MCQs on Perihelion, Aphelion, and Solstice – Geography
Q1. Perihelion refers to the point in Earth’s orbit when it is:
a) Closest to the Sun
b) Farthest from the Sun
c) At the equinox
d) At the solstice
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Correct Answer: a) Closest to the Sun
Explanation: Perihelion is the point in Earth’s orbit when it is closest to the Sun.
Q2. Aphelion refers to the point in Earth’s orbit when it is:
a) Closest to the Sun
b) Farthest from the Sun
c) At the equinox
d) At the solstice
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Correct Answer: b) Farthest from the Sun
Explanation: Aphelion is the point in Earth’s orbit when it is farthest from the Sun.
Q3. When does Perihelion occur?
a) Around January 3
b) Around July 4
c) Around March 20
d) Around September 22
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Correct Answer: a) Around January 3
Explanation: Perihelion occurs around January 3, when Earth is closest to the Sun in its orbit.
Q3. When does Aphelion occur?
a) Around January 3
b) Around July 4
c) Around March 20
d) Around September 22
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Correct Answer: b) Around July 4
Explanation: Aphelion occurs around July 4, when Earth is farthest from the Sun in its orbit.
Q4. A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs:
a) Twice a year
b) Four times a year
c) Once a year
d) Every two years
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Correct Answer: a) Twice a year
Explanation: A solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, marking the longest and shortest days of the year.
Q5. The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around:
a) June 21
b) December 21
c) March 21
d) September 21
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Correct Answer: a) June 21
Explanation: The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around June 21, marking the longest day of the year.
Q6. The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around:
a) June 21
b) December 21
c) March 21
d) September 21
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Correct Answer: b) December 21
Explanation: The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere occurs around December 21, marking the shortest day of the year.
Q8. The summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs around:
a) June 21
b) December 21
c) March 21
d) September 21
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Correct Answer: b) December 21
Explanation: The summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs around December 21, marking the longest day of the year.
Q9. The winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs around:
a) June 21
b) December 21
c) March 21
d) September 21
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Correct Answer: a) June 21
Explanation: The winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere occurs around June 21, marking the shortest day of the year.
Q10. During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at:
a) The Tropic of Cancer
b) The Tropic of Capricorn
c) The Equator
d) The Arctic Circle
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Correct Answer: a) The Tropic of Cancer
Explanation: During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
Q11. During the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at:
a) The Tropic of Cancer
b) The Tropic of Capricorn
c) The Equator
d) The Arctic Circle
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Correct Answer: b) The Tropic of Capricorn
Explanation: During the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn.
Q12. During the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at:
a) The Tropic of Cancer
b) The Tropic of Capricorn
c) The Equator
d) The Arctic Circle
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Correct Answer: b) The Tropic of Capricorn
Explanation: During the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn.
Q13. During the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at:
a) The Tropic of Cancer
b) The Tropic of Capricorn
c) The Equator
d) The Arctic Circle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: a) The Tropic of Cancer
Explanation: During the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the Sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
Q14. The Earth’s axial tilt is approximately:
a) 0 degrees
b) 23.5 degrees
c) 45 degrees
d) 90 degrees
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Correct Answer: b) 23.5 degrees
Explanation: The Earth’s axial tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees, which causes the variation in the angle of the Sun’s rays on Earth’s surface and the occurrence of solstices.
Q15. The Earth’s axial tilt causes:
a) The Coriolis Effect
b) The occurrence of solstices and equinoxes
c) The formation of ocean currents
d) The Earth’s magnetic field
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Correct Answer: b) The occurrence of solstices and equinoxes
Explanation: The Earth’s axial tilt causes the occurrence of solstices and equinoxes, as it results in the variation in the angle of the Sun’s rays on Earth’s surface throughout the year.
Q16. The Earth is closest to the Sun during which season in the Northern Hemisphere?
a) Winter
b) Spring
c) Summer
d) Autumn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: a) Winter
Explanation: The Earth is closest to the Sun during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, as perihelion occurs around January 3.
Q17. The Earth is farthest from the Sun during which season in the Northern Hemisphere?
a) Winter
b) Spring
c) Summer
d) Autumn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: c) Summer
Explanation: The Earth is farthest from the Sun during the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere, as aphelion occurs around July 4.
Q18. The length of daylight during the summer solstice is:
a) The same everywhere on Earth
b) Longer at higher latitudes
c) Longer at lower latitudes
d) The same as during the winter solstice
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Correct Answer: b) Longer at higher latitudes
Explanation: The length of daylight during the summer solstice is longer at higher latitudes, as the Sun’s rays are more direct and the Earth’s axial tilt causes the Sun to be above the horizon for a longer period of time.
Q19. The length of daylight during the winter solstice is:
a) The same everywhere on Earth
b) Longer at higher latitudes
c) Longer at lower latitudes
d) The same as during the summer solstice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: c) Longer at lower latitudes
Explanation: The length of daylight during the winter solstice is longer at lower latitudes, as the Sun’s rays are less direct and the Earth’s axial tilt causes the Sun to be above the horizon for a shorter period of time at higher latitudes.
Q20. The difference in the Earth’s distance from the Sun between perihelion and aphelion is approximately:
a) 3 million kilometers
b) 5 million kilometers
c) 7 million kilometers
d) 9 million kilometers
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Correct Answer: b) 5 million kilometers
Explanation: The difference in the Earth’s distance from the Sun between perihelion and aphelion is approximately 5 million kilometers. At perihelion, Earth is about 147.1 million kilometers from the Sun, while at aphelion, it is about 152.1 million kilometers away.