NCERT Class 6 Geography — Chapter 2: Major Domains of the Earth

mcqmedium

Which of the following is the correct descending order of oceans based on their size?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AAtlantic > Pacific > Indian > Arctic > Southern
BPacific > Indian > Atlantic > Southern > Arctic
CPacific > Atlantic > Indian > Arctic > Southern
DPacific > Atlantic > Indian > Southern > Arctic

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

Pacific > Atlantic > Indian > Southern > Arctic

Explanation

The global ocean is divided into five major basins. The classification and ranking of these oceans are based on their total surface area.

Pacific Ocean: It is the largest ocean, covering approximately 168 million square kilometers, which is larger than all of Earth's land area combined.
Atlantic Ocean: It is the second-largest ocean, covering about 85 million square kilometers.
Indian Ocean: It is the third-largest ocean, covering approximately 70 million square kilometers.
Southern Ocean: Also known as the Antarctic Ocean, it is the fourth-largest, comprising the waters south of 60°S latitude (approx. 21 million square kilometers).
Arctic Ocean: It is the smallest and shallowest of the five major oceans, covering about 15 million square kilometers.

Key Takeaway: The correct descending order of oceans by size is Pacific > Atlantic > Indian > Southern > Arctic. The mnemonic "PAISA" is often used to remember this sequence.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Major Domains of the Earth

Consider the following statements regarding the continents of the world: 1. Asia is the largest continent and covers about one-third of the total land area of the earth. 2. The Equator passes through the center of the Asian continent. 3. Asia is separated from Europe by the Andes Mountains on the west. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Lithosphere, consider the following statements: 1. It comprises the rocks of the earth’s crust and the thin layers of soil. 2. The elevation of land is measured from the ocean floor. 3. The level of seawater remains the same everywhere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which one of the following terms describes the narrow zone where land, water, and air are found together and which contains all forms of life?

easy

Consider the following pairs regarding the shapes of major oceans: Ocean | Shape/Characteristic 1. Pacific Ocean | Almost circular 2. Atlantic Ocean | 'S' shaped 3. Indian Ocean | Almost triangular 4. Arctic Ocean | Highly indented coastline How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

medium

Which of the following continents is the only one through which the Tropic of Cancer, the Equator, and the Tropic of Capricorn pass?

easy

Keep practising Chapter 2: Major Domains of the Earth

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The correct option is

Pacific > Atlantic > Indian > Southern > Arctic

Explanation

The global ocean is divided into five major basins. The classification and ranking of these oceans are based on their total surface area.

Pacific Ocean: It is the largest ocean, covering approximately 168 million square kilometers, which is larger than all of Earth's land area combined.
Atlantic Ocean: It is the second-largest ocean, covering about 85 million square kilometers.
Indian Ocean: It is the third-largest ocean, covering approximately 70 million square kilometers.
Southern Ocean: Also known as the Antarctic Ocean, it is the fourth-largest, comprising the waters south of 60°S latitude (approx. 21 million square kilometers).
Arctic Ocean: It is the smallest and shallowest of the five major oceans, covering about 15 million square kilometers.

Key Takeaway: The correct descending order of oceans by size is Pacific > Atlantic > Indian > Southern > Arctic. The mnemonic "PAISA" is often used to remember this sequence.