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Shaping of the Earth Surface Class 9 MCQ with Answers, designed according to the latest CBSE Class 9 Social Science syllabus. These multiple-choice questions cover important topics such as plate tectonics, endogenic and exogenic forces, weathering, erosion, landforms, earthquakes, volcanoes, and natural disasters.
Shaping of the Earth Surface Class 9 MCQ
Conceptual Recall MCQs
Q1. Plate tectonics was proposed by __.
a) Alfred Wegener
b) W.J. Morgan
c) Charles Lyell
d) James Hutton
Answer: b) W.J. Morgan
Q2. Lithosphere is made up of __.
a) Crust only
b) Mantle only
c) Crust + upper mantle
d) Core + mantle
Answer: c) Crust + upper mantle
Q3. The Ring of Fire is famous for __.
a) Glaciers
b) Volcanoes and earthquakes
c) Sand dunes
d) River deltas
Answer: b) Volcanoes and earthquakes
Q4. Earth’s crust thickness under continents is about __.
a) 5–7 km
b) 30–40 km
c) 100 km
d) 2900 km
Answer: b) 30–40 km
Q5. The asthenosphere is __.
a) Solid iron core
b) Semi-molten layer beneath lithosphere
c) Outer rigid crust
d) Oceanic trench
Answer: b) Semi-molten layer beneath the lithosphere
Q6. Convergent boundaries form __.
a) Fold mountains
b) Mid-ocean ridges
c) Sand dunes
d) Sinkholes
Answer: a) Fold mountains
Q7. Divergent boundaries create __.
a) Volcanoes only
b) Mid-ocean ridges and new crust
c) Earthquakes only
d) Glacial valleys
Answer: b) Mid-ocean ridges and new crust
Q8. Transform boundaries mainly cause the following __.
a) Volcanoes
b) Earthquakes
c) Deltas
d) Fjords
Answer: b) Earthquakes
Q9. The Pacific Plate is an example of __.
a) Continental plate
b) Oceanic plate
c) Mixed plate
d) None of these
Answer: b) Oceanic plate
Q10. Weathering differs from erosion because __.
a) Weathering involves movement.
b) Weathering only breaks rocks; no movement
c) Weathering is caused by glaciers.
d) Weathering is only biological.
Answer: b) Weathering only breaks rocks; no movement
Q11. Biological weathering occurs when __.
a) Rocks react with acids.
b) Plant roots split rocks.
c) Wind carries sand.
d) Ice expands cracks.
Answer: b) Plant roots split rocks.
Q12. Glacial erosion creates __.
a) U-shaped valleys
b) Sand dunes
c) Oxbow lakes
d) Sea arches
Answer: a) U-shaped valleys
Q13. Moraines are formed by __.
a) Wind deposition
b) Glacial deposition of rocks and soil
c) River erosion
d) Volcanic eruption
Answer: b) Glacial deposition of rocks and soil
Q14. Karst topography is associated with __.
a) Limestone regions
b) Desert regions
c) Coastal areas
d) Glacial valleys
Answer: a) Limestone regions
Q15. Dust storms are common in the following __.
a) Fertile plains
b) Desert and semi-arid regions
c) Coastal areas
d) Glacial valleys
Answer: b) Desert and semi-arid regions
Q16. Continental plates carry __.
a) Oceans only
b) Continents
c) Both continents and oceans
d) None of these
Answer: b) Continents
Q17. Oceanic plates carry the following __.
a) Continents
b) Ocean floors
c) Both continents and oceans
d) None of these
Answer: b) Ocean floors
Q18. Mixed plates carry __.
a) Only oceans
b) Only continents
c) Both continents and oceans
d) Only mountains
Answer: c) Both continents and oceans
Q19. Which of the following is not a major tectonic plate?
a) Pacific Plate
b) Eurasian Plate
c) African Plate
d) Arabian Plate
Answer: d) Arabian Plate (it is a minor plate).
Q20. The Indo-Australian Plate is an example of __.
a) Continental plate
b) Oceanic plate
c) Mixed plate
d) None of these
Answer: c) Mixed plate
Q21. Weathering is the process of __.
a) Breaking down rocks without movement
b) Moving soil and rocks
c) Melting glaciers
d) Depositing sediments
Answer: a) Breaking down rocks without movement
Q22. Erosion differs from weathering because _________.
a) It only breaks rocks.
b) It involves the movement of broken material.
c) It is caused only by plants.
d) It forms soil directly.
Answer: b) It involves the movement of broken material.
Q23. Physical weathering occurs due to __.
a) Plant roots splitting rocks
b) Chemical reactions with water and air
c) Heating, cooling, frost, wind, and ice expansion
d) Deposition of sediments
Answer: c) Heating, cooling, frost, wind, and ice expansion
Q24. Chemical weathering is caused by __.
a) Wind erosion
b) Reactions with water, air, or acids
c) Glacier movement
d) Sand deposition
Answer: b) Reactions with water, air, or acids
Q25. Biological weathering is caused by __.
a) Temperature changes
b) Plants, animals, or microorganisms
c) Ocean waves
d) Glacial scraping
Answer: b) Plants, animals, or microorganisms
Q26. Water erosion is mainly caused by __.
a) Rivers, rain, and ocean waves
b) Wind in deserts
c) Ice scraping rocks
d) Sea caves collapsing
Answer: a) Rivers, rain, and ocean waves
Q27. Wind erosion is common in __.
a) Fertile plains
b) Dry and sandy areas
c) Coastal regions
d) Glacial valleys
Answer: b) Dry and sandy areas
Q28. Glacial erosion occurs when __.
a) Rivers deposit sediments.
b) Moving ice scrapes and carries rocks.
c) Waves cut cliffs.
d) Wind blows sand.
Answer: b) Moving ice scrapes and carries rocks
Q29. Coastal erosion is caused by __.
a) Sea waves wearing away land
b) Wind blowing sand
c) Glaciers melting
d) Plants splitting rocks
Answer: a) Sea waves wearing away land
Q30. Erosion affects farmers most because _________.
a) It removes fertile topsoil needed for crops.
b) It destroys fishing grounds.
c) It creates caves
d) It forms glaciers.
Answer: a) It removes fertile topsoil needed for crops.
Q31. Agents of gradation are __.
a) Human activities
b) Natural forces that wear down, transport, and deposit materials
c) Only rivers and glaciers
d) Only earthquakes
Answer: b) Natural forces that wear down, transport, and deposit materials
Q32. Which agent of gradation creates caves and sinkholes?
a) Wind
b) Running water
c) Groundwater
d) Glaciers
Answer: c) Groundwater
Q33. Running water mainly forms the following __.
a) Valleys and plains
b) Sand dunes
c) Fjords
d) Sea arches
Answer: a) Valleys and plains
Q34. Glaciers carve __.
a) U-shaped valleys
b) Sand bars
c) Oxbow lakes
d) Sinkholes
Answer: a) U-shaped valleys
Q35. Wind shapes __.
a) Deserts by eroding and depositing sand
b) River valleys
c) Coastal cliffs
d) Glacial moraines
Answer: a) Deserts by eroding and depositing sand
Q36. Upper course rivers usually form the following __.
a) Deltas
b) V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, rapids
c) Beaches
d) Sand dunes
Answer: b) V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, rapids
Q37. Meanders are formed due to __.
a) Wind erosion
b) Lateral erosion and deposition of sediments
c) Glacial scraping
d) Volcanic activity
Answer: b) Lateral erosion and deposition of sediments
Q38. Deltas are highly fertile because ________.
a) They have volcanic soil.
b) They have rich alluvial deposits.
c) They are formed by glaciers.
d) They are formed by wind erosion.
Answer: b) They have rich alluvial deposits.
Q39. Beaches are formed by __.
a) Deposition of sediments by waves
b) Glacial erosion
c) Wind deposition
d) River flooding
Answer: a) Deposition of sediments by waves
Q40. Glacial erosion creates __.
a) Sand dunes
b) U-shaped valleys, cirques, fjords
c) Oxbow lakes
d) Beaches
Answer: b) U-shaped valleys, cirques, fjords
Q41. Cirques are __.
a) Sharp ridges between valleys
b) Bowl-shaped depressions at the head of a glacier
c) Deep inlets formed by sea flooding valleys
d) Fertile plains
Answer: b) Bowl-shaped depressions at the head of a glacier
Q42. Aretes are __.
a) Valleys formed by rivers
b) Sharp ridges between valleys
c) Deposits of glacial soil
d) Sand bars along coasts
Answer: b) Sharp ridges between valleys
Q43. Moraines are formed by __.
a) Wind deposition
b) Glacial deposition of rocks, soil, and debris
c) River flooding
d) Volcanic eruptions
Answer: b) Glacial deposition of rocks, soil, and debris
Q44. Yardangs are _.
a) Rocks polished by sandblasting
b) Streamlined rock ridges carved by wind
c) Bowl-shaped depressions
d) Fertile plains
Answer: b) Streamlined rock ridges carved by wind
Q45. Ventifacts are __.
a) Rocks polished and shaped by wind-driven sand
b) Valleys carved by glaciers
c) Deposits of river soil
d) Limestone caves
Answer: a) Rocks polished and shaped by wind-driven sand
Q46. Deflation hollows are formed when __.
a) Glaciers scrape valleys.
b) Loose material is removed by wind.
c) Rivers deposit sediments.
d) Volcanoes erupt.
Answer: b) Loose material is removed by wind.
Q47. Barchan dunes are __.
a) Crescent-shaped dunes formed in areas with limited sand and a single wind direction
b) Long ridges parallel to wind
c) Multi-armed dunes formed by winds from different directions
d) U-shaped dunes stabilized by vegetation
Answer: a) Crescent-shaped dunes formed in areas with limited sand and a single wind direction.
Q48. Karst topography is formed by __.
a) Wind erosion
b) Groundwater dissolving limestone
c) Glacial scraping
d) River flooding
Answer: b) Groundwater dissolving limestone
Application-Based MCQs
Q49. When erosion removes fertile topsoil, which occupation suffers most?
a) Fishing
b) Farming
c) Mining
d) Tourism
Answer: b) Farming
Q50. If two continental plates collide, what landform is created?
a) Rift valley
b) Fold mountains
c) Ocean trench
d) Delta
Answer: b) Fold mountains
Q51. A delta is highly fertile because
a) It has volcanic soil.
b) It has rich alluvial deposits.
c) It is formed by glaciers.
d) It is formed by wind erosion.
Answer: b) It has rich alluvial deposits.
Q52. If sea waves continuously erode a coastline, which landform is most likely to form?
a) Delta
b) Cliff
c) Glacier
d) Sand dune
Answer: b) Cliff
Q53. Farmers in limestone regions often face sinkholes. This is due to __.
a) Wind erosion
b) Groundwater dissolving rocks
c) Glacial scraping
d) River flooding
Answer: b) Groundwater dissolving rocks
Q54. In deserts, wind deposition creates __.
a) Beaches
b) Sand dunes
c) Fjords
d) Valleys
Answer: b) Sand dunes
Q55. Farmers near meanders benefit because _______.
a) Soil is infertile.
b) Fertile soil is deposited along banks.
c) Glaciers scrape valleys.
d) Sand dunes protect crops.
Answer: b) Fertile soil is deposited along banks.
Q56. Waterfalls are useful for humans because _______.
a) They only attract tourists.
b) They can generate hydroelectric power.
c) They form caves.
d) They create deserts.
Answer: b) They can generate hydroelectric power.
Q57. Coastal erosion can affect human settlements by __.
a) Creating fertile plains
b) Wearing away land, houses, and roads
c) Depositing sand dunes
d) Forming glaciers
Answer: b) Wearing away land, houses, and roads
Q58. Fjords are useful for humans because __.
a) They provide fertile soil.
b) They are used as harbors and fishing grounds.
c) They form deserts.
d) They create caves.
Answer: b) They are used as harbors and fishing grounds.
Q59. Fertile glacial soil in valleys supports the following __.
a) Tourism only
b) Agriculture
c) Mining
d) Desertification
Answer: b) Agriculture
Q60. Moraines can benefit humans by __.
a) Forming natural dams and lakes for irrigation and hydroelectric power
b) Creating sand dunes
c) Producing volcanic soil
d) Supporting coral reefs
Answer: a) Forming natural dams and lakes for irrigation and hydroelectric power
Q61. Sand dunes protect human settlements by the following __.
a) Blocking rivers
b) Acting as barriers against desertification and strong winds
c) Creating fertile plains
d) Forming caves
Answer: b) Acting as barriers against desertification and strong winds
Q62. Stalactites and stalagmites attract geologists and tourists because _______.
a) They are volcanic features.
b) They are unique cave formations created by underground water.
c) They are formed by glaciers.
d) They are sand dunes.
Answer: b) They are unique cave formations created by underground water.
Q63. Landslides often occur due to the following __.
a) Continuous rainfall, earthquakes, and deforestation
b) Wind erosion only
c) Glacial melting only
d) Volcanic eruptions only
Answer: a) Continuous rainfall, earthquakes, and deforestation
Assertion–Reason MCQs
Q64. Assertion (A): Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries.
Reason (R): Plate boundaries are zones of intense crustal movement.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false.
d) A is false, R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q65. Assertion (A): Weathering involves the breaking down of rocks without movement.
Reason (R): Erosion involves movement of broken material.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false.
d) A is false, R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q66. Assertion (A): Most earthquakes occur along plate boundaries.
Reason (R): Plate boundaries are zones of crustal movement.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q67. Assertion (A): Glaciers act as powerful agents of gradation.
Reason (R): They scrape and carry huge amounts of material, carving valleys.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q68. Assertion (A): Groundwater can create caves.
Reason (R): It dissolves limestone through chemical weathering.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q69. Assertion (A): Deltas support dense human settlements.
Reason (R): They provide fertile soil and navigable routes for trade.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q70. Assertion (A): Beaches act as natural barriers.
Reason (R): They protect settlements from strong waves and coastal erosion.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q71. Assertion (A): Glaciers are important sources of fresh water.
Reason (R): They feed rivers that sustain human populations downstream.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q72. Assertion (A): Terminal moraines mark the furthest advance of glaciers.
Reason (R): They are formed at the end of glaciers when deposition occurs.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q73. Assertion (A): Avalanches occur when snow becomes unstable on steep slopes.
Reason (R): Heavy snowfall, sudden temperature rise, or vibrations can disturb the snowpack.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Q74. Assertion (A): Dust storms are common in desert regions.
Reason (R): Loose dry soil and sparse vegetation make it easy for wind to lift particles.
a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A.
c) A is true, R is false
d) A is false, R is true
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R explains A.
Case-Based MCQ
Q75. Case Study: In 2021, Chamoli (Uttarakhand) faced a sudden flood due to the collapse of a glacial lake dam.
This disaster is an example of the following:
a) Landslide
b) Avalanche
c) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
d) Dust storm
Answer: c) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
Q76. Case Study: A village near a limestone region suddenly experiences land subsidence. A large depression forms, swallowing part of a road and nearby farmland. Scientists explain that underground water dissolved limestone, creating a cavity that collapsed.
Question: This disaster is an example of:
a) Landslide
b) Sinkhole formation
c) Avalanche
d) Dust storm
Answer: b) Sinkhole formation
Q77. Case Study: The Sundarbans delta is famous for its unique biodiversity and mangrove forests. It supports agriculture, fishing, and dense settlements but is also prone to flooding and cyclones.
Question: The Sundarbans delta is an example of _______.
a) A glacial valley
b) A fertile delta formed by river deposition
c) A desert dune system
d) A volcanic plateau
Answer: b) A fertile delta formed by river deposition
Q78. Case Study: A valley in the Himalayas shows fertile soil, a U-shaped valley, and a natural lake formed by glacial deposits. Farmers grow crops there, while tourists visit for trekking and skiing.
Question: Which glacial landform is most responsible for the lake formation?
a) Cirque
b) Moraine
c) Fjord
d) Arete
Answer: b) Moraine
Q79. Case Study: In Ladakh, a glacial lake suddenly burst due to rising temperatures and heavy rainfall. Downstream villages were flooded, damaging houses, roads, and fields.
Question: This disaster is an example of:
a) Landslide
b) Avalanche
c) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
d) Dust storm
Answer: c) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
Q80. Case Study: In February 2021, the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand faced a devastating flood. Many hydel projects, bridges, and villages were destroyed. Scientists later found that melting glaciers and sudden collapse of ice/moraine dams caused the disaster.
Question: The Chamoli flood is an example of
a) Landslide
b) Avalanche
c) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
d) Dust storm
Answer: c) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
Diagram-Based MCQs
Q81. Refer to Figure (waterfall diagram). Waterfalls form because:
a) Hard rock resists erosion; soft rock erodes faster.
b) Wind deposits sand.
c) Glaciers carve valleys.
d) Waves cut cliffs.
Answer: a) Hard rock resists erosion; soft rock erodes faster.
Q82. Refer to Figure (Sea arch and stack). A sea stack is formed when:
a) A cave collapses
b) An arch collapses, leaving a pillar
c) A cliff retreats
d) A dune stabilizes
Answer: b) An arch collapses, leaving a pillar.
Q83. Refer to Figure (U-shaped valley). U-shaped valleys are formed by:
a) Rivers
b) Glaciers
c) Wind
d) Waves
Answer: b) Glaciers
Q84. Refer to Figure (waterfall diagram). Waterfalls form because:
a) Hard rock resists erosion; soft rock erodes faster.
b) Wind deposits sand.
c) Glaciers carve valleys.
d) Waves cut cliffs.
Answer: a) Hard rock resists erosion; soft rock erodes faster.
Q85. Refer to Figure (Glacial landforms). Which feature is a sharp ridge between valleys?
a) Cirque
b) Arete
c) Fjord
d) Moraine
Answer: b) Arete
Q86. Refer to Figure (Oasis diagram). An oasis forms because _______.
a) Wind deposits sand
b) The water table is exposed in desert depressions.
c) Glaciers melt.
d) Sea waves retreat
Answer: b) The water table is exposed in desert depressions.
Q87. Refer to Figure (waterfall diagram). Waterfalls form because:
a) Hard rock resists erosion; soft rock erodes faster.
b) Wind deposits sand.
c) Glaciers carve valleys.
d) Waves cut cliffs.
Answer: a) Hard rock resists erosion; soft rock erodes faster.
Q88. Refer to Figure (Meander diagram). An oxbow lake is formed when:
a) A glacier melts
b) A river loop is cut off from the main channel.
c) Waves erode cliffs.
d) Wind blows sand.
Answer: b) A river loop is cut off from the main channel.
Q89. Refer to Figure (Delta diagram). Deltas form at:
a) River source
b) River mouth where it meets sea/ocean
c) Middle course of river
d) Desert regions
Answer: b) River mouth where it meets sea/ocean
Q90. Refer to Figure (Glacial landforms). Which feature is a bowl-shaped depression?
a) Arete
b) Cirque
c) Fjord
d) Moraine
Answer: b) Cirque
Q92. Refer to Figure (Moraines). Medial moraines are formed when:
a) Two glaciers meet and their lateral moraines join in the middle.
b) Glaciers retreat, leaving soil
c) Wind deposits sand.
d) Rivers cut valleys
Answer: a) Two glaciers meet, and their lateral moraines join in the middle.
Q93. Refer to Figure (Yardang diagram). Yardangs are formed by:
a) Wind carving soft rock, leaving ridges of hard rock
b) Glaciers scraping valleys
c) Rivers depositing soil
d) Volcanoes erupting
Answer: a) Wind carving soft rock, leaving ridges of hard rock
Q94. Refer to Figure (cave diagram). Stalactites form when:
a) Water drips from cave ceilings, depositing minerals.
b) Sand is blown by wind.
c) Glaciers melt.
d) Rivers’ floodplains
Answer: a) Water drips from cave ceilings, depositing minerals.
Q95. Refer to Figure (landslide diagram). Landslides occur when:
a) Slopes become unstable due to rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
b) Wind blows sand.
c) Glaciers carve valleys.
d) Waves erode cliffs.
Answer: a) Slopes become unstable due to rainfall, earthquakes, or human activity.
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