EXERCISEI
A. Answer the following questions :
1, What are Plains?
Ans. Plain is an extensive tract of flat land, a gently undulating terrain
without prominent hills or depressions.
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2. What is Orogenesis?
Ans. Orogenesis is the process of mountain building that occurs on
large scale. It is also called, the birth of mountain.
3. Name the different types of mountains. Describe each of them
with examples.
Ans. There are four major types of mountains:
(i) Fold mountains: Classified as young-fold and old-fold mountains.
. Young-fold are the newest group of fold mountains which
include the Himalayas, the Alps, the Rockies and the Andes.
" Old-fold mountains have been subjected to the forces of
denudation for long time. Hence, they are much lower and
less rugged. For example, the Appalachian and the Aravalis.
(ii) Block mountains:
The movement of the Earth's crust causes cracks or faults.
Where such movement leaves a block of higher land standing
between two areas of lower land, the highland is known as a
'Block Mountain' of Horst. For example, the Vosges.
(ii) Residual mountains:
When an area of highland remains standing above the general
level after rivers and other natural agents have lowered the surface
of the surrounding area, the term residual mountain is used.
For example, Highlands of Scotland.
(iv) Volcanic mountains:
Most of the active volcanoes are found in the neighbourhood of
fold mountains. Allaround the Pacific Ocean there are many ac
tive and extinct volcanoes are present.
4. What are Plateaus?
Ans. Plateau is an elevated tract of relatively flat land usually limited
on at least one side by a steep slope falling abruptly to lower
land.
5. Name the various types of plateaus with examples.
Ans. Various types of Plateaus are:
(a) Intermontane Plateau: They are surrounded by mountains.
E.g. Plateau of Tibet.
(b) Piedmont or Border Plateau: They border the mountain
ranges.
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(c) Dissected or Domed plateau: When running water of streams
cut enough deep valleys in different parts of plateau. E.g.,
Mesas in Spain.
(d) Volcanic plateau: The lava erupted from the volcanoes has
resulted into numerous volcanic plateaus.
E.g., Snake river region of Idaho.
6. State a few advantages of plains.
Ans. Advantages of plains are:
(a) Construction of settlements, rails, roads, ete., is easy on flat
and soft surface.
(b) Fertile soils of alluvial plains are granaries of the world|28
(c) Most of the big cities are situated in plains.
7. Explain the types of depositional plains.
Ans. Types of depositional plains are:
(a) Alluvial plains: Formed by gradual accumulation of silt
brought down by rivers.
(b) Flood plains: Formed when the river widens its valley or
overflows its banks during floods, the clay and sand are
deposited over large area. For example, Mississippi plain.
(c) Delta plain: At the mouth of a river, triangular shaped plain of
deposited material is called a delta plain. For example, plains
formed by big rivers like Hwang Ho.
(d) Aeolion Loess Plains: Formed by the material which has
been transported and deposited by [Link]. Loess deposits
of North China.
(e) Lacustrine Plains: Formed from the filling of lake beds. For
example, Plain of Hungary
8. State the main uses of mountains.
Ans. Main uses of mountains are:
1. Mountains are effective climatic barriers. Some places may
have equable climate and some have extreme climate.
2. The swift streams of mountains are frequent sources of hydro
electric power.
3. They are rich sources of mineral wealth. For example, the
Western Cordilleras provide gold, copper etc.
4. Mountain pastures have been utilised most extensively for
cattle rearing.
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slopes.
9. Differentiate between intermontane plateau and volcanic plateaus.
Ans.
Intermontane plateau Volcanic plateau
They are surrounded by|The lava erupted from the
mountains. volcanoes has resulted into
numerous volcanic plateaus.
E.g., Plateau of Tibet. E.g., Snake river region of
Idaho.
10. Define a plain. How does it differ from a plateau?
Ans.
Plain Plateau
Plain is an extensive tract of flat| Plateau is an elevated tract
land, a gently and undulating of relatively flat land usually
terrain without prominent hills limited on at least one side by
depressions. a steep slope falling abruptly
to lower land.
11. What are mountains?
Ans. Mountains : Aportion of land surface rising considerably above
the surrounding country, either as a single eminence, or as an
extensive mountain chain.
12. State any two characteristics of young fold mountains.
Ans. Two characteristics of young fold mountains are:
1. Most of the active volcanoes are found here.
2. The mountains are characterised by ruggedness of relief in
contrast to the smooth and rounded contours of mountain areas
which had been subjected to weathering agents.
13. How are the young fold mountains useful? State one example.
Ans. They form a natural wall in northern India, which is dificult to
cross. One example is the Himalayas in Asia.
14. How are alluvial plains formed?
Ans. Alluvial plains are formed by gradual accumulation of silt brought
down by rivers. For example, the Ganga plain in India.
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15. Give an example each of the following
(i) Fold mountains
(ii) Block mountain
(iüi) Volcanic plateau
(iv) Structural plain
Ans. Give an example:
(i) Fold: Himalayas, Aravalis, etc.
(ii) Block mountains: Vosges and Black Forest Mountains.
(ii) Volcanic mountains: active and extinct volcanoes of Japan.
(iv) Structural plains: The Great Plains of USA.
B. Define the following terms :
1. Intermontane plateaus
Ans. Intermontane plateaus: They are surrounded by mountains. For
example, Plateau of Tibet.
2. Block Mountains
Ans. Block mountains: The movement of the Earth's crust causes
cracks or faults. Where such movement leaves a block of higher
land standing between two areas of lower land, the highland is
known as a 'Block Mountain' or Horst. For example, Vosges.
C. Diagrams :
1. Draw a neat diagram to show the formation of Block Mountains.
2. With the help of a neat diagram show the formation of a flood
plain.
Ans. Students to do these themselves.
D. Give a reason for the following Statements.
1. Plateaus are called tablelands.
Ans. As they have flat top with steep sided slope.
2. Residual mountains are called the mountains of denudation.
Ans. As these mountains are formed and lowered down by the long
term denudation & erosion by various agents of gradation.
3. The alluvial plains are called the granaries of the world.
Ans. Alluvial plains are formed by the deposition of alluvium by
the rivers; therefore they have fertile soil which enhances the
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