Physical Features of India Class 9 Worksheet Geography Chapter 1

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called as
(a) Himachal
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Purvachal
(d) none of the above
Ans: (c)

Q2: The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
(a) Anai Mudi
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Mahendragiri
(d) Khasi
Ans: (c)

• The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is Mahendragiri, standing at an elevation of 1,501 metres.
• It is located in the state of Odisha.
• Other notable peaks in the Eastern Ghats include Arma Konda and Javadi Hills.

Q3: A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
(a) Coast
(b) Island
(c) Peninsula
(d) none of the above
Ans: (c)

• A landmass surrounded by sea on three sides is called a peninsula.
• Examples of peninsulas include the Indian Peninsula and the Florida Peninsula.
• In contrast, an island is completely surrounded by water, while a coast refers to the land along the edge of the sea.

Q4: The northern most range of the Himalayas is known as
(a) Himadri
(b) lesser Himalaya
(c) Shivalik
(d) None of the above.
Ans: (a)
The northernmost range of the Himalayas is called the Himadri. This range is known for:

• Being the highest among the Himalayan ranges.
• Containing the tallest peaks, including Mount Everest.
• Its continuous stretch across northern India.

Q5: Majuli is a riverine island located in the river
(a) Ganga
(b) Brahmaputra
(c) Yamuna
(d) Kaveri
Ans: (b) 

• Majuli is located in the Brahmaputra River.
• It is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.
• The island is formed due to the river's depositional work in its lower course.

Q6: The soil containing calcareous deposits is locally known as
(a) Bhangar
(b) Khadar
(c) Bhabar
(d) Kankar
Ans: (d)
The soil that contains calcareous deposits is known as Kankar. Here are some key points:

• Kankar is a type of soil found in certain regions.
• It is characterised by the presence of calcium carbonate.
• This soil is often associated with older alluvial deposits.

Q7: Barchans are found in
(a) desert regions
(b) plains
(c) plateaus
(d) hilly regions
Ans: (a)

• Barchans are typically found in desert regions.
• These are crescent-shaped sand dunes.
• They form in areas with limited vegetation and low moisture.

Q8: Lake Chilika lies in the state of
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Telangana
(c) Odisha
(d) Tamil Nadu
Ans: (c)  

Q9: Mountain ranges in the eastern part of India forming its boundary with Myanmar are collectively called as
(a) Himachal
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Purvachal
(d) none of the above
Ans: (c)

Q10: The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is
(a) Anai Mudi
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Mahendragiri
(d) Khasi
Ans: (c)
The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is:

• Mahendragiri at 1,501 metres.
• It is located in the state of Odisha.
• The Eastern Ghats are lower in elevation compared to the Western Ghats.

Fill in the Blank

Q1: The most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres is known as the ________ .
Ans: The most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres is known as the Himadri

The Himadri, also known as the Greater Himalayas, contains the highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest.

Q2: The part lying between Teesta and Dihang rivers is the ________ .
Ans: The part lying between Teesta and Dihang rivers is the Assam Himalayas

The Assam Himalayas are characterized by their unique geographical features and biodiversity, situated in the northeastern part of India.

Q3: The hills of Purvachal or the Eastern hills are composed of ________ .
Ans: The hills of Purvachal or the Eastern hills are composed of Sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of mineral and organic particles, which is typical of the geological composition of the Purvachal hills.

Q4: The largest delta in the world is ________ .
Ans: The largest delta in the world is Sunderban Delta

The Sunderban Delta, formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and mangrove forests.

Q5: The flow of rivers, the Chambal, the Sindh, the Betwa and the Ken, is from ________ .
Ans: The flow of rivers, the Chambal, the Sindh, the Betwa and the Ken, is from outhwest to northeast.

These rivers originate in the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and flow towards the northeast, contributing to the river systems in northern India.

Very Short Answer Questions

Q1: What are Duns?
Ans: The longitudinal valley lying between lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns. Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some of the  well-known Duns.

Q2: Why does India have diversity in its relief? State any two reasons for it.
Reasons for diversity in relief:
Ans: Reasons for diversity in relief:

• Different geological periods: India has experienced various geological eras, leading to a wide range of landforms.
• Different geological processes: Processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition have shaped the landscape over time.

Q3: Which river has the largest inhabited riverine island in the world?
Ans: Majuli, in the Brahmaputra River is the largest inhabited riverine island in the world.

Q4: Write a short note on Aravali hills
Ans: The Aravali Hills are located on the western and northwestern edges of the Peninsular Plateau. Key features include:

• They are highly eroded hills, appearing as broken formations.
• The range extends from Gujarat to Delhi.
• They run in a southwest-northeast direction.

Q5: What are the features of Khadar? 
Ans: Features:
(i) The newer, younger deposits of the flood plains are called khadar.
(ii) They are renewed almost every year and so are fertile, thus, ideal for intensive agriculture

Q6: Which is the highest peak in Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats?
Ans: The highest peaks in Western Ghats include the Anai Mudi (2,695metres) and the Doda Betta (2,637 metres). Mahendragiri (1,501 metres) is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats.

Q7: What do you mean by the 'Theory of Plate Tectonics'?
Ans: The Theory of Plate Tectonics explains that the Earth's crust is made up of seven major plates and several minor ones. Key points include:

• The movement of these plates causes stress to build up.
• This stress can lead to geological events such as folding, faulting, and volcanic activity.
• These processes shape the landscape and influence seismic activity.

Q8: What are the two parts of the eastern coastal plains?
Ans: The eastern coastal plain is situated between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal. It is divided into two main parts:

• The northern section is called the Northern Circar.
• The southern section is known as the Coromandel Coast.

Q9: What is the Deccan Trap?
Ans: The Deccan Trap is a significant area of black soil found in the peninsular plateau of India. Key features include:

• It is of volcanic origin, meaning the rocks are igneous.
• Over time, these rocks have eroded, leading to the formation of the black soil.

Q10: Which continents of today were part of the Gondwana land?
Ans: The Gondwana land included India, Australia, South Africa, South America and Antarctica as one single land mass.

Q11: Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
Ans: The Himalayas are divided into three main ranges:

• Great Himalayas (or Himadri) - the northernmost range, featuring the highest peaks.
• Lesser Himalayas (or Himachal) - located south of the Great Himalayas, known for its rugged terrain.
• Shiwaliks - the outermost range, characterised by lower hills and valleys.

Q12: Name the island group of India having coral origin.
Ans: The Lakshadweep Islands are the group of islands in India that have a coral origin. They are located close to the Malabar coast of Kerala and consist of small coral islands.

• Previously known as Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindive.
• Renamed Lakshadweep in 1973.
• Cover a small area of 32 sq km.
• Kavaratti Island serves as the administrative headquarters.
• Home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
• Pitti Island, which is uninhabited, features a bird sanctuary.

Q13: What are tectonic plates?
Ans: The Earth's crust is made up of seven major and several minor sections known as tectonic plates. These plates float on the semi-fluid layer beneath them and constantly move, shaping the planet's surface.

• There are seven major tectonic plates.
• They include both large and small plates.
• Tectonic plates are responsible for geological activities like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Q14: What is the bhabar?
Ans: The bhabar is a region formed by rivers descending from the mountains. Key features include:

• It consists of a narrow belt, approximately 8 to 16 km wide.
• This belt lies parallel to the slopes of the Shiwaliks.
• All streams in this area typically disappear.
• To the south of the bhabar, rivers and streams re-emerge, creating a wet, swampy region known as terai.

Q15: Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
Ans: The Malwa plateau is located between the Aravali and Vindhyan ranges.

Short Answer Questions

Q1: Write a short note on Deccan Plateau.
Ans: The Deccan Plateau is a triangular landmass located south of the Narmada River. Key features include:

• The Satpura Range borders its northern base.
• Eastern extensions include the Mahadev, Kaimur Hills, and Maikal Range.
• The plateau is higher in the west and slopes gently towards the east.
• In the northeast, it extends into the Meghalaya, Karbi-Anglong Plateau, and North Cachar Hills.
• It is separated from the Chotanagpur Plateau by a fault.
• Prominent hill ranges include the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills.
• The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats define the western and eastern edges of the plateau, respectively.

Q2: Describe the river systems of the Northern Plains.
Ans: The Northern Plains of India are shaped by three major river systems:

• Brahmaputra: Located in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• Ganga: Extends between the Ghaggar and Teesta rivers, covering Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, parts of Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Its tributaries include the Yamuna, Gomati, Ghaghara, Son, Gandak, and Kosi.
• Indus: A significant portion lies in Pakistan, with tributaries such as the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Satluj, all originating in the Himalayas.

The Northern Plains are primarily composed of alluvial soil, making them highly fertile. They are approximately 2400 km long and 240 to 320 km wide, supporting dense populations and extensive agriculture. These plains can be divided into:

• Bhabar: A narrow belt where rivers deposit pebbles.
• Terai: A wet, marshy region south of the bhabar, rich in wildlife.
• Bhangar: Older alluvium with calcareous deposits.
• Khadar: Newer, fertile floodplain deposits ideal for agriculture.

Q3: Why are the Himalayas called as young mountains?
Ans: The Himalayas are considered young mountains because they were formed relatively recently in the Earth's history. This formation occurred due to:

• Compression: The collision of tectonic plates caused the ocean sediments to fold and uplift.
• Uplift: The mountains are still rising, indicating ongoing geological activity.
• Youthful topography: The region features high peaks, deep valleys, and fast-flowing rivers.

These characteristics contribute to their classification as young fold mountains.

Q4: Write a short note on ‘coral polyps’.
Ans: Coral polyps are short-lived microscopic organisms, which live in colonies. They flourish in shallow, mud-free and warm waters. They secrete hard rock like substance. The coral secretion and their skeletons from 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.

Q5: What do you mean Great Himalayas? Write its two characteristics.
Ans: The northern most range of the Himalayas is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri.
(a) It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6000 metres. It contains all prominent Himalayan peaks.
(b) Its folds are asymmetrical in nature and its core is composed of granite rock. It is perennially snow bound, and several glaciers descend from this range.

Long Answer Question

Q1: What is the significance of the Northern Plains?
Ans: The significance of the Northern Plain are :

This plain is made up of the alluvial soil brought down by the rivers. This soil is very soft and fertile. Major crops such as wheat, rice, sugarcane, pulses, oil seeds, etc. are grown here. This plain is the ‘food bowl’ of India.
The land of this plain is soft, levelled and flat. Therefore, wells, tubewells and canals can be dug for irrigation. Due to proper irrigation, it is the largest producer of foodgrains in india.
This plain gets sufficient rainfall. There are many rivers, streams and lakes. There is also rich vegetation. These factors affect the climate. The climate of the Northern Plains is very cold in winter and very hot in summer.

This is one of the most thickly populated plain of the world. The most thickly populated states of India, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, lie in this plain.

Q2: How do different physiographic regions of India complement each other?
Ans: A detailed account of the different physiographic units highlights the unique features of each region :
(a) Each region complements the other and makes the country richer in its natural resources.
(b) The mountains are the major source of water and forest wealth.
(c) The Northern Plains are the granaries of the country. They provided the base for early civilizations.
(d) The plateau is a storehouse of minerals, which has played a crucial role in the industrialization of the country.
(e) The coastal region and island groups provide sites for fishing and port activities. Thus, the diverse physical features of the land have immense future possibilities of development.

Q3: Write in detail about the Himalayan mountains.
Ans: The Himalaya mountains lie between the Indus river and the Brahmaputra river which covers a distance of about 2,400 kilometres. They consist of three parallel ranges-the Himadri, the Himachal and the Shiwaliks from north to south. The Himadri or the Great Himalayas is the highest of all with an average height of more than 6,000 metres above sea level. It contains some of the world’s highest peaks, such as Mt. Everest in Nepal (8,848 metres high, the highest peak in the world), Kanchanjunga, Nanga Parbat, Nanda Devi, Dhaulagiri, Makalu and Annapurna. Kanchenjunga (8,598 metres) in Sikkim is the highest peak of the Himalayas in India.

To the south of the Himadri is the Himachal, also called the Middle or Lesser Himalayas. The range is mainly composed of highly compressed and altered rocks. The altitude varies between 3,600 and 4,500 metres and the average width is of 50 km. Many important hill stations such as Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Mussourie, Nainital and Darjeeling are situated in the Himachal range.

The southern-most range, which is rather discontinuous, is the Shiwalik. The extend over a width of 10-50 km and have an altitude varying between 900 and 1100 metres. There are a number of broad longitudinal valleys called duns, especially in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Dehradun is situated in one such valley. There are many passes like the Shipki La, Nathu La and the Bomdi La in the Himalayas.

Q4: What is the significance of Himalayas?
Ans: The significance of Himalayas is as follows :
(a) The Himalayas stand like a mighty mountain wall in the north of India. They ‘ separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia.
(b) They have vast snowfields and glaciers which are the source of numerous perennial rivers. These rivers provide water for irrigation, navigation and generation of hydel power.
(c) The Himalayas act as a climatic barrier. They protect the Northern Plains from freezing cold winds. They also stop and deflect the rain-bearing winds.
(d) The forests in the Himalayas provide a suitable habitat for wildlife. They also have many wildlife sanctuaries.
(e) The Himalayas also have many beautiful hill stations like Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital and Darjeeling, which attract tourists.

Q5: Which part of the Himalayas is known as Purvachal? Write a short note on the Purvachal Himalayas.
Ans: The eastern hills and mountains of the Himalayas running along the eastern boundary of India are known as Purvachal. They are in the northeastern states of India.
The Brahmaputra marks the eastern-most boundary of the Himalayas. Beyond the Dihang gorge, the Himalayas bend sharply to the south and spread along the eastern boundary of India. They are known as the Purvachal or the Eastern hills and mountains. These hills running trough the north-eastern states are mostly composed of strong sandstones, which are sedimentary rocks. Covered with dense forests, they mostly run as parallel ranges and valleys. The Purvachal comprises the Patkai hills, the Naga hills, the Manipur hills and the Mizo hills.