Here we present 35 MCQ questions from the chapter 12, Some Natural Phenomena. The class 8 chapter from NCERT book is full of wonders and surprises. The chapter contains detail analysis on natural phenomena like lightning and earthquakes. It explains why lightning happens due to charges in clouds and how earthquakes are caused by movements of Earth’s plates. You will also learn more on important safety measures to protect yourself from these events. You will learn about tools like lightning conductors and seismographs.
The MCQs and match-the-following questions for this chapter covers topics such as static electricity, fault zones, and safety during natural disasters. Lets now start the questions to strengthen your knowledge and prepare for exams.
Class 8 Science Chapter 12 MCQ Online Test Questions and Answers
Question 1. What causes lightning?
a) Heat from the Sun
b) Accumulation of charges in clouds
c) High-speed winds
d) Reflection of light in the sky
Answer:
b) Accumulation of charges in clouds
Question 2. What did the ancient Greeks observe about amber?
a) It repelled objects
b) It attracted light objects when rubbed
c) It melted under sunlight
d) It conducted electricity
Answer:
b) It attracted light objects when rubbed
Question 3. What are charges produced by rubbing called?
a) Static charges
b) Dynamic charges
c) Magnetic charges
d) Neutral charges
Answer:
a) Static charges
Question 4. What happens when like charges are brought together?
a) They attract each other
b) They repel each other
c) They neutralize each other
d) No effect
Answer:
b) They repel each other
Question 5. What does an electroscope detect?
a) Magnetic field
b) Light intensity
c) Whether a body is charged
d) Heat energy
Answer:
c) Whether a body is charged
Question 6. What is earthing?
a) Using lightning rods
b) Discharging a charged object to the ground
c) Measuring electrical charge
d) Storing charge in a device
Answer:
b) Discharging a charged object to the ground
Question 7. What causes a crackling sound when removing a sweater?
a) Sound waves
b) Electric discharge
c) Friction between fabric and air
d) Movement of fibers
Answer:
b) Electric discharge
Question 8. What is the role of a lightning conductor?
a) To attract charges
b) To prevent lightning formation
c) To transfer electric charge safely to the ground
d) To convert lightning into heat
Answer:
c) To transfer electric charge safely to the ground
Question 9. How is an earthquake caused?
a) Movement of Earth’s plates
b) Sun’s radiation
c) Wind pressure
d) Human activities
Answer:
a) Movement of Earth’s plates
Question 10. Which device measures seismic waves?
a) Electroscope
b) Seismograph
c) Barometer
d) Hydrometer
Answer:
b) Seismograph
Question 11. What scale measures earthquake intensity?
a) Celsius scale
b) Richter scale
c) Seismic scale
d) Energy scale
Answer:
b) Richter scale
Question 12. Which part of India is least likely to experience earthquakes?
a) Kashmir
b) Rann of Kutch
c) Western Ghats
d) Northeast India
Answer:
c) Western Ghats
Question 13. What is a tsunami?
a) Strong wind
b) Large sea waves caused by an earthquake
c) Volcanic eruption
d) Heavy rainfall
Answer:
b) Large sea waves caused by an earthquake
Question 14. What happens when two plates collide?
a) Lightning occurs
b) Earthquakes occur
c) Air pressure increases
d) Temperature decreases
Answer:
b) Earthquakes occur
Question 15. What precaution should be taken during a thunderstorm?
a) Use an umbrella
b) Avoid open fields and tall objects
c) Stand under a tree
d) Touch metal objects
Answer:
b) Avoid open fields and tall objects
Question 16. What happens to lightning charges in a conductor?
a) They vanish
b) They get stored
c) They pass into the ground
d) They multiply
Answer:
c) They pass into the ground
Question 17. What is the cause of static electricity?
a) Movement of magnetic fields
b) Rubbing two objects together
c) High temperatures
d) Flow of electric current
Answer:
b) Rubbing two objects together
Question 18. Why do heavy objects fall during an earthquake?
a) Ground vibration
b) Strong winds
c) Heat from the core
d) Change in gravity
Answer:
a) Ground vibration
Question 19. What is a fault zone?
a) A weak region in the Earth’s crust
b) An area with high rainfall
c) A magnetic zone
d) A desert region
Answer:
a) A weak region in the Earth’s crust
Question 20. What is the safe position during lightning?
a) Lie on the ground
b) Squat low with hands on knees
c) Stand near tall buildings
d) Climb a tree
Answer:
b) Squat low with hands on knees
Question 21. What protects tall buildings from lightning?
a) Earthing system
b) Lightning conductor
c) Metal roofs
d) Insulated walls
Answer:
b) Lightning conductor
Question 22. How is electric charge transferred to the Earth?
a) Using a wire
b) Using lightning rods
c) Through earthing
d) Through a battery
Answer:
c) Through earthing
Question 23. What is the origin of seismic waves?
a) Earth’s surface
b) Earth’s crust
c) Earth’s core
d) Fault zones in the crust
Answer:
d) Fault zones in the crust
Question 24. What happens when opposite charges come close?
a) They attract each other
b) They repel each other
c) They neutralize each other
d) They remain unaffected
Answer:
a) They attract each other
Question 25. What safety measure is essential in a building for earthquake protection?
a) Lightning rod
b) Flexible design
c) Insulated walls
d) Metal roof
Answer:
b) Flexible design
Question 26. What is the function of a seismograph?
a) To measure the magnitude of light
b) To record ground vibrations
c) To detect weather changes
d) To measure temperature
Answer:
b) To record ground vibrations
Question 27. What should you avoid during an earthquake?
a) Standing in an open area
b) Taking shelter under a table
c) Using elevators
d) Staying calm
Answer:
c) Using elevators
Question 28. What happens to charged objects over time?
a) They lose their charge
b) They gain more charge
c) They remain permanently charged
d) They emit light
Answer:
a) They lose their charge
Question 29. What device prevents damage during lightning strikes?
a) Circuit breaker
b) Earthing system
c) Lightning conductor
d) Insulated cables
Answer:
c) Lightning conductor
Question 30. What does the Richter scale measure?
a) Wind speed
b) Earthquake intensity
c) Magnetic strength
d) Light intensity
Answer:
b) Earthquake intensity
Question 31. What forms when charges move suddenly through the atmosphere?
a) Tornado
b) Lightning
c) Earthquake
d) Cyclone
Answer:
b) Lightning
Question 32. Which type of house structure is better during earthquakes?
a) Tall and rigid
b) Flexible and low-rise
c) Built with glass
d) Large and heavy
Answer:
b) Flexible and low-rise
Question 33. What type of waves does an earthquake generate?
a) Light waves
b) Heat waves
c) Seismic waves
d) Sound waves
Answer:
c) Seismic waves
Question 34. Why is water not safe during a thunderstorm?
a) It attracts lightning
b) It blocks electricity
c) It absorbs wind
d) It becomes colder
Answer:
a) It attracts lightning
Question 35. What should you do during an earthquake if you’re indoors?
a) Stand near windows
b) Take cover under sturdy furniture
c) Run outside immediately
d) Use an elevator
Answer:
b) Take cover under sturdy furniture
Question 36 – Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Device used to measure seismic waves | A. Fault zone |
| 2. Scale used to measure earthquake intensity | B. Electroscope |
| 3. Weak regions in Earth’s crust | C. Richter scale |
| 4. Instrument detecting electric charge | D. Seismograph |
| 5. Squatting during a thunderstorm | E. Lightning conductor |
| 6. Prevents damage from lightning strikes | F. Safe position |
| 7. Large sea waves caused by earthquakes | G. Tsunami |
Answer:
| Column A | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Device used to measure seismic waves | D. Seismograph |
| 2. Scale used to measure earthquake intensity | C. Richter scale |
| 3. Weak regions in Earth’s crust | A. Fault zone |
| 4. Instrument detecting electric charge | B. Electroscope |
| 5. Squatting during a thunderstorm | F. Safe position |
| 6. Prevents damage from lightning strikes | E. Lightning conductor |
| 7. Large sea waves caused by earthquakes | G. Tsunami |
