7/1/26, 1:44 PM Unit Test with Solutions: Shaping of the Earth's Surface | Social Science Class 9 - New NCERT
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Unit Test with Solutions: Shaping of the Earth's Surface
Unit Test: Shaping of the Earth's Surface
Section A: Objective Type Questions
Q1: The scientific theory explaining that the Earth's outermost layer is divided into several
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moving pieces was proposed by which of the following scientists?
(a) Alfred Wegener
(b) W.J. Morgan
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(c) Varāhamihira
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(d) Kautilya (1 mark)
Solution:
Ans: (b)
The theory of plate tectonics, a major concept explaining the movement of tectonic plates
over the semi-molten mantle, was proposed by W.J. Morgan.
Q2: Which of the following layers is described as a hot, semi-molten layer located directly
below the lithosphere?
(a) Inner Core
(b) Outer Core
(c) Asthenosphere
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(d) Continental Crust (1 mark)
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Solution:
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Ans: (c)
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The asthenosphere lies beneath the rigid lithosphere and acts as a mobile layer that allows
tectonic plates to move continuously.
Q3: In ancient India, which classic text included a dedicated section explaining earthquakes
through environmental and planetary observations?
(a) Krishiparashara
(b) Bṛihat Saṃhitā
(c) Vrikshayurveda
(d) Arthashastra (1 mark)
Solution:
Ans: (b)
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The scholar Varāhamihira dedicated a section to earthquakes in the Bṛihat Saṃhitā, linking
them to elemental forces like wind and fire.
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Q4: Which of the following landforms is primarily created by the deposition of rocks, soil,
and debris left behind by melting glaciers?
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(a) Yardangs
(b) Moraines
(c) Stalactites
(d) Ventifacts (1 mark)
Solution:
Ans: (b)
Moraines are formed by the deposition of glacial debris known as till, which creates fertile
soil and natural dams.
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Q5: The Zabo system, a traditional farming method that utilizes earthen bunds and check
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dams to conserve soil and water, belongs to which region?
(a) Tamil Nadu
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(b) Andaman and Nicobar
(c) Nagaland
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(d) Rajasthan (1 mark)
Solution:
Ans: (c)
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The Zabo system of Nagaland effectively slows down water flow, traps sediment, and
increases groundwater levels on hill slopes.
Section B: Short Answer Questions
Q6: Differentiate between the processes of weathering and erosion in shaping landforms. (2
marks)
Solution:
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Ans: Weathering is the breaking down of rocks into smaller fragments through physical,
chemical, or biological means without any movement of the material. In contrast, erosion
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involves the wearing away and active transportation of these broken materials by natural
agents such as running water, wind, glaciers, or ocean waves.
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Q7: Explain the mechanism of convection currents and their role in the movement of
tectonic plates. (2 marks)
Solution:
Ans: Heat originating from the Earth's core causes molten material in the mantle to rise,
while cooler material sinks. This continuous circulation generates powerful convection
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currents. These currents act as a driving force in the asthenosphere, constantly pushing and
pulling the tectonic plates, leading to geological events like earthquakes.
Q8: State the primary causes and consequences of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). (2
marks)
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Solution:
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Ans: GLOFs are caused by rapid glacial melting due to rising temperatures, which increases
pressure on fragile natural dams made of ice or loose moraines. Triggers like earthquakes or
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avalanches can cause these dams to collapse. This results in a sudden, catastrophic release
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of large water volumes, flooding downstream areas.
Section C: Medium Answer Questions
Q9: Physical features and landforms have strongly influenced human settlement, trade, and
culture throughout history. Analyze this statement with four appropriate historical
examples. (4 marks)
Solution:
Ans: Topography has historically shaped human civilization in the following ways:
River Plains: Fertile plains of rivers like the Ganga and Indus provided excellent
agricultural land, fostering the world's earliest cities.
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Mountains: Ranges like the Himalayas acted as natural protective barriers against
invasions, while mountain gaps like the Khyber Pass facilitated vital trade and cultural
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exchange.
Deserts: While challenging for large settlements, regions like the Thar Desert
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encouraged the development of historic trade networks such as the Silk Route.
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Coastal Areas: Natural harbours enabled maritime travel and international trade,
bringing wealth and power to kingdoms, especially in South India.
Q10: Describe the three stages of a river's course and identify the key landforms created by
running water in each stage. (4 marks)
Solution:
Ans: Rivers constantly reshape the land through erosion, transportation, and deposition
across three distinct courses:
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Upper course: The river flows rapidly down steep gradients, heavily eroding the
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bedrock. This creates features like V-shaped valleys, waterfalls, and rapids.
Middle course: As the slope becomes gentle, lateral erosion increases alongside
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deposition. The river forms meanders, oxbow lakes, and broad floodplains suitable for
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agriculture.
Lower course: The river's velocity drops significantly near the sea, leading to massive
sediment deposition. This forms extensive deltas (e.g., Sundarbans Delta), levees, and
alluvial fans.
Section D: Activity-Based Questions
Q11: Arrange the following geological events chronologically to demonstrate the cause-and-
effect relationship in the formation of a volcanic island. Additionally, explain how such
tectonic activity leads to landforms. (5 marks)
Events:
1. Magma rises through the divergent boundary.
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2. Convection currents in the mantle push plates apart.
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3. New crust accumulates and breaches the ocean surface.
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4. Heat from the core creates convection currents.
5. A volcanic island is formed and becomes suitable for unique natural features.
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Solution:
Ans: Chronological Arrangement:
Step 1: Heat from the core creates convection currents.
Step 2: Convection currents in the mantle push plates apart.
Step 3: Magma rises through the divergent boundary.
Step 4: New crust accumulates and breaches the ocean surface.
Step 5: A volcanic island is formed and becomes suitable for unique natural features.
Explanation: The process begins deep within the Earth where extreme heat generates
convection currents in the asthenosphere. When these currents pull oceanic plates apart
at a divergent boundary, a gap is created. Magma continuously erupts through this gap,
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cooling upon contact with seawater to form new solid crust. Over millions of years, this
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deposited volcanic material builds massive underwater mountains that eventually rise above
sea level, forming dynamic environments like Baratang Island.
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Q12: Compare the mechanisms of water erosion and wind erosion. How do the landforms
created by each agent impact human activities differently? Provide relevant examples of
landforms for both. (5 marks)
Solution:
Ans: Mechanisms:
Water erosion is driven by the kinetic energy of rain, flowing rivers, and ocean waves, which
carve rocks and transport sediments downstream or along coasts. Wind erosion is driven by
high-velocity air currents carrying abrasive sand particles, predominantly active in arid and
semi-arid desert environments.
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Landforms Created:
Water Erosion: Creates V-shaped valleys, meanders, sea cliffs, and caves.
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Wind Erosion: Carves yardangs, ventifacts, and deflation hollows.
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Impact on Human Activities:
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Water erosion can severely wash away fertile topsoil and destabilize infrastructure near
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coasts and rivers. However, its depositional phase creates fertile deltas and floodplains that
support dense agriculture. Conversely, wind erosion causes desertification by blowing away
fine, fertile particles, leading to phenomena like dust storms. Wind deposition creates
shifting sand dunes, which can engulf arable land, though stabilized dunes serve as natural
barriers against further desert spread.
Section E: Research and Critical Analysis Question
Q13: Ancient civilizations demonstrated a profound understanding of natural processes and
landform management, connecting past ingenuity with present sustainability needs. Based
on historical and geographical principles, address the following: (6 marks)
(a) Interpret the historical evidence from the Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization regarding water
management.
(b) Analyze the continuity of such conservation practices in modern traditional methods like the
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Zabo system.
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(c) Evaluate the ethical and policy importance of adopting these topographical conservation
techniques to mitigate modern disasters like landslides.
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Solution:
Ans: (a) Interpreting Historical Evidence:
The Sindhu-Sarasvati civilization utilized highly advanced agricultural engineering based
on their understanding of local topography. Archaeological evidence and ancient texts like
the Arthashastra and Vrikshayurveda reveal that they constructed contour bunds,
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terraces, dams, and canals. This proves early societies expertly managed surface run-off and
soil fertility to maximize agricultural yield without degrading their environment.
(b) Analyzing Continuity and Change:
The core principles of ancient geo-management show strong continuity in surviving
traditional practices like the Zabo system in Nagaland. While modern materials might
sometimes be utilized, the fundamental concept → building earthen bunds on hill slopes and
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check dams across streams → remains identical. Both ancient and present systems achieve
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the same goal: slowing down water velocity, trapping vital sediment, preventing soil erosion,
and recharging groundwater levels.
(c) Ethical and Policy Evaluation:
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Modern disasters such as landslides are heavily exacerbated by unethical human activities
like aggressive deforestation, unplanned mining, and road construction that disturb the
natural balance of steep slopes. Ethically, modern urban and agricultural policies must
integrate indigenous, nature-aligned techniques like terracing and contouring. Preserving
the structural integrity of natural landforms respects environmental limits and forms a
critical defense to protect vulnerable hill communities from human-induced topographical
disasters.
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