The Hydrosphere

11. The largest amount of fresh water on our planet is in – [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2015]

(a) River
(b) Lakes and streams
(c) Glaciers and mountains
(d) Underground water

Correct Answer: (c) Glaciers and mountains

Solution:96.5% of the total water available on Earth is salt water found in Ocean. Out of the remaining 2.5% Fresh water, 1.7% is in the form of glaciers and polar ice, which is unusable for humans. So in this way total available fresh water to use is less than 1% of the total water available on earth. Out of total amount of fresh water (2.5%), 68.7% is found in the form of glaciers and polar ice, 30.1% in the form of underground water, 0.3% in the form of surface water and remaining 0.9% is found in other forms.

12. On the planet Earth, most of the fresh water exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining fresh water, the largest proportion. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) is found in the atmosphere as moisture and clouds
(b) is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c) Exists as groundwater
(d) Exists as soil moisture

Correct Answer: (c) Exists as groundwater

Solution:96.5% of the total water available on Earth is salt water found in Ocean. Out of the remaining 2.5% Fresh water, 1.7% is in the form of glaciers and polar ice, which is unusable for humans. So in this way total available fresh water to use is less than 1% of the total water available on earth. Out of total amount of fresh water (2.5%), 68.7% is found in the form of glaciers and polar ice, 30.1% in the form of underground water, 0.3% in the form of surface water and remaining 0.9% is found in other forms.

13. Which one is the most extensive part of the oceanic floor? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Ocean Deeps
(b) Oceanic Slope
(c) Oceanic Shelves
(d) Deep Sea Plains

Correct Answer: (d) Deep Sea Plains

Solution:A most extensive part of the oceanic floor is 'Deep sea plain'. Characterized by flat and rolling submarine plain it is the most extensive relief zone of the ocean basins. These deep-sea plains (Abyssal Plains) having the depth of 3000 m to 6000 meter cover more than 76% percent of the total area of the Ocean Basins.

14. Which of the following countries is called 'Garden of Lakes'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

(a) Volcanic valley
(b) Eroded valley
(c) Axial trough
(d) U-shaped valley

Correct Answer: (c) Axial trough

Solution:The Red Sea is an example of an Axial trough, which lies between Africa and Arabia. Magnetic Anomaly has been determined in this area. Countries with desert climates are located around the Red sea due to high temperatures throughout the year. The cities of Jidd, Hejaz, Egypt, Suez and Aqaba etc. are situated on its banks. Due to the connection of North Africa and Europe with the countries of Asia through the Suez Canal, its commercial importance has increased a lot.

15. Out of the following which combination is incorrect? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Telegraph Plateau - Indian Ocean
(b) Cocoa Ridge - Pacific Ocean
(c) Walvis Ridge - Atlantic Ocean
(d) Agulhas Basin - Indian Ocean

Correct Answer: (a) Telegraph Plateau - Indian Ocean

Solution:Telegraph Plateau is in the Atlantic Ocean. So, only option (a) is incorrectly matched while all others are correctly matched, so, option (a) is the right answer.