Nature Quiz

Curious about Earth, plants, animals, and other natural phenomena? Take this 15-question nature quiz to test your knowledge – and discover answers at the end.

1. Which is historically considered to be the world’s longest river?

a) The Amazon
b) The Colorado River
c) The Nile
d) The Rio Grande

2. What natural phenomenon is caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on the Earth’s Oceans?

a) Atmospheric pressure
b) Climate change
c) Earth’s Rotation
d) Tide

3. Why is climate change linked to the greenhouse effect bad for the environment? 

a) It can cause the polar ice caps to melt
b) It can cause extreme weather events
c) It can reduce crop yields
d) All of the above

4. Which is the fastest land animal on Earth, capable of reaching speeds of up to 75mph?

a) Cheetah
b) Leopard
c) Lion
d) Tiger

5. What is the most abundant plant pigment on Earth responsible for giving plants their green color?

a) Anthocyanins
b) Chlorophyll
c) Green Dye
d) Iron Oxide

6. What is the term for a localized and violent destructive funnel of wind that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground?

a) Nor’easter
b) Sandstorm
c) Tornado
d) Typhoon

7. Which animal holds the title of the largest living creature on earth?

a) The Blue Whale
b) The Giraffe
c) The Hippo
d) The Minke Whale

8. What sudden violent shaking of the ground is a result of movements within the earth’s crust or volcanic action?

a) Tsunami
b) Tornado
c) Earthquake
d) Landslide

9. A group of crows is referred to as what specific form?

a) A cluster
b) A crowd
c) A kingdom
d) A murder

10. What do plants absorb from the atmosphere during photosynthesis?

a) Methane
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Oxygen
d) Helium

11. To produce their own food, plants primarily require what three key ingredients?

a) Carbohydrates, water, and soil
b) Carbonated beverages, vitamins, and minerals
c) Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight
d) Cholesterol, sunlight, and soil

12. Which layer of earth is composed of liquid iron and nickel and is responsible for our magnetic field?

a) The crust
b) The inner core
c) The mantle
d) The outer core

13. What is the world’s tallest, living species of tree, native to the coast of California?

a) The Coast Redwood
b) The Mighty Oak Tree
c) The Pinetree
d) The Willow Tree

14. In reference to plants, what does the term “biennial” mean?

a) Plants that live for two months and flower exclusively during the second month
b) Plants that live for two growing seasons but cannot flower or bear fruit or seeds
c) Plants that live for two weeks and flower abundantly before dying
d) Plants that live for two growing seasons and typically produce leaves in the first season and flowers, fruit, or seeds in the second

15. Which of the Great Lakes has the smallest surface area?

a) Lake Erie
b) Lake Huron
c) Lake Michigan
d) Lake Ontario

Answer Key plus sources:

1) c: World Atlas confirms that the Nile is historically considered the longest river – at approximately 4,132 miles in length – though they explain that some experts now contest this, arguing that the Amazon River might technically exceed the Nile.

2) d: NASA Science describes that tides are the periodic rise and fall of sea level resulting from differential gravitation forces primarily exerted by the Moon and Sun.

3) d: All of the Above. To learn more about the effects on greenhouse gases on the environment, visit the EPA’s website.

4) a: Britannica confirms that the cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth but explains that they maintain top speed temporarily.

5) b: Chlorophyll (specifically Chlorophyll a)is the most abundant pigment that gives plants their signature color green, per Vedantu.

6) c: A tornado is a violent funnel of wind that typically forms from supercell thunderstorms. To learn more about tornados, visit the Weather Channel.  

7) a: The blue whale is the largest living creature on earth. Visit The Marine Mammal Center to learn more.

8) c: An earthquake is the sudden violent shaking of the earth. To read more about earthquakes, visit USGS for more information.

9) d: A group of crows is called a murder – though some people object to the misleading term and prefer to use the word family. Regardless, visit Ornitheology.com to read all about “The Oddities of Collective Names” and be entertained.  

10) b: Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. To learn more, visit Britannica Kids.

11) c: According to Smithsonian Science Education Center, to produce their own food, plants primarily require carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight.

12) d: The outer core is the layer of earth that is primarily composed of liquid iron and nickel and is responsible for our magnetic field, as explained by National Geographic.

13) a: The Coast Redwood is the tallest tree not only in California, but in the world. However, the California State Capitol Museum is quick to point out that its cousin, the Giant Sequoia, is technically the largest by volume.

14) d: Per Burpee, the term “biennial” refers to plants that live for two growing seasons (or years) and typically produce leaves in the first season and flowers, fruit, and seeds in the second season before dying.

15) d: National Museum of the Great Lakes shares that of all the North American Great Lakes, Lake Ontario has the smallest surface area.

 Hope you enjoyed this challenge. Stay tuned for another nature quiz coming soon.