Coal and Petroleum — Class 8 MCQs with Answers
Class 8 CBSE Science · Chapter 103
Pre-2026 syllabusThis chapter is from the older NCERT book. See the 2026-27 Class 8 Science chapters →
72 practice questions · 24 Easy · 24 Medium · 24 Hard · Updated
Practise the most important Class 8 CBSE Science questions from Chapter 103, "Coal and Petroleum". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 72 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that set top scorers in CBSE Board exams apart.
To score well in "Coal and Petroleum", focus on clear concepts in physics, chemistry and biology basics. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This trains you to stay accurate under time pressure, as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Coal and Petroleum, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 8 Science mastery score. 14 sample questions are solved in full below, with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Key concepts: Coal and Petroleum (Class 8 Science)
This chapter covers natural resources, especially the fossil fuels coal and petroleum, how they form, and the need to conserve them.
- Types of resources
- Inexhaustible (e.g. sunlight, air) and exhaustible (e.g. coal, petroleum, minerals) natural resources.
- Coal
- Formed from buried plants under heat and pressure over millions of years (carbonisation); products include coke, coal tar and coal gas.
- Petroleum
- Formed from buried marine organisms; refined by fractional distillation into petrol, diesel, kerosene, LPG, etc.
- Natural gas
- A clean fuel (CNG) stored under pressure; less polluting than coal or petrol.
Coal and Petroleum — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 8 Science)
14 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. The other 58 are timed and scored when you sign in.
- Q1Easy
Which of these is an exhaustible natural resource?
A.SunlightB.AirC.Coal✓ CorrectD.WindAnswer: C. Coal
Explanation: Coal is exhaustible — it will run out. Sunlight, air and wind are inexhaustible.
- Q2Easy
The slow conversion of dead vegetation into coal is called:
A.RefiningB.DistillationC.CombustionD.Carbonisation✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Carbonisation
Explanation: Carbonisation is the slow process by which buried dead vegetation becomes coal under heat and pressure.
- Q3Easy
Petroleum is separated into useful products in a:
A.Refinery✓ CorrectB.Power plantC.FactoryD.Coal mineAnswer: A. Refinery
Explanation: Crude petroleum is refined into useful fractions at an oil refinery.
- Q4Easy
The compressed form of natural gas used as vehicle fuel is:
A.LPGB.Coal gasC.CokeD.CNG✓ CorrectAnswer: D. CNG
Explanation: CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a cleaner vehicle fuel.
- Q5Easy
The Indian organisation that promotes fuel-conservation tips is:
A.ISROB.DRDOC.PCRA✓ CorrectD.BARCAnswer: C. PCRA
Explanation: PCRA (Petroleum Conservation Research Association) advises people on saving fuel.
- Q6Easy
Coal, petroleum and natural gas are together called:
A.Renewable fuelsB.Fossil fuels✓ CorrectC.Inexhaustible fuelsD.Nuclear fuelsAnswer: B. Fossil fuels
Explanation: They are fossil fuels — formed from the remains of dead organisms over millions of years.
- Q7Medium
Why are coal and petroleum called exhaustible resources?
A.They take millions of years to form and will eventually run out✓ CorrectB.They renew quicklyC.They never run outD.They are man-madeAnswer: A. They take millions of years to form and will eventually run out
Explanation: Their reserves are limited and form extremely slowly, so heavy use will exhaust them.
- Q8Medium
Coke is preferred in steel-making because it is:
A.A liquidB.A gasC.Almost pure carbon and a good reducing agent✓ CorrectD.Full of waterAnswer: C. Almost pure carbon and a good reducing agent
Explanation: Coke is almost pure carbon and reduces metal oxides, making it ideal in iron and steel manufacture.
- Q9Medium
During the refining of petroleum, the different fractions separate because they have different:
A.ColoursB.Boiling points✓ CorrectC.Weights onlyD.SmellsAnswer: B. Boiling points
Explanation: Fractional distillation separates components by their different boiling points.
- Q10Medium
Why is CNG considered a cleaner fuel than petrol or diesel?
A.It is solidB.It is cheaperC.It burns more completely, producing fewer harmful pollutants✓ CorrectD.It produces more smokeAnswer: C. It burns more completely, producing fewer harmful pollutants
Explanation: CNG burns more completely than petrol/diesel, releasing fewer pollutants and less smoke.
- Q11Medium
Why should fuels like petrol be used carefully?
A.They are limited and burning them causes pollution✓ CorrectB.They are renewableC.They are unlimitedD.They are cheapAnswer: A. They are limited and burning them causes pollution
Explanation: Fossil fuels are limited and polluting, so they must be conserved.
- Q12Hard
Why can't coal, petroleum and natural gas reserves keep up with demand?
A.They renew yearlyB.Factories manufacture themC.They come from sunlightD.They formed over millions of years and are being used far faster than they form✓ CorrectAnswer: D. They formed over millions of years and are being used far faster than they form
Explanation: Reserves built over millions of years are being consumed in centuries, so they cannot keep up.
- Q13Hard
A steel plant uses coke rather than ordinary coal because coke:
A.Is a liquid fuelB.Is renewableC.Contains waterD.Is almost pure carbon, giving high heat and acting as a reducing agent✓ CorrectAnswer: D. Is almost pure carbon, giving high heat and acting as a reducing agent
Explanation: Pure-carbon coke provides intense heat and reduces iron oxide, essential in steel-making.
- Q14Hard
Crude petroleum is separated into petrol, kerosene and diesel by heating in a tall column. The fractions separate because they have different:
A.ColoursB.Densities onlyC.Boiling points✓ CorrectD.TastesAnswer: C. Boiling points
Explanation: Fractional distillation exploits the different boiling points of the components.
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Start this chapter free →Coal and Petroleum — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 8 Science Coal and Petroleum?+
This chapter covers natural resources, especially the fossil fuels coal and petroleum, how they form, and the need to conserve them. Key ideas include Types of resources, Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas.
What does Class 8 Science Chapter 103 (Coal and Petroleum) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 72 NCERT-based MCQs on "Coal and Petroleum": 24 Easy, 24 Medium and 24 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Coal and Petroleum" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Coal and Petroleum" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year on a launch offer until 1 December 2026. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Coal and Petroleum" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Coal and Petroleum" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 14 sample questions are shown here in full, each with the correct option and a step-by-step "Why" explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Coal and Petroleum" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Coal and Petroleum (Class 8 Science)?+
The questions that matter most test Types of resources, Coal, Petroleum, Natural gas. This page shows 14 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations; all 72 questions on the chapter are available as timed quizzes once you sign in.
Is there an online quiz for Coal and Petroleum?+
Yes — Class 8 Science Coal and Petroleum has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.