Great!

Let’s begin with Section A: 50 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 9
Geography – Chapter 2: Physical Features of India, with answers.

📘 Section A: MCQs (1–25)

1. Which is the oldest landmass in India?

a) Himalayas
b) Northern Plains
c) Peninsular Plateau
d) Western Ghats
✅ Answer: c) Peninsular Plateau
2. The Himalayas were formed as a result of the collision between:
a) African and Eurasian plates
b) Indian and Eurasian plates
c) Pacific and Eurasian plates
d) Australian and Pacific plates
✅ Answer: b) Indian and Eurasian plates
3. The Northern Plains of India are formed by the depositional activity of:
a) Mahanadi
b) Narmada
c) Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra
d) Tapi and Krishna
✅ Answer: c) Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra
4. Which of the following is a block mountain?
a) Himalayas
b) Vindhyas
c) Aravallis
d) Satpuras
✅ Answer: d) Satpuras
5. Which river flows through a rift valley?
a) Ganga
b) Narmada
c) Yamuna
d) Brahmaputra
✅ Answer: b) Narmada
6. The Eastern and Western Ghats meet at:
a) Mahabaleshwar
b) Ooty
c) Nilgiri Hills
d) Cardamom Hills
✅ Answer: c) Nilgiri Hills
7. Which of these is a feature of the Shiwalik range?
a) Highest Himalayan range
b) Middle range
c) Outer Himalayas
d) Snow-covered peaks
✅ Answer: c) Outer Himalayas
8. Which region has sand dunes?
a) Peninsular Plateau
b) Western Ghats
c) Indian Desert
d) Eastern Coastal Plains
✅ Answer: c) Indian Desert
9. The Peninsular Plateau is composed mainly of:
a) Alluvial soil
b) Igneous and metamorphic rocks
c) Limestone
d) Sand and gravel
✅ Answer: b) Igneous and metamorphic rocks
10. Which of the following lies to the east of the Western Ghats?
a) Aravalli
b) Deccan Plateau
c) Vindhyas
d) Northern Plains
✅ Answer: b) Deccan Plateau
11. The Northern Plains are broadly divided into:
a) Himachal and Shiwalik
b) Ganga and Brahmaputra plains
c) Punjab and Rajasthan plains
d) Gujarat and Malwa plains
✅ Answer: b) Ganga and Brahmaputra plains
12. Which island group lies in the Arabian Sea?
a) Andaman
b) Nicobar
c) Lakshadweep
d) Maldives
✅ Answer: c) Lakshadweep
13. Which of these is not a part of the Northern Plains?
a) Punjab Plain
b) Ganga Plain
c) Malwa Plateau
d) Brahmaputra Plain
✅ Answer: c) Malwa Plateau
14. Which of the following is a young fold mountain?
a) Himalayas
b) Aravalli
c) Vindhya
d) Satpura
✅ Answer: a) Himalayas
15. Which feature is formed by river deposition?
a) Rift Valley
b) Delta
c) Plateau
d) Block Mountain
✅ Answer: b) Delta
16. Which region is known for black soil?
a) Northern Plains
 b) Coastal Plains
c) Deccan Plateau
d) Himalayan region
✅ Answer: c) Deccan Plateau
17. The Western Coastal Plain lies between:
a) Western Ghats and Bay of Bengal
b) Eastern Ghats and Arabian Sea
c) Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
d) Himalayas and Arabian Sea
✅ Answer: c) Western Ghats and Arabian Sea
18. The Aravalli hills run from:
a) Gujarat to Rajasthan
b) Punjab to Gujarat
c) Delhi to Gujarat
d) Himachal to Madhya Pradesh
✅ Answer: c) Delhi to Gujarat
19. Which is the highest peak in India (in Indian territory)?
a) Mount Everest
b) Kanchenjunga
c) Nanda Devi
d) Kamet
✅ Answer: b) Kanchenjunga
20. Which of the following rivers flows westward?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Narmada
d) Godavari
✅ Answer: c) Narmada
21. Which part of the Himalayas lies between Nepal and Sikkim?
a) Kumaon Himalayas
b) Central Himalayas
c) Eastern Himalayas
d) Himachal Himalayas
✅ Answer: c) Eastern Himalayas
22. The Chotanagpur Plateau is famous for:
a) Tea
b) Cotton
c) Mineral resources
d) Rice cultivation
✅ Answer: c) Mineral resources
23. The major rivers of the Northern Plains have their origin in:
a) Coastal plains
b) Western Ghats
c) Himalayas
d) Aravallis
✅ Answer: c) Himalayas
24. The Great Indian Desert is located in:
a) Rajasthan
b) Gujarat
c) Punjab
 d) Haryana
✅ Answer: a) Rajasthan
25. Which of these islands is of coral origin?
a) Andaman
b) Nicobar
c) Lakshadweep
d) None
✅ Answer: c) Lakshadweep
26.  Which part of the Himalayas is known for hill stations like Shimla and
Mussoorie?
a) Himadri
b) Shiwalik
c) Himachal
d) Trans-Himalayas
✅ Answer: c) Himachal
27.  Which physical division of India is the most fertile and densely populated?
a) Indian Desert
b) Northern Plains
c) Peninsular Plateau
d) Coastal Plains
✅ Answer: b) Northern Plains
28.  Which of these rivers forms a delta at its mouth?
a) Narmada
b) Yamuna
c) Ganga
d) Sutlej
✅ Answer: c) Ganga
29.  What type of soil is found in the Indian Desert?
a) Alluvial
b) Black
c) Sandy
d) Red
✅ Answer: c) Sandy
30.  The division of the Himalayas from west to east is done based on:
a) Rivers
b) Mountains
c) Valleys
d) Plains
✅ Answer: a) Rivers
31.  Which river flows through the Brahmaputra plain?
a) Yamuna
b) Ganga
c) Brahmaputra
d) Sutlej
✅ Answer: c) Brahmaputra
32.  Which of the following features is not found in the Himalayan region?
a) Glaciers
b) Valleys
c) Sand dunes
 d) Rivers
✅ Answer: c) Sand dunes
33.  The Deccan Plateau is bordered by which two hill ranges?
a) Vindhya and Aravalli
b) Eastern and Western Ghats
c) Shiwalik and Himachal
d) Satpura and Himalayas
✅ Answer: b) Eastern and Western Ghats
34.  Which state is part of the Peninsular Plateau?
a) Punjab
b) Rajasthan
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Assam
✅ Answer: c) Madhya Pradesh
35.  Which sea lies to the west of India?
a) Arabian Sea
b) Bay of Bengal
c) Andaman Sea
d) Red Sea
✅ Answer: a) Arabian Sea
36.  Which islands are of volcanic origin?
a) Lakshadweep
b) Maldives
c) Andaman and Nicobar
d) Sri Lanka
✅ Answer: c) Andaman and Nicobar
37.  Which mountain range lies to the north of the Northern Plains?
a) Vindhyas
b) Western Ghats
c) Himalayas
d) Aravallis
✅ Answer: c) Himalayas
38.  Which of these is an important river of the Peninsular Plateau?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna
c) Godavari
d) Indus
✅ Answer: c) Godavari
39.  Which plateau lies to the northeast of the Peninsular Plateau?
a) Chotanagpur Plateau
b) Malwa Plateau
c) Shillong Plateau
d) Deccan Plateau
✅ Answer: c) Shillong Plateau
40.  The Himalayan rivers are:
a) Seasonal
b) Rain-fed
c) Perennial
d) Artificial
✅ Answer: c) Perennial
41.  The Indo-Gangetic plain was formed due to:
a) Earthquakes
b) Volcanic eruption
c) River deposits
d) Glacier movement
✅ Answer: c) River deposits
42.  The Lakshadweep Islands are located in:
a) Arabian Sea
b) Bay of Bengal
c) Pacific Ocean
d) Indian Ocean
✅ Answer: a) Arabian Sea
43.  Which part of the Himalayas lies in Arunachal Pradesh?
a) Western Himalayas
b) Central Himalayas
c) Eastern Himalayas
d) Himachal
✅ Answer: c) Eastern Himalayas
44.  What divides the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau?
a) Western Ghats
b) Narmada River
c) Vindhya Hills
d) Satpura Range
✅ Answer: b) Narmada River
45.  The ‘doab’ region is found between which rivers?
a) Ganga and Yamuna
b) Godavari and Krishna
c) Indus and Chenab
d) Mahanadi and Brahmani
✅ Answer: a) Ganga and Yamuna
46.  Which region is known for laterite soil?
a) Indo-Gangetic Plain
b) Indian Desert
c) Western Ghats
d) Northern Mountains
✅ Answer: c) Western Ghats
47.  Which river flows from west to east in the Deccan Plateau?
a) Narmada
b) Tapi
c) Godavari
d) Mahi
✅ Answer: c) Godavari
48.  Which of the following regions is most prone to earthquakes?
a) Peninsular Plateau
b) Coastal Plains
c) Himalayan Region
d) Northern Plains
✅ Answer: c) Himalayan Region
49.  Which is the southernmost point of Indian mainland?
a) Kanyakumari
 b) Indira Point
c) Rameshwaram
d) Kochi
✅ Answer: a) Kanyakumari
50.  Which rivers flow into the Arabian Sea?
a) Godavari and Krishna
b) Narmada and Tapi
c) Ganga and Yamuna
d) Mahanadi and Brahmani
✅ Answer: b) Narmada and Tapi

Section B: Short Answer Type Questions (1–25)

1. What are the major physical divisions of India?

✅ Answer: The major physical divisions are:
o The Himalayan Mountains
o The Northern Plains
o The Peninsular Plateau
o The Indian Desert
o The Coastal Plains
o The Islands
2. What is the significance of the Himalayas?
✅ Answer: The Himalayas protect India from cold winds, block monsoon winds
causing rain, and are the source of many rivers.
3. What is a peninsula?
✅ Answer: A peninsula is a landmass surrounded by water on three sides. India is a
peninsula.
4. Name the three major rivers forming the Northern Plains.
✅ Answer: The Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra.
5. What are the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas?
✅ Answer: Himadri (Greater Himalayas), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas), and
Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas).
6. Why are the Northern Plains important?
✅ Answer: They are fertile and support dense population and agriculture.
7. What is a Rift Valley?
✅ Answer: A Rift Valley is formed when land between two faults sinks. Narmada and
Tapi flow through rift valleys.
8. What is the Deccan Plateau?
✅ Answer: The Deccan Plateau is a large, old, and stable landmass in southern India
made of igneous rocks.
9. Which river flows westward in a rift valley?
✅ Answer: The Narmada River.
10. What is the difference between Western and Eastern Ghats?
✅ Answer: Western Ghats are higher, continuous, and cause rainfall; Eastern Ghats
are lower and discontinuous.
11. What is the Indian Desert?
✅ Answer: It is a dry region in western Rajasthan with sandy soil and very low
rainfall.
12. Name the coastal plains of India.
✅ Answer: The Western Coastal Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain.
13. Which islands lie in the Bay of Bengal?
✅ Answer: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
14. Which islands lie in the Arabian Sea?
✅ Answer: The Lakshadweep Islands.
15. What is the Chotanagpur Plateau famous for?
✅ Answer: It is rich in minerals like coal, iron ore, and bauxite.
16. What divides the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau?
✅ Answer: The Narmada River.
17. What is the significance of Himadri range?
✅ Answer: It has the highest peaks and forms the northernmost range of the
Himalayas.
18. Where do the Western and Eastern Ghats meet?
✅ Answer: At the Nilgiri Hills.
19. What is a doab?
✅ Answer: Land between two rivers, e.g., between Ganga and Yamuna.
20. Why are rivers in the Himalayan region perennial?
✅ Answer: Because they are fed by glaciers and flow throughout the year.
21. What is the difference between Himachal and Shiwalik ranges?
✅ Answer: Himachal is the middle range with valleys and forests; Shiwalik is the
outermost and lowest range.
22. What is a delta?
✅ Answer: A landform created at the mouth of a river by deposition of sediments,
like the Sunderban delta.
23. What are tectonic plates?
✅ Answer: Large rigid blocks of the Earth's crust that move and cause earthquakes
and mountains.
24. Which part of India is the most earthquake-prone?
✅ Answer: The Himalayan region.
25. What is the role of rivers in shaping landforms?
✅ Answer: Rivers erode, transport, and deposit materials to form plains, deltas, and
valleys.
26. What is the significance of the Peninsular Plateau?
✅ Answer: It is the oldest landmass in India, rich in minerals, and forms the backbone
of the Indian subcontinent.
27. Why is the Indian Desert dry?
✅ Answer: Because it lies in the rain shadow of the Aravalli Hills and receives very
little rainfall.
28. What is the difference between the Northern Plains and the Peninsular Plateau?
✅ Answer: The Northern Plains are made of alluvium and are flat; the Peninsular
Plateau is made of hard rocks and is elevated.
29. Name two important passes in the Himalayas.
✅ Answer: Nathu La and Shipki La.
30. Name any two west-flowing rivers of Peninsular India.
✅ Answer: Narmada and Tapi.
31. Why are the Himalayas called young fold mountains?
✅ Answer: Because they were formed recently in geological terms by the folding of
the earth's crust.
32. What is the highest peak in India (within Indian territory)?
✅ Answer: Kanchenjunga (8,598 meters).
33. What are the Eastern Coastal Plains?
✅ Answer: Flat and wide coastal region along the Bay of Bengal from West Bengal to
Tamil Nadu.
34. What are the Western Coastal Plains?
✅ Answer: Narrow strip of land along the Arabian Sea from Gujarat to Kerala.
35. Which river divides the Central Highlands from the Deccan Plateau?
✅ Answer: The Narmada River.
36. Name two features of the Himachal range.
✅ Answer: It has famous valleys and hill stations; it lies between the Himadri and
Shiwalik ranges.
37. Why are the Shiwalik Hills prone to landslides?
✅ Answer: Because they are made of loose sediments and are geologically unstable.
38. What are the divisions of the Peninsular Plateau?
✅ Answer: Central Highlands and Deccan Plateau.
39. What are the key characteristics of the Deccan Plateau?
✅ Answer: It is triangular in shape, slopes from west to east, and is bounded by the
Ghats.
40. What is the origin of the Himalayas?
✅ Answer: They were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic
plates.
41. Why are the Northern Plains agriculturally productive?
✅ Answer: Due to fertile alluvial soil, flat land, and abundant water supply.
42. What is the significance of rivers in the Peninsular Plateau?
✅ Answer: They provide water for irrigation, hydropower, and are important for
agriculture and transportation.
43. Which region is rich in black soil and what does it support?
✅ Answer: The Deccan Plateau; it supports cotton cultivation.
44. What is the significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
✅ Answer: They are strategically important, rich in biodiversity, and popular for
tourism.
45. Which states share the Northern Plains?
✅ Answer: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
46. Why is the Peninsular Plateau considered a stable landmass?
✅ Answer: Because it is geologically ancient and not prone to earthquakes or
volcanic activity.
47. What are coral islands? Give an example.
✅ Answer: Islands formed by coral deposits, e.g., Lakshadweep Islands.
48. What is the highest mountain range in the world?
✅ Answer: The Himalayas.
49. Name two rivers that form deltas.
✅ Answer: Ganga and Brahmaputra.
50. What is the difference between island groups of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea?
✅ Answer: Andaman & Nicobar (volcanic) lie in Bay of Bengal; Lakshadweep
(coral) lie in Arabian Sea.

1. Describe the major physical features of India.

✅ Answer: India has six major physical features:
 The Himalayas – Young fold mountains in the north.
 The Northern Plains – Fertile and formed by rivers.
 The Peninsular Plateau – Old and hard rocks, rich in minerals.
 The Indian Desert – Sandy area with low rainfall.
 The Coastal Plains – Narrow plains along the coasts.
 The Islands – Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep groups.

2. Explain the division and features of the Himalayan mountains.

✅ Answer:
The Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges:

 Himadri (Greater Himalayas): Highest range with snow-covered peaks like

Kanchenjunga.
 Himachal (Lesser Himalayas): Contains valleys and hill stations.
 Shiwalik (Outer Himalayas): Youngest range with soft sedimentary rocks.
These mountains influence India’s climate and provide water through rivers.

3. Describe the Northern Plains and its divisions.

✅ Answer:
The Northern Plains are flat, formed by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers.
They are divided into:

 Punjab Plains (formed by Indus)

 Ganga Plains (formed by Ganga and tributaries)
 Brahmaputra Plains (formed by Brahmaputra river)
The region is agriculturally rich and densely populated.

4. Discuss the significance and divisions of the Peninsular Plateau.

✅ Answer:
The Peninsular Plateau is the oldest landmass. It is made of igneous and metamorphic
rocks.
Divisions:

 Central Highlands: Between Aravallis and Narmada.

 Deccan Plateau: South of Narmada, triangular in shape.
It has mineral wealth and black soil.

5. Write about the Indian Desert.

✅ Answer:
The Indian Desert lies in western Rajasthan.

 Sandy terrain with dunes.

 Very little rainfall (<150 mm per year).
 Vegetation is sparse.
 River Luni is the only seasonal river.
It experiences extreme temperatures.

6. Explain the characteristics of the Coastal Plains.

✅ Answer:
India has two coastal plains:

 Western Coastal Plains: Narrow, divided into Konkan, Kannad, and Malabar coasts.
 Eastern Coastal Plains: Wider, divided into Northern Circar and Coromandel coasts.
Many deltas (like Ganga, Mahanadi) are found here.

7. Describe the major island groups of India.

✅ Answer:
India has:

 Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal: Volcanic origin, forested,
strategic importance.
 Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea: Coral origin, small and flat, known for
lagoons and reefs.

8. How do rivers help in forming landforms?

✅ Answer:
Rivers erode, transport, and deposit sediments.

 Create plains (like Northern Plains)

 Form deltas at mouths (e.g., Sundarbans)
 Shape valleys and gorges
Thus, they modify landscapes and help agriculture.

9. How were the Himalayas formed?

✅ Answer:
Formed by the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate.
This tectonic movement caused the uplift of sediments in the Tethys Sea, forming the
fold mountains – the Himalayas.

10. Compare the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

✅ Answer:
 Feature Western Ghats Eastern Ghats
Location West coast East coast
Height Higher (900–1600 m) Lower (600 m avg)
Continuity Continuous Discontinuous
Rivers Block rainfall Rivers cut across
Rainfall Heavy rainfall zone Moderate rainfall

11. Why are the Northern Plains densely populated?

✅ Answer:
Due to fertile alluvial soil, flat land, abundant water supply, and good climate, the
plains support agriculture and settlements.

12. What are tectonic plates and how do they affect landforms?
✅ Answer:
Tectonic plates are large pieces of the Earth’s crust. Their movement leads to
earthquakes, mountains, and volcanoes. The Himalayas formed due to tectonic
collision.

13. Describe the features of the Himachal Range.

✅ Answer:
Middle range of Himalayas.

 Elevation: 3,700–4,500 m
 Contains valleys and hill towns (e.g., Shimla)
 Forested with pine, deodar
 Snow in winter

14. How are the Peninsular rivers different from Himalayan rivers?
✅ Answer:

 Himalayan rivers: Perennial, snow-fed, form deltas (e.g., Ganga).

 Peninsular rivers: Seasonal, rain-fed, flow in rift valleys (e.g., Narmada).

15. What are the differences between the Eastern and Western Coastal Plains?
✅ Answer:

Feature Western Coastal Plain Eastern Coastal Plain

Width Narrow Broad
Deltas Few Many (Ganga, Godavari)
Backwaters Present Absent
 Feature Western Coastal Plain Eastern Coastal Plain
Rainfall Heavy due to Western Ghats Moderate

16. Describe the mineral-rich region of India.

✅ Answer:
The Chotanagpur Plateau is rich in minerals like coal, iron ore, manganese, and
bauxite. Located in Jharkhand and adjoining states.

17. Why is the Deccan Plateau considered geologically stable?

✅ Answer:
It is composed of old, hard igneous rocks.
Not affected by tectonic movements now.
Has remained unchanged for millions of years.

18. Explain how the Northern Plains were formed.

✅ Answer:
Formed by the depositional work of the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers over
millions of years, which brought alluvium from the mountains.

19. What is the importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

✅ Answer:
They help in national security, have biodiversity, support tourism, and provide
maritime access to Southeast Asia.

20. What are the characteristics of the Shiwalik range?

✅ Answer:
Outermost Himalayan range.

 Composed of loose sediments

 Prone to landslides
 Height: 900–1,100 m
 Narrow width (10–50 km)

21. How do mountains affect climate?

✅ Answer:
Mountains block winds, cause rainfall (windward side), and protect areas from cold
winds (like the Himalayas).
22. What are the important rivers of the Peninsular Plateau?
✅ Answer:
Godavari, Krishna, Mahanadi, Narmada, and Tapi.

23. Explain the significance of the Himalayas in terms of rivers.

✅ Answer:
They are the source of major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra. These
rivers provide water, fertile soil, and hydroelectricity.

24. Explain the types of islands in India.

✅ Answer:

 Volcanic islands: Andaman & Nicobar

 Coral islands: Lakshadweep
 Riverine islands: Majuli in Assam

25. Why is the Lakshadweep group important?

✅ Answer:
It is ecologically sensitive, has coral reefs, supports marine biodiversity, and is
important for defense and shipping.

26. What are the main features of the Central Highlands?

✅ Answer:

 Lies north of the Narmada River.

 Includes Malwa Plateau and Bundelkhand.
 Made of hard rocks.
 Gently sloping from southwest to northeast.
 Rivers like Chambal, Betwa flow here.

27. How do the Himalayas influence the climate of India?

✅ Answer:

 Block cold winds from Central Asia.

 Cause orographic rainfall.
 Protect the plains from harsh winters.
 Help in creating monsoon rainfall.

28. Differentiate between Bhangar and Khadar.

✅ Answer:
 Feature Bhangar Khadar
Soil Type Older alluvium Newer alluvium
Fertility Less fertile More fertile
Location Upland areas Low-lying floodplains
Colour Often contains kankar (lime) Fine particles

29. Explain the formation of the Deccan Trap.

✅ Answer:
The Deccan Trap was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.
The lava spread and cooled into flat basalt layers, forming black soil-rich lands.

30. What are the major characteristics of the Indian Desert?

✅ Answer:

 Located in western Rajasthan.

 Sandy terrain, dunes (barchans).
 Receives <150 mm rainfall annually.
 Vegetation is sparse.
 River Luni flows occasionally.

31. Write a note on the importance of Himalayas for India.

✅ Answer:

 Act as climatic barrier.

 Source of rivers.
 Support forests and biodiversity.
 Protect from invasions historically.
 Boost tourism and pilgrimage.

32. How do coastal plains help the economy?

✅ Answer:

 Support agriculture and fishing.

 Host major ports (Mumbai, Chennai).
 Ideal for trade and transportation.
 Tourist destinations (Goa, Kerala).

33. Discuss the role of rivers in the formation of the Northern Plains.
✅ Answer:
 The Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra deposit sediments from mountains, forming
fertile alluvial plains over millions of years.

34. Why is the Peninsular Plateau important for India?

✅ Answer:

 Rich in minerals.
 Stable region, not earthquake-prone.
 Source of rivers.
 Supports tribal population and forests.

35. What are the features of the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta?

✅ Answer:

 Largest delta in the world.

 Very fertile.
 Formed by Ganga and Brahmaputra.
 Home to the Sundarbans mangrove forest.

36. Why are the Himalayas called ‘young fold mountains’?

✅ Answer:
They were formed recently in geological terms (~50 million years ago) by folding of
the Earth's crust due to tectonic plate collision.

37. Describe the relief features of the Indian subcontinent.

✅ Answer:
India’s relief includes:

 Mountains (Himalayas)
 Plains (Northern Plains)
 Plateaus (Peninsular)
 Deserts
 Coastal plains
 Islands

38. Write a note on the importance of the rivers in India.

✅ Answer:

 Irrigation and agriculture.

 Drinking water supply.
  Hydroelectric power.
 Inland navigation.
 Religious importance.

39. How do physical features influence the lifestyle of people?

✅ Answer:

 Mountain areas have terrace farming, woolen clothes.

 Plains support dense population and agriculture.
 Desert regions use camels, have low population.
 Islands depend on fishing.

40. Write about any two mountain passes in the Himalayas.

✅ Answer:

 Nathula Pass (Sikkim): Trade with China.

 Zoji La (J&K): Connects Srinagar to Leh.

41. How are plateaus different from plains?

✅ Answer:

Feature Plateau Plains

Elevation Elevated land Flat, low-lying
Formation By volcanic/tectonic forces By river deposition
Fertility Less fertile Highly fertile

42. Write about the physiographic division: Islands.

✅ Answer:

 Andaman & Nicobar: Volcanic, forested, tribal groups.

 Lakshadweep: Coral, flat, lagoons.
 Both have strategic and ecological importance.

43. How is India a land of diversity in physical features?

✅ Answer:
It has mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coastal plains, and islands – showing a
wide variety of landscapes and climates.
 44. Explain the causes of earthquakes in India.
✅ Answer:
India lies on the Indian tectonic plate which is colliding with the Eurasian plate.
This collision and movement cause earthquakes, especially in Himalayan and Indo-
Gangetic zones.

45. What is the difference between Eastern and Western Ghats?

✅ Answer:

Feature Western Ghats Eastern Ghats

Elevation Higher (up to 1600 m) Lower
Continuity Continuous range Discontinuous
Rainfall More due to monsoon Less than western ghats

46. How were the Andaman and Nicobar Islands formed?

✅ Answer:
Formed by volcanic activity.
Still geologically active – Barren Island is India’s only active volcano.

47. Write a note on the Malwa Plateau.

✅ Answer:

 Part of Central Highlands.

 Lies in MP and Rajasthan.
 Formed by volcanic rocks.
 Has black soil and supports cotton farming.

48. What is the significance of the Northern Plains?

✅ Answer:

 Fertile land supports agriculture.

 High population density.
 Major rivers provide irrigation.
 Good transportation and trade routes.

49. What role do physical features play in India's unity in diversity?

✅ Answer:
Different physical features shape unique cultures, food, dress, languages – yet all are
part of one nation, showing unity in diversity.
50. Describe how India's physical features are interdependent.
✅ Answer:
Mountains provide rivers, rivers form plains, plains support farming, plateaus supply
minerals, and coasts aid trade – all depend on one another for resources and economy.