Landforms and Life – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Class 6
Social Science
Theme A — India and the World: Land and the People — Chapter 3: Landforms and Life
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CBSE — Assessment Overview
- Periodic Tests: objective-type questions and concept checks.
- Half-yearly/Mid-term: includes MCQs and short answers.
- Annual Exam: tests understanding of landforms, their formation, and human impact.
Content Bank — MCQ Topics
Definitions, formation processes, mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coasts, rivers, human adaptation, occupations, map skills, environmental issues, sustainable practices.
A. Basic Concepts & Formation (Q1–6)
1. What is 'alluvium'?
Answer: B. Alluvium is the fertile sediment (silt, sand, clay) deposited by rivers, making plains very productive for agriculture.
2. Which process mainly forms fold mountains?
Answer: C. Fold mountains form when tectonic plates collide, compressing and folding the Earth's crust (e.g., the Himalayas).
3. Which agent is primarily responsible for forming sand dunes?
Answer: B. Wind (aeolian processes) transports and deposits sand to form dunes, common in deserts and coastal areas.
4. Deposition by rivers over time leads to the formation of:
Answer: C. River deposition of sediments (alluvium) across wide areas creates flat and fertile plains like the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
5. Which of the following is NOT a result of erosion?
Answer: C. Soil deposition on floodplains is deposition, not erosion. Erosion removes material, while deposition places it down.
6. A rain-shadow area is found on the:
Answer: B. Rain-shadow occurs on the leeward (sheltered) side of mountains where descending air is dry, causing low rainfall.
B. Mountains (Q7–12)
7. Which is a characteristic feature of mountainous regions?
Answer: B. Mountains have high elevation and steep slopes, with changing vegetation along altitude zones.
8. Which farming method is commonly used in mountains?
Answer: A. Terrace farming creates flat steps on slopes, reducing soil erosion and conserving water for crops.
9. Which of these is a danger specific to high mountain regions?
Answer: B. Avalanches — sudden flows of snow—are a hazard in high mountain regions and can cause destruction of life and property.
10. Mountains are important as sources of:
Answer: B. Many major rivers originate in mountains due to melting snow and rainfall (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra).
11. Which vegetation type is found at the highest altitudes in mountains?
Answer: B. Alpine meadows or tundra-like vegetation occur near mountain tops where conditions are too harsh for trees.
12. Tourism in mountains often leads to which negative effect?
Answer: B. Uncontrolled tourism can increase waste, strain water resources and damage fragile mountain ecosystems.
C. Plains & Rivers (Q13–20)
13. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is known for its:
Answer: B. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is made up of fertile alluvial soils deposited by rivers, supporting intensive agriculture.
14. Floodplains are created by:
Answer: C. Floodplains form when rivers overflow and deposit sediments across adjoining flat areas during floods.
15. Which crop is commonly associated with alluvial plains?
Answer: A. Wheat is commonly grown in fertile alluvial plains like parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain due to good soils and irrigation.
16. One disadvantage of living in floodplains is:
Answer: B. Floodplains are prone to flooding which can damage crops, homes and infrastructure despite their fertility.
17. What is a river basin?
Answer: A. A river basin includes all the land drained by a river and its tributaries and is important for integrated water management.
18. Which practice helps control flood damage?
Answer: C. Structural measures like embankments plus non-structural measures like early warning systems reduce flood damage.
19. Why do plains often have dense populations?
Answer: B. Fertile soils and flat terrain support agriculture and transport, encouraging dense settlements and urban growth on plains.
20. Which river originates in the Himalayas?
Answer: B. The Ganga has its headwaters in the Himalayas and is a major river supporting agriculture and cultural life in northern India.
D. Plateaus & Minerals (Q21–26)
21. A plateau is best described as:
Answer: B. Plateaus are high flat areas often with steep edges and can host minerals and unique farming systems.
22. Which mineral is commonly found on plateaus like Chotanagpur?
Answer: B. Iron ore is abundant on plateaus like Chotanagpur, supporting industries like steel production.
23. What is an escarpment?
Answer: B. An escarpment is a steep slope marking the edge of a plateau or elevated area, often formed by erosion or faulting.
24. Mining on plateaus often leads to:
Answer: B. Mining can cause land degradation, deforestation and water pollution unless regulated and rehabilitated properly.
25. Which crop suits black soils of lava-origin plateaus?
Answer: B. Cotton grows well in black (regur) soils found on lava plateaus like parts of the Deccan Plateau.
26. Which practice helps reduce mining damage?
Answer: B. Rehabilitation of mined land and reforestation help restore ecosystems and reduce long-term environmental damage.
E. Deserts (Q27–31)
27. The Thar Desert is located in:
Answer: B. The Thar Desert is in northwestern India and extends into Pakistan; it features sandy dunes and low rainfall.
28. An oasis in a desert is:
Answer: B. An oasis is a fertile area in a desert where groundwater or springs are available, supporting plants and human settlement.
29. Which is a water-saving method suitable for arid regions?
Answer: B. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots, minimising evaporation and saving water in arid and semi-arid regions.
30. Pastoralism in deserts typically involves rearing:
Answer: A. Camels and goats are well adapted to deserts and are commonly reared by pastoral communities for transport and livelihood.
F. Coasts, Islands & Rivers (Q31–36)
31. Coasts are mainly shaped by:
Answer: B. Coastal features result from wave action, tides and currents that erode and deposit sediments to form beaches, cliffs and spits.
32. Mangroves help coasts by:
Answer: B. Mangrove roots trap sediments, stabilise shorelines and protect inland areas from storm surges and erosion.
33. Which island group belongs to India?
Answer: C. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are part of India and have unique ecosystems and strategic importance.
34. Why are rivers important for cities on plains?
Answer: B. Rivers supply fresh water, support irrigation and transport, and create fertile lands that help cities develop on plains.
35. What is a river delta?
Answer: B. A delta forms where a river deposits sediments at its mouth, creating fertile, often triangular-shaped landforms (e.g., Ganga delta).
36. Which of these is a threat to coastal communities?
Answer: A. Sea-level rise and storm surges, often linked to climate change, threaten coastal homes, livelihoods and ecosystems.
G. Human Life, Culture & Environment (Q37–40)
37. Which landform most influences clothing and housing suited for cold climates?
Answer: B. Mountain regions with cold climates influence warm clothing and homes with insulation and sloping roofs to remove snow.
38. Cultural diversity across India is partly due to:
Answer: B. Mountains, islands and deserts isolate communities and varied resources lead to diverse cultures, languages and practices.
39. Which practice helps prevent soil erosion on slopes?
Answer: A. Terracing and afforestation stabilise slopes, reduce runoff and prevent soil erosion in hilly areas.
40. Best way to prepare for map questions on landforms?
Answer: B. Regular practice labelling maps and remembering major landform examples (Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert) improves exam performance.
These MCQs follow the NCERT Class 6 syllabus and include clear explanations to strengthen conceptual understanding. Use them for quizzes, tests and classroom practice.
© NCERT-aligned study content for CBSE Class 6 Social Science. Adapt as needed for school-specific guidelines.