LANDFORMS Name: ______________
There are many different types of landforms. Landforms are natural
features on the planet’s surface. You probably know about some of them already!
Mountains are very tall landforms. They can be pointed or rounded, and
some are even volcanic! When there are many mountains together, it is called a
mountain range. Some mountains are formed from lava, while other mountains
are formed when the plates under the earth’s surface crash together and push up
the land. Either way mountains are formed, it takes many, many years.
Valleys are the spaces between mountains. Some valleys are V-shaped, and
some are U-shaped. Many people live in valleys, because they have a comfortable
temperature, are protected, and may have rivers flowing through them.
Plateaus are like mountains, but instead of pointed or rounded tops, they
are flat on top. They usually form when magma rises, but doesn’t break through
the surface. The land rises instead.
Plains are large, flat areas of land. Since flat land is easy to build on, many
cities are on plains. Many plants can grow on plains, as well. Some plains are by
oceans, and are called ocean plains.
Plains that are by rivers are called river plains, and are especially good for
growing crops. Islands are areas of land surrounded by water on all sides. They
can be formed by underwater volcanoes. The lava builds up over time and
eventually breaks the surface of the ocean.
Deserts are another type of landform. They are large areas of land that do
not receive a lot of rainfall. They can be very hot during the day, and very cold at
night. It is difficult for many plants and animals to live in deserts.
What kind of landform would you like to live on?
1A. What is a land form?
a. Land c. natural features
b. Houses d. years
LANDFORMS Name: ______________
1B. What sentence from the text assisted you in determining the answer to 1A?
a. Deserts are another type of landform.
b. Many people live in valleys, because they have a comfortable temperature,
are protected, and may have rivers flowing through them.
c. Landforms are natural features on the planet’s surface.
d. Plains are large, flat areas of land.
2. Name 2 facts about plains.
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4. Draw a line connecting the landform to its description.
A. Mountains A. space between mountains, V or U shaped
B. Valleys B. Large, flat land areas, grows plants well
C. Plateaus C. not a lot of rainfall, hot and dry
D. Plains D. Tall, flat tops, raised land
E. Island E. Tall, pointed or round, pushed up plates
F. Deserts F. land surrounded by water all around
5. Fill in the cause and effect chart.
Cause Effect
Earth’s plates crash together and push.
A plateau is formed.
Underwater volcanoes erupt.
People live in valleys.
A. The temperature is comfortable, it’s protected, and rivers flow through them.
B. Magma pushes up but does not break through the surface
C. An island is formed.
D. A mountain is formed.