Physical Features of India – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
CBSE Class 9 — Geography: Contemporary India – I
Chapter 2: Physical Features of India — 30 MCQs with answers and detailed explanations (NCERT-aligned)
- MCQs test factual recall and conceptual clarity — read options carefully and eliminate wrong choices.
- Use the explanations to clear concepts and link physiography to climate, soils, rivers and human activity.
Himalayan Mountains — Questions 1–6
1. Which of the following ranges is the highest and contains the most extensive snow cover?
- a) Siwalik
- b) Lesser Himalaya
- c) Greater Himalaya (Himadri)
- d) Vindhyas
The Greater Himalaya (Himadri) includes the highest peaks with perennial snow and glaciers. Siwalik is the outermost low range while the Vindhyas are a separate peninsular feature.
2. The term 'dun' refers to:
- a) A high peak in the Himalayas
- b) An intermontane valley in the Siwaliks
- c) A plateau in the peninsular region
- d) A coastal lagoon
Duns like Dehradun are broad valleys between Himalayan ranges formed by deposits and tectonic activity. They are not peaks, plateaus or coastal features.
3. Which major river originates from the Gangotri Glacier?
- a) Indus
- b) Brahmaputra
- c) Ganga
- d) Godavari
The Bhagirathi, which later becomes the Ganga, originates at the Gangotri Glacier in the Greater Himalaya. Indus and Brahmaputra have different sources; Godavari is a peninsular river.
4. The Himalayas primarily formed due to:
- a) Volcanic activity along a mid-ocean ridge
- b) Folding due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates
- c) Erosion of an ancient plateau
- d) Deposition of alluvium
The Himalayas are young fold mountains produced by the northward drift of the Indian plate colliding with the Eurasian plate, causing uplift and folding.
5. Which statement about Himalayan rivers is true?
- a) They are seasonal and dry up in summer.
- b) They originate from peninsular lakes.
- c) They are perennial and largely glacier-fed.
- d) They flow only towards the west.
Himalayan rivers like the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra are fed by snow and glaciers, making them perennial. Peninsular rivers are more seasonal.
6. Which of the following is NOT a direct role of the Himalayas?
- a) Blocking cold winds from Central Asia
- b) Influencing monsoon patterns
- c) Providing coastal defence against cyclones
- d) Serving as the source of major rivers
The Himalayas affect climate and rivers but do not act as coastal defences; coastal protection is provided by mangroves and coastal features.
Northern Plains — Questions 7–12
7. The most extensive alluvial plain in India is formed by which river system?
- a) Narmada
- b) Ganga
- c) Godavari
- d) Brahmani
The Ganga river system, along with its tributaries, forms the extensive Indo-Gangetic Plain which is one of the world's most fertile regions.
8. 'Bhangar' and 'Khadar' refer to:
- a) Types of Himalayan peaks
- b) Types of alluvial soils in the Northern Plains
- c) Peninsular rock formations
- d) Coastal lagoon systems
Khadar is newer, finer alluvium found along riverbeds; Bhangar is older alluvium with calcareous deposits (kankar) and slightly less fertile comparatively.
9. Which of the following cities is NOT in the Northern Plains?
- a) Delhi
- b) Kolkata
- c) Chennai
- d) Lucknow
Chennai is on the Coromandel Coast in the peninsular region; Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow are part of the Northern Plains or its periphery.
10. Why are the Northern Plains considered the agricultural heartland?
- a) Because they are mountainous
- b) Due to fertile alluvial soils and abundant water
- c) Because they have black soil for cotton
- d) Due to coral reef systems
Alluvial soils combined with perennial rivers and irrigation make the plains highly productive for cereals, sugarcane and other crops.
11. The Bengal basin is famous for:
- a) Desert landscapes
- b) Deltaic formation and fertile soils
- c) Mining of coal only
- d) Volcanic activity
The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta (Bengal basin) is formed from sediment deposition and is extremely fertile, supporting intensive agriculture and dense settlements.
12. Which irrigation method is commonly used in the Northern Plains?
- a) Drip irrigation only
- b) Tube wells and canal irrigation
- c) Flood irrigation only in peninsular areas
- d) No irrigation needed
Extensive canal networks and tube wells are characteristic of the plains, supporting intensive farming and multiple cropping.
Peninsular Plateau — Questions 13–18
13. The Peninsular Plateau is mainly composed of:
- a) Young sedimentary rocks
- b) Crystalline igneous and metamorphic rocks
- c) Coral deposits
- d) Sand dunes
The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient shield area composed of hard crystalline rocks formed long ago—hence tectonically stable compared to the Himalayas.
14. Which of the following rivers flows westwards in a rift valley?
- a) Godavari
- b) Krishna
- c) Narmada
- d) Ganga
Narmada and Tapi flow through rift valleys towards the Arabian Sea, unlike most peninsular rivers which flow eastwards into the Bay of Bengal.
15. Black soils are most suitable for which cash crop?
- a) Paddy (rice)
- b) Cotton
- c) Tea
- d) Rubber
Black soils (regur) retain moisture and are rich in minerals, making them ideal for cotton cultivation found extensively in the Deccan region.
16. The Deccan Traps are the result of:
- a) Glacial deposition
- b) Volcanic lava flows
- c) Riverine alluvium
- d) Coral reef growth
Deccan Traps are extensive basaltic lava flows formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago and are the source of rich black soils after weathering.
17. Which mineral is commonly found in the Peninsular Plateau?
- a) Oil
- b) Iron ore
- c) Uranium exclusively
- d) None of the above
The Peninsular Plateau is rich in minerals like iron ore, manganese, bauxite and others; iron ore has supported steel industries in the region.
18. Which of the following best describes peninsular rivers?
- a) Perennial with heavy silt loads
- b) Seasonal with relatively less silt compared to Himalayan rivers
- c) Originating from glaciers
- d) Mainly forming wide alluvial plains like Indo-Gangetic plain
Peninsular rivers are older, flow through hard rock and are more seasonal with smaller catchments; Himalayan rivers are glacier-fed and carry more sediment.
Indian Desert (Thar) — Questions 19–22
19. The Thar Desert is located mainly in which Indian state?
- a) Gujarat
- b) Rajasthan
- c) Maharashtra
- d) Odisha
The Thar or Great Indian Desert occupies much of western Rajasthan and extends into parts of Pakistan; it is characterised by sandy terrain and low rainfall.
20. Which vegetation type is typical of the Thar Desert?
- a) Tropical evergreen forest
- b) Xerophytic shrubs and grasses
- c) Mangroves
- d) Alpine meadows
Thar's vegetation is adapted to aridity — thorny shrubs, drought-resistant grasses and scattered trees are common.
21. Which crop is commonly grown in arid regions like the Thar?
- a) Rice
- b) Millets
- c) Tea
- d) Rubber
Millets are drought-resistant and suited to low-water conditions of arid regions, unlike rice or tea which require more water.
22. Which of these is a human adaptation in Thar?
- a) Intensive paddy cultivation without irrigation
- b) Pastoralism and water-harvesting structures
- c) Building high-rise apartments
- d) Large-scale tea plantations
Pastoralism, traditional water-conservation methods (johads, step wells), and cultivation of drought-resistant crops are common adaptations.
Coastal Plains — Questions 23–26
23. Which coast is broader and contains large river deltas?
- a) Western Coastal Plains
- b) Eastern Coastal Plains
- c) Both are equally broad
- d) Neither; there are no deltas on coasts
The Eastern Coastal Plains are broader and include deltas of rivers like the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, whereas the Western Coast is narrower.
24. Mangroves are commonly found in which coastal area?
- a) High rocky cliffs
- b) Estuarine and deltaic regions like the Sunderbans
- c) Desert interiors
- d) Alpine zones
Mangroves thrive in brackish waters where rivers meet the sea; they are vital for coastal protection and biodiversity.
25. Which of these is a major port on the western coast of India?
- a) Kolkata
- b) Chennai
- c) Mumbai
- d) Visakhapatnam
Mumbai is a major western port; Kolkata and Visakhapatnam are on the east coast, Chennai is also on the east coast (Coromandel).
26. Which coastal feature is common on the western coast?
- a) Wide deltas
- b) Lagoons and backwaters
- c) Extensive mangrove forests only
- d) Volcanic beaches
The western coast has lagoons, backwaters and estuarine systems (e.g., Kochi backwaters), while large deltas are more typical of the east coast.
Islands — Questions 27–30
27. Which island group is formed mainly of coral atolls?
- a) Andaman & Nicobar
- b) Lakshadweep
- c) Maldives (not part of India)
- d) None of these
Lakshadweep consists of coral atolls formed by reef-building corals; Andaman & Nicobar are largely of tectonic origin with hilly terrain.
28. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are located in which sea?
- a) Arabian Sea
- b) Bay of Bengal
- c) Red Sea
- d) Mediterranean Sea
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands lie in the Bay of Bengal, strategically positioned near the Andaman Sea and shipping routes.
29. Which of the following is a key ecological concern for coral islands?
- a) Glacier retreat
- b) Coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures
- c) Increased volcanic eruptions
- d) Desertification
Coral bleaching is a major threat caused by elevated sea temperatures and pollution, leading to loss of reef structure and biodiversity.
30. Which economic activities are most associated with India's islands?
- a) Heavy manufacturing and steel plants
- b) Fishing, coconut cultivation and tourism
- c) Extensive wheat farming
- d) Coal mining
Island economies rely on marine resources, coconut-based agriculture, and tourism; heavy industries are uncommon due to limited land and infrastructure.
Tip: Use the "Show Answer & Explanation" button after attempting each question to test yourself. These MCQs follow NCERT topics and are ideal for quick revision.