The following 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) are based on
Chapter 6: Pressure, Winds, Storms, and Cyclones from the NCERT Class 8
Science textbook Curiosity. Each question has four options - select the
best answer and click to check.
Instructions: Read each question carefully. Choose the most
appropriate option from (a), (b), (c), or (d). Click
Show Answer to reveal the correct answer with explanation.
Multiple Choice Questions
1Pressure is defined as:
(a) Force per unit area
(b) Area per unit force
(c) Mass per unit volume
(d) Work per unit time
(a) is correct
The same force produces different pressure depending on the area over which it acts.
2Why are broad shoulder straps more comfortable on a heavy bag?
(a) They increase weight
(b) They remove gravity
(c) They concentrate force
(d) They spread force over a larger area and reduce pressure
(d) is correct
Increasing contact area lowers pressure for the same weight.
3A force of 200 N acts over 0.5 m2. The pressure is:
(a) 400 Pa
(b) 1000 Pa
(c) 100 Pa
(d) 200 Pa
(a) is correct
Pressure = 200/0.5 = 400 pascals.
4Why does a sharp knife cut more easily than a blunt one?
(a) It removes friction
(b) Its smaller edge area produces greater pressure
(c) It has no force
(d) Its mass is always smaller
(b) is correct
Concentrating the applied force over a narrow edge increases pressure.
5Liquid pressure at a point generally increases with:
(a) Depth
(b) Container colour
(c) Surface shape only
(d) Decreasing liquid level
(a) is correct
A deeper point supports a taller column of liquid above it.
6At the same depth in the same liquid, pressure is:
(a) Only downward
(b) Zero sideways
(c) Dependent only on container shape
(d) The same in all directions
(d) is correct
A fluid at rest transmits pressure in all directions.
7Two differently shaped vessels contain the same liquid to the same height. Pressure at their bottoms is:
(a) Always larger in the narrower vessel
(b) Zero
(c) The same
(d) Always larger in the wider vessel
(c) is correct
For the same liquid, bottom pressure depends on depth rather than vessel shape.
8Water tanks are placed at a height mainly to:
(a) Create a vacuum
(b) Provide water pressure due to height
(c) Reduce gravitational force to zero
(d) Stop water flow
(b) is correct
The vertical water column creates pressure that drives water through pipes.
9Which observation shows that air exerts pressure?
(a) A sealed can can be crushed when inside pressure falls
(b) Air has no mass
(c) Wind never moves objects
(d) An open bottle always remains empty
(a) is correct
Greater external atmospheric pressure can deform a container when internal pressure is reduced.
10Air normally flows from:
(a) Low pressure to high pressure only
(b) Cold to warm regardless of pressure
(c) Sea to land at all times
(d) High pressure to low pressure
(d) is correct
Pressure differences drive wind.
11Unequal heating of Earth's surface produces wind mainly by creating:
(a) No convection
(b) More gravity
(c) Pressure differences
(d) Identical air density everywhere
(c) is correct
Warm rising air and cooler sinking air establish pressure gradients and circulation.
12During a summer afternoon, sea breeze blows:
(a) From the equator to both poles
(b) From sea toward warmer land
(c) From land toward sea
(d) Only vertically downward
(b) is correct
Land heats faster, causing air to rise and cooler air from over the sea to move inland.
13High-speed air flowing over a surface generally produces:
(a) Lower pressure there
(b) Higher pressure in every case
(c) No pressure difference
(d) A larger gravitational force
(a) is correct
Faster airflow is associated with reduced pressure in the situations explored in the chapter.
14Why are holes made in large banners?
(a) To increase pressure difference
(b) To make them heavier
(c) To attract lightning
(d) To let air pass through and reduce wind force
(d) is correct
Openings reduce the effective pressure exerted by strong winds.
15A thunderstorm develops when warm, moist air:
(a) Stops condensing
(b) Becomes solid
(c) Rises rapidly and forms tall clouds
(d) Always sinks and dries
(c) is correct
Strong convection, cooling and condensation build cumulonimbus clouds.
16Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by:
(a) Moonlight
(b) Separation and buildup of electric charges
(c) Only sound waves
(d) Loss of air pressure alone
(b) is correct
Large potential differences within clouds or between cloud and ground can discharge through air.
17During lightning, the safer place is generally:
(a) Inside a closed car or substantial building
(b) Under an isolated tree
(c) In an open field
(d) In water
(a) is correct
A proper enclosure offers much better protection than exposed high points or water.
18The calm central region of a cyclone is called the:
(a) Wall cloud
(b) Front
(c) Breeze
(d) Eye
(d) is correct
The eye has relatively light winds, though the surrounding eyewall is extremely dangerous.
19Cyclones form over warm ocean water because it supplies:
(a) Only dust
(b) A solid surface
(c) Moisture and heat energy
(d) Snow and ice
(c) is correct
Warm water fuels evaporation, condensation and the low-pressure storm system.
20Which action is appropriate when a cyclone warning is issued?
(a) Stand near windows
(b) Follow official alerts and move to a safe shelter if advised
(c) Go to the coast to watch waves
(d) Ignore evacuation advice
(b) is correct
Preparedness, reliable warnings and timely evacuation reduce injury and loss of life.
