Geographical Diversity of India – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
CBSE Class 7 — Social Science
Chapter 1: Geographical Diversity of India — 40 MCQs with answers and explanations (NCERT-aligned)
Topic-wise multiple choice questions with a "Show Answer & Explanation" button for each item. Use these for self-study and classroom quizzes.
Topic — Himalayas & Trans-Himalayan Region (Q1–Q8)
1. The Himalayas were formed due to the collision of which two plates?
Correct: B. Indian and Eurasian plates
Why:
The Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate millions of years ago, pushing up the young fold mountains known as the Himalayas.
2. Which of the following is a feature of the Trans-Himalayan (Ladakh) region?
Correct: B. Cold desert with scanty vegetation
Why:
Ladakh is part of the Trans-Himalayan zone characterised by a cold desert climate—low rainfall, sparse vegetation and extreme temperatures.
3. Glaciers are important because they:
Correct: B. Store water and feed rivers during summer
Why:
Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, releasing meltwater that maintains river flow in summer months and supports irrigation downstream.
4. Which mountain range lies to the south of the main Himalayas and is lower in height?
Correct: C. Shivalik (Siwalik) range
Why:
The Shivalik range forms the outermost and lower hills of the Himalayan system, south of the Lesser Himalayas.
5. Which of these activities is common in Himalayan valleys?
Correct: B. Terrace farming
Why:
Terracing creates flat steps on slopes to reduce erosion and conserve water, enabling cultivation in hilly regions.
6. Which of the following best explains why Himalayan rivers are perennial?
Correct: B. They are fed by glacial melt and summer rainfall
Why:
Himalayan rivers receive water from melting glaciers and the monsoon, ensuring year-round flow.
7. The Ladakh region is most suitable for which of the following economic activities?
Correct: C. Pastoralism and tourism
Why:
Cold desert conditions are unsuitable for paddy or tea; people rear animals adapted to high altitudes and engage in tourism-related activities.
8. Which danger is especially associated with rapid glacier melting?
Correct: B. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)
Why:
Rapid melting can create unstable glacial lakes which may suddenly burst, causing destructive floods downstream.
Topic — Gangetic Plains (Q9–Q16)
9. The Gangetic Plains are known for which type of soil?
Correct: B. Alluvial soil
Why:
Rivers deposit alluvium over the plains, producing fertile soils ideal for intensive agriculture.
10. Which cropping pattern is common in the Gangetic Plains?
Correct: B. Multiple cropping with irrigation
Why:
Fertile soils and irrigation allow farmers to grow more than one crop a year, like rice in monsoon and wheat in winter.
11. Floodplains are important because they:
Correct: B. Receive fertile silt during floods
Why:
Floods deposit nutrient-rich silt on floodplains making them highly fertile for agriculture, though floods can also be destructive.
12. Which river is NOT part of the Ganga river system?
Correct: D. Narmada
Why:
Narmada flows westwards across the peninsula into the Arabian Sea and is not a tributary of the Ganga.
13. Which human activity on the plains can lead to falling groundwater levels?
Correct: A. Excessive groundwater pumping for irrigation
Why:
Heavy use of tube wells without adequate recharge causes groundwater depletion, a major issue in many plain regions.
14. Urbanisation in the Gangetic Plains often results in:
Correct: B. Increased demand for land and pollution
Why:
Rapid urban growth increases pressure on land, leads to industrial pollution and can reduce agricultural land when cities expand.
15. Which crop combination represents multiple cropping in the plains?
Correct: A. Rice in monsoon and wheat in winter
Why:
Fertile soils and irrigation allow two-season cropping typical of the Gangetic Plains.
16. One effective method to reduce flood damage is:
Correct: B. Building and maintaining embankments and flood forecasting
Why:
Proper embankments, flood forecasting and wetland conservation help reduce flood impacts while allowing natural floodplain functions.
Topic — Thar Desert & Aravalli Hills (Q17–Q22)
17. The Thar Desert is mainly found in which Indian state?
Correct: B. Rajasthan
Why:
The Thar Desert, or Great Indian Desert, lies largely in Rajasthan with sandy dunes and arid climate.
18. What are sand dunes formed by?
Correct: B. Wind action
Why:
In arid regions, wind transports and deposits sand forming dunes; vegetation absence allows dune mobility.
19. The Aravalli range is considered:
Correct: B. One of the oldest fold ranges in India
Why:
Aravallis are ancient and lower in elevation than younger mountain ranges; they run across Rajasthan towards Gujarat.
20. Which livelihood is commonly associated with desert areas?
Correct: B. Pastoralism and camel rearing
Why:
Arid conditions support animal rearing (camels, goats) adapted to low water availability and sparse vegetation.
21. Which environmental issue is a concern in Aravalli due to mining?
Correct: B. Deforestation and land degradation
Why:
Mining clears vegetation, causes erosion and can pollute local water resources, impacting local ecology.
22. Which irrigation method is best suited for arid regions to conserve water?
Correct: B. Drip irrigation
Why:
Drip systems supply water directly to plant roots, minimising evaporation and losses—ideal for water-scarce deserts.
Topic — Peninsular Plateau (Q23–Q28)
23. The Peninsular Plateau is mainly formed of which type of rocks?
Correct: B. Crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks
Why:
The peninsular region consists of ancient, hard crystalline rocks that form plateaus and contain mineral deposits.
24. Which plateau is known for rich mineral deposits like iron ore?
Correct: A. Deccan Plateau
Why:
The Deccan and related plateaus have important mineral deposits (iron ore, bauxite) supporting industries.
25. Rivers on the plateau often form:
Correct: B. Waterfalls and rapids
Why:
Hard rocky terrain causes rivers to descend steeply forming waterfalls and rapids, common in plateau regions.
26. Which ghats border the Peninsular Plateau?
Correct: A. Western and Eastern Ghats
Why:
The Western and Eastern Ghats run along the edges of the peninsular plateau influencing climate and drainage.
27. What type of agriculture is common on the plateau?
Correct: B. Mixed farming (millets, pulses) and plantation farming in hills
Why:
Plateau soils and rainfall patterns support millets, pulses and in hilly areas plantation crops like coffee and tea.
28. One environmental concern with mining on the plateau is:
Correct: B. Soil erosion and water pollution
Why:
Mining can remove vegetation, increase erosion and contaminate water sources without proper safeguards.
Topic — Coasts & Islands (Q29–Q34)
29. Which two seas border India?
Correct: B. Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
Why:
India’s western coast faces the Arabian Sea while the eastern coast faces the Bay of Bengal.
30. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are primarily of which origin?
Correct: B. Volcanic and tectonic
Why:
The Andaman & Nicobar archipelago is largely volcanic and geologically younger with hilly islands and rainforests.
31. Lakshadweep islands are examples of:
Correct: B. Coral atolls
Why:
Lakshadweep consists of coral atolls formed by coral growth around submerged peaks, creating lagoons.
32. Which coast is typically narrower and has rocky shores: western or eastern?
Correct: B. Western coast
Why:
The western coastal plains are generally narrower and rockier, while the eastern coast is broader with larger deltas.
33. Ports are important because they:
Correct: B. Facilitate maritime trade and transport
Why:
Ports enable ships to import/export goods, support fishing, industry and connect regions through sea routes.
34. Coastal ecosystems like mangroves contribute to:
Correct: B. Protecting shorelines and supporting biodiversity
Why:
Mangroves stabilise sediments, reduce wave energy and serve as nurseries for many marine species.
Topic — Sundarban Delta & Wetlands (Q35–Q38)
35. The Sundarban Delta is formed by which major river systems?
Correct: A. Ganga–Brahmaputra river system
Why:
The Sundarbans is the vast delta formed by the spreading and branching distributaries of the Ganga and Brahmaputra as they meet the Bay of Bengal.
36. Mangrove forests in the Sundarbans are adapted to:
Correct: B. Saline and waterlogged conditions
Why:
Mangrove species have specialised roots and salt-excreting mechanisms enabling survival in tidal, saline wetlands.
37. Which iconic animal is found in the Sundarbans?
Correct: C. Royal Bengal Tiger
Why:
The Sundarbans is a critical habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger, adapted to the mangrove environment.
38. One major threat to Sundarbans is:
Correct: A. Sea-level rise and salinity increase
Why:
Rising sea levels and increased saline intrusion threaten mangrove health, agriculture and human settlements in the delta.
Topic — Landforms & Human Activity (Q39–Q40)
39. Which landform is most closely associated with intensive agriculture and dense settlements?
Correct: B. Plains
Why:
Plains offer fertile soils, easy transport and water availability, supporting large populations and intensive farming.
40. A balanced regional development plan should include which principle?
Correct: B. Use local strengths, protect environment and diversify livelihoods
Why:
Planning should respect geography, promote suitable industries, ensure environmental safeguards and create diverse, resilient livelihoods.