Landforms and Life NCERT Solutions | Social Studies (SST) Class 6 PDF Download

Questions, Activities and Projects

Q1: In what type of landform is your town/village/city located? Which features mentioned in this chapter do you see around you?
Ans: The type of landform your town/village/city is located in can vary. For example, it could be in a plain, mountainous, or plateau region. Specific features would depend on the local geography, such as rivers, hills, or flat agricultural land.

Q2: Let us go back to our initial trip from Chhota Nagpur to Prayagraj and Almora. Describe the three landforms you came across on the way.
Ans: On the trip from Chhota Nagpur to Prayagraj and Almora, the three major landforms encountered are:

• Chhota Nagpur: A plateau known for its mineral resources.
• Prayagraj: Located in the plains, specifically the fertile Ganga plain.
• Almora: A mountainous region, part of the Himalayas.

Q3: List a few famous pilgrimage spots in India along with the landforms in which they are found.
Ans:

• Varanasi: Located in the plains along the Ganga river.
• Amarnath: Located in the mountainous region of the Himalayas.
• Tirupati: Located in the Eastern Ghats, a hilly region.
• Vaishno Devi: Located in the Trikuta Mountains in the Himalayas.

Q4: State whether true or false —

→ The Himalayas are young mountains with rounded tops.
Ans: False 

→ Plateaus usually rise sharply at least on one side.
Ans: True.

→ Mountains and hills belong to the same type of landform.
Ans: True. 

→ Mountains, plateaus and rivers in India have the same types of flora and fauna.
Ans: False. 

→ Ganga is a tributary to the Yamuna.
Ans: False. 

→ Deserts have unique flora and fauna.
Ans: True.

→ Melting snow feeds rivers.
Ans:  True.

→ Sediments from rivers deposited in the plains make the land fertile.
Ans: True.

→ All deserts are hot.
Ans:  False

Q5: Match words in pairs:

Ans:

The Big Questions

Q1: What are the major types of landforms and their significance to life and culture?
Ans: The major types of landforms are mountains, plateaus, and plains.

Q2: What are the challenges and opportunities of life associated with each landform?
Ans:

Let's Explore

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Q1: As a class activity, form groups of four or five students and observe the school's surroundings. What kind of landscape do you see? Will the landscape change a few kilometres away? Or within some 50 kilometres? Compare with other groups.
Ans: Observing the School's Surroundings: Group Observations

• Type of Landscape: Our school is situated in an urban area with buildings, roads, parks, and some trees nearby, but lacks natural water bodies or hills.
• Nearby Changes: A few kilometers away, the landscape shifts to residential areas with more green spaces and parks, and fewer commercial buildings.
• Changes within 50 Kilometers: Beyond the urban area, we find suburban neighborhoods with gardens and larger parks, eventually transitioning to rural landscapes with fields, farms, small forests, hills, and a river.

Comparison with Other Groups:
Other groups also noted urban landscapes, with one highlighting a nearby industrial area. Predictions about landscape changes were similar across groups, anticipating greener spaces away from the school. One group mentioned a large lake 30 kilometers away that we had overlooked.

Class Discussion:
The area around our school is mainly urban, transitioning to residential spaces with greenery just a few kilometers away. Within 50 kilometers, we see a significant change to rural landscapes featuring farms and natural features. Factors influencing these changes include urban planning, natural geography, and human activities, with urban areas being densely built and rural areas offering more open spaces.

Q2: In the same groups, discuss a journey that any of you has made through a region of India. List the different landscapes seen on the way. Compare with other groups.
Ans: 

Page 49

Q: These images (Fig. 3.6 on page 50) depict a few challenges that people living in the mountains may face. Discuss them in groups in the class and write one paragraph on each. Also discuss why, despite many such challenges, people still choose to live in the mountains.

Ans: Challenges of Living in the Mountains

• Avalanches: Sudden slides of snow, ice, and rocks can be deadly, destroying homes and blocking access. Residents must remain alert for emergencies, creating stress and risk.

• Landslides: Triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes, or human activity, landslides can damage infrastructure and make travel and farming difficult. Precautions include building walls and avoiding construction on unstable ground.

• Heavy Snowfall: Large snow accumulations can isolate communities, disrupt travel, and damage buildings. Residents adapt by clearing snow, constructing sturdy homes, and using snow for water.

• Flash Floods: Rapid floods from heavy rain or melting snow can wash away homes and livestock. Communities mitigate risks by building barriers and implementing early warning systems.

• Uncontrolled Tourism: While tourism boosts the economy, it can strain local resources and harm the environment through overcrowding and pollution. Balancing economic benefits with environmental protection is crucial.

Conclusion

Despite these challenges, mountain living offers natural beauty, fresh air, and strong community ties. Residents enjoy cultural traditions and opportunities in tourism, farming, and crafts. The peaceful, independent lifestyle provides an appealing alternative to urban life, and mountain communities demonstrate resilience in overcoming difficulties.

Page 53

Q: Use the colour code in Fig. 3.8 to add a landform to each name. For instance, 'Tibetan plateau', 'Rocky range', 'Nile plain'. (You do not have to remember the names in this map.)
Ans: Adding Landforms to Each Name, using the colour code in the figure:

• Tibetan Plateau (Brown): The Tibetan plateau, shown in brown, is the world’s largest and highest plateau.
• Rocky Range (Orange): The Rocky mountain range, marked in orange, runs along the western part of North America.
• Nile Plain (Green): The Nile river plain, depicted in green, lies along the Nile River in northeastern Africa.

Additional Examples from the Map:

• Amazon Plain (Green): The Amazon river plain in South America, highlighted in green.
• Andes Range (Orange): The Andes mountain range in South America, marked in orange.
• East African Plateau (Brown): The East African plateau, shown in brown, located in eastern Africa.
• Mississippi Plain (Green): The Mississippi river plain, marked in green, located in the central United States.
• Atlas Range (Orange): The Atlas mountain range in North Africa, highlighted in orange.
• Patagonian Plateau (Brown): The Patagonian plateau in southern South America, shown in brown.
• Himalaya Range (Orange): The Himalayan mountain range in Asia, marked in orange.
• Yangtze Plain (Green): The Yangtze river plain in China, highlighted in green.
• Indus Plain (Green): The Indus river plain in South Asia, marked in green.
• Ural Range (Orange): The Ural mountain range in Russia, shown in orange.
• Ganga & Brahmaputra Plain (Green): The Ganga and Brahmaputra river plains in India and Bangladesh, highlighted in green.
• Mongolian Plateau (Brown): The Mongolian plateau in East Asia, marked in brown.
• Alaska Range (Orange): The Alaska mountain range in North America, highlighted in orange.

Page 54

Q: The picture in Fig. 3.9 has been taken from a satellite. It captures a portion of north India from a high altitude. Observe and discuss the image as a class activity. 
→ Which colour is the Ganga plain? 
→ What does the white expanse represent? 
→  What does the brown expanse at the bottom left of the image represent?
Ans: → The Ganga plain is represented by the green expanse in the image. This area is fertile and densely vegetated, which is why it appears green.
→ The white expanse at the top of the image represents the snow-covered Himalayan mountains. The high altitude and cold temperatures keep these regions permanently covered with snow. 
→ The brown expanse at the bottom left of the image represents the arid and semi-arid regions, likely the Thar Desert and surrounding dry areas. These areas have less vegetation and more exposed soil and rock, which gives them a brownish appearance.

Page 55

Q1: Can you give examples of river sources or confluences from your region that are regarded sacred by any community?
Ans: Yes, one example is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers at Prayagraj (Allahabad), known as the Triveni Sangam. It is considered a very sacred place in Hinduism. Another example is the source of the Yamuna River at Yamunotri in Uttarakhand, which is also a revered pilgrimage site.

Q2: Visit a nearby river and observe all activities there, whether economic or cultural. Note them down and discuss with your classmates.
Ans: During my visit to the Yamuna River in Delhi, I noticed various activities:

• Economic Activities: People were involved in fishing, boating, and selling flowers and offerings. Additionally, washermen were washing clothes by the riverbank.
• Cultural Activities: I observed people performing rituals, such as offering prayers, floating diyas (lamps), and immersing idols during festivals. The riverbanks were also used for morning yoga and meditation by local communities.

These observations reflect how the Yamuna River plays a vital role in supporting both economic activities and cultural practices, underscoring its significance in daily life.

Q3: Name some popular tourist destinations in India and identify the category of landform they are associated with.
Ans: Here is a list of some popular tourist destinations in India with their geographical features:

• Agra (Taj Mahal): Located in the northern plains of India along the Yamuna River.
• Jaipur (Amber Fort): Situated in the Aravalli mountain range, known for its low hills and rocky terrain.
• Goa (Beaches): Located in the coastal plains along the Arabian Sea.
• Shimla (Hill Station): Situated in the Himalayan mountain range, famous for its hilly and mountainous terrain.
• Kerala (Backwaters): Located in the coastal plains, with a network of canals and lagoons along the Arabian Sea.
• Rajasthan (Thar Desert): A desert region characterized by arid and semi-arid landforms.
• Leh-Ladakh: Located in the high-altitude mountainous region of the Himalayas.

Think About It

Page 43

Q: What is snow? Unless you live in a Himalayan region (such as Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh), you may never have seen snow! In the rest of India, most precipitation is in the form of rain and hail. But at higher altitudes, if it is cold enough, snow will fall, covering the landscape in a soft and beautiful white blanket. Snow and hailstones are nothing but precipitation of water in a solid state.
Ans: Snow is a type of precipitation where water vapor in the air turns directly into ice crystals without becoming liquid first. These ice crystals come together to form snowflakes, which fall to the ground when the temperature is cold enough. Snow is common in high-altitude areas like the Himalayas, including regions such as Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
In most parts of India, precipitation usually occurs as rain or hail due to warmer temperatures. However, in colder, higher-altitude areas, the temperature is low enough for snow to form. Snow covers the landscape in white, creating a beautiful and peaceful scene. Both snow and hail are solid forms of water, showing how different types of precipitation occur based on temperature and altitude.