TNPSC Geography section becomes easier when you regularly practice questions based on important geographical concepts and facts. This TNPSC Geography Quiz is designed to help aspirants test their understanding through a Free Online Test and identify the areas that need more practice. This quiz covers important Geography topics that are useful for TNPSC exam preparation
Note: Use the explanations below the test to learn why each answer is correct and improve your performance in future TNPSC practice tests.
Topic Summary & Revision Points – TNPSC Geography Quiz (India & World)
Understanding why an answer is correct is just as important as attempting the questions in a TNPSC Geography Quiz. The explanations below provide a clear understanding of the geographical facts and concepts covered in this Free Online Test. Read each explanation carefully after completing the quiz to strengthen your knowledge, correct mistakes, and improve your preparation for the TNPSC examination.
1. Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
Answer: 8 states
Explanation:
The Tropic of Cancer is an important imaginary line of latitude located at approximately 23½° North of the Equator. In India, it passes through 8 states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
These states extend from western India towards the northeastern part of the country. The Tropic of Cancer is an important geographical reference line and is frequently asked about in competitive examinations.
2. Highest mountain peak in the world?
Answer: Mount Everest
Explanation:
Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world, with an elevation of approximately 8,849 metres above sea level. It is located in the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and China (Tibet). The mountain is also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- K2: K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world, after Mount Everest.
- Kanchenjunga: Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world.
- Nanda Devi: Nanda Devi is the highest mountain located entirely within India, but it is not the highest mountain in the world.
3. Largest desert in the world?
Answer: Antarctica (cold desert)
Explanation:
Antarctica is the largest desert in the world, covering an enormous area around the South Pole. Although it is covered by ice, it is classified as a cold desert because it receives very little precipitation. A desert is defined mainly by its low precipitation, not by whether it is hot or covered with sand.
Antarctica is therefore larger than the major hot deserts such as the Sahara. The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Gobi: A large cold desert in Mongolia and northern China, but it is smaller than Antarctica.
- Sahara: The largest hot desert in the world, but Antarctica is larger overall.
- Thar: A desert located mainly in India and Pakistan, but it is much smaller than Antarctica.
4. Which river is called “Sorrow of Bihar”?
Answer: Kosi
Explanation:
The Kosi River is popularly known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” because of its frequent floods and tendency to change its course. The river carries a large amount of sediment from the Himalayas, which contributes to changes in its channel and increases the risk of flooding in the plains of Bihar.
The Kosi originates in the Himalayan region of Tibet and Nepal and enters Bihar before joining the Ganga River. Floods caused by the Kosi have historically affected agriculture, settlements, transport, and property in the region.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Ganga: The Ganga is the major river of the northern plains and flows through Bihar, but it is not known as the “Sorrow of Bihar.”
- Yamuna: The Yamuna is an important tributary of the Ganga and flows mainly through northern and central India, but it is not associated with this title.
- Son: The Son is an important tributary of the Ganga that flows through Bihar, but it is not known as the “Sorrow of Bihar.”
5. Capital of Australia?
Answer: Canberra
Explanation:
Canberra is the capital of Australia and serves as the country’s national administrative and political centre. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory, between the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne.
Canberra was selected as the capital as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne, which had competed to become the national capital after Australia became a federation in 1901. The city was deliberately planned as the national capital.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Sydney: Sydney is the largest city in Australia and an important commercial and cultural centre, but it is not the national capital.
- Melbourne: Melbourne is a major city and the capital of Victoria, but it is not the national capital.
- Perth: Perth is the capital of Western Australia, but it is not the capital of Australia.
6. Longest river in the world?
Answer: Nile
Explanation:
The Nile is traditionally considered the longest river in the world, with a length of approximately 6,650 km. It flows through northeastern Africa and passes through several countries before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile has played an important role in the history, agriculture, and settlement of Egypt and Sudan.
The Nile is formed mainly by the White Nile and Blue Nile, which meet at Khartoum in Sudan. The river then flows northward through Egypt before reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Amazon: The Amazon River is generally considered the largest river in the world by water discharge and drainage basin, but it is traditionally ranked second in length.
- Mississippi: The Mississippi is one of the major rivers of North America and forms part of the Mississippi–Missouri river system, but it is not the world’s longest river.
- Yangtze: The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia and the longest river entirely within one country, China, but it is not the world’s longest river.
7. Tamil Nadu shares border with how many states?
Answer: 3 states
Explanation:
Tamil Nadu shares its land boundaries with three Indian states: Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Kerala lies to the west, Karnataka to the northwest, and Andhra Pradesh to the north.
Tamil Nadu also has a maritime boundary along the Bay of Bengal and is separated from Sri Lanka by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. However, these are not counted as land borders with Indian states.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Tamil Nadu has land borders with three Indian states, not two.
- Tamil Nadu does not share land borders with five Indian states.
- Tamil Nadu shares land borders with three Indian states, not four.
8. Largest continent by area?
Answer: Asia
Explanation:
Asia is the largest continent in the world by area, covering approximately 44.5 million square kilometres. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south and includes a wide variety of physical features, climates, and geographical regions.
Asia is also the most populous continent in the world and contains many major mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, which contain the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Africa: Africa is the second-largest continent by area and is also known for its diverse landscapes and climates.
- Europe: Europe is considerably smaller than Asia and is one of the smaller continents by land area.
- Australia: Australia is the smallest continent by area among the seven traditionally recognised continents.
9. Which latitude is 0°?
Answer: Equator
Explanation:
The Equator is an imaginary line located at 0° latitude. It circles the Earth midway between the North Pole and the South Pole and divides the Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere.
Latitude measures the angular distance of a place north or south of the Equator. Therefore, the Equator serves as the starting point for measuring latitude, with values increasing towards both poles.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Tropic of Cancer: It is located at approximately 23½° north latitude, so it is not at 0° latitude.
- Tropic of Capricorn: It is located at approximately 23½° south latitude, so it is not at 0° latitude.
- Prime Meridian: It represents 0° longitude, not 0° latitude. It passes through Greenwich in London and is used as the reference line for measuring longitude.
10. Thar Desert is located in?
Answer: Rajasthan
Explanation:
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is mainly located in northwestern India, with the largest portion lying in Rajasthan. It is a hot desert characterised by low rainfall, high temperatures, sandy terrain, and sand dunes.
The desert extends beyond Rajasthan into parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab, while a significant portion of the Thar Desert also lies in Pakistan. The Thar region supports settlements and traditional livelihoods adapted to its dry climate.
Why the other options are not suitable:
- Gujarat: Parts of the Thar Desert extend into Gujarat, but Rajasthan contains the largest portion of the desert in India.
- Punjab: Some arid and semi-arid areas occur in Punjab, but it is not the main location of the Thar Desert.
- Haryana: Parts of southwestern Haryana are influenced by the Thar’s arid environment, but the main extent of the Thar Desert is in Rajasthan.
Further Reading
For a deeper understanding of Geography topics useful for TNPSC exam preparation, learners can refer to NCERT Geography textbooks covering physical geography, India’s geographical features, resources, and other important concepts. Reviewing these standard materials along with regular practice through a TNPSC Geography Quiz and Free Online Test can help strengthen basic concepts and improve preparation for the TNPSC exam.
For additional Geography study material, refer to the official NCERT Geography textbooks
