Best 15+ Hydrosphere MCQs – General Science Competitive Exam
1. The hydrosphere refers to _________.
Correct Answer: C. The total quantity of water found on a planet
Explanation: The hydrosphere means all forms of water present on Earth, including oceans, rivers, glaciers, groundwater, and water vapour.
2. Water covers approximately what percentage of Earth’s surface?
Correct Answer: C. 71%
Explanation: About 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, mainly in the form of oceans and seas.
3. Water exists on Earth in how many states?
Correct Answer: C. Three
Explanation: Water exists in three states on Earth: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapour).
4. The total amount of water on Earth is approximately ________.
Correct Answer: D. 1386 million cubic km
Explanation: The total volume of water on Earth is about 1386 million cubic kilometers, covering all water bodies.
5. Oceans contain approximately what percentage of Earth’s total water?
Correct Answer: D. 96.5%
Explanation: About 96.5% of Earth’s total water is stored in oceans, making them the largest water reservoir.
6. Freshwater accounts for approximately _____ of Earth’s total water.
Correct Answer: B. 2.5%
Explanation: Freshwater means water without salt, and it forms only about 2.5% of Earth’s total water.
7. Other saline water makes up approximately _____.
Correct Answer: B. 0.9%
Explanation: Apart from oceans, about 0.9% of Earth’s water exists as other saline water such as saline lakes.
8. In freshwater, the largest share is stored in _____.
Correct Answer: A. Glaciers and ice caps
Explanation: Glaciers and ice caps store the largest share of freshwater, locking water in frozen form.
9. Groundwater accounts for approximately _____ of freshwater.
Correct Answer: A. 30.1%
Explanation: Groundwater means water stored beneath Earth’s surface and forms about 30.1% of freshwater.
10. Surface water makes up approximately _____ of freshwater.
Correct Answer: B. 1.2%
Explanation: Surface water includes rivers, lakes, and wetlands and forms only about 1.2% of freshwater.
11. In surface water, ground ice and permafrost account for _____.
Correct Answer: C. 69%
Explanation: Ground ice and permafrost form the largest share of surface water storage, accounting for about 69%.
12. Rivers, lakes, swamps, soil moisture, and atmosphere together form about ______.
Correct Answer: C. 31%
Explanation: Rivers, lakes, swamps, soil moisture, and atmospheric water together contribute about 31% of surface water.
13. Which of the following is NOT a component of the hydrosphere?
Correct Answer: D. Lithosphere
Explanation: Lithosphere refers to the solid outer layer of Earth and is not part of the hydrosphere.
14. The frozen part of the hydrosphere is called ___________.
Correct Answer: A. Cryosphere
Explanation: The cryosphere includes all frozen water on Earth such as glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost.
15. Water stored beneath Earth’s surface is called ______.
Correct Answer: B. Groundwater
Explanation: Groundwater is water found in underground soil and rock layers called aquifers.
16. Freshwater found in rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands is known as ______.
Correct Answer: B. Surface water
Explanation: Surface water refers to freshwater available on Earth’s surface such as rivers and lakes.
17. The continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation is called ________.
Correct Answer: C. Hydrological cycle
Explanation: The hydrological cycle describes the constant circulation of water through Earth’s systems.
18. The water cycle is also known as the _______.
Correct Answer: A. Hydrological cycle
Explanation: The water cycle and hydrological cycle are two names for the same continuous water movement process.