Class 6 Social Science Question Answers Chapter 3

Landforms and Life

Question 1. In what type of landform is your town / village / city located? Which features mentioned in this chapter do you see around you?

Answer: The type of landform your town, village, or city is located in could vary depending on its geographical location. Here are the possible scenarios based on the chapter:

• Mountains: If your area is in or near mountain ranges like the Himalayas, you might see steep slopes, high altitudes, and possibly snow-capped peaks. The presence of coniferous forests, rivers originating from melting snow, and terrace farming could also be features you notice.
• Plateaus: If your town is on a plateau like the Deccan Plateau, you might observe flat terrain with steep slopes at the edges, rocky soil, and possibly waterfalls. The area might also be rich in minerals.
• Plains: If your area is in the plains, like the Gangetic plains, you would see extensive flat land with fertile soil ideal for agriculture. Rivers might flow gently through the area, contributing to irrigation and supporting dense populations.

Question 2. Let us go back to our initial trip from Chhota Nagpur to Prayagraj and Almora. Describe the three landforms you came across on the way.

Answer:

• Chhota Nagpur Plateau (Jharkhand): This region is a plateau, characterized by its elevation above the surrounding area. It is known for its rich mineral deposits, including coal and iron ore. The plateau is also home to several waterfalls and is less suitable for agriculture due to its rocky soil.
• Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): This city is located in the plains, specifically the Gangetic plains. Here, the land is flat and fertile, making it ideal for agriculture. The area is densely populated, with a variety of crops grown, including wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
• Almora (Uttarakhand): Almora is located in the mountains, specifically the Himalayan region. The area is characterized by steep slopes, high altitudes, and a cooler climate. The landscape includes terraced fields for farming and dense forests with coniferous trees. The region is also known for its scenic beauty and is a popular destination for tourism.

Question 3. List a few famous pilgrimage spots in India along with the landforms in which they are found.

Answer:

• Badrinath (Uttarakhand): Located in the Himalayan Mountains, Badrinath is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. The temple is situated at a high altitude, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
• Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): Situated in the Gangetic plains, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in India and a significant pilgrimage site, especially for Hindus. It lies along the banks of the Ganga River.
• Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh): Located on the Eastern Ghats (a range of hills and a plateau), Tirupati is a famous pilgrimage site known for the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple.
• Amarnath (Jammu & Kashmir): This pilgrimage site is located in the Himalayan Mountains and is famous for the Amarnath Cave, where a natural ice Shivling forms every year.
• Haridwar (Uttarakhand): Also situated in the Himalayan foothills, Haridwar is a significant pilgrimage site where the Ganga River exits the mountains and enters the plains.

Question 4. State whether true or false —

(a) The Himalayas are young mountains with rounded tops.

False – The Himalayas are young mountains, but they have sharp peaks, not rounded tops. Rounded tops are characteristic of much older mountains.

(b) Plateaus usually rise sharply at least on one side.

True – Plateaus typically have steep slopes on at least one side, rising sharply from the surrounding land.

(c) Mountains and hills belong to the same type of landform.

True – Both mountains and hills are types of elevated landforms, though mountains are typically higher and steeper.

(d) Mountains, plateaus and rivers in India have the same types of flora and fauna.

False – Different landforms in India support different types of flora and fauna due to variations in climate, altitude, and soil conditions.

(e) Ganga is a tributary to the Yamuna.

False – The Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga, not the other way around.

(f) Deserts have unique flora and fauna.

True – Deserts support a distinct set of flora and fauna adapted to the arid and harsh conditions.

(g) Melting snow feeds rivers.

True – Many rivers, especially those originating in the Himalayas, are fed by melting snow.

(h) Sediments from rivers deposited in the plains makes the land fertile.

True – River sediments enrich the soil in plains, making it fertile and ideal for agriculture.

(i) All deserts are hot.

 False – Not all deserts are hot. Some deserts, like the Gobi Desert, are cold.

Question 5. Match words in pairs:

Answer:

Item	Match
Mount Everest	climbing
rafting	river
camels	desert
plateau	roof of the world
Gangetic plains	Ganga
waterway	rice fields
Mount Kilimanjaro	Africa
Yamuna	Tributary

The Big Questions (Page 41)

Question 1. What are the major types of landforms and their significance to life and culture?

Answer: The major types of landforms are mountains, plateaus, and plains. These landforms shape the environment and life around them, influencing climate, biodiversity, and human activities. For example:

• Mountains provide habitats for unique flora and fauna and are often considered sacred in many cultures.
• Plateaus are rich in minerals, leading to significant mining activities, and their flat surfaces can support some agriculture.
• Plains are the most fertile landforms, making them ideal for agriculture and supporting large populations. They are also culturally significant as many early civilizations developed in fertile plains.

Question 2. What are the challenges and opportunities of life associated with each landform?

Answer:

Mountains:

• Challenges: Harsh climate, difficult terrain, limited agricultural opportunities, and natural disasters like avalanches and landslides.
• Opportunities: Tourism, unique biodiversity, and spiritual significance.

Plateaus:

• Challenges: Less fertile soil, making agriculture difficult; rocky terrain.
• Opportunities: Rich mineral deposits leading to mining activities, and scenic landscapes that attract tourism.

Plains:

• Challenges: Overpopulation, depletion of groundwater, and pollution.
• Opportunities: Fertile land ideal for agriculture, supports dense human settlements, and easy transportation and trade.