Question: Write short note on Great Indian Desert & Central highlands.

Answer:
1. Great Indian Desert: The Rajasthan plain or the great Indian Desert covers the
western part of Rajasthan. The area has a number of short seasonal streams which are
no able to reach the sea. therefore, this is an area of inland drainage. The land is
generally rocky and sandy.
2. Central highlands: The central highlands form the northern part. They have a series
of plateaus, such as Malwa, Bundelkhand, Baghelkhand and Chotanagpur. These
plateaus are made up had igneous rock. All the rivers from the central highlands join
the Yamuna and the Ganga from the south.

Question: Name the physical divisions of India.

Answer: India is broadly divided into 4 physical divisions:
1. The northern mountains
2. The northern plains
3. The peninsular plateaus
4. The coastal plains and the island.

Question: What is the importance of the northern plains of India?

Answer: The northern plains:
1. A flat surface for building roads and railways.
2. New deposits of alluvium every year.
3. Rivers provide water for irrigation.
4. A favorable climate for round the year forming.

Question: Describe the location of hill ranges in the peninsular plateaus.

Answer: The plateaus are surrounded by hill ranges on all the three sides. To the north
are the Aravallis, the Vindhyas, the Satputras and the Rajmahal hills. The western and
eastern ghats from its western and eastern boundaries respectively.

Question: Write about the island of India.

Answer: Lakshadweep island in the Arabian sea and the Andaman Nicobar islands in the
Bay of Bengal are the two main island groups of India. Minicoy with an area of about 5
sq km is the largest island in the Lakshadweep group. The Andaman and Nicobar group
stretches for a distance of about 600 km. Most o these island are mountainous and are
covered with thick forests.

Question: Distinguish between the Himadri, the Shiwalik, the Himachal.

Answer: Himadri:
1. It is the northern most mountain ranges of Himalayas.
2. Snow covered mountain peaks are common here.
3. It is also known as greater Himalayas.
4. Kanchenjunga is the highest in the Indian Himalayas.
 Shiwalik:
1. It is the southern most mountain ranges of Himalayas.
2. Land slides are common here.
3. It is also known as outer Himalayas.
4. For Eg: Garo Khasi, Indian hills.
Himachal:
1. Himachal lies between greater Himalayas in the north and Shiwalik in the south.
2. It is also known as lesser Himalayas.
3. The Pir-Panjal and the Dhaula Dhar are the mountain ranges in Himalayas.
4. Hill stations such as Shimla, Kullu, Manali are situated in these mountain ranges.

Question: Explain the main features of the peninsular plateaus.

Answer:
1. The peninsular plateaus are located towards the south of northern plains.
2. It is roughly triangular in shape.
3. It is the oldest structure of the Indian Subcontinent.
4. The average height of the plateaus ranges from 600 m to 900 m and the slope is from
west to east.
5. The plateaus are made up of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
6. They have on undulating surface with low hills and rounded tops.
7. The Narmada river divides the entire plateaus into 2 parts the central Highlands and
the deccan plateau.

Question: Compare the rivers of the Deccan plateaus with those of the Himalayas.
Answer: Rivers of the Deccan plateau:
1. The river originates from central highlands.
2. These rivers are rain fed and therefore they are seasonal.
3. For Eg: Godawari, Krishna, Kaveri.
Himalayan Rivers:
1. The rivers originates from the Himalayas.
2. These rivers are snow fed as well as rain fed and thus perennial.
3. For Eg- Indus, Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmputra.

Question: Compare the western coastal plains and the Eastern coastal plains.
Answer: Western coastal plains: The northern part of the Western coastal plain is
called the Konkan coast and the southern part is called the Malabar coastal. The
backwaters, locally called kayals, are a special feature of the Malabar coast.
Eastern coastal plains: The northern part of the Eastern coastal plain is called the
Northern Circars and the southern part is called the Coromandel coast. Rivers such as
Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri have formed fertile deltas along the Eastern
coastal plain.
 Question: Why is the Ganga-Brahmaputra plain the most fertile region of India?
Answer: They are fertile because they bring deposits of siets and sand along.

Question: Why are the rivers of peninsular plateaus non-perennial?

Answer: Because they are rain fed and are seasonal.

Question: Differentiate between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

Answer: Western Ghats:
1. They from the western edge of the Deccan plateau.
2. They are higher.
3. They are continuous.
Eastern Ghats:
1. They form the eastern edge the Deccan plateau.
2. They are lesser in height.
3. They are discontinuous.

Q1. Fill in the blanks.

i. The southernmost Himalayas are known as Shiwalik.
ii. Sahyadris is also known as Western Ghats.
iii. The Palk Strait lies between the countries India and Sri Lanka.
iv. The Indian islands in the Arabian Sea are known as Lakshadweep Islands.
v. The largest state in India in terms of area is Rajasthan.

Q2. True/False
i. Aravali hill is one of the oldest ranges of the world. True
ii. India has an area of about 1.28 million sq. km. False
iii. The Greater Himalayas are also known as Himadri. True
iv. The Tropic of Cancer (23°30'N) passes almost halfway through the
country. True
v. India is located in the southern hemisphere. False
Q3. How many time zones are there in USA?
Ans. There are seven time zones in USA.

Q4. How many time zones are there in Canada?

Ans. There are six time zones in Canada.

Q5. In which hemisphere India is located?

Ans. India is located in the northern hemisphere.

Q6. Which is the smallest state in terms of area?

Ans. Goa is the smallest state in terms of area.
Q7. What is the other name of Middle Himalaya?
Ans. Himachal is the other name of Middle Himalaya.

Q8. Which two major rivers fall into the Arabian Sea?
Ans. The rivers Narmada and Tapi fall into the Arabian Sea.
Q9. Which is the second most populous country of the world after China?
Ans. India is the second most populous country of the world after China.

Q10. In how many parallel ranges The Himalayan Mountains are divided?
Ans. The Himalayan Mountains are divided into three main parallel ranges.

Q11. Where is the Great Indian Desert located?

Ans. The Great Indian Desert lies in the western part of India.

Q12. Where is Lakshadweep Island located?

Ans. Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea

Q13. What was the basis of formation of states?

Ans. The states have been formed mainly on the basis of languages.

Q14. Where are the world’s highest peaks located?

Ans. The world’s highest peaks are located in Great Himalaya or Himadri.
Q15. Name two important ranges of Peninsular plateau?
Ans. Vindhyas and the Satpuras are the important ranges of Peninsular plateau.

Q16. What is a mouth of the river?

Ans. Where rivers enter the sea, that point is called the mouth of the river.

Q17. What are Polyps?

Ans. Tiny marine animals are called Polyps.

Q18. Which rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal?

Ans. The rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal.

Q19. How does the local time change?

Ans. The local time changes by four minutes for every one degree of longitude.
Q20. What is approximate time difference between sunrise in Arunachal
Pradesh and Gujarat?
Ans. The sun rises about two hours earlier in the east (Arunachal Pradesh) than in the
west (Gujarat).

Q21. What are alluvial deposits?

Ans. These are very fine soils, brought by rivers and deposited in the river basins.
Q22. Name the delta formed by the Ganga and the Brahmaputra.
Ans. The Ganga and the Brahmaputra form the world’s largest delta, the Sundarbans
delta.

Q23. What is delta?

Ans. The delta is triangular in shape. It is an area of land formed at the mouth of the
river.

Q24. What do you understand by peninsula?

Ans. The peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides.

Q25. Which rivers drain into the Bay of Bengal?

Ans. The rivers Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal.

Q26. Write a short note on the Great Indian Desert?

Ans. In the western part of India lies the Great Indian Desert. It is a dry, hot and sandy
stretch of land. It has very little vegetation.
Q27. What is a Tributary?
Ans. A river or stream which contributes its water to a main river by discharging it into
main river from either side.

Q28. Why is Lakshadweep known as a coral island?

Ans. Lakshadweep is known as a coral island because it is formed from skeletons of tiny
marine animals called Polyps.

Q29. India shares its land boundaries with seven countries. Name them.
Ans. India shares its land boundaries with seven countries i.e. Pakistan, Nepal, China,
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Q30. Write one point of difference between the western Coastal plains and
the eastern Coastal plains.
Ans. The western coastal plains are very narrow whereas the eastern Coastal plains are
much broader.
Q31. What is the north-south and east-west extent of India?
Ans. The north-south extent from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is about 3,200 km. And the
east-west extent from Arunachal Pradesh to Kuchchh is about 2,900 km.
Q32. What is the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India?
Ans. From south to north, main land of India extends between 8°4'N and 37°6' N
latitudes. From west to east, India extends between 68°7' E and 97°25' E longitudes.

Q33. How Coral islands are formed?

Ans. Corals are skeletons of tiny marine animals called Polyps. When the living polyps
die, their skeletons are left. Other poplyps grow on top of the hard skeleton which grows
higher and higher, thus forming the coral islands.

Q34. Write about the geographical boundaries of India.

Ans. India is a country of vast geographical expanse. In the north, it is bound by the
lofty Himalayas. The Arabian Sea in the west, the Bay of Bengal in the east and the
Indian Ocean in the south, wash the shores of the Indian peninsula.

Q35. How many States and Union Territories are there in India? Which states
have a common capital?
Ans. India is a vast country. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 28
States and 7 Union Territories. Delhi is the national capital. Punjab and Haryana have a
common capital i.e. Chandigarh.
Q36. Why do a large number of people live in the Northern plains?
Ans. Northern plains are generally level and flat. These are formed by the alluvial
deposits laid down by the rivers– the Indus, the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and their
tributaries. These river plains provide fertile land for cultivation. That is the reason for
high concentration of population in these plains.
Q37. Name the major physical divisions of India.
Ans. The major physical divisions of India are:
i. The Himalayas
ii. The Northern Indian plains
iii. The Great Indian dessert
iv. The Peninsular plateau
v. The Coastal plains
vi. Two groups of islands –
Lakshadweep Islands
The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands
Q38. Differentiate between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
Ans. Difference between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
Western Ghats Eastern Ghats

1. The Western Ghats or Sahyadris border 1. The Eastern Ghats provide the eastern
the plateau in the west. boundary.
2. The Western Ghats are almost 2. The Eastern Ghats are broken and
continuous. uneven.

Q39. Differentiate between Lakshadweep Island and Andaman and Nicobar

Islands.
Ans. Difference between Lakshadweep Island and Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Lakshadweep Islands Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Lakshadweep Islands are located in the The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands lie
Arabian Sea. These are coral islands to the southeast of the Indian mainland in
located off the coast of Kerala. the Bay of Bengal.

Q40. What is the implication of longitudinal extent of India?

Ans. Due to great longitudinal extent of about 29°, there could be a wide difference in
local time of places located at two extreme points of India. As such, the difference
between these two points would be of about two hours. The local time changes by four
minutes for every one degree of longitude. Therefore, the sun rises about two hours
earlier in the east (Arunachal Pradesh) than in the west (Gujarat).
Q41. Write a note on political and administrative divisions of India.
Ans. India is a vast country. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into
28 States and 7 Union Territories. Delhi is the national capital. The states have been
formed mainly on the basis of languages. Rajasthan is the largest state and Goa is the
smallest state in terms of area. The states are further divided into districts.

Q42. Write about coastal plains of India.

Ans. To the West of the Western Ghats and the East of Eastern Ghats lie the Coastal
plains. The western coastal plains are very narrow. The eastern Coastal plains are much
broader. There are a number of east flowing rivers. The rivers Mahanadi, Godavari,
Krishna and Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers have formed fertile deltas
at their mouth.

Q43. Describe the major physical division of India.

Ans. The major physical divisions of India are:
Himalayan Mountains - The Himalayan Mountains are divided into three main parallel
ranges. The northernmost is the Great Himalaya or Himadri. The world’s highest peaks
are located in this range. Middle Himalaya or Himachal lies to the south of Himadri. Many
popular hill stations are situated here. The Shiwalik is the southernmost range.
Northern Indian plains - The Northern Indian plains lie to the south of the Himalayas.
They are generally level and flat. These river plains provide fertile land for cultivation.
Peninsular plateau - To the south of northern plains lies the Peninsular plateau. It is
triangular in shape. The relief is highly uneven. This is a region with numerous hill
ranges and valleys.
Coastal Plains - To the West of the Western Ghats and the East of Eastern Ghats lie the
Coastal plains. The western coastal plains are very narrow. The eastern Coastal plains
are much broader.
Islands - Lakshadweep Islands are located in the Arabian Sea. These are coral islands
located off the coast of Kerala. The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands lie to the
southeast of the Indian mainland in the Bay of Bengal.

Question 1: What is the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India?

ANSWER:
India stretches from 8o 4' N latitude to 37o 6' N latitude and from 68o 7' E longitude to 97o 25' E
longitude. Its geographical boundaries extend between Kashmir in the north and Kanyakumari in
the south. India has a north–south extent of 3,200 km. Also, the west to east stretch, i.e. Gujarat to
Arunachal Pradesh, is of 2,900 km.

Question 2:Which are the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas?

ANSWER:
The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are as follows:

(1) The Greater Himalayas: They are also known as the Himadri and have an average height of
6,000 metres. They also have some of the highest peaks of the world. They extend into both India
and Nepal. Mount Everest, Lhotse and Annapurna are in Nepal,
while Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and Nanda Devi are in India.

(2) The Lesser Himalayas: They are also known as the Himachal. With an average height
of 4,500 metres, they are home to several beautiful hill stations,
including Darjeeling, Simla and Mussoorie.

(3) The Outer Himalayas: These mountains are also known as the Shivaliks. With an average
height of less than 1,250 metres, they have several broad valleys called duns. They are made of
loose, soft rocks and are prone to earthquakes and landslides. Dehradun lies in the Outer
Himalayas.

Question 3:Name the major hill ranges that make up the Purvachal mountains.
ANSWER:
The Purvanchal Mountains are an extension of the Himalayas in the northeast part of our country.
They consist of major hill ranges such as the Patkai Bum, the Naga Hills, the Khasi Hills,
the Garo Hills, the Jaintia Hills, the Mizo Hills and the Lushai Hills. The average height of these
hills is around 3,000 metres.

Question 4:How has the Deccan Trap region been formed?

ANSWER:
Millions of years ago, as huge cracks started appearing on the surface of the Earth, lava started
oozing out of these cracks. This led to the formation of layers of sheets of lava, which, in turn,
resulted in the formation the Deccan Trap.

Question 5:Name two rivers of the Peninsular Plateau that flow into the Arabian sea.
ANSWER:
The Narmada and the Tapi are the two major peninsular rivers that flow into the Arabian
Sea. These rivers are rain fed and are thus seasonal.

Question 6:Name the island group which is of volcanic origin.

ANSWER:

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands situated in the Bay of Bengal are volcanic in origin. They are
the peaks of submerged mountains.
Question 7:What is a delta? Which is the largest delta in the world?
ANSWER:
A delta is formed at the mouth of a river where the river flows into an ocean, estuary or lake. The
river carrying sediments deposits them at its mouth; this leads to the formation of deltas. These
deltas are triangular structures with high fertility. The Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta is the world's
largest delta.

Question 8:Describe the important features of the three ranges of the Himalayas.
ANSWER:

The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are as follows:

(1) The Greater Himalayas: They are also known as the Himadri and have an average height of
6,000 metres. They also have some of the highest peaks of the world. They extend into both India
and Nepal. Mount Everest, Lhotse and Annapurna are in Nepal,
while Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and Nanda Devi are in India.

(2) The Lesser Himalayas: They are also known as the Himachal. With an average height
of 4,500 metres, they are home to several beautiful hill stations, including Darjeeling, Simla
and Mussoorie.

(3) The Outer Himalayas: These mountains are also known as the Shivaliks. With an average
height of less than 1,250 metres, they have several broad valleys called duns. They are made of
loose, soft rocks and are prone to earthquakes and landslides. Dehradun lies in the Outer
Himalayas.

Question 9:Give an account of the Northern Plains.

ANSWER:

The Northern Plains make an extensive area of fertile land that lies to the south of northern
mountains. The region is also known as the Indo-Gangetic Plain, which is formed by the alluvium
deposited by the rivers Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Northern Plains are
further subdivided into the following:

(1) Indus plains: These plains are drained by the Indus River and its tributaries, namely
the Chenab, the Jhelum, the Ravi, the Beas and the Satluj. They mostly flow in Pakistan and India
and drain the present-day Punjab and Haryana.

(2) Ganga plains: They are the most extensive portions of Northern Plains drained by the
river Ganga and its tributaries like the Yamuna and the Kosi. The plains cover the states of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.

(3) Brahmaputra plains: These plains are drained by the Brahmaputra and its tributaries such as
the Manas and the Teesta. Towards the mouth of these rivers, river Ganga joins them to form the
largest delta of the world. This delta is located in West Bengal, of which a major portion lies in
Bangladesh.
Question 10:Describe the Deccan Plateau with reference to its location, formation, rivers and the
hills bordering it.
ANSWER:

The Deccan Plateau is a part of the Peninsular Plateau. It is made of up hard igneous and
metamorphic rocks. It is a large plateau and covers most of southern India, including eight states.
It is separated from northern India by the Vindhyas. Some of its characteristics are as follows:

Location: It is located to the south of the Gangetic Plains and covers massive portions of land
lying between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It is further bounded by the Western Ghats
and the Eastern Ghats.

Formation: The foundation of the Deccan belt was laid down eons ago when lava started getting
deposited on the surface because of extensive volcanic activity. This lava formed many layers,
which resulted in the formation of the Deccan region (also known as the Deccan Trap) in the
northern parts.

Rivers: Most of the northern part is drained by the Godavari and its tributaries. The central part is
drained by the Tungabhadra and the Krishna and their tributaries. The southernmost part is
drained by the Kaveri and its tributaries. The major rivers draining this region like the Mahanadi,
the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri form deltas before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

Surrounding hills: The Deccan Plateau is bounded in the north by the Satpura Range,
the Mahadeo Hills, the Maikal Hills and the Kaimur Hills. Hills bordering it in the west are the
Western Ghats, which consist of the Sahyadari, the Nilgiri, the Anamalai and the Cardamom Hills
and hills forming its eastern edge are called the Eastern Ghats

Question 11:Mention the significance of each physical division of India.

ANSWER:

Our country's physical features have been divided into five broad forms on the basis of
topography. Because of diversity, they have a distinct geographical identity. Each division
complements the other and is dependent on it. This significance can be understood with the
following points:

(1) Northern mountains: The high Himalayan mountains have acted as physical barriers
to intruders in the past. They protect us from the cold Siberian winds flowing in from the north.
They play a major role in the distribution of rainfall and are a source of the perennial rivers.

(2) Northern plains: The Indo-Gangetic Plains are very fertile due to the deposition of alluvium
by the rivers. Hence, this region is considered very good for agriculture and is also called the food
bowl of India.

(3) Peninsular plateau: This region is very rich in minerals. It comprises black soil, which is
used for growing cotton, sugarcane, etc. It also has a great faunal and floral diversity.

(4) Coastal plains: They house all the major ports and harbours. They are also known for their
scenic beauty, which includes a large number of estuaries, lagoons and backwaters.

(5) Island groups: Both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep are located in the
critical areas of trade. These islands have extensive floral and fauna diversity. They are also
known for their scenic beauty.

Question 12: Western and Eastern Ghats

ANSWER:

Western Ghats Eastern Ghats

They are the mountain ranges
that run parallel to the western
coast of India.
The hills are high and
continuous.
The rivers that flow
here, Narmada and the Tapi are
short swift and ultimately drain
into the Arabian Sea.
They are the mountain ranges that
run parallel to the eastern coast of India.
The hills are relatively lower than the
Western Ghats and are discontinuous, as
they are broken by the deltas of
the Deccan rivers.
Relatively longer rivers such
as Mahanadi and Kaveri drain this region
. These rivers drain into the Bay of
Bengal.

Question 13: Western and Eastern Coastal Plains

ANSWER:

Western Coastal Plains Eastern Coastal Plains

They constitute a narrow strip of
land bounded by the
Western Ghats on the east and the
Arabian Sea on the west.
They merge with
the Gujarat Plains in the north.
They are wider plains bounded
by the Eastern Ghats on the west
and the Bay of Bengal on the
east.
They merge with the Ganges–
Brahmaputra Delta in the north.

They include estuaries, lagoons They include the deltas of

and backwaters (Kerala). the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the
Krishna and the Kaveri.

Question 14: The Greater Himalayas are also known as __________.

ANSWER:

The Greater Himalayas are also known as the Himadri.

Explanation: The average height of mountains in this region is 6,000 metres. The region is also
home to some of the highest peaks of the world, including Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga
and Nanga Parbat.
Question 15:The Siachen glacier lies in the __________ range.
ANSWER:

The Siachen Glacier lies in the Karakoram Range.

Explanation: It is a disputed region between India and Pakistan and is also the highest battlefield
on earth.
Question 16:Teesta is a tributary of __________.
ANSWER:

The Teesta is a tributary of the Brahmaputra.

Explanation: The Teesta flows in India and Bangladesh and is called the lifeline of Sikkim.

Question 17:The northern part of the Western Coastal Plain is called the _________.
ANSWER:

The northern part of the Western Coastal Plains is called the Konkan Coast.

Explanation: It consists of the coastal districts of Maharashtra and Goa.

Question 18:The Thar Desert is an area of _________ drainage.
ANSWER:
The Thar Desert is an area of inland drainage.

Explanation: Most of the rivers or streams in this region either drain into salt water streams or
disappear into the sand.
Question 19:Ranges − Karakoram, Shiwalik, Aravalli, Vindhya
ANSWER:

Question 20:Peaks − K2, Nanda Devi, KanchenJunga, Anaimudi

ANSWER:

Question 21:Rivers − Ganga, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari

ANSWER:
Question 22:

Thar Desert, Malabar Coast, Coromandel Coast

ANSWER:

Question 23:

Unscramble the following words. The first letter of each word joined together will give you the
name of an important river of India.

RAKAOMKAR ___________
ANSWER:

The correct answer is KARAKORAM.

Explanation: The Karakoram is the northernmost mountain range of our country lying between the
Pamir Knot and the Indus River.
Question 24:

Unscramble the following words. The first letter of each word joined together will give you the
name of an important river of India.

DNAIAUMI ___________
ANSWER:

The correct answer is ANAIMUDI.

Explanation: It is located in Kerala and is the highest peak in the Western Ghats.
Question 25:

Unscramble the following words. The first letter of each word joined together will give you the
name of an important river of India.

IYDVNHA _________
ANSWER:

The correct answer is VINDHYA.

Explanation: The Vindhyas are a chain of mountains and hills in the western central part of India.
Question 26:

Unscramble the following words. The first letter of each word joined together will give you the
name of an important river of India.

REEVSET _________
ANSWER:

The correct answer is EVEREST.

Explanation: It is the highest mountain peak in the world. A part of the Greater Himalayas is also
located in Nepal.
Question 27:

Unscramble the following words. The first letter of each word joined together will give you the
name of an important river of India.

VIAR __________
ANSWER:

The correct answer is RAVI.

Explanation: The Ravi River flows through India and Pakistan. It is one of the six tributaries of
the Indus in Punjab.
Question 28:

Unscramble the following words. The first letter of each word joined together will give you the
name of an important river of India.

SINUD _________
ANSWER:

The correct answer is INDUS.

Explanation: The Indus is one of the longest rivers of Asia. It flows through India, Pakistan and
Tibet, originating from Lake Mansarovar in Tibet.

Question A.1:

Which one of the following is the highest mountain peak in India?

a. Godwin Austin
b. Kanchenjunga
c. Nanda Devi
d. Dhaulagiri
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (a).

Explanation: K2 or Godwin Austen is the highest mountain peak in India. It is a snow-covered

peak of the Karakoram mountain range extending between the Pamir Knot and the Indus river in
Jammu and Kashmir.

Question A.2:

Which one of the following peaks is not in India?

a. Kanchenjunga
b. Nanga Parbat
c. Mt Everest
d. Nanda Devi
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (c).

Explanation: All the given mountain peaks are located in India except Mount Everest, which is
located in Nepal. It is the highest peak in the world at a height of 8,848 metres.

Question A.3:

The Great Indian desert is located in which state?

a. Rajasthan
b. Madhya Pradesh
c. Punjab
d. Haryana
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (a).

Explanation: The Great Indian Desert or the Rajasthan Desert is found in the western part of
Rajasthan. Because of the lack of moisture, this region witnesses scanty rainfall. Also, because
this region is very far from the sea, the rivers of this region have inland drainage.

Question A.4:

Which one of the following states is not a part of thee Ganga basin?

a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Bihar
c. Rajasthan
d. Punjab
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (d).

Explanation: The Northern Plains of India are drained by several rivers, which make these plains
very fertile. The Ganga Basin covers most part of these plains. It covers the states of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Question A.5:

The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats meet at the ___________ hills.

a. Jaintia
b. Rajmahal
c. Mahadeo
d. Nilgiri
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (d).

Explanation: The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats meet at the Nilgiri hills. The Western
Ghats surround the Western Coastal Plains and the Eastern Ghats are the broken chain of
mountains surrounding the Eastern Coastal Plains.

Question A.6:

Which one of the following rivers is the longest river of the Peninsular India?

a. Godavari
b. Narmada
c. Krishna
d. Kaveri
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (a).

Explanation: Godavari is the longest river of peninsular India. It is the second longest river of
India after Ganga. It is also known as Old Ganga. It drains into the Bay of Bengal.

Question A.7:

The southern part of the Western coastal plan is called the _______ coast.

a. Konkan
b. Malabar
c. Coromandel
d. Northern Circars
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (b).

Explanation: India has a very long coastal boundary. The northern and southern parts of the
Western Coastal Plains are known as the Konkan Coast and the Malabar Coast, respectively.

Question A.8:

Which one of the following island is the largest of the lakshadweep group of island?

a. Agatti
b. Amindivi
c. Minicoy
d. Kavaratti
ANSWER:
The correct answer is option (c).

Explanation: Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 36 islands. Out of them, Minicoy is the largest
island with an area of almost five square kilometres.

Question B:

1. The _________ glacier is in the Karakoram mountains.

2. River Brahmaputra is known as _________ in Tibet.
3. The penisular plateaus are composed of __________ and __________ rocks.
4. The ________ plateau is bounded by the Western coastal plain and the Eastern coastal plain.
5. The __________ and ________ island are in the Bay of Bengal.
ANSWER:
1. The Saichen or Baltoro glacier is in the Karakoram mountains.

Explanation: The Karakoram range extends between the Pamir Knot and the Indus river.
It consists of a number of glaciers, including Siachen and Baltoro.

2. River Brahmaputra is known as Tsangpo in Tibet.

Explanation: The River Brahmaputra originates from Tibet, where it is known as Tsangpo. It
enters the Indian territory from Arunachal Pradesh.

3. The penisular plateaus are composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Explanation: The peninsular plateaus are located in the southern part of the country. They are
composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks and have rounded tops because of the flowing
rivers.

4. The Deccan plateau is bounded by the Western coastal plain and the Eastern coastal plain.

Explanation: The Deccan Plateau is bounded on two sides by the Western and Eastern Coastal
Plains. They extend from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat to West Bengal.
5. The Andaman and Nicobar islands are in the Bay of Bengal.

Explanation: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands stretch for a distance of 600 kilometres in the
Bay of Bengal. They are mountainous regions with thick forests.

Question C:

1. The Pamir Knot is popularly known as the 'Roof of the World'. ________
2. The northern plains are located between the Himalayas and the coastal plains. ________
3. River Narmada separates the Central Highlands from the Deccan plateaus. _______
4. The Kayals are mostly found along the Coromandel coast. __________
ANSWER:
1. The given statement is true.

Explanation: The Pamir Knot is also known as the Roof of the World owing to its great height.
Many mountain ranges run from this knot, including the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges.

2. The given statement is false.

Explanation: The Northern Plains are fertile lands drained by a range of rivers like Ganga
and Yamuna. They are located between the Himalayas and the Peninsular Plateau.

3. The given statement is true.

Explanation: The River Narmada originating from the Amarkantak Plateau divides the
Peninsular Plateau into two parts: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

4. The given statement is false.

Explanation: The southern portion of the Western Coastal Plains is known as the Malabar Coast.
In local language, the Kayals are the backwaters found along the Malabar Coast.
Question D:
Column A Column B
Tributary of
1. Sunderbans a.
Ganga
2. Patkai Bum b. Arabian Sea
Central
3. Ghaghara c.
Highlands
4. Baghelkhand d. Delta
Purvachal
5. Lakshadweep e.
ranges
ANSWER:

The correct match is given below.

Column A Column B
1. Sundarbans d. Delta
2. Patkai Bum e. Purvanchal ranges
3. Ghaghara a. Tributary of Ganga
4. Baghelkhand c. Central Highlands
5. Lakshadweep b. Arabian Sea

Explanation:

1. Sundarbans -------> Delta

The Sundarbans Delta is the world's largest delta formed by the accumulation of silt brought by
the River Ganga and its tributaries. It is a very fertile land formed by the confluence of rivers like
Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna.

2. Patkai Bum ------> Purvanchal ranges

Patkai Bum is a low mountain range in the eastern Himalayas. It is located on the northeastern
border of the Indian territory along with Myanmar.

3. Ghaghara --------> Tributary of Ganga

A tributary means a water stream that meets the main river. Ghaghara is a tributary of Ganga. It
plays an important role in the formation of fertile soil in the Northern Plains.

4. Baghelkhand -------> Central Highlands

The Peninsular Plateau is divided by the River Narmada into two parts: the Deccan Plateau and
the Central Highlands. The Central Highlands comprise plateaus made of igneous rocks and
Baghelkhand is one of them.

5. Lakshadweep------> Arabian Sea

The Indian subcontinent has two groups of islands: the Lakshadweep Islands and
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 36 small islands
found in the Arabian Sea.

Question E:

Give three examples of each of the following.

1. Mountain ranges of the Himalayas ___________

2. Hill ranges in the Purvachal _______________
3. Tributaries which join River Ganga from the south ______________
4. Hill ranges surrounding the peninsular plateaus ___________________
5. River which have formed deltas along the Eastern coastal plains ___________
ANSWER:

The three examples of each of the following are as under:

1. Mountain ranges of the Himalayas

  Himadri
 Himachal
 Shiwalik

2. Hill ranges in the Purvachal

 Patkai Bum and Naga Hills in the north

 Garo, Khasi and Jaintia in the centre
 Mizo in the south

3. Tributaries that join the River Ganga from the south

 Sindh
 Betwa
 Ken

4. Hill ranges surrounding the Peninsular Plateaus

 Aravallis
 Satpuras
 Western Ghats

5. Rivers that have formed deltas along the Eastern Coastal Plains

 Godavari
 Krishna
 Kaveri

Question F:

1. Himachal
2. Purvahcal
3. Great Indian desert
4. Ganga basin
5. Central Highlands
ANSWER:
1. The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are the Himadri, the Himachal and the Shiwaliks.
The Himachal range lies towards the south of the Himadri. The range is also known as the Lesser
Himalayas. A lot of hill stations are located in this range. Some of them are Nanital, Shimla,
Mussoorie, Dehradun, Kullu and Manali.

2. The Purvanchal range is found on the eastern part of the Indian territory. It is made up of soft
rocks, mud and silt. Hence, it is more prone to landslides. It comprises the following low hills:

 Patkai Bum and Naga hills in the north

 Garo, Khasi and Jantia in the centre
 Mizo hills towards the south
3. The Great Indian Desert lies in the western part of the country in Rajasthan. It is also known as
the Rajasthan Desert. It is the region with very less humidity and rainfall. Also, it is the only area
in India that witnesses inland drainage.

4. The Northern Plains of the Indian territory are drained by several rivers. Most of the area is
drained by the River Ganga. The silt brought by the river has made the soil in these plains very
fertile. Hence, agriculture is the major occupation of the people living in these plains. The
Ganga Basin covers the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and
West Bengal.

5. The Peninsular Plateau is divided by the River Narmada into two parts: the Deccan Plateau and
the Central Highlands. The Central Highlands comprise plateaus made of igneous rocks. The
rivers flowing from these highlands join the rivers Yamuna and Ganga from the southern
direction.

Question G:

1. Name two hill stations in the Lesser Himalayas.

2. Name a mountain pass located in the Pir Panjal range.
3. Which is an area of inland drainge in India?
4. Name the source of River Ganga.
5. What is the shape of the peninsular plateaus?
6. What is the other name given to the Western Ghats?
7. Name the two main groups of islands.
ANSWER:

1. Following are the names of the two hill stations located in the Lesser Himalayas:

 Shimla
 Dalhousie

2. Banihal Pass is located in the Pir Panjal range of the Lesser Himalayas. The Jammu and
Kashmir region is linked with the rest of India by a highway passing through this pass.

3. The Great Indian Desert region of the western Rajasthan has inland drainage.

4. The River Ganga originates from the Gangotri glacier in the Himalayas. Its two head
streams, Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, meet at Devprayag and form Ganga.

5. The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest physical feature of the Indian subcontinent. It is triangular
in shape and is surrounded by hills from three sides and by the Northern Plains from one side.

6. The Western Ghats run along the western side of the Indian territory. They are also known as
the Shayadris. They consist of several mountain ranges.

7. Following are the names of the two main island groups of the Indian subcontinent:
  Lakshadweep Islands
 Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Question H.1:

Name the physical divisions of India.

ANSWER:

Following are the physical divisions of India:

 The northern mountains

 The northern plains
 The peninsular plateaus
 The coastal plains
 The islands

Question H.2:

What is the importance of the northern plains of India?

ANSWER:
The importance of the Northern Plains can be understood with the help of the following points:

 They are formed by the deposits of alluvium and silt brought by the rivers flowing through
the northern mountains. Hence, the soil is very fertile in these plains, which
makes agriculture a prime occupation of the people living here.
 They provide a flat surface for the construction of buildings, roads and many other
infrastructural projects.
 The rivers provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
 The climatic conditions prevailing in these plains also support agriculture here.

Question H.3:

Describe the location of hill ranges in the peninsular plateaus.

ANSWER:
The Peninsular Plateau is triangular in shape and bounded on all sides by hill ranges.

 The northern portion of the plateau is bounded by the Aravallis, the Vindhayas,
the Satpuras and the Rajmahal hills.
 The western portion is bounded by the Western Ghats that stretch along the western border
of the country.
 The eastern portion is bounded by the Eastern Ghats that run discontinuously along the
eastern border of the country.

Question H.4:

Write about the islands of India.

ANSWER:
The Indian subcontinent includes two island groups along with the main landmass. These are
Lakshadweep Islands and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Lakshadweep Islands are a group of 36
small islands located in the Arabian Sea, whereas the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of
572 small islands located in the Bay of Bengal.

Question I.1:

Distinguish between the Himadri and the Shiwalik.

ANSWER:
Himadri
It is also known as the
Greater Himalayas.
The Himadri is the highest
mountain range in the world.
Most of the peaks are
covered with snow
throughout the year.
Vegetation is less because of
extremely low temperature.
High peaks like Mount
Everest
and Kanchenjunga are
located here.
Shiwaliks
They are also known as the
Outer Himalayas.
These ranges are located
towards the eastern part of
India and consist of low hills.
These ranges are formed by
soft rocks, mud and silt, so
they are more prone to
landslides.
These mountain ranges are
covered with dense forests
and consist of a variety of
flora and fauna.
Low hill ranges like Patkai
Bum, Mizo Hills, Garo, Khasi
and Jaintia are located here.

Question I.2:

Explain the main features of the peninsular plateaus.

ANSWER:
The main features of the Peninsular Plateau are as follows:

 It is the oldest structure of the Indian subcontinent formed by igneous and metamorphic
rocks.
 Because of the continuous action of river water, it has a rounded top Also, hills in this
region are relatively low.
 It is surrounded by hills on all three sides, i.e. the Aravallis, the Rajmahal and
the Vindhayas in the north, the Western Ghats in the west and the Eastern Ghats in the
east.
 These hills are a source of many rivers like Narmada, Godavari and Krishna.
 The soil of the Peninsular Plateau is black and rich in minerals; hence it supports a large
variety of vegetation.

Question I.3:
Compare the rivers of the Deccan plateau with those of the Himalays.
ANSWER:
Rivers of the Himalayas

 The source of these rivers is glaciers. Hence, they flow throughout the year.
 They flow through high hills and mountains, so the rate of soil erosion is very high.
 They are perennial in nature; they are snow-fed and hence are not dependent on rainfall.
 Since they flow through high mountains, they have a potential for the generation
of hydroelectricity.

Rivers of the Deccan Plateau

 The source of these rivers is not snow. Hence, they are seasonal and dry out during
summer.
 They do not flow through high hills, so the rate of erosion is very low.
 They move at a slow pace over gentle slopes.
 They are much smaller and less deep than the Himalayan rivers.

Question I.4:

Compare the Western coastal plains and the Eastern coastal plains.
ANSWER:

Western Coastal Plains Eastern Coastal Plains

They run from the Rann of Kutch
in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in the
south.
They are less wide as compared to
the Eastern Coastal Plains.
The rivers along these plains form
estuaries.
They run from West Bengal to
Kanyakumari in the south.
They are much widerr a stretch
of land along the sea coast.
The rivers flowing along these
plains form a delta.

Question I.5:

Why is India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh called the Indian subcontinent?
ANSWER:
A subcontinent is an area that stands out distinctively from the rest of the continent, both
geographically and culturally. India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh are called the Indian
subcontinent because the territories of these lands are separated from the rest of the continent by
the Himalayas. Along with their geographical homogeneity, these countries share a long history.
India had a great cultural influence on these nations. Hence, these nations are collectively referred
to as the Indian subcontinent.

Question I.6:

Why is the Ganga-Brahmaputra plain the most fertile region of India?

ANSWER:
The Northern Plains of the Indian territory form a major part of the Indian landmass. These plains
are often referred to as the Ganga‒Brahmaputra Plains because they have been formed as a result
of the accumulation of a huge amount of silt and alluvium depositied by rivers over a period of
time. This resulted in the formation of thick layers of fertile soil that vary from one place to
another. They are suitable for cultivation. Hence, this region is considered the most fertile region
in the world.

Question I.7:

Why is the Rajasthan plain an area of inland drainage?

ANSWER:
The Rajasthan Plain is also known as the Great Indian Desert. It is the western part of the Indian
mainland. Since this region lacks moisture and humidity and witnesses high temperature, there
is lack of rainfall. The rivers here are rain-fed. Also, since Rajasthan is very far from the Arabian
Sea, the rivers in this region cannot reach the sea. As a result, they get drained in the land itself.
This is called inland drainage.

Question I.8:

Why are the rivers of peninsular plateaus non-perennial?

ANSWER:
The rivers of the Peninsular Plateau do not originate from mountains; they have their origin in
small hills and plateaus. They are not formed by the melting of the snow. Hence, they depend
upon rainfall for maintenance of their flow. This is the reason the Deccan rivers are seasonal and
not perennial. They dry out in summers and during monsoon, the flow in these rivers increases.