Which one among the following statements regarding igneous rock is correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Most minerals of igneous rocks are silicates
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Geography & Environment · Physical Geography
Earth's Interior, Rocks & Minerals: 59 previous year questions
UPSC has asked 59 questions on Earth's Interior, Rocks & Minerals between 2001 and 2026: NDA 23 · CAPF 17 · CDS 10 · CSE 5 · Geo-Scientist 2 · CISF (LDCE) 2. 50 of them came after 2015, so this is a live topic examiners keep returning to. 5 were set in Civil Services Prelims; the rest come from UPSC's other papers, which draw on the same question bank.
Tap an option to check yourself. Answers follow the official UPSC key; where the key was dropped or disputed the question is not shown.
Consider the following statements regarding metamorphic rocks: 1. Ortho-metamorphic rocks are formed from igneous rocks. 2. Intense heat of the intruding magmas results in metamorphism of the surrounding rocks, a process known as dynamic metamorphism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Ortho-metamorphic rocks form from igneous rocks; metamorphism by heat of intruding magma is thermal (contact), not dynamic
Consider the following statements regarding metamorphic rocks : I. They undergo recrystallization and reorganization of the original minerals. II. Foliation and banding are associated with these rocks. III. Gneissoid and syenite are examples of these rocks. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Metamorphic rocks recrystallise their minerals and show foliation and banding; syenite is igneous
Consider the following statements regarding the Earth‘s crust : I. The continental crust is thinner under fold mountains. II. The mean thickness of ocean crust is 30 km. III. The Earth‘s crust is brittle in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)The Earth's crust is brittle; continental crust is thicker under fold mountains and ocean crust is about 5 km thick
Quartzite is metamorphosed from which one of the following rocks?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Quartzite is metamorphosed from sandstone
Identify the Mineral on the basis of the following characteristics relating to it: I. It is usually a greenish crystal. II. It is often found in basaltic rocks. III. Magnesium, iron and silica are its major elements. Select the answer using the code given below :
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Olivine is a greenish mineral of basaltic rocks made mainly of magnesium, iron and silica
Arrange the following major elements present in the Earth‘s crust, in ascending order, in weight percentage: 1. Aluminium 2. Calcium 3. Silicon 4. Oxygen Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ascending order by weight in the crust: Calcium, Aluminium, Silicon, Oxygen
Which of the following statements with reference to the evolution of the Lithosphere is/are correct? 1. Due to the gradual increase in density, the temperature inside the Earth had increased. 2. In the process of evolution, the material inside the Earth started getting separated depending upon their densities. Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)During Earth's evolution, rising density raised internal temperature and materials separated by density
Which of the following statements with reference to mantle is/are correct? 1. Moho‘s discontinuity is at the uppermost part of the mantle. 2. The lower portion of the mantle is called the asthenosphere. Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer D (official UPSC key)The Moho is the base of the crust, not part of the mantle, and the asthenosphere is in the upper, not lower, mantle
Consider the following statements: Statement I: In the context of effect of water on rocks, chalk is known as a very permeable rock whereas clay is known as quite an impermeable or least permeable rock. Statement II: Chalk is porous and hence can absorb water. Statement III: Clay is not at all porous. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Chalk is very permeable because it is porous; clay is porous but impermeable, so 'clay is not at all porous' is wrong
Which of the following is the correct ascending order of the given minerals in terms of their presence in the Earth‘s crust ? 1. Amphibolite 2. Mica 3. Pyroxene Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Ascending order of presence in the crust: Mica, Amphibolite, Pyroxene
Which one of the following is formed when volcanic ash is carried by running water and is deposited as a sedimentary layer ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Tuff forms when volcanic ash is deposited as a sedimentary layer
Consider the following statements with reference to Feldspar mineral: 1. Half of the earth‘s crust is composed of feldspar 2. It has light cream to salmon pink colour 3. Magnesium is a common element in all types of feldspar Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Feldspar forms half of the Earth's crust and is light cream to salmon pink; magnesium is not common to all feldspars
Consider the following pairs with reference to sedimentary rocks and the process of their formation: Sedimentary Rock Process of Formation 1. Chert Chemically formed 2. Geyserite Organically formed 3. Shale Mechanically formed Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Chert is chemically, geyserite organically and shale mechanically formed
Which of the following processes is/are part of the Rock Cycle ? 1. Lithification 2. Metamorphism 3. Solidification Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Lithification, metamorphism and solidification are all part of the rock cycle
Which one of the following is the thinnest layer of the Earth ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)The crust is the thinnest layer of the Earth
Which of the following statements regarding Earth's internal structure is/are correct? 1. The oceanic crust is heavier than the continental crust. 2. Most of the Earth's internal heat is contained within the mantle. 3. Large convective cells in the crust circulate heat and drive plate-tectonic processes. Select the answer using the code given below:
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Oceanic crust is heavier than continental crust and most internal heat is in the mantle; convection cells are in the mantle, not the crust
Which one of the following is an example of both an igneous as well as a metamorphic rock?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Granite can be both an igneous and a metamorphic rock
Which one of the following is correct?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Pyroxene is commonly found in meteorites
Which one of the following is a permeable rock that allows water to pass through it ?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Limestone is a permeable rock
Consider the following statements about rock structure: 1. Conglomerates are clastic sedimentary rocks. 2. Slate is a non-clastic sedimentary rock. 3. Granite is a plutonic igneous rock. 4. Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Conglomerates are clastic sedimentary, granite is plutonic igneous and basalt is extrusive igneous; slate is metamorphic
Which one of the following is not an igneous rock?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Slate is not an igneous rock (it is metamorphic)
Which one of the following is found in the innermost part of the Earth?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)The Lehmann discontinuity is in the innermost part of the Earth
Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneous rock?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Batholith is the lowermost intrusive igneous body
Which one of the following is the oldest era in Geological History determining the age of various rock types?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Precambrian is the oldest era in geological history
Which one of the following geologic time periods is associated with the first appearance of the marsupials?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Marsupials first appeared in the Lower Cretaceous
Which one of the following sedimentary rocks has not been formed mechanically ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Geyserites are not formed mechanically, unlike sandstone, conglomerate and loess
The Indian desert also known as Marusthali is believed to be under the sea during which one of the following eras
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Answer C (official UPSC key)The Indian desert (Marusthali) is believed to have been under the sea in the Mesozoic era
Which one of the following statements about metamorphic rocks is not correct?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Rocks made of one dominant mineral are usually non-foliated after metamorphism, not foliated
Which one of the following ‗discontinuities‘ separates the Earth‘s crust from the mantle?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)The Mohorovicic discontinuity separates the crust from the mantle
Piecing together the puzzle of geologic time to create and analyze historical maps of the Earth is known as
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Paleogeography reconstructs historical maps of the Earth
The formation of ‗tors‘ on small rocky hills is associated with which among the following?
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Tors on small rocky hills are associated with granite
Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Earth‘s crust is brittle in nature. 2. The mean thickness of the oceanic crust is 15 km, whereas that of the continental crust is around 30 km. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)The Earth's crust is brittle; oceanic crust is about 5 km thick, not 15 km
Which one of the following is a type of igneous rock ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Granite is an igneous rock
The maximum depth of Lithosphere is found in the
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Answer D (official UPSC key)The lithosphere is deepest under the Himalayan Mountains
A large body of magmatic material that cools in the deeper depth of the Earth‘s crust and develops in the form of large domes is known as
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Batholiths are large dome-shaped magmatic bodies cooled deep in the crust
Which one of the following best describes the Lithosphere ?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)The lithosphere is the crust and upper mantle
Which one of the following minerals is NOT a naturally occurring silicate ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Bauxite is not a silicate mineral
North-west part of the Indian peninsula was converted into a great centre of vulcanicity in
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Answer A (official UPSC key)The north-west Indian peninsula became a great centre of vulcanicity at the end of the Cretaceous period
Which one of the following is NOT a palaeoclimatic geological indicator ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Sedimentary deposits in general are not a palaeoclimatic indicator, unlike lacustrine deposits, ice sheets and ice cores, and evaporites
Which one of the following sedimentary rocks is organically formed ?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Chalk is an organically formed sedimentary rock
Lithosphere consists of
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Answer C (official UPSC key)The lithosphere consists of the crust and uppermost solid mantle
Which one of the following is anisotropic in nature?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Quartz is anisotropic
Which one of the following is not an igneous rock?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Gneiss is not an igneous rock (it is metamorphic)
Which of the following statements relating to Dharwar geological system are correct ? 1. They belong to Archaean geological period 2. They are metamorphosed sedimentary rocks 3. They are of great economic importance for its mineral resources 4. They are found predominantly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Jharkhand Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Dharwar rocks are Archaean, metamorphosed sedimentary, mineral-rich and found mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Jharkhand
Which one of the following is the correct order of formation of geological systems in India in terms of their age ? (Starting with the oldest)
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Oldest first: Aravallis - Dharwars - Cuddapahs - Vindhyans
‘Evaporites’ is:
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Evaporites are rocks
Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Geological time scale) List-II (Life-form) A. Pleistocene 1. Mammals B. Paleocene 2. Human genus C. Permian 3. Invertebrates D. Cambrian 4. Frogs Code: A B C D
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Pleistocene - human genus, Paleocene - mammals, Permian - frogs, Cambrian - invertebrates
Which one of the following minerals contains mostly silica?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)Quartz is made almost entirely of silica
Which of the following elements are found in highest and lowest quantities respectively in the crust of the earth?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Among the listed elements, oxygen is the most and magnesium the least abundant in the Earth's crust
Which of the following statements with regard to the Indian Peninsular Plateau is/are correct ? 1. The Southern plateau block is formed mainly of granite and gneiss 2. The Deccan laya plateau is an elevated tableland consisting of horizontally arranged lava sheets 3. The Malwa plateau dominates the Vindhyan scraps, forming the Eastern flank of the plateau 4. The trough of the Narmada and Tapti is interposed between the Vindhyan and the Satpura ranges Select the correct answer using the code given below :
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Answer B (official UPSC key)The southern plateau block is granite and gneiss, the Deccan lava plateau is horizontal lava sheets, and the Narmada-Tapti trough lies between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges
Which of the following statements are correct? 1. Sediments of Gondwana System were deposited under marine condition. 2. Rocks of Gondwana System are fossiliferous. 3. Rocks of Gondwana System contain metallic mineral deposits. 4. Gondwana deposition took place in downfaulted trough. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Gondwana rocks are fossiliferous and were deposited in downfaulted troughs; they are freshwater, not marine, and lack metallic minerals
Which one among the following systems contains the oldest rock formation of India?
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Answer B (official UPSC key)The Archean System has India's oldest rock formations
Which of the following is/are the characteristic/characteristics of Indian coal? 1. High ash content 2. Low sulphur content 3. Low ash fusion temperature Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
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Answer A (official UPSC key)Indian coal has high ash content and low sulphur content
Which one among the following is a mechanically formed sedimentary rock?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Sandstone is a mechanically formed sedimentary rock
Which one among the following statements is not correct?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)The mantle is not made of the Earth's heaviest materials (the core is)
In the structure of planet Earth, below the mantle, the core is mainly made up of which one of the following?
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Answer C (official UPSC key)The Earth's core is mainly made of iron (with nickel)
Quartzite is metamorphosed from:
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Answer C (official UPSC key)Quartzite is metamorphosed from sandstone
Consider the following statements made about sedimentary rocks: 1. Sedimentary rocks are formed at the earth's surface by the hydrological system 2. Formation of sedimentary rocks involves the weathering of pre-existing rocks 3. Sedimentary rocks contain fossils 4. Sedimentary rocks typically occur in layers Which of these statements are correct?
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Answer D (official UPSC key)Sedimentary rocks form at the surface by the hydrological system from weathered older rocks, contain fossils and occur in layers
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