Extra Questions for Class 9th: Ch 2 Physical Features of India Social Studies (S.St) Important Questions Answer Included
Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQs):Answer
The Earth formed out of seven major tectonic plates and some minor plates.
(Para – 4, Page No. 7)
2. What is the direction of the convergent plate boundaries?
Answer
In convergent plate boundaries, the plates come towards each other.
(Para – 4, Page No. 7)
3. What is the direction of the divergent plate boundaries?
Answer
In divergent plate boundaries, the plates move away from each other.
(Para – 4, Page No. 7)
4. What do you mean by Gondwanaland?
Answer
The Gondwanaland is the name of an ancient super continent which included India, Austrialia, South Africa, South America and Antarctica.
(Para – 2, Page No. 8)
5. Name the oldest landmass of India.
Answer
Peninsular Plateau
(Para – 4, Page No. 8)
6. Name the southern coast of the western coastal plain.
Answer
It is called the Malabar Coast.
(Para – 4, Page No. 14)
7. Collision of which two plates led to the formation of fold mountains in the Tethys sea?
3. What is the direction of the divergent plate boundaries?
Answer
In divergent plate boundaries, the plates move away from each other.
(Para – 4, Page No. 7)
4. What do you mean by Gondwanaland?
Answer
The Gondwanaland is the name of an ancient super continent which included India, Austrialia, South Africa, South America and Antarctica.
(Para – 2, Page No. 8)
5. Name the oldest landmass of India.
Answer
Peninsular Plateau
(Para – 4, Page No. 8)
6. Name the southern coast of the western coastal plain.
Answer
It is called the Malabar Coast.
(Para – 4, Page No. 14)
7. Collision of which two plates led to the formation of fold mountains in the Tethys sea?
Answer
Collision of Indo-Australian plate with Eurasian plates.
(Para – 2, Page No. 8)
8. Which sea existed in place of the Himalayas in the ancient period?
Answer
Tethys sea existed in place of the Himalayas in the ancient period.
(Para – 2, Page No. 8)
Short Answer Questions (SAQs):
1. What are the three types of plate movements on the Earth?
Answer
• Coverage boundary: When some plates come towards each other, they form a convergent boundary.
• Divergent boundary: When some plates move away from each other they form a divergent boundary.
• Transform boundary: In the event of two plates coming together, they may either collide and crumble or may slide under the other and form the transform boundary.
2. Define a 'Geosyncline'. What is the result of the upliftment of the sediments in the basin?
Answer
A narrow, shallow, elongated basin with a sinking bottom in which a considerable thickness of sediments was deposited by the river coming from Angara and Gondwanaland is called a 'Geosyncline'.
The upliftment of the sediments in the basin resulted in the formation of Himalayas.
3. Differentiate between convergent plates and divergent plates.
Answer
Convergent Plates:
• The tectonic plates move closer to each other in convergent plate boundaries.
• The two plates coming together may either collide or may slide under other.
• It may result into activity like earthquake.
Divergent Plates:
• The tectonic plates move away from each other in divergent plate boundaries.
• The two plates drift away from each other creating gap between them.
• It result in volcanic eruption.
4. Classify the Himalayas on the basis of regions from the West to East.
Answer
This division of the Himalayas is demarcated by the river valleys.
• Punjab Himalayas: This part of the Himalayas lies between the rivers Indus and Satluj. It is also known as Kashmir and the Himachal Himalayas.
• Kumaon Himalayas: This part of the Himalayas lies between Satluj and Kali rivers.
• Nepal Himalayas: This part of the Himalayas lies between Kali and Teesta rivers.
5. How are riverine islands formed?
Answer
The rivers coming from the northern mountains carry alluvium with them and do the depositional work. In the lower course, due to gentle slope, the velocity of the river decreases which results in the formation of riverine islands.
6. Why are the Shiwalik ranges prone to landslides and earthquakes ? Give reasons.
Answer
• Shiwalik is the Southern range of the Himalayas. It is a discountinuous range as it disappears in the east.
• This region is made of loose unconsolidated deposits brought down by rivers from the main Himalayan ranges.
• The region is prone to widespread erosion landslides and earthquakes.
Long Answer Questions (LAQs):
1. Name the major physiographic divisions of India and describe any two points of significance of the Himalayas and the Northern Plains each.
Answer
Major physiographic divisions of India are:
• The Himalayan Mountains
• The Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau
• The Indian Desert
• The Coastal Plains
• The Islands
Significance of Himalayas :
• Himalayas are the major source of water and forest wealth.
• It has beautiful valleys which attracts a lot of tourists.
Significance of Northern Plains :
• It is agriculturally a very productive part of India due to availability of alluvial soil and favourable climate.
• It is flat and levelled land.
2. What are Duns ? Differentiate between the inner Himalayas and the lesser Himalayas.
Answer
The longitudinal valley lying between the Lesser Himalayas and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns.
• The northern most range is known as the greater or inner Himalayas or the Himadri'.
• It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peak with an average height of 6000 mt.
• It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.
• The range lying to the south of the Himadari is the most rugged mountain system and is known as Himachal or the Lesser Himalayas.
• Continuous altered rocks with altitude between 3,700 and 4,500 mt.
• This range consists of the famous valley of Kashmir, the Kangra and Kulu.
3. Explain which two forces are responsible for shaping the present geographic features of India. Which continents of today were parts of Gondwanaland?
Answer
• Divergent and convergent movements are the two forces that are responsible for two continental plates to fracture and fold.
• The position and size of the continents have been changed due to the movements of these crustal plates over millions of years. The present landform features and reliefs of India are the part of this process.
The Gondwanaland included Asia, Australia, South America, South Africa and Antarctica.
4. Give an account of the four divisions of Himalayas from West to East along with Purvanchal hills respectively.
Answer
• Punjab Himalayas: It lies between Indus and Satluj rivers
• Kumaon Himalayas: It lies between Satluj and Kali rivers
• Nepal Himalayas: It lies between Kali and Tista rivers
• Assam Himalyas: It lies between Tista and Dihang rivers.
• Purvanchal Hills: It is north- eastern extension of the Himalayas.