1. A meteor is:

• (a) a rapidly moving star
• (b) a piece of mater which has entered the earth’s atmosphere from outer space
• (c) part of a constellation
• (d) a comet without a tail

2. Willy is:

• (a) a type of tree grown in temperate regions
• (b) a wind that blows in a desert
• (c) a tropical cyclone of the north-west Australia
• (d) a kind of common fish found near Laccadives Islands

3. Which one of the following layers of the atmosphere is responsible for the deflection of radio waves?

• (a) Troposphere
• (b) Stratosphere
• (c) Mesosphere
• (d) Ionosphere

4. Assertion (A): Areas near the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R): High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain in most afternoons near the equator. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

• (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) Both A and R true but R is not a correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true but R is false
• (d) A is false but R is true

5. Assertion (A): Mangroves are very specialized forest eco-systems of tropical and sub-tropical regions bordering certain sea coasts. Reason (R): They stabilize the shoreline and act as bulwark against encroachments by the sea In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

• (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) Both A and R true but R is not a correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true but R is false
• (d) A is false but R is true

6. Diamond ring is a phenomenon observed:

• (a) at the start of a total solar eclipse
• (b) at the end of a total solar eclipse
• (c) only along the peripheral regions of the totality trail
• (d) only in the central regions of the totality trail

7. Which one of the following factors is responsible for the change in the regular direction of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean?

• (a) Indian Ocean is half an ocean
• (b) Indian Ocean has monsoon drift
• (c) Indian Ocean is a land-locked ocean
• (d) Indian Ocean has greater variation in salinity

8.The group of small pieces of rock revolving round the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter are called:

• (a) meteors
• (b) comets
• (c) meteorites
• (d) asteroids

9. Match it:

• A. Iron ore - 1. Russia
• B. Leather goods - 2. U.S.A
• C. Tea - 3. Japan
• D. Cotton fabrics - 4. U.K.
• 5. Canada

• (a) A-5; B-1; C-2; D-3
• (b) A-3; B-1; C-4; D-2
• (c) A-1; B-5; C-4; D-3
• (d) A-3; B-4; C-1; D-2

10. In the earth’s direction of rotation is reversed, what should be the IST when it is noon at the International Date Line?

• (a) 06.30 hrs
• (b) 05.30 hrs
• (c) 18.30 hrs
• (d) 17.30 hrs

11. Which one of the following stars is nearest to the Earth?

• (a) Polaris
• (b) Alpha Centauri
• (c) Sun
• (d) Sirius

12. Which one of the following conditions is most relevant for the presence of life of Mars?

• (a) Atmospheric composition
• (b) Thermal conditions
• (c) Occurrence of ice caps and frozen water
• (d) Occurrence of ozone

13. Consider the following statements regarding asteroids:
1. Asteroids are rocky debris of varying size orbiting the sun
2. Most of the asteroids are small but some have diameter as large and 1000 km
3. The orbit of asteroids lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn

• (a) 1, 2 and 3 correct
• (b) 2 and 3 correct
• (c) 1 and 2 correct
• (d) 1 and 3 correct

14. The correct sequence of different layers of the atmosphere from the surface of the Earth upwards is:

• (a) Troposphere, Stratosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere
• (b) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere
• (c) Troposhere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere
• (d) Stratosphere, Troposphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere

15. Consider the following climatic conditions (northern hemisphere): Temp.
S.no °C Rainfall cm.
J 39 4.7
F 44 5.7
M 8.3 8.2
A 144 9.2
M 20.0 9.2
J 23.3 17.7
J 27.8 14.5
A 27.8 14.0
S 22.3 12.7
O 18.3 7.0
N 12.2 5.0
D 6.7 3.5
These are most likely to be found in the natural regions of:

• (a) China type
• (b) equatorial type
• (c) hot desert type
• (d) monsoon type

16. Match it:

• A. Smallest planet of the solar system 1. Mercury
• B. Largest planet of the solar system 2. Venus
• C. Planet second from the Sun in the solar system 3. Jupiter
• D. Planet nearest to the Sun 4. Pluto
• 5. Saturn

• (a) A-2; B-3; C-5; D-1
• (b) A-3; B-5; C-1; D-2
• (c) A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3
• (d) A-4; B-3; C-2 D-1

17. Which one of the following types of coal contains a higher percentage of carbon than the rest?

• (a) Bituminous coal
• (b) Lignite
• (c) Peat
• (d) Anthracite

18. Which one of the following scholars suggested the earth’s origin from gases and dust particles?

• (a) James Jeans
• (b) H. Alfven
• (c) F. Hoyle
• (d) O. Schmidt

19. Match it:

• A. Cedar - 1. Myanmar
• B. Douglas Fir - 2. Canada
• C. Mahogany - 3. Mexico
• D. Teak - 4. Honduras

• (a) A-3; B-2; C-1; D-4
• (b) A-3; B-2; C-4; D-1
• (c) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1
• (d) A-2; B-3; C-1; D-4

20. Along which one of the following meridians did India experience the first light of the sunrise of the new millennium?

• (a) 2°30’ W
• (b) 82°30’ E
• (c) 92°30’ W
• (d) 92°30’