Class 6 Social Science Chapter 3 Landforms and Life Practice Paper 2

Class: VI Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 03 - Landforms and Life Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. Which mountain range stretches from the western ocean to the eastern ocean in the north of India?
(a) The Aravalli Range
(b) The Western Ghats
(c) The Himalayas
(d) The Vindhya Range

Q2. What is altitude?
(a) The distance between two mountains
(b) The height of an object above sea level
(c) The width of a plateau
(d) The depth of a valley

Q3. Which is the highest peak in south India?
(a) Mount Everest
(b) Kanchenjunga
(c) Anamudi (Anai Peak)
(d) Mount Kilimanjaro

Q4. The Nohkalikai Falls drops from which plateau?
(a) Tibetan Plateau
(b) Deccan Plateau
(c) Cherrapunji Plateau
(d) Chhota Nagpur Plateau

Q5. What is a valley?
(a) A high mountain peak
(b) A flat elevated landform
(c) A lower area between hills or mountains
(d) A desert region

Q6. Which of the following activities is preferred over agriculture in many mountainous regions?
(a) Mining
(b) Fishing
(c) Herding
(d) Manufacturing

Q7. Who was the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest?
(a) Arunima Sinha
(b) Bachendri Pal
(c) Santosh Yadav
(d) Premlata Agarwal

Q8. Which type of trees are commonly found in montane forests?
(a) Mango and banyan trees
(b) Teak and sal trees
(c) Conifer trees like pines and deodar
(d) Palm and coconut trees

Q9. What is the approximate length of the Ganga river?
(a) 1,500 km
(b) 2,500 km
(c) 3,500 km
(d) 4,500 km

Q10. Which of these is a cold desert?
(a) Sahara Desert
(b) Thar Desert
(c) Gobi Desert
(d) Arabian Desert

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is the difference between young mountains and old mountains? Give one example of each.

Q12. Define precipitation. Name three forms of precipitation.

Q13. Why are plains generally not more than 300 metres above sea level? What is sea level?

Q14. Name two famous waterfalls found on plateaus in India and mention the rivers on which they are located.

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe the flora and fauna found in mountain environments. Name any three animals that inhabit mountains.

Q16. Explain why tourism is important for mountain regions. What are the negative effects of excessive tourism?

Q17. What are the major problems affecting the Ganga plains today? Suggest two solutions.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Compare and contrast the three major landforms - mountains, plateaus, and plains. Discuss their physical characteristics, vegetation, economic activities, and challenges faced by people living in each.

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "About 40 crore people, more than one-fourth of the total Indian population, live in India's Ganga plain. The major occupations of people in this region include river fishing and agriculture. Food crops such as rice, wheat, maize, barley and millets are grown. Traditional agriculture has been mostly rainfed. In recent decades, however, agriculture has turned to irrigation, with water brought to the fields through networks of canals or pumped from groundwater."
(a) What percentage of India's population lives in the Ganga plain? (1 mark)
(b) Name three food crops grown in the Ganga plain. (1 mark)
(c) What is the difference between rainfed and irrigated agriculture? (1 mark)
(d) What challenge has irrigation created for the future? (1 mark)

Q20. Read the following verses from Kālidāsa's Kumārasambhava and answer the questions: "In the north rises Himālaya, the Lord of mountains, like a living god, who measures the Earth and stretches from the western to the eastern oceans. From it the wind comes down, carrying spray from descending Gangā, shaking the deodar trees, opening the peacocks' tail feathers and cooling the mountain people after they hunt deer."
(a) What are the 'western to the eastern oceans' mentioned in the verses? (1 mark)
(b) Why is the Himalayas described as 'Lord of mountains'? (1 mark)
(c) Name one tree mentioned in the verses. (1 mark)
(d) What does this passage tell us about the cultural significance of mountains? (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 02

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(c) The Himalayas Explanation: The Himalayas stretch from the western ocean (Arabian Sea) to the eastern ocean (Bay of Bengal) in the north of India. Kālidāsa's poetry mentions this: "who measures the Earth and stretches from the western to the eastern oceans." Ans 2.
(b) The height of an object above sea level Explanation: Altitude is the height of an object above sea level. Examples include the altitude of a mountain, the altitude of a bird or plane in flight, or the altitude of a satellite.

Ans 3.
(c) Anamudi (Anai Peak) Explanation: Anamudi, located in Kerala and also known as Anai Peak, is the highest mountain in south India. It is part of the Western Ghats mountain range. Ans 4.
(c) Cherrapunji Plateau Explanation: The Nohkalikai Falls drop down 340 metres from the Cherrapunji Plateau in Meghalaya. Cherrapunji is known for receiving very high rainfall. Ans 5.
(c) A lower area between hills or mountains Explanation: A valley is a lower area between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream flowing through it.

Valleys are important for human settlement and agriculture in mountainous regions. Ans 6.
(c) Herding Explanation: In many mountainous regions of the world, herding (cattle rearing and animal husbandry) is the preferred occupation over agriculture because the rugged terrain and steep slopes make regular farming difficult. Ans 7.
(b) Bachendri Pal Explanation: Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest in 1984. She was awarded Padma Shri the same year and Padma Bhushan in 2019. She also led many women's climbing expeditions.

Ans 8.
(c) Conifer trees like pines and deodar Explanation: Montane forests are characterized by conifer trees such as pines, firs, spruce and deodar. These trees grow tall and cone-shaped with thin, pointed leaves (needles). Ans 9.
(b) 2,500 km Explanation: The Ganga river is nearly 2,500 km long, making it the largest river originating in the Himalayas. It has numerous tributaries, some of which also originate in the Himalayas. Ans 10.
(c) Gobi Desert Explanation: The Gobi Desert in Asia is a cold desert, unlike the Sahara and Thar which are hot deserts. Cold deserts experience very cold winters, sometimes with snow.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Difference between young and old mountains: Young Mountains: • Have tall and sharp peaks • Formed recently in Earth's history (millions of years ago) • Have steep slopes and rugged terrain • May still be growing in height • Example: The Himalayas Old Mountains: • Shorter with more rounded peaks • Formed much earlier in Earth's history • Have been rounded and worn down by erosion • More gentle slopes • Example: The Aravalli Range Ans 12. Precipitation and its forms: Precipitation: Precipitation is water from the atmosphere reaching the ground in any form.

Three forms of precipitation:

1. Rain - Water falling in liquid form

2. Snow - Water falling in solid form (at high altitudes when cold enough)

3. Hail - Ice pellets falling from clouds Ans 13. Plains and sea level: Plains are landforms with extensive flat or gently undulating surfaces. They are generally not more than 300 metres above sea level because they are formed by deposition of sediments by rivers in low-lying areas. Sea Level: Sea level is the average level of the surface of the oceans, also called 'mean sea level'. It is used as a reference point to measure the altitude or height of landforms. Ans 14. Famous waterfalls on Indian plateaus:

Two famous waterfalls on plateaus in India:

1. Hundru Falls - Located on the Subarnarekha River in the Chhota Nagpur Plateau, Jharkhand

2. Jog Falls - Located on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats, Karnataka (Other acceptable answers: Nohkalikai Falls on Cherrapunji Plateau)

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Flora and fauna in mountain environments: Flora (Vegetation): • Mountain slopes are covered with montane forests • Conifer trees like pines, firs, spruce and deodar grow at lower and middle altitudes • These trees are tall, cone-shaped with thin pointed leaves • At higher altitudes, grasses, mosses and lichen replace trees • Vegetation becomes sparse near the snow line Fauna (Animals): Deep forests, rivers, lakes, grasslands and caves provide habitat for diverse fauna. Three mountain animals:

1. Snow Leopard - A large cat adapted to high-altitude cold environments

2. Yak - A large domesticated bovine used for transport and milk in high mountains

3. Himalayan Tahr - A wild goat-like animal found in the Himalayas (Other examples: Golden eagle, Peregrine falcon, Canadian lynx, Ibex, Mountain hare, Grey fox, Black bear) Ans 16. Tourism in mountain regions: Importance of Tourism: • Tourism is often an important source of income for mountain people • The crisp mountain air and scenic beauty attract many tourists • Provides employment opportunities for local communities • Tourists come for various activities: - Adventure sports: skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding - Pilgrimages to holy sites in mountains - Enjoying natural beauty and peace • Supports local economy through hotels, guides, transport services Negative Effects of Excessive Tourism:

• Puts pressure on the fragile mountain environment • Increases pollution and waste generation • Damages natural habitats and disturbs wildlife • Causes traffic congestion on narrow mountain roads • Overuse of water and other natural resources • Difficult to find the right balance between economic benefits and environmental protection Ans 17. Problems affecting Ganga plains and solutions: Major Problems:

1. Groundwater Depletion: • Modern irrigation pumps large amounts of water from underground • Water table is falling rapidly • Threatens future of agriculture

2. High Population Pressure: • About 40 crore people live in the Ganga plain • Puts enormous pressure on land and resources • Leads to over-exploitation of natural resources

3. Pollution: • River pollution from industrial waste and sewage • Agricultural pollution from pesticides and fertilizers • Air pollution from industries and vehicles Two Solutions:

1. Sustainable Water Management: • Promote rainwater harvesting to recharge groundwater • Use drip irrigation and sprinkler systems to reduce water wastage • Revive traditional water conservation methods • Regulate groundwater extraction through proper laws

2. Reduce Pollution: • Set up proper sewage treatment plants in all cities • Strictly regulate industrial waste disposal • Promote organic farming to reduce chemical use • Create awareness about keeping rivers clean • Implement and enforce environmental protection laws

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Comparison of three major landforms:

1. MOUNTAINS Physical Characteristics: • Much higher than surrounding landscape • Broad base, steep slopes, narrow summit • Some covered with permanent snow at high altitudes • Can be young (tall, sharp peaks) or old (shorter, rounded) • Often grouped in mountain ranges stretching thousands of kilometers Vegetation: • Montane forests with conifer trees (pines, firs, spruce, deodar) • Trees at lower and middle altitudes • Grasses, mosses and lichen at higher altitudes • Vegetation becomes sparse near snow line Economic Activities:

• Terrace farming in valleys and on slopes • Herding preferred over agriculture in many regions • Tourism - major source of income • Pilgrimage sites attract visitors • Adventure sports (skiing, mountaineering, paragliding) Challenges: • Natural hazards: landslides, avalanches, flash floods, cloudbursts • Limited flat land for agriculture • Extreme cold weather • Difficult terrain and accessibility • Pressure from excessive tourism

2. PLATEAUS Physical Characteristics: • Elevated landforms rising from surrounding land • More or less flat surface on top • Steep slopes on at least one side • Height varies from few hundred to several thousand metres • Can be young or old like mountains Vegetation: • Very diverse across the world • Many have rocky soil with limited vegetation • Lava plateaus have rich black soil supporting good vegetation • Can support forests, grasslands depending on climate Economic Activities: • Mining - major activity (called "storehouses of minerals") • Iron, coal, manganese, gold, diamonds mined • Agriculture on lava plateaus with fertile black soil • Tourism around spectacular waterfalls • Limited farming on rocky soil plateaus Challenges:

• Rocky soil makes many plateaus less fertile • Limited water availability in some regions • Mining can cause environmental degradation • Irregular topography limits extensive agriculture

3. PLAINS Physical Characteristics: • Extensive flat or gently undulating surface • No large hills or deep valleys • Generally not more than 300 metres above sea level • Floodplains formed by river sediments • Easy terrain for human activities Vegetation: • Support variety of flora and fauna • Natural vegetation largely replaced by agriculture • Riverine vegetation along water bodies • Grasslands in some regions Economic Activities: • Agriculture - major occupation • Food crops: rice, wheat, maize, barley, millets • Fibre crops: cotton, jute, hemp • River fishing • River navigation and trade • Industries and manufacturing • Dense settlements and cities Challenges:

• High population pressure • Groundwater depletion from irrigation • Pollution of rivers and land • Flooding during monsoons • Over-exploitation of resources CONCLUSION: Each landform has unique characteristics and offers different opportunities and challenges. Mountains provide water resources, tourism, and biodiversity but face harsh climate and limited agriculture. Plateaus are rich in minerals but often have poor soil. Plains are most suitable for agriculture and human settlement but face population pressure and resource depletion. Human adaptability has enabled life in all these landforms, showing our resilience.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19. Answers based on the passage about Ganga plain:
(a) Percentage of India's population in Ganga plain (1 mark): More than one-fourth (more than 25%) of India's total population lives in the Ganga plain, which is about 40 crore people.
(b) Three food crops grown in Ganga plain (1 mark): Three food crops are:

1. Rice

2. Wheat

3. Maize (Other acceptable answers: barley, millets)
(c) Difference between rainfed and irrigated agriculture (1 mark): Rainfed agriculture: Traditional agriculture that depends on rainfall for watering crops. No artificial irrigation is used. Irrigated agriculture: Modern agriculture where water is brought to fields through artificial means like networks of canals or pumped from groundwater.
(d) Challenge created by irrigation (1 mark): Irrigation has contributed to the depletion (or decrease) of groundwater. This presents a challenge for the future of agriculture in the region as water resources are being over-exploited.

Ans 20. Answers based on Kālidāsa's verses:
(a) Western to eastern oceans (1 mark): The western ocean is the Arabian Sea and the eastern ocean is the Bay of Bengal. The Himalayas stretch from one to the other across the northern part of the Indian subcontinent.
(b) Why Himalayas is 'Lord of mountains' (1 mark): The Himalayas is described as 'Lord of mountains' because it is the highest and most magnificent mountain range in the world. It is compared to a "living god" and is said to "measure the Earth," showing its immense size and grandeur. The Himalayas contain many of the world's highest peaks including Mount Everest.

(c) One tree mentioned in the verses (1 mark): Deodar tree is mentioned in the verses. The wind "shakes the deodar trees" as it comes down from the mountains.
(d) Cultural significance of mountains (1 mark): This passage shows that mountains, especially the Himalayas, have deep cultural and spiritual significance in India. They are revered as sacred ("like a living god"), celebrated in poetry and literature, and are seen as sources of life (providing Gangā river). Mountains are integral to Indian culture, inspiring awe, devotion and artistic expression. Many communities consider mountain summits to be sacred places worthy of worship.