Kiit International School: Grade-Ix (Geography) Chapter-2: Physical Features of India Students' Material
Kiit International School: Grade-Ix (Geography) Chapter-2: Physical Features of India Students' Material
Kiit International School: Grade-Ix (Geography) Chapter-2: Physical Features of India Students' Material
GRADE-IX (GEOGRAPHY)
CHAPTER-2: PHYSICAL FEATURES OF INDIA
STUDENTS’ MATERIAL
● The Himalayas and the Northern plains are the most recent landforms.
● Himalayan mountains form an unstable zone.
● The whole Himalayan mountain system represents a very youthful
topography with high peaks, deep valleys and fast flowing rivers.
● The northern plains are formed of alluvial deposits.
● The peninsular plateau constitutes one of the most ancient landmasses on the
earth surface and supposed to be one of the stable land blocks.
● The peninsular plateau is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks with
gently rising hills and wide valleys.
● The physical features of India can be grouped under the following physiographic divisions:
(i) The Himalayan Mountains.
(ii) The Northern Plains
(iii) The Peninsular Plateau
(iv) The Indian Desert
(v) The Coastal Plains
(vi) The Islands
— Middle Himalayas or Himachal. The altitude varies between 3700 and 4500 m. It includes
ranges like Pir Panjal, Dhaula Dhar and Mahabharat.
— Outer Himalayas or Shivalik. It is outermost range with 900 to 1100 m average altitude.
The longitudinal valley lying between and lesser Himalaya and Shiwaliks are known as Duns.
— Assam Himalayas (Eastern Himalayas) — Between Tista and the Dibang (Tsangpo).
;
The Northern Plains
● It is formed by the interplay of the three major river systems – the Indus, the Ganga and the
Brahmaputra.
● The Northern Plains spread over an area of 7 lakh sq. km, 2400 km long and 240 km to 320
km broad.
● The rivers that flow to the plains from the mountains are involved in depositional work.
● Difference in relief causes the Northern Plain to have four regions.
— Bhabar — laying at the foot of Shiwaliks, a narrow 8 to 16 km wide belt of pebbles.
—Terai — lying next to Bhabar, a wet and marshy area with wildlife and forests.
—Bhangar — Older alluvium plain which rises above the level of the flood plains.
URES
S
FACT
FORMATION NS FEAT
ISIO
DIV
F
RELIE
The Islands
● The Lakshadweep Islands group in the Arabian Sea
is close to Kerala.
● The Lakshadweep Islands were formerly known as
Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindive.
● The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an elongated
chain of islands located in the Bay of Bengal.
● The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an elevated
portion of submarine mountains.
The regions in India complements each other and makes the country richer in its natural resources.
QUESTION BANK
DAY-1(HOMEWORK-1)
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. What are Lesser Himalayas known as?
(a) Himadri (b) Purvanchal (c) Shivaliks (d) Himachal
2. Which two hills are located in the south-east of Eastern Ghats?
(a) Mizo Hills and Patkai Hills (b) Shevroy Hills and Javadi Hills
(c) Patkai Hills and Naga Hills (d) Mizo Hills and Naga Hills
3. Which Physiographic divisions have rising hills and wide valleys?
(a) The Himalayan Mountains (b) The Northern Plains
(c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Coastal Plains
4. Which of the following is the highest peak in India?
(a) Mt. Everest (b) Nanga Parbat (c) Kanchenjunga (d) Nandadevi
5. In which division of the Himalayas are the famous valleys of Kashmir, Kangra and Kullu
located?
(a) The Himadri (b) The Himachal (c) The Shivaliks (d) Purvanchal
6. Which of the following is responsible for the variation in the colour of soil in different parts of
India?
(a) Difference in rock formations (b) Weathering
(c) Erosion and deposition (d) Land use
7. Which of the following has not been a factor in the creation and modification of India’s relief
features?
(a) Geological formations (b) Population density
(c) Weathering (d) Erosion and deposition
8. A landmass bounded by sea on three sides is referred to as
(a) Coast (b) Island (c) Peninsula (d) None of the above
9. Which of the following divisions of India has the oldest landmass?
(a) The Himalayas (b) The Northern Plains (c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Indian Desert
10. Geologically, which of the following physiographic divisions of India is supposed to be one of
the most stable landblocks?
(a) The Himalayas (b) The Northern Plains (c) The Peninsular Plateau (d) The Indian Desert
11. From the point of view of geology, which of the following physiographic divisions of India is
considered to be anunstable zone?
(a) The Himalayan Mountains (b) The Peninsular Plateau (c) The Indian Desert (d) The Islands
12. Which of the following are young-fold mountains?
(a) The Aravalis (b) The Nilgiris (c) The Himalayas (d) The Sahyadri
13. Which of the following physical features forms a natural barrier to the north of India?
(a) Kunlun Mountains (b) Plateau of Tibet (c) River Brahamaputra (d) The Himalayas
14. The Himalayas consist of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. Which of the following
is the name of the northern-most range?
(a) The Himadri (b) The Himachal (c) The Shivaliks (d) The Purvanchal
15. Which part of the Himalayas is perennially snowbound?
(a) Great Himalayas or Himadri (b) Lesser Himalayas or Himachal
(c) Shivaliks (d) Purvanchal
16. Which of the following is the highest peak in India?
(a) Mt. Everest (b) Kanchenjunga (c) Nanga Parbat (d) Nandadevi
17. Which of the following is not a mountain pass in the Great Himalayas?
(a) Bara Lapcha La and Shipkila (b) Nathula
(c) Khyber pass (d) Jojila and Lipu Lekh
18. What are Lesser Himalayas known as?
(a) Himadri (b) Himachal (c) Shivaliks (d) Purvanchal
19. Which of the following ranges are not part of the Lesser Himalayas or Himachal?
(a) Pir Panjal (b) Dhaula Dhar (c) Mahabharat (d) Kamet
20. In which division of the Himalayas are the famous valleys of Kashmir, Kangra and Kullu
located?
(a) The Himadri (b) The Himachal (c) The Shivaliks (d) The Duns
DAY-2(HOMEWORK-2)
(a) Vindhya range (b) Aravalli range (c) Satpura range (d) Mahadeo hills
DAY-3(HOMEWORK-3)
Very short type questions
1. Name the highest peak and the state in the deccan plateau.
2. Name one pass each, in the western Himalayas and eastern Himalayas.
3. Name any two ranges of hills of Poorvanchal.
4. Name the two lagoons located along the eastern coast.
5. Define Shiwalik.
6. Define Terai.
7. Explain Khadar.
8. By which two names is the eastern extension of central highlands known?
9. What are Barchans? Where are they found?
10. Name two important sections of western coastal plains.
11. What are the topographic features of the Himalayas?
12. Define Bhangar.
13. Why are the Shiwaliks prone to landslides?
14. Name two passes of Eastern Himalayas.
15. What are Shiwaliks? Write two characteristics of it.
16. Name any two mountain ranges and any two peaks lying in the Himadri range of the Himalayas.
17. Explain Bhabar of northern plains.
18. Name any two mountain ranges of the Deccan plateau.
19. Write two differences between glacier and river. Name two glaciers located in Himadri range.
20. Name the northern and southern sections of eastern coast.
21. Name the capitals of Lakshadweep and Andaman Nicobar island groups.
22. Give the height and name of the highest peak in the western ghats.
23. Name any two mountain ranges of Himachal range of the Himalayas.
24. Name any two trans-himalayan rivers in India
25. Which two rivers mark the eastern and western boundary of the Himalayas?
26. By which two local names is the eastward extension of Central Highland known as?
27. Name the highest peak in the eastern ghats.
DAY-4(HOMEWORK-4)
Fill in the blanks
1. Himalayan range between River Indus to Satluj - _____________________
2. Himalayan range between River Satluj to Kali - ______________________
3. Himalayan range between River Kali to Teesta - _____________________
4. Himalayan range between River Teesta to Dihang - ________________
5. The northern most mountain range is known as _____________________
6. Average height of Himadri is _______________________
7. The range lying south of Himadri is known as _______________________
8. _____________________ forms the longest range of Himachal.
9. The outer most range of the Himalayas is called as ____________________
10. _________________ river marks the eastern most boundary of the Himalayas.
11. Northern plain spreads over an area of _________ lakh sq. km.
12. The length of northern plain is _____________________
13. In the lower course of river, due to gentle slope, the velocity of river ___________.
14. _________________ is the older alluvium.
15. _________________ is the newer alluvium.
16. ___________________ enriched every year due to floods.
17. The width of bhabar is ___________________.
18. Western part of northern plain is known as ___________________ plain.
19. __________________ plain extends from Ghaggar to Teesta.
20. The swampy and marshy region of northern plain is known as ______________.
DAY-5(HOMEWORK-5)
ASSERTION AND REASON QUESTIONS
1. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason(R).
Read the statement and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Shiwalik Range is more prone to earth quake.
Reason(R): It is composed of unconsolidated sediments brought down by rivers.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
D. (A) is wrong and (R) is correct.
2. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason(R).
Read the statement and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Peninsular Plateau is the oldest landmass.
Reason (R): The Plateau has broad and shallow valleys and rounded hills.
A. Both A & R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A & R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is correct & R is wrong.
D. A is wrong &R is correct
3. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason(R).
Read the statement and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Khadar is very fertile and ideal for intensive agriculture.
Reason (R): It lies above the flood plains of the river.
A. Both A & R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A & R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is correct & R is wrong.
D. A is wrong & R is correct
4. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason(R).
Read the statement and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Western Ghats are discontinuous chain of mountains.
Reason (R): The river Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, etc. fall in the Bay of Bengal after
crossing the Eastern Ghats.
A. Both A & R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A & R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is correct & R is wrong.
D. A is wrong & R is correct
5. In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason(R).
Read the statement and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): The Andaman and Nicobar Island groups experience equatorial climate and has thick
forest cover.
Reason (R): It is believed that these Islands are an elevated portion of submarine mountains.
A. Both A & R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A & R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is correct & R is wrong.
D. A is wrong & R is correct
SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS
1. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows.
The Indian desert lies towards the western margins of the Aravali Hills. It is an undulating sandy plain
covered with sand dunes. This region receives very low rainfall below 150 mm per year. It has
arid climate with low vegetation cover. Streams appear during the rainy season. Soon after they
disappear into the sand as they do not have enough water to reach the sea. Luni is the only large
river in this region. Barchans (crescent shaped dunes) cover larger areas but longitudinal dunes
become more prominent near the Indo-Pakistan boundary.
1.1. Identify the hills that lie in the eastern margins of the Indian Desert.
(a) Vindhya
(b) Aravali
(c) Satpura
(d) Nilgiri
1.2. Crescent shaped dunes that cover a larger area of the desert are called-
(a) Ventifacts
(b) Hamada
(c) Zeugen
(d) Barchans
1.3. Which is the only large river in the Indian Desert region?
(a) Tapi
(b) Manjra
(c) Luni
(d) Mahi
1.4. Which of the following is not a feature of the Indian Desert?
(a) It is an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes.
(b) This region receives very low rainfall below 150 mm per year.
(c) Streams appear during the rainy season.
(d) Dry Deciduous forest is found here.
2. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows.
The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains stretch over the northern borders of
India. 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 a distance of about 2,400 Km. Their width varies from 400 Km
in Kashmir to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh. The altitudinal variations are greater 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 northern-most 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 meters. It contains all prominent
peaks.
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 prominent ones. This range consists of the famous
valley of Kashmir, the Kangra and Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh. This region is well-
known for its hill stations.
2.1 Identify the valley, which is not a part of the Himachal range.
(a) Kashmir
(b) Kullu
(c) Lidder
(d) Kangra
2.2 Name the range which is the largest and most important range of the Himachal.
(a) Pir Panjal
(b) Dhauladhar
(c) Mahabharat
(d) Mizo
2.3 The extension of the Himalaya mountain ranges is marked by which two rivers-
(a) The Ganga & The Brahmaputra
(b) The Indus & The Brahmaputa
(c) The Indus & The Ganga
(d) None of these
2.4 Which range of the Himalayas is also called Inner Himalaya?
(a) The Himachal
(b) The Himadri
(c) The Shiwalik
(d) The Purvachal
3. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows.
The northern plain has been formed by the interplay of the three major river systems, namely the Indus,
the Ganga and the Brahmaputra along with their tributaries. This plain is 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. It spreads over an area of 7 lakh sq. km. The plain being about
2400 km long and 240 to 320 km broad, is a densely populated physiographic division. With a
rich soil cover combined with adequate water supply and favourable climate it is agriculturally a
productive part of India. The rivers in their lower course split into numerous channels due to the
deposition of silt. These channels are known as distributaries.
3.1 Choose the landform that has favourable climate and adequate water supply-
(a) The Himalayas
(b) The Peninsular Plateau
(c) The Northern Plains
(d) None of these
3.2 The rivers in their lower course splits into numerous channels are called-
(a) Tributaries
(b) Distributaries
(c) Flood plains
(d) Meanders
3.3 The Northern Plains spread over an area of ____.
(a) 5 lakh sq.km.
(b) 6 lakh sq.km.
(c) 8 lakh sq.km
(d) 7 lakh sq.km.
3.4 The Northern Plain is formed of __________ soil.
(a) Alluvial
(b) Black
(c) Laterite
(d) Red
4. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows.
The Peninsular plateau is a tableland composed of the old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks.
It was formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwana land and thus, making it a part
of the oldest landmass. The plateau has broad and shallow valleys and rounded hills. This
plateau consists of two broad divisions, namely, the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.
The part of the peninsular plateau lying to the north of the Narmada River, covering a major
area of the Malwa plateau, is known as the Central Highlands. The Vindhyan range is bounded
by the Central Highlands on the south and the Aravalis on the northwest. The further westward
extension gradually merges with the sandy and rocky desert of Rajasthan. The flow of the rivers
draining this region, namely the Chambal, the Sind, the Betwa and the Ken is from southwest to
northeast, thus indicating the slope. The Central Highlands are wider in the west but narrower in
the east. The eastward extensions of this plateau are locally known as the Bundelkhand and
Baghelkhand. The Chhotanagpur plateau marks the further eastward extension, drained by the
Damodar River.
4.1 Name the mountain range lies to the northwest of Central Highlands.
(a) Satpura
(b) Aravalli
(c) Vindhya
(d) Mahadev
4.2 Which plateau lies between the Aravalli and the Vindhya ranges?
(a) Chotanagpur
(b) Deccan
(c) Malwa
(d) Bundelkhand
4.3 Which river drains through the Chotanagpur Plateau?
(a) Sind
(b) Damodar
(c) Betwa
(d) Ken
4.4 Which of the following is not a feature of Peninsular Plateau?
(a) It is a tableland composed of the old crystalline, igneous and metamorphic rocks.
(b) It was formed due to the breaking and drifting of the Gondwanaland.
(c) It is wider in the west but narrower in the east.
(d) It has broad and shallow valleys and rounded hills.
DAY-6(HOMEWORK-6)
Short type Questions
2. What characteristic features distinguish the Peninsular plateau from the Himalayas?
3. Distinguish between-
4. Name the physical features of India. (b) Explain the characteristic features of the peninsular
plateau.
5. Give reasons:
7. Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from North to South.
9. Explain how the Himalayas act as a boon for India in three different ways.
10. Name the three river systems of the Northern plains. Mention three important characteristics of
the Northern plains.
DAY-7(HOMEWORK-7)
11. Explain the terms-Khadar, Bhangar and Alluvium.
12. Discuss the characteristics and importance of three parallel ranges of the Himalayas.
13. Distinguish between the Himalayan mountains and the mountains of the plateau region.
14. Contrast the relief of the Himalayan Region with that of the Peninsular Plateau.
17. How are the Himadri Himalayas different from the Himachal Himalayas?
19. What is an estuary? Name the rivers which form estuaries in India.
20. Write three characteristics of each western coastal plains and eastern coastal plains.
DAY-8(HOMEWORK-8)
21.
DAY-9(HOMEWORK-9)
Long type Question
1. How does India have great physical variations?
2. Give five features of the Deccan Trap.
3. Classify the Northern Plains on the basis of the variations in the relief features.
4. Differentiate between Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
5. Prepare a short note on the 'Indian Desert.
6. State the differences between the island groups of India.
7. How do different physiographic regions of India complement each?
8. Contrast the relief of the Himalayan region with that of the Peninsular plateau.
9. Explain the longitudinal division of Himalayas.
10. Describe the 'Peninsular Plateau' of India.
11. What is the significance of Himalayas?
12. Give main characteristics of the division of Great Peninsular Plateau.
13. What are the characteristics of coastal plains of India?
14. Describe the division of Himalayas from west to east.
15. Differentiate between Eastern coastal plains and eastern coastal plains.
DAY-10(HOMEWORK-10)
Scratch Your Brain
1.
1)Classify the following mountain ranges into Himalayan mountains and Deccan
mountains:
(a) Zaskar, Aravalli, Pir panjal, Satpura, Kaimur hills, Dhola Dhar.,
2.
Classify the following mountain ranges into eastern Himalayan ranges and western
Himalyanranges:
Garo hills, Ladakh range, Lushai hills, Mahabharata range, Karakoram range, Patkaibum
hills.
3.
Match the following features with eastern coastal plains and western coastal plains:
(a) It is known as Konkan coast in the north and Malabar in south.
(b) It is known as Coromandel coast; it is much wider.
(c) Marmagao and Cochin are located.
(d) Lake Chilika and pulicat are located.
(e) River Tapi and River Narmada form estuaries.
(f) River Krishna and River Mahanandi form deltas.