NCERT Class 11 Geography Chapter 2: The Earth | Line-by-Line MCQs & Mains Questions for UPSC

Chapter Insights

📚 NCERT Integrated 📖 Standard Book Ref ✅ PSC & UPSC Aligned

This chapter takes us on a journey to understand how our planet came into being. It begins by exploring fundamental questions about the stars and the universe, moving from early theories like the Nebular Hypothesis to the modern Big Bang Theory, which describes the universe's violent birth and ongoing expansion from a tiny, infinitely dense point.

The narrative then details the formation of stars within vast hydrogen clouds called nebulae and the subsequent development of planets through the accretion of planetesimals. The story of Earth itself is one of dramatic transformation—from a barren, rocky, and hot object with a thin atmosphere to the life-sustaining planet we know today.

The chapter explains the key processes that shaped Earth, including differentiation, which created its layered structure (crust, mantle, core), and degassing, which contributed to the formation of the early atmosphere.

It traces the evolution of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, culminating in the flood of oxygen and, finally, the origin of life around 3.8 billion years ago. Ultimately, it provides a scientific account of Earth's journey from a cosmic cloud to a vibrant, dynamic world.

Note on Coverage: These questions are developed through a line-by-line analysis of the textbook. This ensures that even the smaller details and nuanced concepts often overlooked are covered for comprehensive exam preparation.

Preparation Method

We recommend reading the NCERT chapter thoroughly before attempting these questions. The page numbers provided correspond to the actual textbook pages to help you locate the source material quickly. Attempt the questions first and use the toggles only to verify your answers.

Section A: Descriptive Questions

Objective: Practice drafting concise responses of 150-250 words to strengthen your conceptual understanding for subjective exams.

  1. What were the early theories regarding the origin of the Earth, and who proposed the Nebular Hypothesis? (Pg. 2) Page 13
  2. Using the balloon analogy, explain what the "expanding universe" means. What is the limitation of this analogy? (Pg. 2) Page 13
  3. What is Hoyle's concept of steady state, and which concept is currently favoured by scientists? (Pg. 3) Page 14
  4. How was the layered structure of the Earth (lithosphere) developed? Explain the process of differentiation. (Pg. 4) Page 15
  5. How do modern scientists refer to the origin of life, and what evidence do we have for early life on Earth? (Pg. 5) Page 16
  6. Describe the three stages in the development of the universe according to the Big Bang Theory. (Pg. 2-3) Page 13-14
  7. What are the three stages in the development of planets as described in the chapter? (Pg. 3-4) Page 14-15
  8. List and explain the three stages in the evolution of the Earth's present atmosphere. (Pg. 4-5) Page 15-16

Section B1: Multiple Choice Questions

Objective: These questions focus on factual accuracy and conceptual clarity required for objective testing.

Page 13

The term 'Nebular Hypothesis' is associated with which philosophers/scientists? (Pg. 2)

A) Edwin HubbleB) Immanuel Kant and LaplaceC) Otto Schmidt and Carl WeizascarD) Hoyle
View Answer
Answer: B
Source Reference: Page 13
Page 13

What is the most popular theory regarding the origin of the universe? (Pg. 2)

A) Steady State TheoryB) Nebular HypothesisC) Big Bang TheoryD) Differentiation Theory
View Answer
Answer: C
Source Reference: Page 13
Page 14

Approximately how long ago did the Big Bang event take place? (Pg. 3)

A) 4.6 billion yearsB) 300,000 yearsC) 13.7 billion yearsD) 5-6 billion years
View Answer
Answer: C
Source Reference: Page 14
Page 14

A light year is a measure of: (Pg. 3)

A) TimeB) DistanceC) SpeedD) Luminosity
View Answer
Answer: B
Source Reference: Page 14
Page 15

What was the nature of the Earth's surface initially? (Pg. 4)

A) Covered with oceansB) Barren, rocky, and hotC) Conducive for lifeD) Frozen and icy
View Answer
Answer: B
Source Reference: Page 15
Page 15

Which process contributed water vapour and gases to the early atmosphere through the Earth's interior? (Pg. 4)

A) Solar WindsB) PhotosynthesisC) AccretionD) Degassing
View Answer
Answer: D
Source Reference: Page 15
Page 16

Which of the following gases flooded the atmosphere around 2,000 million years ago? (Pg. 5)

A) Carbon DioxideB) MethaneC) OxygenD) Helium
View Answer
Answer: C
Source Reference: Page 16
Page 16

Life on Earth is believed to have begun to evolve around how many years before the present? (Pg. 5)

A) 3.8 million yearsB) 4.6 billion yearsC) 3.8 billion yearsD) 13.7 billion years
View Answer
Answer: C
Source Reference: Page 16
Page 16

(Exercise) Which figure represents the age of the Earth? (Pg. 5)

A) 4.6 million yearsB) 13.7 billion yearsC) 4.6 billion yearsD) 13.7 trillion years
View Answer
Answer: C
Source Reference: Page 16
Page 16

(Exercise) Which one is NOT related to the formation/modification of the present atmosphere? (Pg. 5)

A) Solar WindsB) DifferentiationC) DegassingD) Photosynthesis
View Answer
Answer: B
Source Reference: Page 16

Section B2: One-Word / Factual Check

Objective: A quick review of key terms, dates, and essential data points from the chapter.

The process through which planets were formed from a cloud of gas and dust is called ______. (Pg. 2) Page 13

Show Answer
accretion (Reference: Page 13)

Who provided evidence that the universe is expanding? (Pg. 2) Page 13

Show Answer
Edwin Hubble (Reference: Page 13)

What was the temperature and density of the initial "tiny ball" of matter before the Big Bang? (Pg. 3) Page 14

Show Answer
infinite (Reference: Page 14)

What are the initial differences in the early universe that led to the formation of galaxies? (Pg. 3) Page 14

Show Answer
density differences (Reference: Page 14)

The very large cloud of hydrogen gas that leads to galaxy formation is called a ______. (Pg. 3) Page 14

Show Answer
nebula (Reference: Page 14)

In the second stage of planet formation, small rounded objects formed by cohesion are called ______. (Pg. 4) Page 15

Show Answer
planetesimals (Reference: Page 15)

The early atmosphere largely contained water vapour, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia and very little of free ______. (Pg. 4) Page 15

Show Answer
oxygen (Reference: Page 15)

(Exercise) The process through which the material inside the Earth got separated into different layers is called ______. (Pg. 5) Page 16

Show Answer
differentiation (Reference: Page 16)

(Exercise) The gases which initially formed the Earth's primordial atmosphere were ______ and helium. (Pg. 5) Page 16

Show Answer
hydrogen (Reference: Page 16)

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