Physical Geography Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge of the Earth's Environment

Question 1

Which factor has the LEAST impact on a region's climate?

Accepted Answer

Number of people living in an area

Answer

Distance from the equator

Answer

Elevation above sea level

Answer

Movement of ocean water

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a direct factor influencing the formation of a region's climate?

Accepted Answer

Population density

Answer

Latitude

Answer

Altitude

Answer

Ocean currents

Question 3

The erosion of rock surfaces by wind-blown sand is termed:

Accepted Answer

Deflation

Answer

Fluvial erosion

Answer

Glaciation

Answer

Exfoliation

Question 4

Which climate zone is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters?

Accepted Answer

Mediterranean

Answer

Temperate

Answer

Tropical

Answer

Polar

Question 5

An example of a natural vegetation zone found in the UK is:

Accepted Answer

Temperate deciduous forest

Answer

Tropical rainforest

Answer

Savanna

Question 6

Thermal expansion and contraction of rocks due to temperature changes is known as:

Accepted Answer

Exfoliation

Answer

Abrasion

Answer

Corrosion

Answer

Hydraulic action

Question 7

Which resource can be replenished naturally over time?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Coal

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Oil

Question 8

The erosion of valleys by glaciers is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Glacial erosion

Answer

Marine erosion

Answer

Fluvial erosion

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a major landform type?

Accepted Answer

Hydrosphere

Answer

Mountains

Answer

Plains

Answer

Deserts

Question 10

What is the term for the long-term average of temperature and precipitation in a specific region?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Biosphere

Answer

Atmosphere

Answer

Weather

Question 11

Which of the following is a renewable source of water?

Accepted Answer

Groundwater

Answer

Sea water

Answer

Fossil water

Answer

Bottled water

Question 12

What is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy for food?

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Decomposition

Answer

Respiration

Question 13

Which of the following is a type of sedimentary rock?

Accepted Answer

Sandstone

Answer

Granite

Answer

Basalt

Answer

Marble

Question 14

Which of the following is a major ocean current in the North Atlantic Ocean that flows in a circular path?

Accepted Answer

Gulf Stream

Answer

Kuroshio Current

Answer

Benguela Current

Answer

North Atlantic Drift

Question 15

Which human activity is a major source of air pollution?

Accepted Answer

Burning fossil fuels

Answer

Recycling waste

Answer

Cycling to work

Answer

Planting trees

Question 16

What is the term for the process by which water vapor transforms into clouds?

Accepted Answer

Condensation

Answer

Precipitation

Answer

Transpiration

Answer

Evaporation

Question 17

Which of the following is a type of wind erosion?

Accepted Answer

Deflation

Answer

Pluvial erosion

Answer

Coastal erosion

Answer

Glacial erosion

Question 18

What is the study of the physical features of the Earth's surface called?

Accepted Answer

Geomorphology

Answer

Hydrology

Answer

Oceanography

Answer

Geology

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary landform type?

Accepted Answer

Valley

Answer

Plateau

Answer

Mountain

Answer

Plain

Question 20

What is the extended period of weather conditions that characterize a specific location called?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Weather

Answer

Atmosphere

Question 21

Which of the following is a form of precipitation that occurs as frozen water crystals?

Accepted Answer

Snowfall

Answer

Condensation

Answer

Hail

Answer

Sleet

Question 22

What is the term for the gradual wearing down and removal of Earth's materials?

Accepted Answer

Erosion

Answer

Subduction

Answer

Deposition

Answer

Weathering

Question 23

Which of the following is a primary factor that influences the distribution of plant communities?

Accepted Answer

Temperature

Answer

Social customs

Answer

Economic development

Answer

Government policy

Question 24

What is the imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

Accepted Answer

Equator

Answer

Tropic of Capricorn

Answer

Prime Meridian

Answer

International Date Line

Question 25

Which of the following is a type of high-altitude cloud characterized by its thin, wispy appearance?

Accepted Answer

Cirrus

Answer

Fog

Answer

Cumulus

Answer

Stratus

Question 26

What is the term for the process where the Earth's crust is subjected to intense pressure, resulting in bending?

Accepted Answer

Folding

Answer

Faulting

Answer

Erosion

Answer

Weathering

Question 27

Which of the following is a natural resource that cannot be replenished over a short period of time?

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Timber

Answer

Water

Question 28

What is the term for the transitional zone between two distinct ecological communities?

Accepted Answer

Ecotone

Answer

Biome

Answer

Habitat

Answer

Ecosystem