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Free Practice Questions for GCE A/L Geography

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Exam pass rate: Approximately 60% to 70% of candidates achieve a passing grade (S or above) in GCE A/L Geography annually.
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Exam Review

Key Facts: GCE A/L Geography Exam

50 MCQs

Paper 1 Question Count

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

5 Hours

Total Examination Duration (Paper 1: 2h, Paper 2: 3h)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Subject 28

Official Subject Code

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

3 Zones

Sri Lanka Climatic Classifications (Wet, Intermediate, Dry)

Department of Agriculture / Survey Department

1:50,000

Standard Practical Topographic Map Scale

Survey Department of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka GCE A/L Geography (Subject Code 22) evaluates physical landforms, weather patterns, human geography, Sri Lankan regional dynamics, and topographic map interpretation across two comprehensive examination papers.

Sample GCE A/L Geography Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE A/L Geography exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In which atmospheric layer do virtually all everyday weather phenomena, including cloud formation, turbulence, and precipitation, take place?
A.Stratosphere
B.Mesosphere
C.Troposphere
D.Thermosphere
Explanation: The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to an average altitude of approximately 11 to 12 km. It contains over 75% of the atmosphere's total mass and nearly all of its water vapor and aerosols. Convection and turbulence within this layer drive evaporation, condensation, and active weather systems.
2Which major rock category forms through the processes of weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation of mineral particles?
A.Igneous rocks
B.Metamorphic rocks
C.Sedimentary rocks
D.Plutonic rocks
Explanation: Sedimentary rocks originate from pre-existing rock fragments or organic remains that undergo lithification. Mechanical weathering breaks source materials into clasts, which are transported and deposited in distinct strata before burial pressure and mineral cements bind them together. Common examples include sandstone, shale, and limestone.
3What is the term for the biological mechanism by which water absorbed by plant roots is released as water vapor into the atmosphere through leaf stomata?
A.Sublimation
B.Infiltration
C.Percolation
D.Transpiration
Explanation: Transpiration is the physiological loss of water vapor from terrestrial plants, predominantly through microscopic stomata on their leaves. Combined with evaporation from soil and open water bodies, it forms evapotranspiration, which constitutes a primary pathway returning moisture to the atmosphere. This process maintains nutrient transport and plant temperature regulation.
4Which fluvial landform is created when a mature river cuts through the narrow neck of an exaggerated meander loop, isolating the old channel?
A.Alluvial fan
B.Gorge
C.Oxbow lake
D.Pothole
Explanation: An oxbow lake is a crescent-shaped body of standing water formed in the middle or lower course of a river valley. Lateral erosion on the concave outer banks of a meander neck narrows the gap until the stream breaches the neck during high discharge. Subsequent deposition of sediment seals off the old abandoned bend, leaving an isolated crescent water body.
5Which type of mass wasting represents the slowest, most continuous downslope movement of soil and regolith under the influence of gravity?
A.Rockfall
B.Debris avalanche
C.Mudflow
D.Soil creep
Explanation: Soil creep is the slow, imperceptible, continuous downslope movement of superficial mantle and weathered regolith. It is driven by cyclic freeze-thaw or wet-dry cycles that cause expansion perpendicular to the slope and gravitational settling vertically downward. Surface indicators include tilted fence posts, curved tree trunks, and tilted telephone poles.
6What coastal erosional feature remains standing as an isolated vertical column of rock offshore after the roof of a sea arch collapses?
A.Spit
B.Tombolo
C.Wave-cut platform
D.Sea stack
Explanation: A sea stack is an isolated pillar of rock standing just offshore from a headland. It represents the sequential evolution of marine erosion where hydraulic action and abrasion enlarge sea caves on opposite sides of a headland into an arch. When weathering and wave undercutting cause the arch roof to collapse, the detached seaward pillar remains as a stack.
7Which global surface wind belt blows consistently from the subtropical high-pressure belts toward the equatorial low-pressure trough?
A.Polar easterlies
B.Westerlies
C.Trade winds
D.Katabatic winds
Explanation: The trade winds are steady planetary winds blowing from the subtropical high-pressure cells (around 30° N and S) toward the Equatorial Low (ITCZ). Due to the Coriolis effect, they are deflected to become the North-East Trades in the Northern Hemisphere and the South-East Trades in the Southern Hemisphere. They represent the lower equatorward limb of the tropical Hadley cell.
8Which type of sand dune displays a crescent shape with two horns pointing downwind in regions of constant wind direction and limited sand supply?
A.Seif dune
B.Barchan dune
C.Star dune
D.Transverse dune
Explanation: A barchan is an isolated, crescent-shaped sand dune whose tips or horns point in the downwind direction. Barchans develop in arid and semi-arid environments where winds blow predominantly from one consistent direction and the mobile sand supply is relatively sparse over a hard, flat desert floor. Sand saltates up the gentle windward slope and avalanches down the steeper slip face.
9What form of mechanical weathering occurs when water repeatedly enters rock fractures, freezes, expands by roughly 9%, and wedges the rock apart?
A.Frost wedging (freeze-thaw)
B.Carbonation
C.Oxidation
D.Hydration
Explanation: Frost wedging, or freeze-thaw weathering, is an effective mechanical disintegration process prevalent in periglacial and alpine environments. Liquid water seeps into pre-existing joint sets, crevices, and pore spaces during warmer hours. Upon freezing, the volumetric expansion of water exerts immense tensile stress against rock walls, progressively widening fractures until the rock shatters into angular talus or scree.
10Which geological feature develops along convergent plate boundaries where an oceanic plate is forced beneath a continental plate into the mantle?
A.Mid-ocean ridge
B.Continental rift valley
C.Transform fault
D.Deep ocean trench and volcanic arc
Explanation: At oceanic-continental convergent boundaries, the denser oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath the more buoyant continental plate. This descent creates a deep ocean trench parallel to the coastline along the subduction zone. As the downgoing slab dehydrates and induces partial melting in the overriding mantle wedge, buoyant magma rises to generate an inland chain of volcanoes known as a continental volcanic arc.

About the GCE A/L Geography Exam

Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Geography (Subject Code 22) is an established academic discipline offered in the Arts stream. Administered annually by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, the subject explores the interactions between natural physical environments and human socioeconomic systems. The curriculum encompasses physical geomorphology, atmospheric circulation, global climatic classifications, human settlement dynamics, economic production, and spatial disparities. A major component of the assessment is devoted to the geography of Sri Lanka, exploring the island's three peneplains, river drainage networks, the Mahaweli irrigation project, wet and dry climatic divisions, tea, rubber, coconut, and paddy agricultural sectors, and environmental hazards. In addition, students are assessed on practical cartography, including reading 1:50,000 topographic maps produced by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka, interpreting contour profiles, calculating gradients, and understanding modern spatial techniques such as GIS and remote sensing. This independent practice bank provides 100 questions designed to reinforce core syllabus themes.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The G.C.E. Advanced Level Geography examination consists of two written papers, each allotted 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time in the Department of Examinations timetable. The papers assess physical and human geography, the regional geography of Sri Lanka, and practical techniques including 1:50,000 topographic map interpretation. There is no separate short multiple-choice paper.

Time Limit

Paper I: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time; Paper II: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time (total 6 hours 20 minutes)

Passing Score

Grade S or higher

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Approximately 60% to 70% of candidates achieve a passing grade (S or above) in GCE A/L Geography annually.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Physical Geography and Geomorphology

Plate tectonics, rock types, weathering and mass wasting, fluvial, coastal, and arid landforms, atmospheric structure, insolation, global wind belts, monsoon dynamics, precipitation types, and the hydrological cycle.

30%

Human and Economic Geography

Global population distribution, demographic transition model, migration trends, urbanization and urban hierarchy, central place theory, agricultural systems (subsistence and commercial plantation), industrial location factors, and global trade patterns.

25%

Geography of Sri Lanka

Morphological zones and peneplains, river basins and the Mahaweli development scheme, climatic zones (wet, dry, intermediate), South-West and North-East monsoon seasons, tea, rubber, coconut, and paddy sectors, and disaster management.

15%

Practical Geography and Spatial Techniques

Interpretation of 1:50,000 metric topographic maps, contour patterns, gradient calculation, cross-sections, map projections, statistical diagrams, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and GPS applications.

Preparing for the GCE A/L Geography Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher
  • Assessment: The G.C.E. Advanced Level Geography examination consists of two written papers, each allotted 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time in the Department of Examinations timetable. The papers assess physical and human geography, the regional geography of Sri Lanka, and practical techniques including 1:50,000 topographic map interpretation. There is no separate short multiple-choice paper.
  • Time limit: Paper I: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time; Paper II: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time (total 6 hours 20 minutes)
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the GCE A/L Geography examination in Sri Lanka?

The examination consists of two papers. Paper 1 has 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions (2 hours) covering the entire syllabus. Paper 2 is a 3-hour paper divided into structured essay sections and practical map-work, including an obligatory 1:50,000 topographic map question.

What grades are awarded for GCE A/L Geography in Sri Lanka?

Results are reported using five official performance grades: A (Distinction, 75–100%), B (Very Good Pass, 65–74%), C (Credit Pass, 55–64%), S (Ordinary Pass, 35–54%), and F (Fail, 0–34%). University admission also relies on the standardized Z-score calculated across three subjects.

Which topographic maps are used in the practical section?

The Department of Examinations uses standard 1:50,000 metric topographic series sheets published by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka. Candidates are required to measure grid coordinates, calculate ground distances and slopes, interpret contour shapes, and analyze land-use patterns.

In which languages can candidates take the GCE A/L Geography exam?

The examination is offered in three official media: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Candidates must answer both papers in the language medium in which they were registered.

How important is the Mahaweli Development Programme in the exam?

The Accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme is a frequent topic in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Questions routinely test knowledge of major reservoirs (e.g., Victoria, Kotmale, Randenigala, Rantembe), trans-basin water diversions to the dry zone, agricultural systems, and hydropower generation.