Question 1: Identify the element which is not a part of the hydrological cycle (a) Evaporation (b) Hydration (c) Precipitation (d) Condensation
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(b) Hydration — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.
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CBSE Class 11GeographyQuestions & AnswersChapter level
Class 11 Geography: Water (Oceans) — Chapter Question Set
Chapter-wise questions and answers for Class 11 Geography: Water (Oceans) — Chapter Question Set in Class 11 Geography, with a clear summary, key points, and exam-ready model answers.
What you will find on this page: a clear chapter summary, revision notes, word meanings, important questions, MCQs, and exam-ready question answers for Class 11 Geography.
After reviewing the chapter explanation, answer the short-answer, long-answer, extract-based, and objective questions below.
About 33 min readChapter 12: Water (oceans)Updated 10 Sep 2026
Section A
1-Mark Questions
Objective questions · 1 mark each.
Question 2: The average depth of continental slope varies between (a) 2–20m (b) 200–2,000m (c) 20–200m (d) 2,000–20,000m 120º 60º 60º 120º 120º60º60º120º Reprint 2026-27 WATER (OCEANS) 107
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(b) 200–2,000m — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.
Question 3: Which one of the following is not a minor relief feature in the oceans: (a) Seamount (b) Atoll (c) Oceanic Deep (d) Guyot
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(c) Oceanic Deep — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.
Question 4: Salinity is expressed as the amount of salt in grams dissolved in sea water per (a) 10 gm (b) 1,000 gm (c) 100 gm (d) 10,000 gm
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(b) 1,000 gm — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.
Question 5: Which one of the following is the smallest ocean: (a) Indian Ocean (b) Arctic Ocean (c) Atlantic Ocean (d) Pacific Ocean
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(b) Arctic Ocean — This is the textbook-supported choice for the question.
Question 6: The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, _____. a) the circulation of water within the earth’s h b) an essential component of all life forms that c) lucky that it is a water planet d) and above the earth
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d) and above the earth — The textbook states: The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth.
Question 7: The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on _____. a) lucky that it is a water planet b) a rare commodity in our solar system c) earth depends on it d) an essential component of all life forms that
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c) earth depends on it — The textbook states: The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it.
Question 8: Next to air, water is _____xistence of life on earth. a) no water on the sun or anywhere else in the s b) the most important element required for the e c) lucky that it is a water planet d) a rare commodity in our solar system
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b) the most important element required for the e — The textbook states: Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth.
Question 9: The distribution of water on earth is _____. a) quite uneven b) a rare commodity in our solar system c) no water on the sun or anywhere else in the s d) water on its surface
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a) quite uneven — The textbook states: The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven.
Question 10: Many locations have plenty of water while others _____. a) no water on the sun or anywhere else in the s b) water on its surface c) Blue Planet d) have very limited quantity
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d) have very limited quantity — The textbook states: Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited quantity.
Question 11: The hydrological cycle, is _____ydr osphere in dif ferent forms i.e. a) Blue Planet b) called the ‘Blue Planet’ c) the circulation of water within the earth’s h d) water on its surface
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c) the circulation of water within the earth’s h — The textbook states: The hydrological cycle, is the circulation of water within the earth’s hydr osphere in dif ferent forms i.e.
Question 12: Water is _____ exist over the surface of the earth. a) a cyclic resource b) an essential component of all life forms that c) Blue Planet d) called the ‘Blue Planet’
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b) an essential component of all life forms that — The textbook states: Water is an essential component of all life forms that exist over the surface of the earth.
Question 13: The creatures on the earth are _____, otherwise we all would have no existence. a) lucky that it is a water planet b) called the ‘Blue Planet’ c) a cyclic resource d) 101
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a) lucky that it is a water planet — The textbook states: The creatures on the earth are lucky that it is a water planet, otherwise we all would have no existence.
Question 14: The earth, fortunately has an abundant supply of _____. a) a cyclic resource b) 101 c) CHAPTER WATER d) water on its surface
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d) water on its surface — The textbook states: The earth, fortunately has an abundant supply of water on its surface.
Question 15: Hence, our planet is called the ‘_____’. a) CHAPTER WATER b) OCEANS c) Blue Planet d) 101
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c) Blue Planet — The textbook states: Hence, our planet is called the ‘Blue Planet’.
Question 16: HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE Water is _____. a) 91 per cent b) a cyclic resource c) CHAPTER WATER d) OCEANS
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b) a cyclic resource — The textbook states: HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE Water is a cyclic resource.
Question 17: Water also under goes a cycle fr om CHAPTER WATER (OCEANS) _____ atmosphere, landsurface and subsurface and the organisms. a) 101 b) OCEANS c) 91 per cent d) found in the oceans
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a) 101 — The textbook states: Water also under goes a cycle fr om CHAPTER WATER (OCEANS) 101 atmosphere, landsurface and subsurface and the organisms.
Question 18: About _____ of the planetary water is found in the oceans. a) found in the oceans b) held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps c) 59 per cent d) 91 per cent
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d) 91 per cent — The textbook states: About 91 per cent of the planetary water is found in the oceans.
Question 19: The remaining is _____, groundwater sources, lakes, soil moisture, atmosphere, streams and within life. a) 59 per cent b) of it becomes glacier c) held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps d) found in the oceans
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c) held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps — The textbook states: The remaining is held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps, groundwater sources, lakes, soil moisture, atmosphere, streams and within life.
Question 20: Nearly _____ of the water that falls on land returns to the atmosphere through evaporation from over the oceans as well as from other places. a) to be noted that the renewable water on the e b) 59 per cent c) held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps d) of it becomes glacier
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b) 59 per cent — The textbook states: Nearly 59 per cent of the water that falls on land returns to the atmosphere through evaporation from over the oceans as well as from other places.
Question 21: The remainder runs-off on the surface, infiltrates into the ground or a part _____. a) of it becomes glacier b) 59 per cent c) to be noted that the renewable water on the e d) constant while the demand is increasing treme
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a) of it becomes glacier — The textbook states: The remainder runs-off on the surface, infiltrates into the ground or a part of it becomes glacier.
Question 22: It is _____arth is constant while the demand is increasing tremendously. a) of it becomes glacier b) constant while the demand is increasing treme c) — spatially and temporally d) to be noted that the renewable water on the e
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d) to be noted that the renewable water on the e — The textbook states: It is to be noted that the renewable water on the earth is constant while the demand is increasing tremendously.
Question 23: This leads to water crisis in different parts of the world _____. a) constant while the demand is increasing treme b) further aggravated the crisis c) — spatially and temporally d) to be noted that the renewable water on the e
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c) — spatially and temporally — The textbook states: This leads to water crisis in different parts of the world — spatially and temporally.
Question 24: The pollution of river waters has _____. a) available quantity of water? b) further aggravated the crisis c) constant while the demand is increasing treme d) — spatially and temporally
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b) further aggravated the crisis — The textbook states: The pollution of river waters has further aggravated the crisis.
Question 25: How can you intervene in improving the water quality and augmenting the _____ a) available quantity of water? b) — spatially and temporally c) further aggravated the crisis d) FLOOR The
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a) available quantity of water? — The textbook states: How can you intervene in improving the water quality and augmenting the available quantity of water?
Question 26: RELIEF OF THE OCEAN _____ oceans are confined to the great depressions of the earth’s outer layer. a) further aggravated the crisis b) available quantity of water? c) confined to the great depressions of the eart d) FLOOR The
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d) FLOOR The — The textbook states: RELIEF OF THE OCEAN FLOOR The oceans are confined to the great depressions of the earth’s outer layer.
Question 27: In this section, we shall see the nature of the ocean basins of the _____. a) FLOOR The b) confined to the great depressions of the eart c) earth and their topography d) available quantity of water?
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c) earth and their topography — The textbook states: In this section, we shall see the nature of the ocean basins of the earth and their topography.
Question 28: The oceans, unlike the continents, merge so naturally into one another that it is _____. a) earth and their topography b) hard to demarcate them c) FLOOR The d) confined to the great depressions of the eart
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b) hard to demarcate them — The textbook states: The oceans, unlike the continents, merge so naturally into one another that it is hard to demarcate them.
Question 29: The geographers have divided the oceanic part of the earth into five oceans, namely the _____, the Atlantic, the Indian, Southern ocean and the Arctic. a) Pacific b) confined to the great depressions of the eart c) earth and their topography d) hard to demarcate them
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a) Pacific — The textbook states: The geographers have divided the oceanic part of the earth into five oceans, namely the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Indian, Southern ocean and the Arctic.
Question 30: The various seas, bays, gulfs and other inlets are _____. a) earth and their topography b) hard to demarcate them c) Pacific d) parts of these four large oceans
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d) parts of these four large oceans — The textbook states: The various seas, bays, gulfs and other inlets are parts of these four large oceans.
Question 31: A major portion of the ocean floor is found between 3-_____ below the sea level. a) Pacific b) Atlantic c) 6 km d) hard to demarcate them
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c) 6 km — The textbook states: A major portion of the ocean floor is found between 3-6 km below the sea level.
Question 32: The floors of the oceans are _____es, deepest trenches and the largest plains. a) Indian b) rugged with the world’s largest mountain rang c) Pacific d) Atlantic
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b) rugged with the world’s largest mountain rang — The textbook states: The floors of the oceans are rugged with the world’s largest mountain ranges, deepest trenches and the largest plains.
Question 33: These features are _____, like those of the continents, by the factors of tectonic, volcanic and depositional processes. a) formed b) Atlantic c) Indian d) Southern
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a) formed — The textbook states: These features are formed, like those of the continents, by the factors of tectonic, volcanic and depositional processes.
Question 34: Divisions of the _____ ocean floors can be divided into four major divisions: (i) the Continental Shelf; (ii) the Continental Slope; (iii) the Deep Sea Plain; (iv) the Oceanic Deeps. a) Indian b) Southern c) Arctic d) Ocean Floors The
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d) Ocean Floors The — The textbook states: Divisions of the Ocean Floors The ocean floors can be divided into four major divisions: (i) the Continental Shelf; (ii) the Continental Slope; (iii) the Deep Sea Plain; (iv) the Oceanic Deeps.
Question 35: Besides, these divisions there are _____cean floors like ridges, hills, sea mounts, guyots, trenches, canyons, etc. a) Arctic b) parts of these four large oceans c) also major and minor relief features in the o d) Southern
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c) also major and minor relief features in the o — The textbook states: Besides, these divisions there are also major and minor relief features in the ocean floors like ridges, hills, sea mounts, guyots, trenches, canyons, etc.
Question 36: Continental Shelf The continental shelf is _____d by relatively shallow seas and gulfs. a) 6 km b) the extended margin of each continent occupie c) Arctic d) parts of these four large oceans
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b) the extended margin of each continent occupie — The textbook states: Continental Shelf The continental shelf is the extended margin of each continent occupied by relatively shallow seas and gulfs.
Question 37: It is _____verage gradient of 1° or even less. a) the shallowest part of the ocean showing an a b) parts of these four large oceans c) 6 km d) found between 3-6 km below the sea level
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a) the shallowest part of the ocean showing an a — The textbook states: It is the shallowest part of the ocean showing an average gradient of 1° or even less.
Question 38: The shelf typically ends at a very steep slope, called _____. a) 6 km b) found between 3-6 km below the sea level c) rugged with the world’s largest mountain rang d) the shelf break
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d) the shelf break — The textbook states: The shelf typically ends at a very steep slope, called the shelf break.
Question 39: The width of the continental shelves vary from _____. a) rugged with the world’s largest mountain rang b) formed c) one ocean to another d) found between 3-6 km below the sea level
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c) one ocean to another — The textbook states: The width of the continental shelves vary from one ocean to another.
Question 40: The average width of continental shelves is about _____. a) Ocean Floors The b) 80 km c) rugged with the world’s largest mountain rang d) formed
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b) 80 km — The textbook states: The average width of continental shelves is about 80 km.
Question 41: The shelves are almost absent or very narrow along some of the margins like the coasts of _____, the west coast of Sumatra, etc. a) Chile b) formed c) Ocean Floors The d) Continental Shelf
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a) Chile — The textbook states: The shelves are almost absent or very narrow along some of the margins like the coasts of Chile, the west coast of Sumatra, etc.
Question 42: On the contrary, the Siberian shelf in the Arctic Ocean, the largest in the world, stretches to _____ in width. a) Ocean Floors The b) Continental Shelf c) Continental Slope d) 1,500 km
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d) 1,500 km — The textbook states: On the contrary, the Siberian shelf in the Arctic Ocean, the largest in the world, stretches to 1,500 km in width.
Question 43: It may be as shallow as _____ in some areas while in some areas it is as deep as 600 m. a) Continental Slope b) Deep Sea Plain c) 30 m d) Continental Shelf
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c) 30 m — The textbook states: It may be as shallow as 30 m in some areas while in some areas it is as deep as 600 m.
Question 44: The continental shelves are _____s brought down by rivers, glaciers, wind, from the land and distributed by waves and currents. a) Oceanic Deeps b) covered with variable thicknesses of sediment c) Continental Slope d) Deep Sea Plain
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b) covered with variable thicknesses of sediment — The textbook states: The continental shelves are covered with variable thicknesses of sediments brought down by rivers, glaciers, wind, from the land and distributed by waves and currents.
Question 45: Massive sedimentary deposits received over a long time by the continental shelves, become the _____. a) source of fossil fuels b) Deep Sea Plain c) Oceanic Deeps d) also major and minor relief features in the o
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a) source of fossil fuels — The textbook states: Massive sedimentary deposits received over a long time by the continental shelves, become the source of fossil fuels.
Question 46: It begins where the bottom of the continental shelf sharply drops off _____. a) Oceanic Deeps b) also major and minor relief features in the o c) the extended margin of each continent occupie d) into a steep slope
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d) into a steep slope — The textbook states: It begins where the bottom of the continental shelf sharply drops off into a steep slope.
Question 47: The gradient of the slope _____. a) the extended margin of each continent occupie b) the shallowest part of the ocean showing an a c) region varies between 2-5° d) also major and minor relief features in the o
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c) region varies between 2-5° — The textbook states: The gradient of the slope region varies between 2-5°.
Question 48: The depth of the slope region varies between _____ and 3,000 m. a) the shelf break b) 200 c) the extended margin of each continent occupie d) the shallowest part of the ocean showing an a
Show answer
b) 200 — The textbook states: The depth of the slope region varies between 200 and 3,000 m.
Question 49: The slope boundary indicates the _____. a) end of the continents b) the shallowest part of the ocean showing an a c) the shelf break d) one ocean to another
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a) end of the continents — The textbook states: The slope boundary indicates the end of the continents.
Question 50: Canyons and trenches are _____. a) the shelf break b) one ocean to another c) 80 km d) observed in this region
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d) observed in this region — The textbook states: Canyons and trenches are observed in this region.
Section B2
2-Mark Questions
Short-answer questions · 2 marks each.
Question 51: Why do we call the earth a Blue Planet?
Show answer
The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth. The creatures on the earth are lucky that it is a water planet, otherwise we all would have no existence. Hence, our planet is called the ‘Blue Planet’.
Question 52: What is a continental margin?
Show answer
Divisions of the Ocean Floors The ocean floors can be divided into four major divisions: (i) the Continental Shelf; (ii) the Continental Slope; (iii) the Deep Sea Plain; (iv) the Oceanic Deeps. Continental Shelf The continental shelf is the extended margin of each continent occupied by relatively shallow seas and gulfs. The width of the continental shelves vary from one ocean to another.
Question 53: List out the deepest trenches of various oceans.
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The various seas, bays, gulfs and other inlets are parts of these four large oceans. The floors of the oceans are rugged with the world’s largest mountain ranges, deepest trenches and the largest plains. Oceanic Deeps or Trenches These areas are the deepest parts of the oceans.
Question 54: What is a thermocline?
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This boundary region, from where there is a rapid decrease of temperature, is called the thermocline. About 90 per cent of the total volume of water is found below the thermocline in the deep ocean. The second layer called the thermocline layer lies below the first layer and is characterised by rapid decrease in temperature with increasing depth.
Question 55: When you move into the ocean what thermal layers would you encounter? Why the temperature varies with depth?
Show answer
The depth of the slope region varies between 200 and 3,000 m. TEMPERATURE OF OCEAN WATERS This section deals with the spatial and vertical variations of temperature in various oceans. Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Temperature The temperature-depth profile for the ocean water shows how the temperature decreases with the increasing depth.
Question 56: What is salinity of sea water?
Show answer
Salinity is an important property of sea water. Salinity is, however , very low in Black Sea due to enormous fresh water influx by rivers. On the contrary, the Arabian Sea shows higher salinity due to high evaporation and low influx of fresh water.
Question 57: What does the textbook explain about The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and abo?
Show answer
The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth.
Question 58: What does the textbook explain about The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the lif?
Show answer
The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it.
Question 59: What does the textbook explain about Next to air, water is the most important element required for the exis?
Show answer
Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth.
Question 60: What does the textbook explain about The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven?
Show answer
The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven.
Question 61: What does the textbook explain about Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited qua?
Show answer
Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited quantity.
Question 62: What does the textbook explain about The hydrological cycle, is the circulation of water within the earth’s?
Show answer
The hydrological cycle, is the circulation of water within the earth’s hydr osphere in dif ferent forms i.e.
Question 63: What does the textbook explain about Water is an essential component of all life forms that exist over the?
Show answer
Water is an essential component of all life forms that exist over the surface of the earth.
Question 64: What does the textbook explain about The creatures on the earth are lucky that it is a water planet, otherw?
Show answer
The creatures on the earth are lucky that it is a water planet, otherwise we all would have no existence.
Question 65: What does the textbook explain about Water is a rare commodity in our solar system?
Show answer
Water is a rare commodity in our solar system.
Section B3
3-Mark Questions
Short-answer questions · 3 marks each.
Question 66: What does the textbook explain about There is no water on the sun or anywhere else in the solar system?
Show answer
There is no water on the sun or anywhere else in the solar system.
Question 67: What does the textbook explain about The earth, fortunately has an abundant supply of water on its surface?
Show answer
The earth, fortunately has an abundant supply of water on its surface.
Question 68: What does the textbook explain about Hence, our planet is called the ‘Blue Planet’?
Show answer
Hence, our planet is called the ‘Blue Planet’.
Question 69: What does the textbook explain about HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE Water is a cyclic resource?
Show answer
HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE Water is a cyclic resource.
Question 70: What does the textbook explain about Water also under goes a cycle fr om CHAPTER WATER (OCEANS) 101 atmosph?
Show answer
Water also under goes a cycle fr om CHAPTER WATER (OCEANS) 101 atmosphere, landsurface and subsurface and the organisms.
Question 71: What does the textbook explain about About 91 per cent of the planetary water is found in the oceans?
Show answer
About 91 per cent of the planetary water is found in the oceans.
Question 72: What does the textbook explain about The remaining is held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps, groundwat?
Show answer
The remaining is held as freshwater in glaciers and icecaps, groundwater sources, lakes, soil moisture, atmosphere, streams and within life.
Question 73: What does the textbook explain about Nearly 59 per cent of the water that falls on land returns to the atmo?
Show answer
Nearly 59 per cent of the water that falls on land returns to the atmosphere through evaporation from over the oceans as well as from other places.
Question 74: What does the textbook explain about The remainder runs-off on the surface, infiltrates into the ground or?
Show answer
The remainder runs-off on the surface, infiltrates into the ground or a part of it becomes glacier.
Question 75: What does the textbook explain about It is to be noted that the renewable water on the earth is constant wh?
Show answer
It is to be noted that the renewable water on the earth is constant while the demand is increasing tremendously.
Section C
5-Mark Questions
Broad-answer questions · 5 marks each.
Question 76: How are various elements of the hydr ological cycle interrelated?
Show answer
The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth. The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it. The hydrological cycle, is the circulation of water within the earth’s hydr osphere in dif ferent forms i.e. HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE Water is a cyclic resource. Water also under goes a cycle fr om CHAPTER WATER (OCEANS) 101 atmosphere, landsurface and subsurface and the organisms. The various seas, bays, gulfs and other inlets are parts of these four large oceans. TEMPERATURE OF OCEAN WATERS This section deals with the spatial and vertical variations of temperature in various oceans.
Question 77: Examine the factors that influence the temperature distribution of the oceans.
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TEMPERATURE OF OCEAN WATERS This section deals with the spatial and vertical variations of temperature in various oceans. Factors Affecting Temperature Distribution The factors which affect the distribution of temperature of ocean water are : (i) Latitude : the temperature of surface water decreases from the equator towards the poles because the amount of insolation decreases poleward. (ii) Unequal distribution of land and water : the oceans in the northern hemisphere receive more heat due to their contact with larger extent of land than the oceans in the southern hemisphere. All these factors influence the temperature of the ocean currents locally. Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Temperature The temperature-depth profile for the ocean water shows how the temperature decreases with the increasing depth. The temperature structure of oceans over middle and low latitudes can be described as a three-layer system from surface to the bottom. The average temperature of surface water of the oceans is about 27°C and it gradually decreases from the equator towards the poles.
Question 78: Explain the textbook discussion of The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and abo and its geographical significance.
Show answer
The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth. The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth. The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it. Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth.
Question 79: Explain the textbook discussion of The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the lif and its geographical significance.
Show answer
The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it. The hydrological cycle describes the movement of water on, in, and above the earth. The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it. Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth. The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven.
Question 80: Explain the textbook discussion of Next to air, water is the most important element required for the exis and its geographical significance.
Show answer
Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth. The water cycle has been working for billions of years and all the life on earth depends on it. Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth. The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven. Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited quantity.
Question 81: Explain the textbook discussion of The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven and its geographical significance.
Show answer
The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven. Next to air, water is the most important element required for the existence of life on earth. The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven. Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited quantity. The hydrological cycle, is the circulation of water within the earth’s hydr osphere in dif ferent forms i.e.
Question 82: Explain the textbook discussion of Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited qua and its geographical significance.
Show answer
Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited quantity. The distribution of water on earth is quite uneven. Many locations have plenty of water while others have very limited quantity. The hydrological cycle, is the circulation of water within the earth’s hydr osphere in dif ferent forms i.e. Water is an essential component of all life forms that exist over the surface of the earth.