b) Mantle plumes originate from the asthenosphere, are stationary with respect to tectonic plates, and are responsible for features like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Mariana Trench.
  3. (c) Mantle plumes are deep-seated thermal anomalies, possibly rising from the core-mantle boundary, causing hotspot volcanism like the Hawaiian chain, independent of plate margins.
  4. (d) Mantle plumes explain the episodic movement of tectonic plates by generating subduction zones, but cannot account for surface volcanic activity due to their low thermal energy.
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Mantle plumes are deep-seated thermal anomalies, possibly rising from the core-mantle boundary, causing hotspot volcanism like the Hawaiian chain, independent of plate margins.

Correct Answer: Option 3 – Mantle plumes are deep-seated thermal anomalies from core-mantle boundary, causing hotspot volcanism independent of plate margins
The Mantle Plume Hypothesis (proposed by J. Tuzo Wilson and W. Jason Morgan):
• Mantle plumes are columns of HOT (not cold) material rising from deep within the Earth — possibly from the core-mantle boundary (CMB).
• They are largely stationary relative to tectonic plates (the plate moves over them).
• As a plate moves over a stationary plume, it creates a chain of volcanoes — like the Hawaiian-Emperor Seamount Chain.
• This volcanism occurs INTRAPLATE — independent of plate boundaries (unlike volcanoes at subduction zones or mid-ocean ridges).
• Classic examples: Hawaiian chain, Yellowstone, Iceland, Reunion Island.
Why other options are wrong:
Option 1 (Cold material, divergent boundaries): Mantle plumes are HOT, not cold. Island arcs form at subduction zones, not from plumes.
Option 2 (Asthenosphere origin, responsible for Mid-Atlantic Ridge): Mid-Atlantic Ridge is formed by divergent plate tectonics — not mantle plumes. Mantle plumes are not stationary with respect to plates in all models.
Option 4 (Generate subduction zones): Mantle plumes do NOT generate subduction zones. They cause intraplate hotspot volcanism.
Delhi Police Constable (Exe) 2025-26 – 5 January 2026 Shift 1 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q35. The Richter scale is used to measure which geophysical event, quantifying the energy released during such occurrences?

  1. (a) Magnitude of earthquakes
  2. (b) Intensity of volcanic eruptions
  3. (c) Atmospheric pressure variations
  4. (d) Tsunami heights
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Magnitude of earthquakes

The correct answer is (a) Magnitude of earthquakes.
The Richter Scale (developed by Charles F. Richter in 1935) measures the magnitude (size) of earthquakes — the amount of energy released at the earthquake's source (epicenter). It is a logarithmic scale; each whole number increase represents a 10-fold increase in wave amplitude.
(b) Intensity of volcanic eruptions: Measured using the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI); not the Richter scale.
(c) Atmospheric pressure variations: Measured using a barometer; not the Richter scale.
(d) Tsunami heights: Measured in terms of wave height and run-up; not the Richter scale.
Delhi Police Constable (Exe) 2025-26 – 5 January 2026 Shift 1 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q36. A caldera is best described as what type of geological feature, formed when a volcanic magma chamber empties and collapses?

  1. (a) Large volcanic crater formed after collapse of a magma chamber
  2. (b) Small cone-shaped volcano
  3. (c) Submarine trench
  4. (d) Lava plateau
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Large volcanic crater formed after collapse of a magma chamber

The correct answer is (a) Large volcanic crater formed after collapse of a magma chamber.
A caldera is a large, basin-shaped volcanic depression formed when a magma chamber empties after a major eruption and the overlying ground collapses inward. Famous calderas include Yellowstone Caldera (USA) and Crater Lake in Oregon.
(b) Small cone-shaped volcano: This describes a cinder cone; much smaller than a caldera.
(c) Submarine trench: An underwater depression in the ocean floor caused by tectonic subduction; not related to calderas.
(d) Lava plateau: A flat elevated area formed by successive lava flows; not a caldera.
Delhi Police Constable (Exe) 2025-26 – 4 January 2026 Shift 2 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q37. Mauna Loa in Hawaii is a classic example of which type of volcano?

  1. (a) Mauna Loa (shield volcano)
  2. (b) Mount St. Helens (stratovolcano)
  3. (c) Mount Vesuvius (composite volcano)
  4. (d) Mount Etna (cinder cone)
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Mauna Loa (shield volcano)

Mauna Loa is the world's largest active shield volcano, characterized by broad, gently sloping sides built by numerous eruptions of low-viscosity basaltic lava flows that spread over large distances.
(b) Incorrect: Mount St. Helens in Washington, USA is a stratovolcano (composite volcano) known for its explosive 1980 eruption.
(c) Incorrect: Mount Vesuvius in Italy is a stratovolcano famous for the 79 CE eruption that buried Pompeii.
(d) Incorrect: Mount Etna in Sicily is primarily a shield-stratovolcano hybrid, not a cinder cone.
Delhi Police Constable (Exe) 2025-26 – 2 January 2026 Shift 3 · Geomorphic processes and mass movements

Q38. The town of Joshimath, which was in the news for a major 'land subsidence' (sinking) event, is located in which state?

  1. (a) Uttarakhand
  2. (b) Himachal Pradesh
  3. (c) Sikkim
  4. (d) Jammu and Kashmir
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Uttarakhand

Joshimath is a town in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. In January 2023, it gained national and international attention due to widespread land subsidence (sinking) that caused severe cracks in hundreds of buildings, houses, and roads, forcing mass evacuations.
(a) Incorrect: Himachal Pradesh is a different Himalayan state; Joshimath is specifically in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.
(b) Incorrect: Sikkim is a northeastern Himalayan state; Joshimath is not located there.
(c) Incorrect: Jammu and Kashmir is in northwestern India; Joshimath is in Uttarakhand in the central Himalayas.
Delhi Police Constable (Exe) 2025-26 – 22 December 2025 Shift 3 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q39. Strong earthquake tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR and North India in November 2023. What was the epicenter of this earthquake?

  1. (a) Afghanistan
  2. (b) Pakistan
  3. (c) Nepal
  4. (d) Bhutan
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Nepal

The correct answer is Nepal (Option 3).
In November 2023, a powerful earthquake (magnitude ~6.4) struck Nepal's Jajarkot district, with tremors strongly felt across Delhi-NCR and North India due to the seismic proximity.
Option 1 - Afghanistan: While Afghan earthquakes can affect parts of North India, the specific November 2023 earthquake that impacted Delhi-NCR was centered in Nepal.
Option 2 - Pakistan: Pakistani earthquakes occasionally affect North India, but the November 2023 tremors in Delhi-NCR were specifically from the Nepal earthquake.
Option 4 - Bhutan: Bhutan does not frequently have major earthquakes whose tremors significantly impact Delhi-NCR.
Delhi Police Constable (Exe) 2025-26 – 19 December 2025 Shift 1 · Fluvial landforms

Q40. Which is the largest delta in the world?

  1. (a) Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta
  2. (b) Amazon Delta
  3. (c) Mekong Delta
  4. (d) Nile Delta
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta

The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta (also called the Sundarbans Delta or Bengal Delta) is the largest delta in the world, covering approximately 100,000 sq km across Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. It is formed by the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It is also home to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.
Option 2 is incorrect: The Amazon Delta in Brazil is large but not the world's largest delta.
Option 3 is incorrect: The Mekong Delta in Vietnam is a significant delta but much smaller than the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta.
Option 4 is incorrect: The Nile Delta in Egypt is historically important but far smaller than the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta in terms of area.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – 8 December 2025 Shift 1 · Weathering and erosion

Q41. Read the following statements:
Statement 1: Diastrophism includes all processes that move, elevate, or build up portions of the Earth's crust.
Statement 2: Exogenic processes derive their energy from the atmosphere, influenced by solar energy and tectonic gradients.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. (a) Only Statement 2 is correct
  2. (b) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct
  3. (c) Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect
  4. (d) Only Statement 1 is correct
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Both statements 1 and 2 are correct

Both statements are correct. Diastrophism refers to endogenic processes such as folding, faulting, uplift, and subsidence which affect the Earth's crust and cause large-scale structural changes. Exogenic processes (like weathering, erosion, and deposition) derive their energy mainly from atmospheric forces and solar energy , and are influenced indirectly by tectonic gradients that create slopes and elevations. Together, they explain how the Earth's surface is continuously shaped and reshaped.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – 8 December 2025 Shift 2 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q42. What is Karst topography primarily associated with?

  1. (a) River meandering in alluvial plains
  2. (b) Groundwater action in limestone or dolomite regions
  3. (c) Glacial deposition in polar regions
  4. (d) Wind erosion in arid deserts
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Groundwater action in limestone or dolomite regions

Karst topography is primarily associated with the action of groundwater in limestone or dolomite regions . It develops due to the chemical weathering process, especially solution and carbonation, where slightly acidic groundwater dissolves soluble rocks like limestone. Typical landforms of Karst include caves, sinkholes, stalactites, stalagmites, disappearing streams, and underground drainage systems. The name "Karst" originates from a region near the border of Slovenia and Italy, which is famous for such landforms. This topography is a classic example of landforms shaped by chemical weathering rather than erosion by rivers, glaciers, or wind.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – 8 December 2025 Shift 2 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q43. What is the primary reason for the asymmetrical distribution of continents and oceans across the Earth’s surface?

  1. (a) Magnetic anomalies in the core
  2. (b) Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics
  3. (c) Earth’s elliptical orbit
  4. (d) Variations in solar radiation
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics

The correct answer is Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics . The present-day asymmetrical distribution of continents and oceans is explained by the theory of plate tectonics , which states that the Earth’s lithosphere is divided into plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. These plates move due to convection currents in the mantle, leading to processes like seafloor spreading, continental drift, subduction, and mountain building. Over millions of years, these movements have rearranged landmasses and oceans, giving rise to the current irregular pattern. For example, the drifting of the Indian Plate led to the formation of the Himalayas, while the Atlantic Ocean widened due to seafloor spreading.
SSC Stenographer 2025 – 7 December 2025 Shift 3 · Fluvial landforms

Q44. Which of the following is an erosional landform created primarily by river action?

  1. (a) Moraine
  2. (b) Levee
  3. (c) Gorge
  4. (d) Delta
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Gorge

The correct answer is option 3. A gorge is a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, formed by the erosional activity of rivers over a long period of time. It develops mainly in the upper course of a river where vertical erosion is dominant due to the swift flow of water. Examples include the Grand Canyon (USA) and the Ganga Gorge near Rishikesh. In contrast, moraines are depositional features formed by glaciers, levees are depositional embankments built by rivers during floods, and deltas are depositional landforms formed at river mouths where the river meets a sea or ocean.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 18 September 2025 Shift 1 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q45. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with reference to limestone cave formations?

  1. (a) Stalactite - Rises from cave floor
  2. (b) Stalagmite - Hangs from cave roof
  3. (c) Pillar - Formed by union of stalactite and stalagmite
  4. (d) Stalagmite - Formed by water falling from floor
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Pillar - Formed by union of stalactite and stalagmite

Stalactite hangs from the roof (think 'c' for ceiling). Stalagmite rises from the floor (think 'g' for ground). When they meet, they form a Pillar.
Answer: Pillar - Formed by union of stalactite and stalagmite
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 16 September 2025 Shift 2 · Fluvial landforms

Q46. What causes a river to develop meanders?

  1. (a) High-altitude origin
  2. (b) Sudden tectonic uplift
  3. (c) Lateral erosion in flat terrain
  4. (d) Ocean current influence
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Lateral erosion in flat terrain

• Physical Geography - River Erosion:
• Meanders are winding curves in a river's course.
• They develop primarily due to lateral (sideways) erosion in flat terrain.
• When rivers flow through flat areas, they erode the outer banks of curves and deposit sediment on inner banks, gradually creating more pronounced loops (meanders).
• High-altitude rivers typically flow fast and straight (not meander).
• Answer: Lateral erosion in flat terrain
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 15 September 2025 Shift 1 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q47. Match the geological feature with its primary plate boundary type:
1. Mid-ocean ridge
2. Mariana Trench
3. San Andreas Fault

  1. (a) 1-Divergent, 2-Convergent, 3-Transform
  2. (b) 1-Convergent, 2-Divergent, 3-Transform
  3. (c) 1-Transform, 2-Convergent, 3-Divergent
  4. (d) 1-Divergent, 2-Transform, 3-Convergent
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) 1-Divergent, 2-Convergent, 3-Transform

Mid-ocean ridges form where two plates move apart → Divergent.
Mariana Trench is formed by subduction of Pacific plate under Philippine plate → Convergent.
San Andreas Fault is where Pacific & North American plates slide past each other → Transform.
Hence 1-Divergent, 2-Convergent, 3-Transform.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 15 September 2025 Shift 3 · Glacial landforms

Q48. Which of the following best distinguishes glacial till from water-laid glacial sediments?

  1. (a) It is layered and stratified due to flowing meltwater.
  2. (b) It is composed of uniformly sized, rounded particles.
  3. (c) It is an unsorted mix of materials deposited directly by ice.
  4. (d) It forms only in glacial lakes through sediment settling.
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) It is an unsorted mix of materials deposited directly by ice.

• Glacial Till: Material deposited directly by a glacier — it is unsorted (mixture of clay, sand, gravel, boulders) and unstratified (no layers).
• Option A describes fluvioglacial/outwash deposits — these are stratified by flowing meltwater. ✗
• Option B describes water-transported sediments — water rounds and sorts particles by size. ✗
• Option D describes lacustrine (glacial lake) sediments. ✗
• Only Option C correctly distinguishes till: deposited directly by ice without sorting.
• Answer: It is an unsorted mix of materials deposited directly by ice.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 14 September 2025 Shift 2 · Weathering and erosion

Q49. Which of the following statements about rockslide is correct?

  1. (a) It affects only the outermost layer of the rock face
  2. (b) It is slower than rock fall
  3. (c) It involves backward rotation of debris
  4. (d) It affects material to considerable depth
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) It affects material to considerable depth

A rockslide is a mass movement in which a large block of rock detaches and slides down a slope along a plane of weakness. It typically affects material at considerable depth, not just the surface.
Option 1 — wrong: it goes deeper than the outer face.
Option 2 — wrong: rockslides are generally faster than weathering processes, comparable to rock fall.
Option 3 — wrong: backward rotation describes a 'slump', not a rockslide.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 13 September 2025 Shift 1 · Fluvial landforms

Q50. In which type of geological formation are gorges most commonly developed?

  1. (a) Soft sediment
  2. (b) Hard rocks
  3. (c) Glacial till
  4. (d) Volcanic ash
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Hard rocks

A gorge is a deep, narrow valley with steep, almost vertical sides, formed when a river cuts downward much faster than the valley sides erode sideways.
This kind of vertical erosion happens mainly when the rock on the sides is hard and resistant — the river can only cut downward, not widen the valley.
Soft sediment and glacial till erode laterally easily and form wider valleys.
Volcanic ash is loose and does not support vertical cliffs typical of gorges.
Hence gorges develop most commonly in hard rocks.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 13 September 2025 Shift 2 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q51. Choose the correctly matched cave feature and its formation:

  1. (a) Stalactite - Grows upward from cave floor
  2. (b) Stalagmite - Formed by dripping water from cave ceiling
  3. (c) Pillar - Hangs from the cave roof
  4. (d) Stalactite - Formed by upward mineral flow
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Stalagmite - Formed by dripping water from cave ceiling

• Cave formation (speleothem) facts:
• Stalactite: Hangs downward from cave ceiling (formed by mineral-rich water dripping down)
• Stalagmite: Grows UPWARD from cave floor (formed by mineral deposits from dripping water) ✓
• Pillar: Formed when stalactite and stalagmite meet — does NOT hang from roof
• Options A, C, D all have incorrect descriptions
• Answer: Stalagmite - Formed by dripping water from cave ceiling (deposits accumulate below the drip point)
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 13 September 2025 Shift 3 · Fluvial landforms

Q52. Natural levees are most commonly associated with which of the following environments?

  1. (a) Arid deserts
  2. (b) Floodplains of large rivers
  3. (c) Glacial valleys
  4. (d) Coastal lagoons
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Floodplains of large rivers

Natural levees are ridges of sediment deposited on either side of a river channel when flood waters spill over the banks and lose energy. They are characteristic of large-river floodplains (e.g., Mississippi, Ganga).
Arid deserts have aeolian features; glacial valleys are dominated by moraines; coastal lagoons by sand bars/spits.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 13 September 2025 Shift 3 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q53. Which of the following is/are characteristic features of wind-eroded landforms in desert regions?
1. Formation of mushroom-shaped rocks with a slender base and broad upper cap
2. Development of flat-topped residual hills resembling table surfaces
3. Emergence of rock remnants standing as isolated pedestals

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) Both 1 and 2
  3. (c) Both 2 and 3
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3 all are correct
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3 all are correct

All three are typical wind-erosion features in deserts:
(1) Mushroom rocks (gara/pedestal rocks) — base eroded more than the top by sand abrasion.
(2) Mesas/buttes — flat-topped residual hills.
(3) Rock pedestals/zeugen — isolated columns left after deflation/abrasion.
Hence 1, 2 and 3 are all correct.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 12 September 2025 Shift 1 · Glacial landforms

Q54. Consider the following statements about glacial landforms:
Statement 1: Hanging valleys are often found opening into main glacial valleys at higher elevations.
Statement 2: Spurs of such hanging valleys are frequently truncated into triangular facets.
Which of the following Statements is/are Correct?

  1. (a) Only 1
  2. (b) Only 2
  3. (c) 1 and 2 are correct
  4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2 are correct
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 are correct

Hanging valleys are tributary glacial valleys hanging above the main valley floor — Statement 1 is correct.
The spurs that project into glacial valleys are typically truncated into triangular facets by glacial erosion — Statement 2 is also correct.
Hence, both statements are correct.
SSC CGL Tier-1 2025 – 12 September 2025 Shift 2 · Weathering and erosion

Q55. Which of the following types of landslides involves backward rotation of the slipping material?

  1. (a) Rockslide
  2. (b) Rock fall
  3. (c) Slump
  4. (d) Debris fall
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Slump

A slump is a rotational landslide in which the slipping mass moves along a curved (concave-up) slip surface and the upper surface tilts backward toward the original slope — this is the defining 'backward rotation' feature.
A rockslide moves along a planar surface without rotation.
Rock fall and debris fall are free-fall movements down steep slopes, not rotations.
Hence the correct option is Slump.
RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 9 September 2025 Shift 2 · Coastal landforms

Q56. Sand dunes that form long ridges parallel to the coastline are most common ______________.

  1. (a) along high rocky coasts
  2. (b) along tectonic plate boundaries
  3. (c) along low sedimentary coasts
  4. (d) in estuarine regions only
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) along low sedimentary coasts

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 9 September 2025 Shift 3 · Geomorphic processes and mass movements

Q57. Which of the following mass movements occurs when saturated soil and debris flow down a slope during heavy rainfall?

  1. (a) Avalanche
  2. (b) Soil creep
  3. (c) Rockfall
  4. (d) Mudflow
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Mudflow

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 8 September 2025 Shift 1 · Weathering and erosion

Q58. Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering?

  1. (a) Exfoliation
  2. (b) Abrasion
  3. (c) Frost action
  4. (d) Oxidation
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Oxidation

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 4 September 2025 Shift 2 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q59. Which one of the following statements correctly explains the cause of volcanism?

  1. (a) It is due to the movement of glaciers.
  2. (b) It results from molten rock rising from the Earth’s interior.
  3. (c) It happens because of atmospheric disturbances.
  4. (d) It is caused by excessive surface erosion.
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) It results from molten rock rising from the Earth’s interior.

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 3 September 2025 Shift 1 · Weathering and erosion

Q60. What is the disintegration of rocks into smaller fragments without any change in their chemical composition called?

  1. (a) Block disintegration
  2. (b) Frost Action
  3. (c) Exfoliation
  4. (d) Mechanical weathering
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Mechanical weathering

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 3 September 2025 Shift 2 · Geomorphic processes and mass movements

Q61. Slump is a type of:

  1. (a) rock fall
  2. (b) landslide
  3. (c) weathering
  4. (d) erosion
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) landslide

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 2 September 2025 Shift 2 · Weathering and erosion

Q62. Which of the following is NOT a part of chemical weathering?

  1. (a) Hydration
  2. (b) Oxidation
  3. (c) Carbonation
  4. (d) Frost Action
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Frost Action

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 2 September 2025 Shift 3 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q63. What is the name given to a saucer-shaped intrusive igneous body that is concave to the sky?

  1. (a) Sill
  2. (b) Lapolith
  3. (c) Batholith
  4. (d) Phacolith
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Lapolith

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 29 August 2025 Shift 1 · Weathering and erosion

Q64. Which type of weathering is primarily involved in the enrichment of bauxite and other ores?

  1. (a) Glacial weathering
  2. (b) Chemical weathering
  3. (c) Biological weathering
  4. (d) Mechanical weathering
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Chemical weathering

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 21 August 2025 Shift 1 · Types of mountains, plateaus and plains

Q65. Which type of mountain range is formed by the uplifted folded sedimentary rocks?

  1. (a) Fold Mountains
  2. (b) Block Mountains
  3. (c) Volcanic Mountains
  4. (d) Residual Mountains
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Fold Mountains

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 19 August 2025 Shift 2 · Fluvial landforms

Q66. A flat or gently sloping surface left behind after river erosion, often with some resistant remnants, is known as:

  1. (a) Peneplain
  2. (b) Monadnock
  3. (c) Plateau
  4. (d) Floodplain
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Peneplain

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 18 August 2025 Shift 2 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q67. What is the most common cause of tsunamis?

  1. (a) Volcanic eruptions only
  2. (b) Undersea earthquakes
  3. (c) Excessive rainfall and flooding
  4. (d) Cyclones and high tides
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Undersea earthquakes

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 14 August 2025 Shift 2 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q68. What happens to tectonic plates at divergent boundaries?

  1. (a) They move towards each other.
  2. (b) They stay in one place.
  3. (c) They slide past one another.
  4. (d) They move away from each other.
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) They move away from each other.

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 14 August 2025 Shift 3 · Weathering and erosion

Q69. Which weathering process involves the peeling of rock layers due to temperature variations?

  1. (a) Solution
  2. (b) Frost action
  3. (c) Oxidation
  4. (d) Exfoliation
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Exfoliation

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 13 August 2025 Shift 2 · Fluvial landforms

Q70. Which of the following is an impact of river meandering in plains?

  1. (a) Formation of rift valleys
  2. (b) Formation of oxbow lakes
  3. (c) Formation of waterfalls
  4. (d) Formation of rapids
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Formation of oxbow lakes

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 13 August 2025 Shift 3 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q71. What is the correct order of arrival of seismic waves at a seismograph after an earthquake?

  1. (a) P-waves, surface waves, S-waves
  2. (b) S-waves, P-waves, surface waves
  3. (c) P-waves, S-waves, surface waves
  4. (d) Surface waves, P-waves, S-waves
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) P-waves, S-waves, surface waves

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 8 August 2025 Shift 2 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q72. Which of the following is a shallow desert depression formed by wind erosion?

  1. (a) Pediment
  2. (b) Deflation hollow
  3. (c) Playa
  4. (d) Inselberg
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Deflation hollow

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 8 August 2025 Shift 3 · Volcanoes and volcanic landforms

Q73. Volcanoes are often found in which type of plate boundary?

  1. (a) Convergent and divergent boundaries
  2. (b) Transform boundaries only
  3. (c) Divergent boundaries only
  4. (d) Convergent and transform boundaries only
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Convergent and divergent boundaries

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 7 August 2025 Shift 1 · Weathering and erosion

Q74. What can happen if rocks are not weathered in the context of the movement of Earth's materials?

  1. (a) Soil fertility would improve
  2. (b) Erosion would be insignificant
  3. (c) Mass movement would be more frequent
  4. (d) Erosion would increase
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Erosion would be insignificant

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 7 August 2025 Shift 2 · Interior of the Earth - layers and discontinuities

Q75. What evidence supports the layered structure of the Earth’s interior?

  1. (a) Fossil records
  2. (b) Seismic wave behaviour
  3. (c) Volcanic eruptions
  4. (d) Magnetic poles
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Seismic wave behaviour

RRB NTPC UG CBT-1 2024-25 – 7 August 2025 Shift 2 · Fluvial landforms

Q76. Which of the following factors best explains the formation of ox-bow lakes along river courses?

  1. (a) Tectonic uplift disrupting the flow
  2. (b) Sudden uplift of riverbeds by tectonic activity
  3. (c) Glacial retreat leaving depressions
  4. (d) Lateral erosion on the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) Lateral erosion on the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks

SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 1 August 2025 Shift 2 · Earthquakes and seismic waves

Q77. What has been observed in the past decade regarding earthquakes and subsurface fluids?

  1. (a) A decrease in earthquakes triggered by injection and production
  2. (b) No change in earthquakes triggered by injection and production
  3. (c) A substantial increase in earthquakes triggered by injection and production
  4. (d) Earthquakes are no longer triggered by injection and production
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) A substantial increase in earthquakes triggered by injection and production

Correct Answer: Option 3 – A substantial increase in earthquakes triggered by injection and production
Scientific research over the past decade has documented a substantial increase in induced seismicity – earthquakes triggered by human activities such as wastewater injection into deep wells (associated with oil/gas production) and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This phenomenon has been particularly well-documented in the central United States.
Option 1 (Decrease): Incorrect; the trend has been a clear increase.
Option 2 (No change): Incorrect; there has been a significant, measurable increase.
Option 4 (No longer triggered): Incorrect; induced seismicity is a recognized and growing concern.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 29 July 2025 Shift 1 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q78. Which two tectonic plates are responsible for the formation of the Himalayas due to their collision?

  1. (a) Indian & Eurasian
  2. (b) Indian & African
  3. (c) Eurasian & Australian
  4. (d) Pacific & Eurasian
Answer & solution

Answer: (a) Indian & Eurasian

Correct Answer: Option 1 – Indian & Eurasian
The Himalayas were formed by the collision of the Indo-Australian Plate (specifically the Indian sub-plate) with the Eurasian Plate. About 50–70 million years ago, the Indian plate, drifting northward after breaking off from Gondwana, collided with the Eurasian plate. Since both are continental crust (too buoyant to subduct), the collision resulted in crustal shortening and thickening — folding and uplifting rocks into the world's highest mountain range. The Himalayas continue to rise by about 5 mm per year as this collision continues.
Option 2 (Indian & African): The African plate is separated from the Indian plate; their interaction created the Rift Valley and Red Sea — not the Himalayas.
Option 3 (Eurasian & Australian): The Australian plate's northward movement has different tectonic consequences; it is not responsible for the Himalayas.
Option 4 (Pacific & Eurasian): Collision of the Pacific and Eurasian plates is responsible for the volcanic island arcs of Japan, Philippines, and the Ring of Fire — not the Himalayas.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 28 July 2025 Shift 2 · Continental drift and plate tectonics

Q79. What is the term for the movement of tectonic plates causing earthquakes?

  1. (a) Erosion
  2. (b) Plate tectonics
  3. (c) Sedimentation
  4. (d) Convection
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Plate tectonics

Correct Answer: Option 2 – Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics is the scientific theory describing the movement of large segments of Earth's lithosphere (tectonic plates) over the asthenosphere. Earthquakes occur primarily at plate boundaries where plates converge (collision/subduction), diverge (rifting), or slide past each other (transform faults). The friction and stress built up at these boundaries is suddenly released as seismic energy — causing earthquakes.
Option 1 (Erosion): Erosion is the wearing away of Earth's surface by wind, water, or ice; not a cause of earthquakes.
Option 3 (Sedimentation): The process of sediment deposition; geological but unrelated to earthquake generation.
Option 4 (Convection): Convection currents in the mantle drive plate movement but are not the direct term for the movement of tectonic plates — plate tectonics is the correct term.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 28 July 2025 Shift 3 · Glacial landforms

Q80. Which statement accurately describes outwash deposits?

  1. (a) Angular, unsorted debris left by stagnant ice
  2. (b) Sorted, rounded sediments from meltwater streams
  3. (c) Fine clay blown by wind in dry glacial areas
  4. (d) Large erratics dropped on steep glacier slopes
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Sorted, rounded sediments from meltwater streams

Correct Answer: Option 2 – Sorted, rounded sediments from meltwater streams
Outwash deposits (also called glaciofluvial deposits) are sediments deposited by meltwater streams that flow from the snout (terminus) of a glacier. As meltwater rushes beyond the glacier margin, it sorts and deposits sediments by size — coarser gravels near the glacier, finer sands and silts farther away. The water action rounds and sorts the particles, creating stratified, well-sorted, rounded sediment plains called outwash plains (sandur). Examples: Iceland's sandur plains.
Option 1 (Angular, unsorted debris by stagnant ice): Describes till — glacial sediment deposited directly by ice without water sorting. Till is angular, unsorted, and unstratified.
Option 3 (Fine clay blown by wind in dry glacial areas): Describes loess — wind-blown (aeolian) glacial dust deposited far from glaciers. Not outwash.
Option 4 (Large erratics on steep slopes): Glacial erratics are large boulders transported and deposited by glaciers far from their source; not outwash deposits.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 26 July 2025 Shift 3 · Glacial landforms

Q81. Which of the following best explains the origin of eskers in glaciated landscapes?

  1. (a) Ridges carved by ice cutting bedrock
  2. (b) Till ridges under stagnant ice
  3. (c) Sinuous ridges from subglacial meltwater deposition
  4. (d) Hills shaped by ice pushing sediments
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Sinuous ridges from subglacial meltwater deposition

Correct Answer: Option 3 – Sinuous ridges from subglacial meltwater deposition
Eskers are long, winding (sinuous) ridges of stratified sand and gravel formed by sediment deposited by meltwater streams flowing in tunnels beneath (subglacial) or within a glacier. As the glacier melted and retreated, these sediment-filled channels were left as ridges. Eskers are characteristic of formerly glaciated terrains in Canada, Finland, Sweden, and northern India (Ladakh).
Option 1 (Ice carving bedrock): Describes roches moutonnées or glacial striations — erosional features caused by ice abrasion, not depositional ridges.
Option 2 (Till ridges under stagnant ice): Till is unsorted glacial debris; deposits under stagnant ice form drumlins or ground moraine — not the sorted sand-gravel ridges of eskers.
Option 4 (Ice pushing sediments): Describes push moraines formed by advancing glaciers bulldozing sediment; eskers form from water deposition, not ice pushing.
SSC Selection Post 2025 (Phase XIII) – 25 July 2025 Shift 3 · Glacial landforms

Q82. Which of the following best explains the origin of eskers in glaciated landscapes?

  1. (a) Ridges carved by ice cutting bedrock
  2. (b) Till ridges under stagnant ice
  3. (c) Sinuous ridges from subglacial meltwater deposition
  4. (d) Hills shaped by ice pushing sediments
Answer & solution

Answer: (c) Sinuous ridges from subglacial meltwater deposition

Correct Answer: Option 3 – Sinuous ridges from subglacial meltwater deposition
Eskers are long, sinuous (winding) ridges of stratified sand and gravel formed by the deposition of sediment from meltwater streams that flowed through tunnels beneath a glacier (subglacial streams) or within the glacier (englacial). As the glacier retreated, these sediment-filled channels were left as ridges on the landscape. Eskers can be several kilometers long and are characteristic features of glaciated terrain in Canada, Scandinavia, and northern Europe.
Option 1 (Ridges carved by ice cutting bedrock): This describes roches moutonnées or glacial striations — erosional features, not depositional ridges like eskers.
Option 2 (Till ridges under stagnant ice): Till is unsorted glacial debris; deposits under stagnant ice form features like drumlins or ground moraine, not the sorted, stratified sand-gravel ridges of eskers.
Option 4 (Hills shaped by ice pushing sediments): This describes moraines (terminal, lateral, push moraines) formed by glacial bulldozing; eskers are formed by water deposition, not ice pushing.
RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 21 June 2025 Shift 2 · Coastal landforms

Q83. How can rivers contribute to the formation of a coastal plain?

  1. (a) By increasing sea levels
  2. (b) By evaporating
  3. (c) By creating fault lines
  4. (d) By depositing sediments over time
Answer & solution

Answer: (d) By depositing sediments over time

RRB NTPC GL CBT-1 2024-25 – 20 June 2025 Shift 1 · Aeolian and karst landforms

Q84. The crescent-shaped sand dunes found in the Thar Desert are called:

  1. (a) Inselbergs
  2. (b) Barchans
  3. (c) Ergs
  4. (d) Yardangs
Answer & solution

Answer: (b) Barchans

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