LANDFORMS AND LIFE : CLASS 6 : SOCIAL SCIENCE
SUMMARY
The Earth’s surface is not the same everywhere. It has different landforms like mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, valleys, and coastal areas.
Mountains – high landforms, often snow-covered, source of rivers, less populated.
Plains – flat and fertile, good for farming, most populated regions.
Plateaus – flat-topped highlands, rich in minerals, good for grazing and farming.
Deserts – dry regions with little rainfall, scarce vegetation, very hot or cold.
Coastal areas – found near seas/oceans, good for fishing and trade.
Life on landforms depends on availability of water, soil, and climate.
Human activities (farming, mining, settlement) are influenced by landforms.
SHORT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: What are landforms?
A: Natural features of the Earth’s surface like mountains, plains, and plateaus.
Q: Name three major landforms.
A: Mountains, plateaus, and plains.
Q: Which landform covers the largest area on Earth?
A: Plains.
Q: Which landform is rich in minerals?
A: Plateaus.
Q: Which landform is good for farming?
A: Plains.
Q: Which landform is known as the “storehouse of minerals”?
A: Plateaus.
Q: Which landform has extreme climates and little vegetation?
A: Deserts.
Q: Give an example of a mountain range.
A: The Himalayas.
Q: Give an example of a plateau.
A: The Deccan Plateau.
Q: Give an example of a desert in India.
A: The Thar Desert.
Q: Why are mountains important?
A: They are sources of rivers, forests, and biodiversity.
Q: Which landform is called “breadbaskets of the world”?
A: Plains.
Q: Where do most people live – mountains or plains?
A: Plains.
Q: Name one coastal state of India.
A: Odisha.
Q: Which landform is least populated?
A: Mountains and deserts.
Q: Name two occupations in coastal areas.
A: Fishing and trading.
Q: What type of soil is usually found in plains?
A: Fertile alluvial soil.
Q: What is a valley?
A: A low land area between hills or mountains.
Q: Which landform is called “table land”?
A: Plateau.
Q: Which landform is important for tourism and adventure sports?
A: Mountains.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Explain the importance of mountains.
A: Mountains are high landforms with steep slopes. They are sources of rivers, forests, and minerals. They regulate climate and attract tourists.
Q: Why are plains highly populated?
A: Plains have flat land, fertile soil, and water from rivers, making them ideal for farming, transport, and settlements.
Q: Describe the usefulness of plateaus.
A: Plateaus are rich in minerals like coal and iron. They provide grazing land, waterfalls for hydroelectricity, and fertile soil in some parts.
Q: What are deserts?
A: Deserts are dry regions with very little rainfall. They have extreme temperatures, scarce vegetation, and are sparsely populated.
Q: Why are coastal areas important?
A: Coastal areas support fishing, farming, and trade through ports. They are also important tourist places.
Q: How do landforms influence human life?
A: Landforms affect occupation, farming, housing, transport, and lifestyle. For example, farming is common in plains, mining in plateaus, and fishing in coastal areas.
Q: Write a note on the Himalayas.
A: The Himalayas are the highest mountain range in the world. They protect India, are sources of rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra, and are covered with snow.
Q: Why are rivers important for plains?
A: Rivers deposit fertile alluvial soil, provide water for irrigation, and support farming and transport.
Q: Compare plains and plateaus.
A: Plains are flat and fertile, suitable for farming and dense population. Plateaus are flat-topped highlands, rich in minerals, but less populated.
Q: Why are deserts sparsely populated?
A: Deserts have little water, scarce vegetation, and extreme climate, making life difficult.
Q: How do landforms affect trade and transport?
A: Flat plains and coastal areas support roads, railways, and ports, while mountains and deserts make transport difficult.
Q: Explain the role of plateaus in power generation.
A: Plateaus have many waterfalls and rivers, useful for hydroelectric power generation.
Q: How do mountains help in tourism?
A: Snow-covered peaks, adventure sports, and natural beauty attract tourists.
Q: What kind of vegetation grows in deserts?
A: Thorny plants like cactus and shrubs.
Q: Why are coastal plains important for India?
A: They provide fertile soil, fishing grounds, and important ports like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
Q: How do humans adapt to life in mountains?
A: People build terrace farms, wear warm clothes, and depend on forests and animals.
Q: Why is the Deccan Plateau important?
A: It is rich in minerals and black soil, useful for cotton farming.
Q: Write the differences between mountains and deserts.
A: Mountains are high, cold, and forested; deserts are dry, hot, and barren.
Q: How do landforms affect agriculture?
A: Plains support farming with fertile soil, plateaus grow crops like cotton, while deserts have very little farming.
Q: Explain why people prefer to live near rivers.
A: Rivers provide water, fertile soil, fish, and transport facilities.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Which landform covers the largest part of Earth’s land?
a) Mountains
b) Plains ✅
c) Plateaus
d) Deserts
Which landform is known as “table land”?
a) Plateau ✅
b) Plains
c) Valley
d) Mountain
The Himalayas are an example of:
a) Plateau
b) Desert
c) Mountain ✅
d) Coastal area
Which landform is least populated?
a) Plains
b) Mountains ✅
c) Coastal areas
d) Valleys
Which desert is in India?
a) Gobi
b) Thar ✅
c) Sahara
d) Kalahari
Which landform is rich in minerals?
a) Plateau ✅
b) Plains
c) Deserts
d) Mountains
Which landform is most suitable for farming?
a) Mountains
b) Plains ✅
c) Plateaus
d) Deserts
Which landform is a source of rivers?
a) Mountains ✅
b) Plateaus
c) Deserts
d) Valleys
Which landform is best for grazing animals?
a) Plateaus ✅
b) Plains
c) Valleys
d) Deserts
Which landform is important for ports and trade?
a) Deserts
b) Coastal areas ✅
c) Plateaus
d) Valleys
Which type of soil is found in plains?
a) Alluvial ✅
b) Sandy
c) Black
d) Red
Which landform is called the “storehouse of minerals”?
a) Mountains
b) Plateaus ✅
c) Plains
d) Deserts
Which landform has fertile alluvial soil?
a) Plateaus
b) Plains ✅
c) Deserts
d) Mountains
Which landform has extreme climate?
a) Plains
b) Deserts ✅
c) Coastal areas
d) Valleys
Which landform is useful for generating hydroelectric power?
a) Plateaus ✅
b) Plains
c) Deserts
d) Valleys
Which landform is known for tourism and adventure sports?
a) Mountains ✅
b) Plains
c) Plateaus
d) Deserts
The Deccan Plateau is located in:
a) Africa
b) India ✅
c) Australia
d) South America
Thorny plants grow in:
a) Mountains
b) Plains
c) Deserts ✅
d) Coastal areas
Which landform is mostly covered with forests?
a) Mountains ✅
b) Plateaus
c) Plains
d) Valleys
Which landform has high population density?
a) Mountains
b) Plains ✅
c) Deserts
d) Plateaus
