Geography: Scope and Concepts - Practice Test 1

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who is credited with coining the term 'Geography'?

   • A.Herodotus
   • B.Eratosthenes✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Galileo
   • D.Aristotle

   Explanation: Eratosthenes (276–194 BC), a Greek scholar, was the first to use the word 'Geography' (Geo = Earth, Graphos = Description).

2. Q2.Geography is often defined as the study of:

   • A.Time
   • B.Space and Place✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Chemicals
   • D.Living Tissues

   Explanation: Geography is traditionally defined as the study of the Earth's surface, describing places and spaces.

3. Q3.Which scholar is known as the 'Father of Geography'?

   • A.Hecataeus✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Eratosthenes
   • C.Ptolemy
   • D.Strabo

   Explanation: Hecataeus of Miletus is often called the 'Father of Geography' for his systematic description of the known world in 'Ges Periodos'.

4. Q4.The concept of 'Areal Differentiation' (study of regional differences) was popularized by:

   • A.Carl Ritter
   • B.Richard Hartshorne✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Friedrich Ratzel
   • D.Ellen Semple

   Explanation: Richard Hartshorne defined geography as the study of areal differentiation (how regions differ from one another).

5. Q5.Which branch of geography deals with landforms and their evolution?

   • A.Climatology
   • B.Geomorphology✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Oceanography
   • D.Biogeography

   Explanation: Geomorphology is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical or biological processes.

6. Q6.Who propounded the theory of 'Environmental Determinism'?

   • A.Vidal de la Blache
   • B.Friedrich Ratzel✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Griffith Taylor
   • D.Jean Brunhes

   Explanation: Friedrich Ratzel is a key figure in Environmental Determinism, suggesting that the physical environment determines human culture and development.

7. Q7.'Possibilism' is a school of thought associated with which country's geographers?

   • A.Germany
   • B.France✓ Correct Answer
   • C.USA
   • D.Britain

   Explanation: Possibilism was developed by French geographers like Vidal de la Blache and Lucien Febvre as a reaction to German determinism.

8. Q8.Who introduced the concept of 'Stop and Go Determinism' (Neo-Determinism)?

   • A.Griffith Taylor✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Mackinder
   • C.Humboldt
   • D.Ritter

   Explanation: Griffith Taylor introduced Neo-Determinism, stating that nature sets limits, but man has choices within those limits (like a traffic controller).

9. Q9.The book 'Kosmos' was written by which famous geographer?

   • A.Carl Ritter
   • B.Alexander von Humboldt✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Kant
   • D.Varenius

   Explanation: Alexander von Humboldt wrote 'Kosmos', a comprehensive treatise on the physical geography of the earth.

10. Q10.Which approach in geography focuses on the study of specific regions?

    • A.Systematic Geography
    • B.Regional Geography✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Physical Geography
    • D.Biogeography

    Explanation: Regional Geography studies all the geographical characteristics of a specific region.

11. Q11.Who defined Geography as 'Chorological Science' (science of space)?

    • A.Immanuel Kant✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Ptolemy
    • C.Strabo
    • D.Richthofen

    Explanation: Immanuel Kant defined geography as chorology, the study of phenomena in space.

12. Q12.The term 'Anthropogeography' was coined by:

    • A.Friedrich Ratzel✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Carl Ritter
    • C.Vidal de la Blache
    • D.Sample

    Explanation: Friedrich Ratzel is considered the father of modern Human Geography and wrote 'Anthropogeographie'.

13. Q13.Which of the following is NOT a branch of Physical Geography?

    • A.Climatology
    • B.Oceanography
    • C.Economic Geography✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Geomorphology

    Explanation: Economic Geography deals with human economic activities and is a branch of Human Geography.

14. Q14.The 'Quantitative Revolution' in geography took place during:

    • A.1950s and 1960s✓ Correct Answer
    • B.1850s
    • C.1990s
    • D.1920s

    Explanation: The Quantitative Revolution occurred in the mid-20th century, introducing statistical and mathematical models to geography.

15. Q15.Climatology is the study of:

    • A.Oceans
    • B.Landforms
    • C.Atmospheric conditions and climate✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Soil

    Explanation: Climatology is the study of climate, scientifically defined as weather conditions averaged over a period of time.

16. Q16.The dichotomy between Physical Geography and Human Geography is known as:

    • A.Dualism in Geography✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Regionalism
    • C.Determinism
    • D.Paradigm Shift

    Explanation: Dualism refers to the splitting of geography into two distinct modes of study: Physical vs Human.

17. Q17.Who wrote the famous book 'Erdkunde'?

    • A.Alexander von Humboldt
    • B.Carl Ritter✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ratzel
    • D.Kant

    Explanation: Carl Ritter wrote 'Erdkunde', a 19-volume work on geography.

18. Q18.Pedology is the branch of geography that studies:

    • A.Water
    • B.Rocks
    • C.Soils✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Plants

    Explanation: Pedology is the study of soils in their natural environment.

19. Q19.Which of the following is a sub-field of Human Geography?

    • A.Hydrology
    • B.Cultural Geography✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Glaciology
    • D.Meteorology

    Explanation: Cultural geography studies cultural products and norms and their variation across and relations to spaces and places.

20. Q20.The concept of 'Pays' (small region) was introduced by:

    • A.Vidal de la Blache✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Ratzel
    • C.Ritter
    • D.Humboldt

    Explanation: Vidal de la Blache used the term 'Pays' to describe small homogeneous rural regions in France.