WGU D199: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL AND
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(2025/2026)
Introduction
This 2025/2026 practice exam and summary set aligns with WGU D199 competencies,
covering physical and human geography fundamentals. It includes 100 multiple-choice
questions with rationales based on standard geographic principles (e.g., National
Geographic Society and AGSL texts). Use for mastery of Earth's systems, human
patterns, and interactions. Summary at end recaps key concepts.
Question [1]: What layer of Earth's structure is the uppermost part of the mantle, where
convection currents drive plate tectonics?
A. Asthenosphere
B. Lithosphere
C. Outer core
D. Crust
Answer: A — Asthenosphere
Rationale: The asthenosphere is semi-fluid, enabling mantle convection for plate
movement; lithosphere rigid (B), core metallic (C), crust thin outer (D).
Question [2]: The hydrosphere primarily consists of?
A. Atmosphere gases
B. Earth's water in all forms
C. Biosphere organisms
D. Lithospheric rocks
Answer: B — Earth's water in all forms
Rationale: Hydrosphere encompasses oceans, rivers, ice, and vapor (97% saltwater);
atmosphere air (A), biosphere life (C), lithosphere solids (D).
,Question [3]: Which process describes the slow movement of continents over millions of
years?
A. Erosion
B. Continental drift
C. Volcanism
D. Weathering
Answer: B — Continental drift
Rationale: Continental drift (Wegener's theory) explains Pangaea breakup via plate
motion; erosion wears land (A), volcanism lava (C), weathering breakdown (D).
Question [4]: Transform boundaries primarily cause?
A. Mountain building
B. Earthquakes
C. Rifting
D. Subduction
Answer: B — Earthquakes
Rationale: Sliding plates at transform boundaries (e.g., San Andreas) generate friction
earthquakes; mountains convergent (A), rifting divergent (C), subduction oceanic (D).
Question [5]: The Ring of Fire is associated with?
A. Tropical rainforests
B. Convergent plate boundaries and volcanism
C. Desert biomes
D. River deltas
Answer: B — Convergent plate boundaries and volcanism
Rationale: Pacific Ring of Fire marks subduction zones with 75% global
volcanoes/earthquakes; biomes unrelated (A,C), deltas depositional (D).
Question [6]: Atmospheric circulation cells include the?
A. Hadley, Ferrel, Polar
B. Trade, Westerly, Easterly
C. Jet stream only
D. Convection only
, Answer: A — Hadley, Ferrel, Polar
Rationale: Three-cell model (Hadley tropical, Ferrel mid-latitude, Polar high-latitude)
drives global winds; winds surface (B), jet upper (C), convection local (D).
Question [7]: Köppen classification G for "humid subtropical" features?
A. Cold winters, hot summers
B. Hot, humid summers; mild winters
C. Dry, extreme temperatures
D. Tundra cold
Answer: B — Hot, humid summers; mild winters
Rationale: Cfa Köppen: Humid subtropical with C (mild winter), f (no dry), a (hot
summer); continental cold (A), arid dry (C), polar tundra (D).
Question [8]: El Niño-Southern Oscillation affects?
A. Ocean currents only
B. Global weather patterns and ENSO cycles
C. Soil erosion
D. Urban heat islands
Answer: B — Global weather patterns and ENSO cycles
Rationale: ENSO (El Niño warm phase) disrupts trade winds, causing droughts/floods
worldwide; currents part (A), erosion local (C), urban micro (D).
Question [9]: Karst topography forms from?
A. Wind erosion
B. Groundwater dissolution of limestone
C. Glacial carving
D. Volcanic lava
Answer: B — Groundwater dissolution of limestone
Rationale: Karst (caves/sinkholes) via CO2-acidified water eroding soluble rock; wind
desert (A), glacial U-shapes (C), volcanic flows (D).
Question [10]: The rock cycle involves?
A. Sedimentary to igneous only
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(2025/2026)
Introduction
This 2025/2026 practice exam and summary set aligns with WGU D199 competencies,
covering physical and human geography fundamentals. It includes 100 multiple-choice
questions with rationales based on standard geographic principles (e.g., National
Geographic Society and AGSL texts). Use for mastery of Earth's systems, human
patterns, and interactions. Summary at end recaps key concepts.
Question [1]: What layer of Earth's structure is the uppermost part of the mantle, where
convection currents drive plate tectonics?
A. Asthenosphere
B. Lithosphere
C. Outer core
D. Crust
Answer: A — Asthenosphere
Rationale: The asthenosphere is semi-fluid, enabling mantle convection for plate
movement; lithosphere rigid (B), core metallic (C), crust thin outer (D).
Question [2]: The hydrosphere primarily consists of?
A. Atmosphere gases
B. Earth's water in all forms
C. Biosphere organisms
D. Lithospheric rocks
Answer: B — Earth's water in all forms
Rationale: Hydrosphere encompasses oceans, rivers, ice, and vapor (97% saltwater);
atmosphere air (A), biosphere life (C), lithosphere solids (D).
,Question [3]: Which process describes the slow movement of continents over millions of
years?
A. Erosion
B. Continental drift
C. Volcanism
D. Weathering
Answer: B — Continental drift
Rationale: Continental drift (Wegener's theory) explains Pangaea breakup via plate
motion; erosion wears land (A), volcanism lava (C), weathering breakdown (D).
Question [4]: Transform boundaries primarily cause?
A. Mountain building
B. Earthquakes
C. Rifting
D. Subduction
Answer: B — Earthquakes
Rationale: Sliding plates at transform boundaries (e.g., San Andreas) generate friction
earthquakes; mountains convergent (A), rifting divergent (C), subduction oceanic (D).
Question [5]: The Ring of Fire is associated with?
A. Tropical rainforests
B. Convergent plate boundaries and volcanism
C. Desert biomes
D. River deltas
Answer: B — Convergent plate boundaries and volcanism
Rationale: Pacific Ring of Fire marks subduction zones with 75% global
volcanoes/earthquakes; biomes unrelated (A,C), deltas depositional (D).
Question [6]: Atmospheric circulation cells include the?
A. Hadley, Ferrel, Polar
B. Trade, Westerly, Easterly
C. Jet stream only
D. Convection only
, Answer: A — Hadley, Ferrel, Polar
Rationale: Three-cell model (Hadley tropical, Ferrel mid-latitude, Polar high-latitude)
drives global winds; winds surface (B), jet upper (C), convection local (D).
Question [7]: Köppen classification G for "humid subtropical" features?
A. Cold winters, hot summers
B. Hot, humid summers; mild winters
C. Dry, extreme temperatures
D. Tundra cold
Answer: B — Hot, humid summers; mild winters
Rationale: Cfa Köppen: Humid subtropical with C (mild winter), f (no dry), a (hot
summer); continental cold (A), arid dry (C), polar tundra (D).
Question [8]: El Niño-Southern Oscillation affects?
A. Ocean currents only
B. Global weather patterns and ENSO cycles
C. Soil erosion
D. Urban heat islands
Answer: B — Global weather patterns and ENSO cycles
Rationale: ENSO (El Niño warm phase) disrupts trade winds, causing droughts/floods
worldwide; currents part (A), erosion local (C), urban micro (D).
Question [9]: Karst topography forms from?
A. Wind erosion
B. Groundwater dissolution of limestone
C. Glacial carving
D. Volcanic lava
Answer: B — Groundwater dissolution of limestone
Rationale: Karst (caves/sinkholes) via CO2-acidified water eroding soluble rock; wind
desert (A), glacial U-shapes (C), volcanic flows (D).
Question [10]: The rock cycle involves?
A. Sedimentary to igneous only
