Physical Features of India – MCQs Online Practice Test with Automatic scoring
Class 9
CBSE Class 9 — Geography: Contemporary India – I
Chapter 2: Physical Features of India — 30-question timed quiz (30 minutes) with instant feedback and automatic scoring
Instructions:
- This quiz has 30 single-choice questions and a 30-minute countdown timer.
- Select one option per question — immediate feedback with correct answer and explanation will appear after selection.
- The quiz auto-submits when time ends. You can also submit early using the "Submit Quiz & Show Answers" button.
1. Which Himalayan range hosts the highest peaks and permanent snow?
Correct: c) Greater Himalaya (Himadri)
Explanation: The Greater Himalaya or Himadri contains the loftiest peaks and extensive glaciation, supplying meltwater to many major rivers.
2. What is a 'dun' in the Himalayan context?
Correct: b) Intermontane valley
Explanation: Duns like Dehradun are wide valleys between mountain ranges in the Siwalik area formed by sedimentation and tectonic activity.
3. Which of the following rivers originates from a Himalayan glacier?
Correct: b) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga (Bhagirathi) originates near Gangotri Glacier in the Greater Himalaya; peninsular rivers like Godavari originate on the plateau.
4. The Himalayas were formed mainly due to:
Correct: b) Folding from plate collision
Explanation: The northward drift of the Indian plate collided with the Eurasian plate, causing folding and uplift that formed the Himalayas.
5. Which range of the Himalaya is made up of unconsolidated sediments and contains broad duns?
Correct: c) Siwalik (Outer Himalaya)
Explanation: The Siwalik range consists of unconsolidated sediments and forms low hills with intermontane valleys known as duns.
6. How do the Himalayas affect the climate of India?
Correct: b) They act as a barrier to cold winds and influence monsoon patterns
Explanation: The Himalayas block cold Central Asian winds, keeping much of India warmer in winter and aiding in the trapping of monsoon moisture, influencing rainfall distribution.
7. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is primarily made of which type of soil?
Correct: b) Alluvial soil
Explanation: The northern plains are formed by sediments deposited by Himalayan rivers leading to fertile alluvial soils ideal for intensive agriculture.
8. 'Khadar' refers to:
Correct: b) Newer alluvium along river beds
Explanation: Khadar is the newer, fine alluvium found on river floodplains and is very fertile, whereas Bhangar is older alluvium.
9. Which river system forms a large delta known as the Bengal basin?
Correct: b) Ganga-Brahmaputra
Explanation: The combined sediment deposition of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers forms the extensive Bengal delta, one of the world's largest.
10. Why are the Northern Plains densely populated?
Correct: b) Due to fertile soils and abundant water
Explanation: Fertile alluvial soils, river irrigation and favourable climatic conditions support intensive agriculture and dense human settlement.
11. Which irrigation method revolutionised agriculture in many parts of the plains?
Correct: a) Tube wells and canals
Explanation: Canal networks and tube wells provided widespread irrigation enabling multiple cropping and higher yields in the plains.
12. Which city is NOT located in the Indo-Gangetic plains?
Correct: c) Pune
Explanation: Pune is on the Deccan Plateau in Maharashtra, not on the northern alluvial plains where Patna, Kanpur and Lucknow lie.
13. The Peninsular Plateau is mainly characterised by:
Correct: b) Ancient crystalline rocks and stability
Explanation: The plateau is an old landmass of igneous and metamorphic rocks forming a stable continental shield with rich mineral deposits.
14. Which rivers flow westwards through rift valleys?
Correct: b) Narmada and Tapi
Explanation: Narmada and Tapi flow westwards through rift valleys into the Arabian Sea; most peninsular rivers flow eastwards.
15. Black soils on the Deccan plateau are especially suitable for:
Correct: b) Cotton
Explanation: Black (regur) soils retain moisture and are rich in minerals which are ideal for cotton cultivation found widely in the Deccan.
16. The Deccan Traps were formed by:
Correct: b) Lava flows (volcanic activity)
Explanation: The Deccan Traps are extensive basaltic lava flows from ancient volcanic eruptions; weathering of these rocks contributes to black soils.
17. Which mineral is extensively mined in the peninsular region?
Correct: a) Iron ore
Explanation: The Peninsular Plateau contains rich mineral deposits including iron ore, manganese and bauxite which support industries like steel production.
18. Peninsular rivers are generally:
Correct: b) Seasonal with smaller catchments
Explanation: Most peninsular rivers rely on monsoon rains and have smaller catchments; they are older and carry less sediment compared to Himalayan rivers.
19. The Thar desert is mainly located in which state?
Correct: a) Rajasthan
Explanation: The Thar or Great Indian Desert covers much of western Rajasthan and extends into Pakistan; characterised by aridity and dunes.
20. Vegetation in the Thar desert is mostly:
Correct: b) Xerophytic shrubs and grasses
Explanation: Desert vegetation is adapted to low moisture—thorny shrubs, grasses and scattered drought-resistant trees dominate.
21. Which crop is traditionally suitable for arid regions like Thar?
Correct: b) Millets
Explanation: Millets are drought-tolerant and suited to low-rainfall conditions typical of arid zones like the Thar.
22. Which practice helps recharge groundwater in arid areas?
Correct: b) Constructing johads and check dams
Explanation: Small water harvesting structures like johads and check dams slow runoff, allowing water to percolate and recharge aquifers.
23. Which coast of India is narrower with lagoons and backwaters?
Correct: b) Western coast
Explanation: The Western Coastal Plains are generally narrower, characterized by lagoons and backwaters (e.g., Kerala backwaters), while the eastern coast is broader with deltas.
24. Which rivers form major deltas on the eastern coast?
Correct: a) Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri
Explanation: These peninsular rivers drain eastwards and form fertile deltas along the Bay of Bengal, supporting rice cultivation and settlements.
25. Mangroves like the Sundarbans are important because they:
Correct: b) Protect shorelines and support biodiversity
Explanation: Mangroves stabilise coasts, reduce storm impact, provide nursery grounds for fish and support unique wildlife like the Bengal tiger.
26. A major port on the western coast of India is:
Correct: c) Mumbai
Explanation: Mumbai is a major natural harbour and port on the western coast; Chennai and Kolkata are on the eastern coast.
27. Which islands are coral atolls?
Correct: b) Lakshadweep
Explanation: Lakshadweep islands are coral atolls formed by reef-building corals; Andaman & Nicobar islands are largely of tectonic origin.
28. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are located in the:
Correct: b) Bay of Bengal
Explanation: The Andaman & Nicobar group lies in the Bay of Bengal and is strategically located near the Andaman Sea.
29. Coral bleaching is primarily caused by:
Correct: b) Rising sea temperatures and pollution
Explanation: Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel symbiotic algae due to stress from warming seas or pollution, leading to reef decline and loss of marine biodiversity.
30. Major economic activities on islands include:
Correct: b) Fishing, coconut cultivation and tourism
Explanation: Island economies rely on marine resources, coconut-based agriculture and tourism; heavy industry is limited due to geography and resources.
