Chapter 2: Geomorphic Processes (Agents of Gradation) (Set-2)
In geomorphology, physical weathering is considered dominant in certain climatic regions because chemical reactions remain limited there. In such environments, rocks mainly break due to mechanical stress rather than chemical alteration. Which climatic condition most strongly favors dominance of physical weathering over chemical weathering
A Hot and humid climate
B Cold and dry climate
C Warm and wet climate
D Equatorial climate
Physical weathering dominates in cold and dry climates because low temperatures slow chemical reactions and limited moisture restricts chemical processes, allowing frost action and mechanical stress to break rocks effectively.
The process of frost action becomes highly effective in mountain and polar regions where temperature frequently fluctuates around the freezing point. This process leads to gradual disintegration of rocks over time. Which phenomenon best explains how frost action breaks rocks
A Ice expansion in rock cracks
B Chemical solution of minerals
C Wind abrasion on surfaces
D Pressure release in rocks
Frost action occurs when water enters rock cracks, freezes, expands, and exerts pressure. Repeated freezing and thawing gradually widens cracks and breaks rocks apart.
Chemical weathering involves several reactions that transform original rock minerals into new compounds. Among these reactions, one is especially responsible for rusting of iron-rich rocks. Which chemical weathering process causes this transformation
A Carbonation
B Oxidation
C Hydration
D Hydrolysis
Oxidation occurs when oxygen reacts with iron-bearing minerals, forming iron oxides. This weakens rock structure and accelerates decomposition, especially in moist environments.
In the context of mass wasting, certain movements occur without a distinct sliding surface and involve slow, almost imperceptible downslope movement. This process affects soil layers over long periods. Which mass wasting process fits this description
A Slumping
B Rock slide
C Soil creep
D Debris avalanche
Soil creep is a very slow downslope movement caused by gravity and aided by expansion and contraction of soil due to moisture and temperature changes.
Landslides are frequently observed in mountainous regions during intense rainfall events. This happens because rainwater alters slope stability. What is the primary role of rainfall in triggering landslides
A Increasing slope angle
B Reducing rock hardness
C Increasing weight and reducing friction
D Changing wind pressure
Rainwater saturates slope materials, increasing their weight and reducing internal friction, making slopes unstable and prone to sudden downslope movement.
Rivers are powerful agents of erosion because they possess the ability to cut, carry, and deposit sediments. Among various river erosion processes, one directly involves forceful impact of water on rock surfaces. Which river erosion process is this
A Attrition
B Abrasion
C Hydraulic action
D Solution
Hydraulic action involves the sheer force of moving water striking rock surfaces, loosening and removing material, especially along river banks and beds.
During the youthful stage of a river, landforms reflect the dominance of downward cutting. Which geomorphic feature best represents this vertical erosion phase
A Meander
B Floodplain
C V-shaped valley
D Delta
In the youthful stage, rivers erode vertically due to steep gradients, producing narrow and deep V-shaped valleys.
As rivers enter their mature stage, the gradient becomes gentler and erosion patterns change. Which river process becomes more dominant in this stage, leading to widening of valleys
A Vertical erosion
B Lateral erosion
C Headward erosion
D Deposition only
In the mature stage, rivers erode sideways, widening valleys and forming meanders and floodplains.
Floodplains are considered among the most fertile landforms on Earth due to repeated sediment deposition. What is the main reason for high fertility of floodplains
A Presence of bedrock minerals
B Thick forest cover
C Regular deposition of fine alluvium
D Low rainfall conditions
Floodplains receive fine sediments rich in nutrients during floods, continuously replenishing soil fertility and supporting agriculture.
Wind erosion becomes effective only under specific surface conditions. Which surface condition most strongly enhances the erosional power of wind
A Dense vegetation cover
B Moist soil
C Loose and dry sediments
D Rocky plateau
Wind erosion is most effective where loose, dry, and fine sediments are exposed, allowing particles to be easily lifted and transported.
In desert regions, certain rock surfaces show polished and grooved appearance due to continuous wind action. Which process mainly produces this effect
A Deflation
B Abrasion
C Attrition
D Chemical solution
Wind abrasion occurs when sand-laden winds scrape rock surfaces, smoothing and polishing them over time.
Sand dunes differ in shape based on wind direction and sand supply. Which dune type forms when wind blows consistently from one direction with limited sand availability
A Transverse dune
B Longitudinal dune
C Barchan dune
D Star dune
Barchan dunes form under unidirectional winds and limited sand supply, creating crescent-shaped dunes with horns pointing downwind.
Glaciers are capable of reshaping landscapes through strong erosional processes. One such process involves lifting rock fragments from the bedrock as glaciers move. What is this process called
A Abrasion
B Plucking
C Attrition
D Deflation
Plucking occurs when meltwater freezes into rock joints, and moving ice pulls out rock fragments, contributing to glacial erosion.
The transformation of narrow river valleys into wide trough-like valleys is a significant indicator of glacial activity. Which valley shape clearly confirms past glaciation
A V-shaped valley
B Canyon
C U-shaped valley
D Rift valley
Glacial erosion widens and deepens valleys uniformly, converting narrow V-shaped river valleys into broad U-shaped valleys.
Moraines provide important evidence about glacier movement and extent. Which type of moraine marks the boundary between two merging glaciers
A Lateral moraine
B Medial moraine
C Terminal moraine
D Ground moraine
Medial moraines form when two glaciers join, combining their lateral moraines into a central debris ridge.
Coastal landforms are continuously modified by wave action. Which process allows waves to erode the base of cliffs by compressing air in rock cracks
A Abrasion
B Attrition
C Hydraulic action
D Solution
Hydraulic action occurs when waves force air into rock cracks, increasing pressure and causing rock fragments to break off.
Over time, continuous wave erosion can transform a headland into several distinct features. What is the correct sequence of coastal erosion landforms
A Stack → cave → arch → stump
B Cave → arch → stack → stump
C Arch → cave → stack → stump
D Cave → stack → arch → stump
Wave erosion enlarges cracks into caves, caves into arches, arches collapse into stacks, and stacks erode further into stumps.
Longshore drift plays a significant role in shaping depositional coastal landforms. Which factor primarily drives longshore drift
A Vertical wave movement
B Tidal range
C Oblique wave approach
D Sea floor depth
Waves approaching the shore at an angle transport sediments along the coast, resulting in longshore drift.
Karst landscapes show minimal surface drainage due to underground water movement. What causes surface streams to disappear in karst regions
A High evaporation rate
B Impermeable rock layers
C Presence of soluble limestone
D Steep slopes
Limestone dissolves easily, allowing water to seep underground through joints and bedding planes, reducing surface drainage.
Among karst landforms, one represents a large, flat-floored depression formed by the merging of several dolines. Which landform fits this description
A Doline
B Polje
C Uvala
D Karst plain
Poljes are extensive closed depressions formed by dissolution and collapse in limestone regions, often used for agriculture due to flat floors.
Mass wasting processes vary in speed and material involved. Which process involves movement of saturated soil over frozen subsoil in cold regions
A Slumping
B Solifluction
C Rock fall
D Debris flow
Solifluction occurs in periglacial regions where waterlogged soil slowly moves downslope over impermeable frozen ground.
River terraces provide evidence of changes in river base level. What does the presence of river terraces generally indicate
A Increased deposition only
B Stable river flow
C River rejuvenation
D Delta formation
River terraces form when rivers regain erosive power due to uplift or sea-level fall, cutting into former floodplains.
Aeolian deposits such as loess are significant indicators of past climatic conditions. What is the defining characteristic of loess deposits
A Coarse gravel material
B Volcanic origin
C Fine wind-blown silt
D Marine sediments
Loess consists of fine silt particles transported and deposited by wind, forming fertile soils in many regions.
Glacial lakes often occupy depressions left behind by melting ice. Which type of lake forms in a cirque basin
A Tarn
B Lagoon
C Oxbow lake
D Playa lake
Tarns are small glacial lakes occupying cirque basins carved by glaciers at the head of valleys.
Coastal deposition occurs where wave energy decreases significantly. Which coastal feature is formed by deposition parallel to the shoreline
A Cliff
B Beach
C Arch
D Stack
Beaches form when sediments transported by waves are deposited along the coast where wave energy reduces.
Which geomorphic agent is primarily responsible for formation of alluvial fans at mountain fronts
A Wind
B Glaciers
C Running water
D Sea waves
Alluvial fans form when rivers lose velocity upon exiting mountains, depositing sediments in fan-shaped patterns.
Desert pavements are surfaces covered with coarse fragments due to removal of finer particles. Which process leads to their formation
A Abrasion
B Deflation
C Attrition
D Weathering
Deflation removes fine sediments by wind, leaving behind coarse materials that form desert pavements.
Glacial striations on rock surfaces provide evidence of
A Wind direction
B River flow pattern
C Direction of glacier movement
D Sea wave action
Striations are scratches carved by debris at glacier bases, indicating the direction in which glaciers moved.
A blowhole on a rocky coast is formed when
A Wind erodes dunes
B Waves force air through vertical shafts
C Rivers deposit sediments
D Glaciers melt rapidly
Blowholes form when waves compress air in sea caves, forcing it upward through vertical openings.
Karst towers are residual hills formed due to
A Differential chemical weathering
B Mechanical erosion
C Glacial deposition
D Volcanic activity
In karst regions, resistant limestone remains as towers while surrounding rock dissolves through chemical weathering.
Which river process mainly reduces sediment size during transportation
A Hydraulic action
B Attrition
C Abrasion
D Solution
Attrition breaks sediments into smaller, smoother particles through repeated collision during river transport.
Hanging valleys are characteristic features of
A River erosion
B Wind erosion
C Glacial erosion
D Coastal erosion
Hanging valleys form when smaller glaciers join main glaciers, leaving tributary valleys at higher levels.
The rate of weathering is fastest when rocks are
A Massive and unjointed
B Fine-grained and jointed
C Dry and compact
D Buried deep underground
Greater surface area and joints allow increased exposure to weathering agents, accelerating rock breakdown.
Which coastal depositional feature forms when sediments connect an island to the mainland
A Spit
B Tombolo
C Bar
D Lagoon
A tombolo forms when wave deposition links an offshore island with the mainland.
In mass wasting, the angle at which material begins to move downslope is called
A Angle of slope
B Angle of repose
C Angle of friction
D Angle of erosion
Angle of repose is the steepest angle at which loose material remains stable before sliding due to gravity.
Glacial erratics are significant because they
A Indicate volcanic activity
B Show former glacier paths
C Represent river deposition
D Mark tectonic boundaries
Erratics are rocks transported far from their source by glaciers, providing evidence of glacial movement.
Which wind process transports fine dust over long distances
A Traction
B Saltation
C Suspension
D Abrasion
Suspension allows fine dust particles to remain airborne for long periods, enabling long-distance transport.
Which river landform forms due to deposition during floods along river banks
A Levee
B Meander
C Gorge
D Rapids
Natural levees form when heavier sediments settle near river banks during floods.
Sea stacks eventually erode further to form
A Beaches
B Lagoons
C Stumps
D Spits
Continued wave erosion reduces stacks into shorter remnants called stumps.
Karst topography is best developed where rainfall is
A Very low
B Moderate to high
C Seasonal only
D Absent
Adequate rainfall supplies acidic water necessary for dissolution of limestone, promoting karst development.
Which geomorphic agent produces fjords along coastlines
A Rivers
B Wind
C Glaciers
D Sea waves
Fjords form when glacial valleys are submerged by sea water after glacier retreat.
Which factor most strongly controls the type of mass wasting on a slope
A Latitude
B Rock color
C Slope angle
D Longitude
Steeper slopes increase gravitational force, making rapid mass wasting processes more likely.
Which karst feature represents an underground cave system with dripstone formations
A Doline
B Uvala
C Polje
D Limestone cave
Limestone caves form through chemical solution and host stalactites and stalagmites created by mineral precipitation.
Which river process mainly dissolves soluble minerals from rocks
A Solution
B Attrition
C Abrasion
D Hydraulic action
Solution involves dissolving soluble minerals such as limestone into river water.
Which depositional landform forms when wind deposits fine sediments over large areas
A Sand dune
B Loess plain
C Yardang
D Ventifact
Loess plains form from widespread deposition of fine wind-blown silt, creating fertile agricultural regions.
Which glacial feature forms at the head of a glacier due to rotational movement of ice
A Moraine
B Cirque
C Drumlin
D Esker
Cirques are amphitheater-shaped hollows formed by rotational glacial erosion at valley heads.
Coastal erosion is fastest where rocks are
A Massive and hard
B Well-jointed and soft
C Covered with vegetation
D Completely submerged
Joints and weak rock composition allow waves to exploit weaknesses, accelerating erosion.
Which agent of gradation is most responsible for shaping continental interiors
A Sea waves
B Glaciers
C Wind
D Running water
Rivers operate across vast continental areas, shaping valleys, plains, and basins.
Which mass wasting event is sudden and highly destructive
A Soil creep
B Solifluction
C Landslide
D Sheet wash
Landslides involve rapid movement of large masses of material, causing significant damage.
Agents of gradation collectively contribute to landscape evolution by
A Creating internal heat
B Building tectonic plates
C Reducing surface irregularities
D Increasing crustal thickness
Exogenic agents work continuously to wear down elevated areas and fill depressions, gradually leveling Earth’s surface.