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Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 The Origin and Evolution of the Earth 2025-26

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Important Questions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 with Answers and Free PDF

Important Questions Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 The Origin and Evolution of the Earth brings you the most asked exam topics for CBSE students. This page covers subject Geography for Class 11, focusing on chapter 2. Here, you will find Vedantu’s Important Questions with Answers designed as per current CBSE patterns.


Prepare confidently with class 11 geography chapter 2 important questions in hindi and English. Each question comes with accurate stepwise solutions, including map-based, MCQ, short, and long-answer types. This is ideal for school exams, pre-boards and quick concept revision.


Quickly build your exam skills with these key questions and correct answers. Save time on revision and check your understanding. You can also download the Important Questions PDF for free directly from this page.


Important Questions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 with Answers and Free PDF

1. Multiple choice questions.

Q1. The Big Bang Theory suggests the universe started from:


  • (a) A giant star
  • (b) A massive explosion of a tiny, dense ball
  • (c) Earth’s crust breaking
  • (d) Steady contraction of gases

Answer: (b) A massive explosion of a tiny, dense ball. 

According to the theory, all matter was once concentrated in a single point which exploded to form the universe.


Q2. Which process helped heavier materials form the earth’s core?


  • (a) Degassing
  • (b) Differentiation
  • (c) Rotation
  • (d) Fusion

Answer: (b) Differentiation. 

Heavier materials, such as iron, sank to the center due to this process, forming earth’s core.


Q3. Which gas was NOT present in large amounts in the earth’s earliest atmosphere?


  • (a) Hydrogen
  • (b) Helium
  • (c) Oxygen
  • (d) Methane

Answer: (c) Oxygen. 

Free oxygen was almost absent; it appeared much later after the evolution of photosynthetic life.


2. Very Short Answer (VSA).


Q1. Define nebular hypothesis.


Answer: The nebular hypothesis suggests that planets formed from a rotating cloud of gas and dust around the young sun, gradually condensing into solid bodies.


Q2. What is meant by ‘degassing’?


Answer: Degassing is the process through which gases and water vapor were released from the earth’s interior, helping to form the atmosphere and oceans.


Q3. Name the main components of the current atmosphere.


Answer: The main components of today’s atmosphere are nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂), with minor amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide and argon.


3. Short Answer Questions.


Q1. How did the earth’s oceans form, according to the chapter?


Answer: As earth cooled, water vapor released by degassing condensed into rain. This rain collected in surface depressions over time, forming oceans. Oceans appeared within 500 million years of earth’s formation and played a role in nurturing early life forms.


Q2. Give two evidences supporting the Big Bang Theory described in the chapter.


Answer: One, Edwin Hubble’s observation that galaxies are moving away from each other shows the universe is expanding. Two, the presence of cosmic background radiation indicates a hot, dense origin for the universe.


Q3. What is accretion and how did it help in planet formation?


Answer: Accretion is the gradual accumulation of particles into a massive body. In the solar system, dust and gas stuck together by gravity and collision, forming planetesimals that eventually became planets.


4. Long Answer Questions.


Q1. Explain the major stages in the evolution of the atmosphere as given in the chapter.


Answer: The present atmosphere formed in three stages. Initially, earth’s primordial atmosphere of hydrogen and helium was lost to solar winds. Secondly, volcanic eruptions (degassing) released gases and water vapor; rain condensed forming oceans. Finally, life evolved photosynthesis, producing oxygen, which accumulated in the atmosphere.

  1. Primordial atmosphere lost due to solar winds.
  2. Degassing from earth’s interior released gases/water vapor.
  3. Photosynthetic life forms added oxygen to the atmosphere.


Q2. Describe the process and significance of differentiation in the evolution of earth.


Answer: Differentiation refers to the separation of materials inside the earth due to differences in density. Heavier elements (iron, nickel) sank to the center, forming the core, while lighter elements formed the crust and mantle. This process created the earth’s layered structure and greatly influenced its physical and chemical evolution.

  1. Heavier materials sink inward.
  2. Lighter materials rise to surface.
  3. Distinct crust, mantle, core layers form.


Q3. Explain how the formation of stars and planets are linked, as described in NCERT.


Answer: Galaxies formed from uneven distribution of matter led to clumping of gas clouds (nebulae), which formed stars. Around stars, material formed rotating disks. From these disks, matter condensed, turning into planetesimals and later planets. Thus, planet formation is closely tied to star evolution within a nebula.

  1. Galaxies/clumps of gas form (nebula).
  2. Gravitational forces form stars.
  3. Disks around stars condense to planetesimals, then planets.


5. Assertion–Reason type questions.


Assertion (A): Oxygen became abundant in earth’s atmosphere only after the evolution of photosynthetic organisms.
Reason (R): Early atmosphere mainly contained hydrogen, helium, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.


  • (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  • (c) A is true, but R is false
  • (d) A is false, but R is true

Answer: (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A. Early gases did not include free oxygen; photosynthesis later increased oxygen, but the reason does not fully explain the assertion.


Assertion (A): The process of accretion was essential for the formation of planets.
Reason (R): Accretion causes material to stick together by gravity and collisions, forming larger bodies.


  • (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  • (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  • (c) A is true, but R is false
  • (d) A is false, but R is true

Answer: (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. Accretion led to the sticking together of material, forming planetesimals and planets.


Benefits of Understanding the Origin and Evolution of the Earth

Learning important questions for class 11 geography chapter 2 The Origin and Evolution of the Earth helps students build deep conceptual clarity. Understanding the sequence of earth’s formation and the processes involved makes exam preparation more logical and enjoyable.


With class 11 geography chapter 2 important questions answers, aspirants can practice both short and long answer types, which are crucial for CBSE success. Key topics like nebular hypothesis, differentiation, and atmospheric evolution are also clarified. Practicing these helps in quick revision and boosts confidence for board exams and school tests.

FAQs on Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 The Origin and Evolution of the Earth 2025-26

1. Are these important questions enough for Class 11 Geography chapter tests?

Important questions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 help in targeted exam practice. They cover probable and high-weightage topics. However, you should also revise the entire chapter briefly, review NCERT diagrams and maps, and attempt sample papers for full confidence before school or pre-board exams.

2. How to frame long answers to match CBSE step marking?

To earn full marks in long answers, structure your response as:

  • Introduction with definition or context.
  • Key points in separate paragraphs or bullets, each with explanation.
  • Add diagrams/maps if relevant.
  • Conclude with a summary line.
Underline main keywords for visibility.

3. Where can I download important questions with answers as PDF?

You can access Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 important questions with answers PDF from Vedantu’s website. Look for the download option at the top or end of the topic page to study questions, answers, and notes offline and revise anywhere.

4. How to practice diagrams/maps effectively for this chapter?

Practicing diagrams and maps helps secure easy marks. To prepare:

  • Redraw labelled diagrams from NCERT.
  • Review common map labelling questions.
  • Use sharp pencils and maintain clear labels.
This routine improves speed and neatness for diagram-based questions.

5. Which high-weightage subtopics should I revise first?

The most important areas for Class 11 Geography Chapter 2 often include:

  • The Big Bang Theory and nebular hypothesis
  • Formation of Earth and structure
  • Evidence of evolution of atmosphere and hydrosphere
Focus on these with proper definitions and diagrams.

6. Do examiners award partial marks for correct steps even if the final answer is wrong?

Yes, CBSE examiners give step marking. If you follow the correct approach and write logical steps (even if the last answer is incorrect), you can get partial marks. Always show your work clearly, underline important points, and present diagrams if required.

7. Should I memorize textbook page numbers or focus on command words and value points?

It’s better to focus on key value points and command words like “explain”, “define”, or “justify”, rather than memorizing page numbers. Examiners look for direct, to-the-point answers that use chapter keywords and show understanding of concepts.