GEOGRPHY – CHAPTER –II- SHAPING OF THE EARTH'S SURFACE

GLOSSARY:
i. Lithosphere – The solid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost mantle. 
ii. Hydrosphere – All the water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and ice. 
iii. Atmosphere – The layer of gases surrounding the Earth. 
iv. Biosphere – The zone of Earth where living organisms exist. 
v. Ridge – A long, narrow elevated landform or chain of hills/mountains. 
vi. Geology – The study of the Earth, its rocks, structure, and history. 
vii. Gorge – A deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually formed by a river. 
viii. Convection – The transfer of heat through the movement of liquids or gases.
ix. Weathering – The breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces by natural processes.
x. Erosion – The wearing away and removal of soil and rock by water, wind, ice, or gravity. 
xi. Glacier – A large, slow-moving mass of ice formed from accumulated snow. 
xii. Sea Wave – A movement of water on the sea surface caused mainly by wind. 
xiii. Plateau – A flat-topped area of land that is higher than the surrounding land.
xiv. Valley – A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it. 
xv. Delta – A triangular area of land formed by the deposition of sediments at the mouth of a river.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)

1. The outermost layer of the Earth is called:

(a) Core (b) Mantle (c) Crust (d) Lithosphere

2. A boundary where plates move apart is called:

(a) Convergent (b) Divergent (c) Transform (d) Fold

3. The innermost layer of the Earth is:

(a) Mantle (b) Crust (c) Core (d) Lithosphere

4. The mantle lies between:

(a) Crust and Core (b) Core and Crust (c) Lithosphere and Core (d) Core and
Atmosphere
5. The outer core is:

(a) Solid (b) Liquid (c) Gaseous (d) Plastic

6. V-shaped valleys are formed by:

(a) Wind (b) Glaciers (c) Rivers (d) Waves

7. The theory of plate tectonics was proposed by:

(a) Isaac Newton (b) Alfred Wegener (c) Charles Darwin (d) Galileo Galilei
8. The movement of plates is caused by:

(a) Gravity (b) Ocean waves (c) Convection currents (d) Wind
9. The innermost layer of the Earth is:

(a) Mantle (b) Crust (c) Core (d) Lithosphere

10. Breaking of rocks is called:
 (a) Erosion (b) Weathering (c) Deposition (d) Transportation
11. The mantle lies between:

(a) Crust and Core (b) Core and Crust (c) Lithosphere and Core (d) Core and
Atmosphere
12. U-shaped valleys are formed by:

(a) Rivers (b) Glaciers (c) Wind (d) Underground water

13. Sand dunes are formed by:

(a) Rivers (b) Glaciers (c) Wind (d) Waves

14. The instrument used to measure earthquakes is:

(a) Thermometer (b) Seismograph (c) Barometer (d) Anemometer

15. A sudden flood caused by a glacial lake burst is called:

(a) Tsunami (b) GLOF (c) Cyclone (d) Tornado

16. A rapid downward movement of rock and soil is:

(a) Avalanche (b) Landslide (c) Flood (d) Erosion

17. Avalanches occur mainly in:

(a) Plains (b) Coastal areas (c) Mountain regions (d) Deserts

FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. ______________________ is an instrument that detects and records vibrations or

seismic waves produced by earthquakes.
2. A sudden flood caused by a glacial lake burst is called ______________________.
3. A rapid downward movement of rock and soil is called ______________________.
4. Avalanches occur mainly in ______________________.
5. Sudden shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the movement of rocks or
tectonic plates_____________

ASSERTION AND REASONING

9. Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.
Statement I: Glaciers which are comparatively bigger in size and slower in movement are
called continental glaciers.
Statement II: They occupy large areas exceeding thousands of square kilometres.
(a) Both statements are correct

(b) Both statements are incorrect

(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect

(d) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Match the following:

Column I Column II

I. Alfred Wegener A. Japan
II. Harry Hess and Robert S. Dietz B. Roof of the World
C. Seafloor Spreading
III. Tibet Plateau Theory
D. Continental Drift
IV. Mount Fujiyama Theory
Options:

(a) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I (b) A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV

(c) A-IV, B-I, C-III, D-II (d) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

VERY SHORT ANSWERS

What is plate tectonics? A: It is the theory that Earth's outer layer is divided into large, moving plates.
Q: Name the three main layers of the Earth. A: Crust, Mantle, and Core.
Q: What is weathering? A: It is the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces at the Earth's surface.
Q: What is erosion? A: It is the wearing away and movement of soil and rocks by natural forces.
Q: Name two agents of erosion. A: Water and wind.
Q: What is a glacier? A: It is a large mass of slowly moving ice.
Q: What is an earthquake? A: It is the sudden shaking of the ground caused by movements inside the Earth.
Q: What is a landslide? A: It is the rapid movement of rocks and soil down a slope.
Q: What does GLOF stand for? A: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

1. Explain the theory of plate tectonics.

Answer: The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's lithosphere is divided
into several large plates that move slowly over the mantle. Their movement causes
earthquakes, volcanoes, and formation of mountains. 
2. Describe the structure of the Earth.

Answer: The Earth has three main layers: 

Crust: The outermost thin layer. 
Mantle: The middle layer made of hot, semi-solid rocks. 
Core: The innermost layer, mainly made of iron and nickel. 
3. Differentiate between weathering and erosion.
Weathering: Breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces at the same place. 
Erosion: Removal and transportation of rock particles by agents like water, wind,
and ice. 
4. Explain the work of rivers as agents of gradation.
 Answer: Rivers erode land, transport sediments, and deposit them in new places. They
form landforms like valleys, waterfalls, and deltas. 
5. How do waves shape coastal landforms?

Answer: Sea waves erode coastal rocks and deposit sediments. They form features
like cliffs, beaches, and sea caves. 
6. Describe the action of wind in deserts.

Answer: Wind erodes, transports, and deposits sand in deserts. It forms landforms
like sand dunes and mushroom rocks. 
7. Explain the formation of U-shaped valleys.

Answer: U-shaped valleys are formed by glaciers. Moving glaciers erode the land
and create wide valleys with steep sides. 
8. What are the causes of earthquakes?

Answer: Earthquakes are caused by the sudden movement of tectonic plates,

volcanic activity, and the release of energy inside the Earth. 
9. Write short notes on landslides.

Answer: Landslides are the rapid movement of rocks, soil, and debris down slopes.
They are caused by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and human activities. 
10. What is GLOF? Explain its impact.

Answer: GLOF stands for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. It occurs when a glacial lake
bursts and releases a large amount of water, causing floods, damage to property,
and loss of life. 

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 

1. Explain the theory of plate tectonics with suitable examples.

I. The Earth's lithosphere is divided into several large and small plates.

II. These plates move slowly over the semi-fluid layer of the mantle.

III. The movement of plates is caused by convection currents inside the Earth.

IV. Plate movements cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and formation of mountains.

V. Example: The collision of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate formed the Himalayas.
2. Describe the interior of the Earth with a neat labelled diagram.

I. The Earth has three main layers: Crust, Mantle, and Core.

II. The Crust is the outermost and thinnest layer of the Earth.

III. The Mantle lies below the crust and contains hot semi-solid rocks.

IV. The Core is the innermost layer made mainly of iron and nickel.

V. The outer core is liquid and the inner core is solid.

3. Explain different types of weathering with examples.

I. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks on the Earth's surface.

II. Physical Weathering: Rocks break due to temperature changes and frost action.

III. Chemical Weathering: Rocks change due to chemical reactions.

IV. Biological Weathering: Plants and animals cause breaking of rocks.

V. Example: Plant roots growing into cracks of rocks cause biological weathering.

4. Describe the role of rivers in erosion, transportation and deposition.

I. Rivers are important agents of erosion and deposition.

II. Rivers erode land by cutting valleys, gorges, and waterfalls.

III. Rivers transport sediments from one place to another.

IV. When the speed of water decreases, rivers deposit sediments.

V. Rivers form features like flood plains and deltas.

5. Explain the work of glaciers as agents of gradation.

I. Glaciers are large masses of slowly moving ice.

II. They erode the land by carrying rocks and sediments.

III. Glaciers form U-shaped valleys.

IV. They transport materials from one place to another.

V. They deposit sediments and form moraines.

6. Describe the formation of coastal landforms by waves and currents.

I. Sea waves act as agents of erosion and deposition.

II. Waves erode coastal rocks and form sea caves and sea cliffs.

III. Continued erosion forms sea arches.

IV. Deposition of sediments forms beaches.

V. Coastal landforms are shaped by waves and currents.

7. Explain the causes, effects and safety measures of earthquakes.

Causes:

I. Movement of tectonic plates.

II. Volcanic activity.

III. Faulting in the Earth's crust.

Effects:

IV. Damage to buildings and infrastructure.

V. Loss of life and property.

Safety Measures:

VI. Construct earthquake-resistant buildings.

VII. Move to open areas during earthquakes.

8. Describe landslides and avalanches with preventive measures.

I. Landslide is the movement of rocks and soil down a slope.

II. Avalanche is the rapid movement of snow, ice, and rocks down a mountain slope.

III. They are caused by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and deforestation.

IV. Planting trees helps prevent landslides.

V. Avoiding construction on unstable slopes reduces risk.

9. Explain Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and its impact on mountain regions.

I. GLOF stands for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood.

II. It occurs when a glacial lake bursts and releases water suddenly.

III. It causes floods in mountain regions.

IV. It damages houses, roads, and bridges.

V. It can cause loss of life and property.

10. Discuss dust storms and their effects in arid regions.

Answer:

I. Dust storms occur in dry regions due to strong winds.

II. Winds carry large amounts of dust and sand.

III. They reduce visibility in affected areas.

IV. They cause soil erosion.

V. They damage crops and property.