Rivers, Mountains and Landscapes of India: 21 MCQs with answers

D · Landform

A landform is a natural feature of the Earth's surface, such as a mountain, plateau, plain, desert, or coast.

B · Plain

A plain is flat and low, while a plateau is flat and high with steep edges.

B · Deccan Plateau

The Deccan Plateau is the classic example of a plateau — high and flat on top with steep edges.

D · Karakoram

K2 (Godwin-Austen) is the highest peak of the Karakoram range and the world's second-highest peak.

A · Gujarat to Delhi

The Aravalli range runs from Gujarat to Delhi and is one of the world's oldest fold mountain ranges.

C · Vindhya Range

The Vindhya Range is the traditional dividing line between North and South India.

D · Sahyadri

The Western Ghats are also called the Sahyadri and are a UNESCO heritage site.

C · Ganga

The Ganga is a Himalayan river, rising from the Gangotri Glacier and flowing all year.

D · Godavari

The Godavari is a Peninsular river, rising from the Western Ghats and depending mainly on rain.

A · True

K2 (Godwin-Austen) is the highest peak of the Karakoram and the world's second-highest peak; Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) is the highest Himalayan peak in India.

B · Indus, Narmada, Tapi

Only the Indus, Narmada, and Tapi flow west into the Arabian Sea; all other major Indian rivers flow east into the Bay of Bengal.

B · Because the Deccan Plateau slopes from west to east

The Deccan Plateau slopes from west to east, so gravity carries the water eastward into the Bay of Bengal.

C · A triangular silt landform at a calm river mouth

A delta is a triangular landform formed by silt deposits at a calm river mouth, such as the Ganga–Brahmaputra delta.

C · Estuary

The Narmada and Tapi form estuaries — funnel-shaped mouths on a steep coast, without a delta.

D · The land between two rivers

A doab is the land between two rivers ('two waters'), such as the land between the Ganga and Yamuna.

D · Kangchenjunga

Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) is the highest Himalayan peak in India; K2 belongs to the Karakoram range.

D · A rift valley

The parallel arrangement of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges with the Narmada flowing between them exemplifies a rift valley, which is characterized by two parallel mountain ranges with a depression in between.

A · Himalayan rivers are fed by glaciers, while Peninsular rivers are fed mainly by rainfall.

The correct statement is that Himalayan rivers are fed by glaciers, making them perennial, while Peninsular rivers are primarily rain-fed and seasonal.

B · Godavari

The Godavari flows eastward into the Bay of Bengal due to the eastward slope of the Deccan Plateau, while Narmada and Tapi flow westward into the Arabian Sea.

B · The Aravalli is older than the Vindhya, which serves as a dividing line.

The Aravalli range is one of the world's oldest fold mountain ranges, while the Vindhya range is the traditional dividing line between North and South India.

D · A delta is formed at a calm river mouth, while an estuary forms at a steep coast.

A delta is formed at a calm river mouth and is typically triangular, while an estuary forms at a steep coast and is funnel-shaped, as seen with the Narmada and Tapi.