Question 1

Question 3How are rift valleys formed? Give one example of rift valley.

Accepted Answer

A Rift Valley is formed when earth's tectonic plates move apart or rift. It is a linear depression or trough created by the sinking of the intermediate crustal rocks between two or more parallel faults. Rhine Valley is one of the examples of Rift Valley.

Question 2

Question 4Compare life in the mountains and in the plains.

Accepted Answer

Sl.No.Life in the mountainsLife in the plains1.People face the problem of conveyance as these regions are not well connected by roadways, railways and airways.Conveyance is easy for people as levelled land makes it easy to construct roads and railway lines.2.People have to face environmental and economical difficulties. There is sparse populationThe fertile land promotes agriculture and irrigation is also cheap. It supports dense population.3.They are centres of mining as they are rich in deposits of minerals.Agriculture is the most important occupation.

Question 3

Question 2Rift Valley and block mountains

Accepted Answer

Sl.No.Rift ValleyBlock Mountains1.Rift Valley is a lowland region that forms where earth's tectonic plates move apart or rift.Block Mountains are formed as a result of faulting.2.Rift Valley is bordered by faults zones and separated by land masses.Block Mountains have steep sides, flat top and are enclosed by faults.3.Examples: Vosges in France, Vindhyas in IndiaExamples: Rhine Valley of River Rhine, Rift Valley of river Narmada.

Question 4

Question 1(e)Arrange the following relief features under the correct headings in the given table.Deccan, Andes, Brazilian Highlands, Indus, Aravallis, Urals, Chota Nagpur, Amazon BasinMountainsPlainsPlateaus

Accepted Answer

MountainsPlainsPlateausAndesIndusDeccanAravallisAmazon BasinBrazilian HighlandsUralsChota Nagpur

Question 5

Question 2State whether the following statements are 'true' or 'false'. Correct and rewrite the false statements.Old fold mountains have tall snow-covered peaks.The Tibetan Plateau is an ancient lava plateau.Plains are very rich in mineral reserves.Rivers in the plains are navigable.Terrace cultivation is done in the mountains.

Accepted Answer

FalseCorrect Statement — Young fold mountains have tall snow-covered peaks.FalseCorrect Statement — The Deccan Plateau is an ancient lava plateau.FalseCorrect Statement — Plateaus are very rich in mineral reserves.TrueTrue

Question 6

Question 3Name the following:Tallest range of the HimalayasAn extinct volcanoThe longest rift valley systems in the worldAn important mineral found in the Chota Nagpur Plateau

Accepted Answer

The Greater HimalayasMt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, AfricaThe East African Rift SystemCoal

Question 7

Question 4(a)Distinguish between Exogenous and Endogenous processes.

Accepted Answer

Differences between Exogenous and Endogenous processes:Exogenous processesEndogenous processesExogenous or external processes operate above the Earth's surface.The processes that take place below the surface of the Earth, in the interior, are known as endogenous or internal processes.Exogenous processes involve external agents like wind, water, and glaciers that modify landforms through weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition.Endogenous processes involve internal forces such as folding, faulting, and volcanic activities that create new landforms.

Question 8

Question 4(b)Distinguish between Fold and Block mountains.

Accepted Answer

Differences between Fold and Block mountains:Fold MountainsBlock MountainsFormed by creasing or buckling of the Earth's crust due to forces of compression.Formed due to the faulting (cracking) of the Earth's crust.Collision between plates cause the edges of the plates to be raised or uplifted to form mountains.The crustal block between two fault lines subsides along the plane, leaving two raised blocks mountains, and the part that subsides is called Rift Valley.They have high, pointed, rugged peaks.They have extremely steep sides and a flattened summit.Examples- the Andes, Rockies and Himalayas.Examples- The Vindhyas and Satpuras of India, the Sierra Nevada of North America, the Harz Mountains of Germany.

Question 9

Question 4(c)Distinguish between Old fold and Young fold mountains.

Accepted Answer

Differences between Old fold and Young fold mountains:Old fold mountainsYoung fold mountainsOld fold mountains were formed several hundred million years ago.Young fold mountains were formed a few million years ago.They have gentle slopes and low rounded peaks, since they have been worn down by agents of denudation such as rivers and glaciers over a long period of time.They generally consist of parallel ranges with steep slopes and tall peaks which remain snow-covered due to the high elevation.Examples- The Aravallis and UralsExamples- The Alps and Himalayas

Question 10

Question 4(d)Distinguish between a lava plateau and a dissected plateau.

Accepted Answer

Differences between lava plateau and dissected plateau:Lava PlateauDissected PlateauFormed when magma erupts through long fissures instead of a single vent and spreads over a large area, cooling and solidifying into layers of lava. Repeated eruptions over time build up a broad, flat volcanic plateau.Formed when an existing plateau is deeply eroded by rivers over time. The running water cuts deep valleys into the surface, breaking it into irregular, elevated sections.Typically smooth and flat due to successive lava flows.Has an uneven and rugged surface due to extensive erosion.Example- The Deccan Plateau of IndiaExample- The Meseta Plateau in Central Spain

Question 11

Question 4(e)Distinguish between Tibetan Plateau and Deccan Plateau.

Accepted Answer

Differences between Tibetan Plateau and Deccan Plateau:Tibetan PlateauDeccan PlateauThe Tibetan Plateau is the highest Intermontane plateau.The Deccan Plateau is a Volcanic or Lava Plateau.Located between the Himalayas and the Kunlun Mountains.Located in Southern India.Lies at a very high elevation.Has gentle slopes and lies at a lower elevation.It is of recent origin.It is of ancient origin.

Question 12

Question 5(a)Give one reason to explain the following:Plateaus are also referred to as 'tablelands'.

Accepted Answer

Plateaus have a broad and flat summit that has earned them the name of 'tablelands'.

Question 13

Question 5(b)Give one reason to explain the following:Most fold mountains occur at margins of plates.

Accepted Answer

Folding or bucking of the earth's crust generally happens when two plates collide or move towards each other. The collision causes the edges of the plates to be raised or uplifted to form mountains. Most fold mountains thus occur at margins of plates.

Question 14

Question 5(c)Give one reason to explain the following:Old fold mountains have low, rounded peaks.

Accepted Answer

Old fold mountains have low, rounded peaks since they have been worn down by agents of denudation such as rivers and glaciers over a long period of time.

Question 15

Question 6(a)How are mountains classified into different types according to their mode of formation?

Accepted Answer

Mountains are often classified according to their mode of formation.Fold Mountains — Formed by the folding or buckling of the earth's crust due to forces of compression. For example, the Andes, Rockies and Himalayas.Block Mountains — Formed due to faulting (because of tensional forces), which results in the earth's crust breaking into blocks. When a crustal block subsides along the fault plane, it leaves behind two uplifted blocks on each side. These uplifted blocks are called Block mountains. For example, Satpuras, Sierra Nevada and Harz Mountains.Volcanic Mountains — Formed when magma along with ash and small rocks particles erupt from a volcano and on reaching the surface, it cools down and solidifies around the vent. The lava piles up gradually, thereby building up a conical volcanic mountain. For example, Mt Etna and Mt Fujiyama.

Question 16

Question 6(b)How are plateaus beneficial for us?

Accepted Answer

Plateaus are beneficial for us in the following ways:Plateaus, especially the ancient ones, are very rich in mineral deposits. Therefore, many mining fields have developed in the Brazilian Plateau, plateaus of east Africa and the Chota Nagpur Plateau of India.Agriculture can be practised in the lava plateaus as they are made up of fertile black soil.Rivers such as the Congo and Colorado that descend from the edges of plateaus create waterfalls. Water falling from a height is ideal for hydroelectric power generation.Some of the plateaus render natural beauty to the landscape and hence have become attractive tourist spots.

Question 17

Question 6(c)How are alluvial plains formed? How are the plains most suitable for economic activities?

Accepted Answer

Plains that are formed by the deposition of alluvium by rivers are called alluvial plains. The plains are most suitable for economic activities in the following ways:Plains formed by rivers are intensively cultivated as they have fertile soils and abundant water supply.The flat land makes it easy to build roadways, railways and buildings.Rivers in the plains are navigable, which supports trade and transport.They support dense population and the growth of towns and industries.

Question 18

Question 6(d)Explain the major differences in the way of life of the people of the mountains and plains.

Accepted Answer

Differences in the way of life of the people of the mountains and plains —Basis of ComparisonLife in the MountainsLife in the PlainsPopulation DensityMountains are rocky and steep; hence, fewer people choose to live on the difficult terrain.Plains are flat, which makes it easier to build houses and roads on them. Thus, plains are usually densely populated.Shelter and clothingMost of the houses are made of wood and have slanting roofs to help the snow or rain slide off. Since mountains and hills are are colder, people wear woollen clothes for many months in a year.Most of the houses are made of clay and bricks. Light, cotton clothing is preferred for many months of the year. Areas that receive heavy rainfall have houses with slanting roofs, while areas that receive moderate to less rainfall have flat roofs.CultivationCultivation is difficult on rugged slopes. Some crops such as tea and coffee may be grown on gentle slopes. Cereals and vegetables can be grown through terraced cultivation.Plains are fertile and easy to cultivate. Hence, many types of crops are grown here.TransportTransport network is not well developed in the mountains due to the steep and rugged terrain. Roadways are the most common means of transport and help in internal movement of people and goods.It is easy to establish a dense network of roads and railways on flat, level land of the plains. The rivers here are navigable.IndustriesIt is difficult to establish large factories on uneven terrain. Sourcing of raw materials and distribution of finished products are also difficult.Large-scale industrialisation is possible as the land surface is even and transport network is well developed.OccupationAgriculture, handicraft production and tourism are common occupations.Agriculture, industry and trade are important occupations.

Question 19

Question 1Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:Mountains are most commonly formed by folding or buckling of the Earth's crust due to forces of compression. These are thus called fold mountains. This process generally happens when two plates collide or move towards each other. The collision causes the edges of the plates to be raised or uplifted to form mountains. Most fold mountains thus occur at margins of plates, notable examples being the Andes, Rockies and Himalayas. Fold mountains are of two types—young fold mountains such as the Himalayas and the Alps were formed a few million years ago.On the other hand, old fold mountains such as the Aravallis and the Urals were formed several hundred million years ago.Name two mountain ranges that lie on the edges of the plates.Draw a diagram to show a folded topography.What are the different types of fold mountains? Mention with example.

Accepted Answer

Two prominent mountain ranges that lie on the edges of plates are the Himalayas and the Andes.Diagram showing folded topographyFold Mountains are of two types:Young Fold Mountains —Formed a few million years ago.They have parallel ranges with steep slopes and tall peaks which remain snow-covered due to the high elevation.Examples: The Alps and the HimalayasOld Fold Mountains —Formed several hundred million years ago.They have gentle slopes and low rounded peaks, since they have been worn down by agents of denudation such as rivers and glaciers over a long period of time.Examples — The Aravallis and the Urals

Landforms

Answer in brief

Differentiate between

Exercises

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