Landforms and Life – Very Short Answer Type Questions
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 and Formative Assessments: short answer recall.
- Half-yearly/Mid-term: includes map work and short answers.
- Annual Exam: tests definitions, map-labeling and brief application-based answers.
- Project/Map skills: identify major landforms on India map.
Content Bank — Key Topics
Definitions, mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coasts, rivers, human adaptation, map skills, and exam tips.
A. Definitions & Basic Concepts (Q1–6)
Q1. What is a landform?
A landform is a natural feature on the Earth's surface like mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, valleys and coasts.
Q2. Define relief.
Relief is the difference in elevation and slope of the land surface in an area.
Q3. What is erosion?
Erosion is the wearing away of Earth's surface by wind, water, or ice.
Q4. What is deposition?
Deposition is the process of dropping or settling of sediments carried by water, wind, or ice.
Q5. What does 'alluvium' mean?
Alluvium is fertile soil deposited by rivers, often found in plains and river basins.
Q6. What is a rain-shadow area?
A rain-shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a mountain range that receives little rainfall.
B. Mountains (Q7–14)
Q7. How are fold mountains formed?
Fold mountains form when two tectonic plates collide and the Earth's crust folds.
Q8. Give an example of fold mountains in India.
The Himalayas are an example of fold mountains in India.
Q9. Name one characteristic of mountain climate.
Mountain climates are generally cooler and temperature decreases with altitude.
Q10. Why are mountains sources of rivers?
Mountains receive snowfall and rainfall; melting snow and runoff form streams and rivers.
Q11. How do people in mountains practice farming?
They use terrace farming to create flat areas on slopes for crops.
Q12. Mention one economic activity common in mountains.
Tourism, such as trekking and pilgrimage, is a common economic activity.
Q13. What is an avalanche?
An avalanche is a sudden downhill flow of snow and ice from mountain slopes.
Q14. Name one type of vegetation found on mountain slopes.
Alpine meadows and coniferous forests are found at higher mountain altitudes.
C. Plains (Q15–22)
Q15. What are plains?
Plains are large flat or gently undulating areas often formed by river deposits.
Q16. Give an example of a major plain in India.
The Indo-Gangetic Plains are a major plain in India.
Q17. Why are plains good for agriculture?
Plains have fertile alluvial soils and gentle slopes suitable for irrigation and farming.
Q18. Name one crop commonly grown in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Rice and wheat are commonly grown in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Q19. How do rivers influence plains?
Rivers deposit alluvium, supply water for irrigation, and shape the soil and landscape of plains.
Q20. What is a floodplain?
A floodplain is a flat area next to a river that gets flooded and renewed by sediment during high flows.
Q21. How does human settlement differ on plains?
Plains support dense settlements and large towns because of fertile land and easy transport.
Q22. Mention a disadvantage of living in some plains.
Plains may suffer from floods that can damage crops and homes.
D. Plateaus (Q23–28)
Q23. What is a plateau?
A plateau is an elevated flat area with steep sides.
Q24. Give an example of a plateau in India.
The Deccan Plateau is an example in India.
Q25. What resources are often found on plateaus?
Plateaus often have mineral resources like coal, iron ore and bauxite.
Q26. How does plateau soil affect farming?
Plateau soils can be less fertile; crops like millets and pulses are often grown depending on rainfall.
Q27. What is a mesa?
A mesa is a flat-topped hill with steep sides, usually found in plateau regions.
Q28. Name one human activity on plateaus.
Mining and quarrying are common on mineral-rich plateaus.
E. Deserts (Q29–34)
Q29. What defines a desert?
A desert is an area with very low rainfall and sparse vegetation.
Q30. Name a desert in India.
The Thar Desert is located in northwestern India.
Q31. How do people get water in deserts?
People use wells, ponds, tanks and water conservation methods like rainwater harvesting and oasis use.
Q32. What is an oasis?
An oasis is a fertile spot in a desert where water is available, allowing plants to grow.
Q33. Name one adaptation of desert plants.
Many desert plants have deep roots or store water in stems (succulents) to survive drought.
Q34. What livelihood is common in deserts?
Pastoralism (rearing livestock like camels and goats) is common in deserts.
F. Coasts, Islands & Rivers (Q35–40)
Q35. What is a coastline?
A coastline is where the land meets the sea, shaped by waves and tides.
Q36. Give one example of a coastal activity.
Fishing and port trade are common coastal activities.
Q37. What is an island?
An island is a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides.
Q38. Name one Indian island group.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an island group of India.
Q39. Why are rivers important for people?
Rivers provide water for drinking, irrigation, transport and support fishing and agriculture.
Q40. What is a river basin?
A river basin is the land drained by a river and its tributaries.
G. How Landforms Affect Life & Culture (Q41–46)
Q41. How do landforms affect occupations?
People’s jobs depend on landforms: farmers in plains, fishermen on coasts, pastoralists in deserts and miners on plateaus.
Q42. Give one way landforms influence housing.
In mountains, houses are built on slopes with thick walls for warmth; in plains, compact houses near fields are common.
Q43. How do festivals reflect landforms?
Festivals often celebrate harvests or rivers, e.g., river festivals in plains and mountain pilgrimages in hills.
Q44. What is the effect of mountains on transport?
Mountains make transport difficult, requiring tunnels, bridges and winding roads.
Q45. How do plains help urban growth?
Easy transport, flat land and fertile soils encourage large cities and trade centers in plains.
Q46. Why is cultural diversity linked to landforms?
Different environments lead to varied lifestyles, languages, food and clothing, causing cultural diversity.
H. Map Skills, Exam Tips & Quick Revision (Q47–50)
Q47. Name four major landforms to label on India’s map.
Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic Plains, Deccan Plateau and Thar Desert.
Q48. What keywords should you use in answers?
Use words like "alluvial", "relief", "rain-shadow", "erosion", "plateau", and "altitude".
Q49. One quick tip to remember differences between plains and plateaus?
Plains are flat low areas formed by rivers; plateaus are high flat areas with steep sides.
Q50. Best way to revise this chapter before exams?
Make labeled diagrams, practise map labelling, memorise key terms and revise case studies of one mountain and one plain region.These Very Short Answer Questions are strictly aligned with the NCERT Class 6 syllabus and are ideal for CBSE-style quick revision. Use them as flashcards or printable sheets for exams.
© NCERT-aligned study content for CBSE Class 6 Social Science. Adapt as needed for classroom use.