Free geography foundations check

Check how you understand places and patterns.

Cover maps, physical systems, climate, population, resources, cities, and geographic reasoning. You will receive an indicative G1-G4 result.

9 min: Typical time
15: Questions
G1-G4: Level range

Question 1 of 15 0 answered

1 Map coordinates

What is the latitude of the Equator?

A 0 degrees B 23.5 degrees north C 90 degrees north D 180 degrees

2 Physical features

Which is the largest ocean by surface area?

A Arctic Ocean B Indian Ocean C Atlantic Ocean D Pacific Ocean

3 Map skills

What does a map scale show?

A The relationship between map distance and real-world distance B The age of every building C Only the direction north D The temperature at sea level

4 Regions

On which continent is the Sahara Desert located?

A Africa B South America C Europe D Australia

5 Map coordinates

What does longitude measure?

A Distance east or west of the Prime Meridian B Height above sea level only C Annual rainfall D Distance north or south of the Equator

6 Climate

How does climate differ from weather?

A Climate describes long-term patterns; weather describes short-term conditions B Climate lasts one hour; weather lasts centuries C Climate occurs only at the poles D There is no difference

7 Rivers

How does a river delta commonly form?

A Sediment is deposited near the river mouth B A glacier moves uphill C Ocean water permanently stops moving D A volcano removes all nearby land

8 Population

What does population density measure?

A People per unit of area B The average age of mountains C The number of rivers in a country D Distance from the Equator

9 Tectonics

Why are earthquakes especially common near many tectonic plate boundaries?

A Stress builds and is released as plates interact B All boundaries have identical climates C Ocean tides stop at plate edges D The atmosphere is thinner there

10 Climate

What is a rain-shadow effect?

A A dry area on the downwind side of a mountain range B A permanent shadow cast by the Moon C Rain that falls only over oceans D A map showing nighttime temperatures

11 Settlements

What is urbanization?

A Growth in the proportion of people living in urban areas B The erosion of every coastline C A decline in all forms of transport D The movement of plates beneath cities

12 Resources

Which energy source is renewable on a human timescale?

A Coal B Petroleum C Solar energy D Natural gas

13 Data representation

What does a choropleth map usually use to represent differences among areas?

A Different shades or colors B Only photographs C A single compass arrow D A written paragraph with no spatial boundaries

14 Time and Earth

Earth rotates 360 degrees in about 24 hours. Approximately how much longitude corresponds to one hour of solar time?

A 5 degrees B 15 degrees C 45 degrees D 90 degrees

15 Geographic reasoning

A pollutant enters a river upstream. Which location is generally at greatest immediate risk from transport by the river?

A Communities downstream B A mountain across a separate watershed C A desert with no connection to the river D Every place on Earth equally

Before you begin

Use your own knowledge.

Choose one answer for every question.
Do not use calculators, compilers, search, or reference tools.
There is no timer, so read naturally.
You can retake the test as your skills improve.

This is an indicative self-assessment, not an accredited certificate or formal examination. It samples selected foundations and cannot measure every part of the subject.