Class 9 NCERT - Solved Question Answers Documents

I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1.    How many major tectonic plates does the earth’s crust have?
(a)    Seven
(b)    Eight
(c)    Three
(d)    Four

2.    What is the northernmost range known as?
(a)    The Himachal
(b)    The Himadri
(c)    The Shiwalik
(d)    None of these

3.    What was the traditional name of the part of Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj? 
(a)    Assam Himalaya
(b)    Kumaon Himalaya
(c)    Punjab Himalaya     
(d)    Purvanchal

4.    The narrow belt of the plain covered with pebbles lying along the foothills of the Shiwaliks from the Indus to the Teesta is called the
(a)    Khadar belt
(b)    Bhangar belt
(c)    Bhabar belt
(d)    Terai belt 

5.    Which region is called the ‘storehouse of minerals’?
(a)    Karbi-Anglong Plateau    
(b)    The Chhotanagpur Plateau
(c)    The Malwa Plateau
(d)    The Deccan Plateau 

6.    Which is the oldest landmass of the Indian subcontinent and was part of the Gondwana land?
(a)    The Coastal Plains    
(b)    The Indian Desert
(c)    The Himalayan Region    
(d)    The Peninsular Plateau

7.    The Kullu valley lies in which state?
(a)    Jammu and Kashmir    
(b)    Himachal Pradesh
(c)    Uttarakhand
(d)    Rajasthan

8.    Kanchenjunga lies in which country?
(a)    Nepal
(b)    Bhutan
(c)    Bangladesh
(d)    India

9.    What is the Pitti Island, which is uninhabited, famous for?
(a)    Bird sanctuary    
(b)    Wildlife sanctuary
(c)    Bio-reserve    
(d)    Both (a) and (b)

10.    What are atolls?
(a)    They are rectangular coral reefs.    
(b)    They are circular or horse-shoe shaped coral reefs.
(c)    These are triangular coral reefs.
(d)    None of the above.

11.    Dhaulagiri lies in which country?
(a)    Nepal
(b)    India
(c)    Bhutan
(d)    Bangladesh

12.    The part of the Himalayas lying between the Satluj and Kali rivers is known as
(a)    Lesser Himalayas    
(b)    Great Himalayas
(c)    Shiwaliks
(d)    Kumaon Himalayas

13.    Which is the largest salt water lake in India?
(a)    Chilika
(b)    Sambhar
(c)    Bhimtal
(d)    Wular

14.    What is the shape of the Barchans?
(a)    Circular
(b)    Rectangular
(c)    Crescent
(d)    Square

15.    Where is the Great Barrier Reef found?
(a)    Australia
(b)    India
(c)    Bangladesh
(d)    Nepal

16.    Which is the only river found in the Indian desert?
(a)    Tapi
(b)    Satluj
(c)    Mahi
(d)    Luni

17.    Intensive agriculture is done on the type of soil known as
(a)    Kankar
(b)    Bhangar
(c)    Khadar
(d)    Bhabar

18.    The black soil area of the peninsular plateau is known as
(a)    Deccan Trap    
(b)    Deccan Plateau
(c)    Chhotanagpur Pleteau    
(d)    None of these

Ans.    1.    (a)    2.    (b)     3.    (c)     4.    (c)   5.    (b)     6.    (d)    7.    (b)     8.    (d)   9.    (a)    10.    (b)    11.    (a)    12.    (d)   13.    (a)     14.    (c)     15.    (a)     16.    (d)    17.    (c)     18.    (a).

II. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q1.    Explain the ‘Theory of Plate Tectonics’.
Ans.    According to this theory, the crust or the upper part of the earth has been formed out of seven major and some minor plates.

Q2.    What is the difference between convergent boundary and divergent boundary?
Ans.    Convergent boundary is formed when plates come towards each other whereas divergent boundary is formed when plates move away from each other.

Q3.    Name the areas that were once parts of the Gondwana land.
Ans.    India, Australia, South Africa, South America and Antarctica.

Q4.    What characteristic features does the whole mountain system of Himalaya represent?
Ans.    The whole mountain system of Himalaya represents a very youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast flowing rivers.

Q5.    What causes the formation of the northern plains?
Ans.    The Northern Plains are formed of alluvial deposits.

Q6.    What is the peninsular plateau composed of?
Ans.    The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.

Q7.    Mention the extent of the Himalayan mountain ranges.
Ans.    The Himalayan mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.

Q8.    The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. Name them.
Ans.(i) The northernmost range known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri.
(ii)    The range lying to the south of the Himadri known as Himachal or lesser Himalayas.
(iii)    The outermost range of the Himalayas known as the Shiwaliks.

Q9.    Mention two features of the Himadri.
Ans.    (i) It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 m.
(ii)    It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.

Q10.    Which is the longest and the most important range of Himachal or lesser Himalaya?
Ans.    The Pir Panjal is the longest and the most important range of Himachal or lesser Himalaya.

Q11.    What are known as Duns? Name some well-known Duns.
Ans.    The longitudinal valley lying between lesser Himalaya and the Shivaliks are known as Duns.
Some well-known Duns are Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun.

Q12.    Which part of Himalayas has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalaya?
Ans.    The part of the Himalayas lying between the Indus and Satluj has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalaya.

Q13.    What are Kumaon Himalayas?
Ans.    The part of the Himalayas lying between the Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas.

Q14.    Where are Assam Himalayas located?
Ans.    Assam Himalayas are located between Tista and Dihang rivers.

Q15.    Which river marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas?
Ans.    The Brahmaputra river marks the easternmost boundary of the Himalayas.

Q16.    Name the mountain ranges located in the eastern part of India.
Ans.    Purvanchal or the Eastern hills and mountains.

Q17.    Mention two features of Purvanchal or the Eastern hills.
Ans.    (i) These hills are composed of strong sandstones which are sedimentary rocks.
(ii)    They are covered with dense forests.

Q18.    The Purvanchal comprises four hills. Name them.
Ans.    (i) The Patkai Bum hills.
(ii)    The Naga hills.
(iii)    Manipur hills.
(iv)    The Mizo hills.

Q19.    Name the three major river systems that form the Northern Plains.
Ans.    (i) The Indus.
(ii)    The Ganga.
(iii)    The Brahmaputra.

Q20.    What is the Northern Plain formed of?
Ans.    The northern plain is formed of alluvial soil.

Q21.    Which is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world?
Ans.    Majuli, in the Brahmaputra river, is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.

Q22.    What are known as distributaries?
Ans.    The rivers in their lower course split into numerous channels due to the deposition of silt. These channels are known as distributaries.

Q23.    Name the three sections the Northern Plain is divided into.
Ans.    (i) The Punjab Plains.
(ii)    The Ganga Plain.
(iii)    The Brahmaputra Plain.

Q24.    According to the variations in relief features, the Northern Plains can be divided into four regions. Name them.
Ans.   (i)    Bhabar
(ii)    Terai
(iii) Bhanfar
(iv)    Khadan

Q25.    Name the two broad divisions of the Peninsular Plateau.
Ans.  (i) The Central Highlands
(ii)    The Deccan Plateau

Q26.    Name the rivers draining the Central Highlands. Also mention the direction of the flow of these rivers.
Ans.    The Sind, the Betwa and the Ken. These rivers flow from south-west to north-east.

Q27.    What are the eastward extensions of the Central Highlands locally known as?
Ans.    The eastward extensions of the Central Highlands are locally known as the Budelkhand and Baghelkhand.

Q28.    Which river drains the Chhotanagpur plateau?
Ans.    The Damodar river drains the Chhotanagpur plateau.

Q29.    What is the shape of the Deccan Plateau? Where does it lie?
Ans.    The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass. It lies to the south of the river Narmada.

Q30.    Name the western and the eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau.
Ans.    The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Q31.    What are the calcareous deposits in the Northern Plains known as?
Ans.    The calcareous deposits in the northern plains are known as Kankar.

Q32.    Which is the highest peak found in the Western Ghats?
Ans.    Anai Mudi is the highest peak found in the Western Ghats.

Q33.    Where is Barren Island located?
Ans.    Barren Island is located in Andaman and Nicobar group of islands.

Q34.    What is known as Deccan Trap?
Ans.    There is a black soil area in the Peninsular Plateau. It is known as Deccan Trap.

Q35.    Give the location of the Aravali Hills. Also mention one feature of these hills.
Ans.    The Aravali Hills lie on the western and north western margins of the Peninsular Plateau.
Feature. These are highly eroded hills and are found as broken hills.

Q36.    What are barchans? Where are they found?
Ans.    Barchans are crescent-shaped dunes found in the Indian desert.

Q37.    The western coast consists of three sections. Name them.
Ans.    (i) Konkan    (ii) Kannad Plain
(iii)    Malabar coast

Q38.    Name the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
Ans.    Kavaratti Island.

Q39.    Mention two features of the Pitti Island.
Ans.    (i) This island is uninhabited.
(ii)    It has a bird sanctuary.

Q40.    Mention the two broad categories into which the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are divided.
Ans.    (i) The Andaman in the north.
(ii)    The Nicobar in the south.

III. Short Answer Type Questions
Q1.    “The land of India displays great physical variation”. Explain.[HOTS]
Ans.    It is true that the land of India displays great physical variation.
(i)    Geologically, the Peninsular Plateau constitutes one of the ancient landmasses on the earth’s surface. It was supposed to be one of the most stable land blocks.
(ii)    The Himalayas and the Northern Plains are the most recent landforms. From geological  point of view, Himalayan mountains form an unstable zone. The whole mountain system of Himalayas represents a very youthful topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast-flowing rivers.
(iii)    The Northern Plains are formed of alluvial deposits. The Peninsular Plateau is composed of generous and metamorphic rocks with gently rising hills and wide valleys.

Q2.    Describe how the Himalayas have been divided on the basis of regions from west to east.
Ans.    (i) Punjab Himalayas. These divisions have been demarcated by river valleys. For instance, the part of Himalayas lying between the Indus and Satluj rivers has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalayas but it is also known regionally as Kashmir and Himachal Himalayas from west to east respectively.
(ii)    Kumaon Himalayas. The part of the Himalayas lying between the Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas.
(iii)    Nepal Himalayas. The Kali and Tista rivers demarcate the Nepal Himalayas. 
(iv)    Assam Himalayas. The part lying between the Tista and Dihang rivers is known as Assam Himalayas.

Q3.    Describe how the Northern Plains are agriculturally a very productive part of the country. Or
What features make the Northern Plains suitable for agriculture?[HOTS]
Ans.    The Northern Plains are formed of alluvial soil. The deposition of alluvium in a vast basin lying at the foothills of the Himalayas over millions of years, formed this fertile plain. This plain is a densely populated physiographic division. The soil cover is rich and have adequate water supply. The climate is also favourable for agriculture. These features make this plain suitable for agriculture.

Q4.    How can you say that the Northern Plains have diverse relief features?
Ans.    The Northern Plains have great variations in the relief. According to the variations in relief features, the Northern Plains can be divided into four regions. The rivers, after descending from the mountains deposit pebbles in a narrow belt of about 8 to 16 km in width lying parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks. It is known as Bhabar. All the streams disappear in this belt. In the south of this belt, the streams and rivers re-emerge and create a wet, swampy and marshy region known as Terai. The largest part of the Northern Plains are formed of older alluvium. They lie above the flood plains of the rivers and present a terrace-like feature. This part is known as Bhangar. The newer younger deposits of the flood plains are called Khadar. It is ideal for agriculture.

Q5.    Write a short note on the Deccan Plateau.
Ans.    The Deccan Plateau is one of the broad divisions of the Peninsular Plateau. It is a triangular landmass that lies to the south of the river Narmada. The Satpura range flanks its broad base in the north while the Mahadev, the Kaimur hills and the Maikal range form its eastern extensions.
The Deccan Plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently eastwards—an extension of the plateau is also visible in the northeast – locally known as the Meghalaya, Karbi Anglong Plateau and North Cachar Hills. It is separated by a fault from the Chhotanagpur Plateau. Three prominent hill ranges from the west to east are the Garo, the Khasi and the Jaintia hills. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats mark the western and the eastern edges of the Deccan Plateau respectively.

Q6.    Give a brief account of the coastal plains.
Ans.    The Peninsular Plateau is flanked by stretch of narrow coastal strips, running along the Arabian Sea on the west and the Bay of Bengal on the east. The Western coast is sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It is a narrow plain. It consists of three sections: 
(i)    The northern part of the coast is called the Konkan (Mumbai–Goa).
(ii)    The central stretch is called the Kannad Plain.
(iii)    The southern stretch is referred to as the Malabar Coast. The plains along the Bay of Bengal are wide and level. In the northern part, it is referred to as the Northern Circar, while the southern part is known as the Coromandel Coast. Large rivers such as the Mahanadi, the Godavari, the Krishna and the Kaveri have formed large delta on this coast. Chilka lake is located on the eastern coast.

Q7.    What are coral polyps? Write in brief.
Ans.    Coral polyps are short-lived microscopic organisms, which live in colonies. They flourish in shallow, mud-free and warm waters. They secrete calcium carbonate. The coral secretion and their skeletons form coral deposits in the form of reefs. They are mainly of three kinds – Barrier reef, Fringing reef and Atolls. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is a good example of the first kind of coral reefs. Atolls are circular or horse shoe-shaped coral reefs.

Q8.    How do different physiographic divisions of India make the country richer in its natural resources?[HOTS] Or
        How do the diverse physical features of the land contribute to the country’s development?             [HOTS]
Ans.    The different physiographic divisions highlight the unique features of each region.
(i)    The mountains are the major sources of water and forest wealth.
(ii)    The Northern Plains are the granaries of the country. They have provided the base for early civilisations.
(iii)    The plateau is a storehouse of minerals, which has played an important role in the industrialisation of the country. 
(iv)    The coastal region and island groups provide sites for fishing and port activities.

Q9.    What are the three types of plate boundaries? Write their characteristic features.
Ans.    The three types of plate boundaries are:
(i)    Convergent Boundary. It is formed when plates come towards each other.
(ii)    Divergent Boundary. It is formed when plates move away from each other.
(iii)    Transform Boundary. It is formed when plates move horizontally from each other. 
The movement of these plates have changed the position and size of the continents over millions of years. Such movements have also influenced the evolution of the present landform features of India.

Plate Boundaries

Q10.    Name the six major physiographic divisions of India.        [HOTS]
Ans.    (i) The Himalayan Mountains    
(ii)    The Northern Plains
(iii)    The Peninsular Plateau    
(iv)    The Indian Desert
(v)    The Coastal Plains
(vi)     The Islands

Q11.    Mention three features of the Central Highlands.
Ans.    (i) The Central Highlands form the part of the Peninsular Plateau that lies to the north of the Narmada river covering a major area of the Malwa Plateau.
(ii)    The Vindhya range is bounded by the Central Highlands on the south and the Aravalis on the north-east. The further westward extension gradually merges with the sandy and rocky desert of Rajasthan.
(iii)    These highlands are wider in the west but narrower in the east.

Q12.    Explain the three major features of the Shiwaliks.
Ans.    The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks. The three major features of these ranges are—
(i)    They extend over a width of 10-50 km and have an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 metres.
(ii)    These ranges are composed of uncon­solidated sediments brought down by rivers from the main Himalayan ranges located farther north.
(iii)    These valleys are covered with thick gravel and alluvium. The longitudinal valley lying between lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns, such as Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun.

Q13.    Mention three features of the Himalayan mountains.
Ans.    (i) The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains, stretch over the northern borders of India.
(ii)    These mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
(iii)    The Himalayas represent the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world.
(iv)    They form an arc which covers a distance of about 2,400 km. Their width varies from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh.

Q14.    Distinguish between Western Coastal Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain.                                                    [HOTS]    
Ans.    

Q15.    Give three facts about the Lakshadweep Islands group.
Ans.    (i) The Lakshadweep Islands group lies close to the Malabar Coast of Kerala. This group of islands is composed of small coral islands.
(ii)    It covers small area of 32 sq.km. Kavaratti island is the administrative headquarters of Lakshadweep.
(iii)    This group has great diversity of flora and fauna. The Pitti Island, which is uninhabited has a bird sanctuary.

IV. Long Answer Type Questions
Q1.    Give a detailed description of the Himalayan Mountains.
Ans.    Over the northern borders of India, a chain of young fold mountains extends which is known as the Himalayas. These mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. The Himalayas represent the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world. They form an arc, which covers the distance of about 2,400 km. Their width varies from 400 km in Kashmir to 150 km in Arunachal Pradesh. The altitudinal variations are greatest in the eastern half than those in the western half. The Himalaya consists of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. A number of valleys lie between these ranges:

The Himalayas

1.    The northernmost range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the ‘Himadri’. It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres. It contains all the major Himalayan peaks.
2.    The range lying to the south of the Himadri forms the most rugged mountain system and is known as Himachal or lesser Himalaya. The ranges are mainly composed of highly compressed and altered rocks. The altitude varies between 3,700 and 4,500 metres and the average width is of 50 km. While the Pir Panjal range forms the longest and the most important range, the Dhaula Dhar and the Mahabharat ranges are also important. This range consists of the famous valley of Kashmir, the Kangra and Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
3.    The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks. They extend over a width of 10-50 km and have an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 metres. These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers from the main Himalayan range located farther north. These valleys are covered with thick gravel and alluvium.

Q2.    Describe division of the Northern Plain on the basis of variations in relief features.
Ans.    According to the various relief features, the Northern Plains can be divided into four regions:
(i)    The Bhabar Belt: The Bhabar is that narrow belt of the plain which is covered with pebbles and lies along the foothills of the Shiwaliks from the Indus to the Teesta. This belt is laid down by numerous streams descending down the hills. All the streams disappear in this Bhabar Belt.
(ii)    The Terai Belt: It lies next to the Bhabar region and is composed of newer alluvium. These plains are formed due to the re-emergence of rivers and thus creating a wet, swampy and marshy region known as terai. It was thickly forested region full of wildlife. But now the forests have been cleared to create agricultural land and to settle migrants from Pakistan after partition.
(iii)    The Bhangar Belt: It is formed from older alluvium. They lie above the flood plains of the rivers and present a terrace-like feature. These plains are found far from the river basins. The soil in this region contains calcareous deposits locally known as Kankar which is less fertile.
(iv)    The Khadar Belt: The newer, younger deposits of the flood plains are called Khadar. They are renewed almost every year. So they are very fertile and ideal for intensive agriculture.

Q3.    Write briefly about the major features of physiographic units.
Ans.    The major features of physiographic units are—
(i)    The Great Mountain Walls of the north:
(a)    The Himalayas are new fold mountains.
(b)    Their surface of relief is highly irregular.
(c)    Some of its regions have very high peaks while the other parts are deep valleys.
(d)    Plain area is very limited in this region.
(ii)    The Northern Plains:
(a)    The northern plains are almost flat and they extend over a large area.
(b)    They are made up of alluvial soils.
(iii)    The Peninsular Plateau:
(a)    The plateau regions have a senile topography and are also quite vast in terms of area.
(b)    This plateau has not witnessed much geological disturbance.
(iv)    The Indian Coastal Plains and the Islands:
(a)    The coastal plains extend in the form of a strip along the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
(b)    The islands of India are situated in two groups, one each in the southern part of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

V. Map Skills
Q1.    On an outline map of India, show the following:
(as per the CBSE Map List 2017-18)
(i)    Mountain ranges: The Karakoram, the Zaskar, the Shiwalik, the Aravali, the Vindhya, the Satpura, Western and Eastern Ghats
(ii)    Mountain peaks: K2, Kanchanjunga, Anai Mudi.
Ans.

Q2.    On an outline map of India, locate and label the following: 
(as per the CBSE Map List 2017-18)
(i)    Plateau: Deccan Plateau, Chota Nagpur Plateau, Malwa Plateau.
(ii)    Coastal Plains: Konkan, Malabar, Coromandel and Northern Circar
Ans.

VI. Value-based Question
Q.    India is divided into different physiographic units. They highlight the unique features of each region. Each region complements the other and makes the country richer in its natural resources.
Explain with atleast five examples the unique features of different regions.
Ans.    (i) Mountains are the major sources of water and forest wealth.
(ii)    The Northern Plains are the granaries of the country.
(iii)    The plateau is a storehouse of minerals, which has played a crucial role in the industrialisation of the country.
(iv)    The coastal region provides sites for fishing and port activities.
(v)    The island groups have great diversity of flora and fauna.

Test Your Skills
1.    What are the features of the lesser Himalayas?
2.    What is called the outermost range of the Himalayas? Give a brief description of it.
3.    What are known as the Purvanchal in the Eastern hills? Write about them.
4.    What is Deccan Trap?
5.    What do you know about the Northern Circar and the Coromandal Coast?