GSEB Class 6 Social Science Solutions Chapter 11 ભૂમિસ્વરૂપો

1. Answer The Following Questions:

Question 1. What are landforms called?
Answer: Landforms mean various forms of the Earth's surface. A part of the Earth's surface that is situated at different heights from the sea level, possesses a unique shape, and has a sloping surface is known as a 'landform'.
In simple words: Landforms are different shapes on Earth's surface. They are areas with varying heights, special shapes, and slopes, rising from the sea.

Exam Tip: When defining landforms, make sure to mention their key characteristics: varying height from sea level, distinct shape, and slope.

Question 2. What is a mountain? What are its main types?
Answer: A mountain is a land area that has a height of about 900 meters or more above sea level. Its ground is mostly uneven and sloped, and its top part rises high as narrow peaks. Based on their formation process, there are four main types of mountains:
1. Fold mountains,
2. Block mountains,
3. Volcanic mountains and
4. Residual mountains.
In simple words: Mountains are tall, uneven land parts over 900 meters high with narrow tops. They are formed in four main ways: by folding, by blocks moving, by volcanoes, or as remnants.

Exam Tip: When describing a mountain, always include its minimum height, surface characteristics, and the shape of its summit. Remember the four main types for a complete answer.

Question 3. State the difference between a plateau and a plain.
Answer: A plateau is generally a wide, flat landform with an elevation of more than 180 meters but less than 900 meters above sea level; while a plain is a flat landform not more than approximately 180 meters high above sea level.
In simple words: A plateau is a high, flat land, usually between 180 and 900 meters above sea level. A plain, however, is a flat area that is generally not more than 180 meters above sea level.

Exam Tip: For differentiation questions, focus on contrasting the key features like elevation range and general topography for each landform.

2. Fill In The Blanks With The Correct Option:

Question 1. Satpura of India is a ................... type of mountain.
(a) Fold
(b) Block
(c) Volcanic
(d) Residual
Answer: (b) Block
In simple words: The Satpura mountain range in India is an example of a block mountain, formed when parts of the Earth's crust move vertically.

Exam Tip: Remember common examples for each type of landform, as they frequently appear in objective questions.

Question 2. A landform surrounded on all four sides by mountain ranges is called a .................... plateau.
(a) Intermontane
(b) Piedmont
(c) Continental
(d) None of the options
Answer: (a) Intermontane
In simple words: A plateau completely encircled by mountains is called an intermontane plateau, meaning "between mountains."

Exam Tip: Understand the prefixes and their meanings (e.g., "inter-" means between) to correctly identify plateau types based on their surrounding geographical features.

Question 3. A flat landform with an elevation of ....................... above average sea level is called a plain.
(a) More than approximately 900 meters
(b) More than approximately 300 meters
(c) More than approximately 280 meters
(d) Up to approximately 180 meters
Answer: (d) Up to approximately 180 meters
In simple words: A plain is a flat area that is generally not higher than 180 meters above the average sea level.

Exam Tip: Distinguish clearly between the elevation ranges of plains, plateaus, and mountains to avoid confusion in definitions.

Question 4. The Huang He (Wangho) plain is a ............................. type of plain.
(a) Erosional
(b) Depositional
(c) Structural
(d) None of the options
Answer: (b) Depositional
In simple words: The Huang He plain was formed from sediment deposited by the Huang He River over many years, making it a depositional plain.

Exam Tip: Categorize plains based on their formation processes (erosional, depositional, structural) and know a key example for each category.

3. Identify Me:

Question 1. I am surrounded by land on three sides.
Answer: Gulf
In simple words: A gulf is a large area of sea or ocean partly enclosed by land on three sides, often bigger than a bay.

Exam Tip: Understand the basic definitions of coastal landforms like gulfs, bays, and peninsulas, focusing on the number of sides surrounded by land or water.

Question 2. My cape extends to a certain area.
Answer: Cape
In simple words: A cape is a piece of land that sticks out into a sea, lake, or ocean.

Exam Tip: Differentiate between a cape and a peninsula; a cape is generally smaller and extends out into the water, while a peninsula is a larger landmass mostly surrounded by water.

Question 3. I am surrounded by water on all four sides.
Answer: Island
In simple words: An island is a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water on all sides.

Exam Tip: The defining characteristic of an island is being entirely encircled by water, distinguishing it from other landforms.

Question 4. I connect two bodies of water.
Answer: Strait
In simple words: A strait is a narrow channel of water that joins two larger bodies of water, like two oceans or seas.

Exam Tip: Remember that a strait's primary function is to link two larger water bodies, often serving as important shipping routes.

Question 5. I have sea on three sides and land on one side.
Answer: Peninsula
In simple words: A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost surrounded by water but connected to the mainland on one side.

Exam Tip: Distinguish a peninsula from an island by remembering that a peninsula always maintains a connection to a larger landmass.

4. Write Short Notes:

Question 1. Block Mountain.
Answer: Generally, during mild earth movements, tensional forces create fractures in rocks. The region between two fault lines either lifts up, or the central part stays as it is while the regions on both sides slide down. This raised land section is called a 'block mountain'.

Answer: The Host Mountain of Germany is considered its best example. Because of this, block mountains are also known as 'Host Mountains'. The Satpura and Vindhya mountain ranges, among others, are examples of block mountains. Block mountains possess less height. They are spread across specific areas on the Earth's surface.
In simple words: Block mountains form when land breaks and parts move up or down. The middle part stays high, while the sides drop. Germany's Host Mountain is a good example. These mountains are not very high and are found in limited areas.

Exam Tip: For block mountains, remember the role of tensional forces and faulting. Illustrating with a simple diagram (like the one shown) can enhance your answer. Mention prominent examples to show understanding.

Question 2. State the importance of plateaus.
Answer: The importance of plateaus is as follows:
1. Plateaus made of black, fertile lava soil are suitable for growing cotton crops.
2. Plateaus formed from ancient, solid rocks provide valuable minerals like iron, manganese, and gold. For instance, many minerals are found in the Chota Nagpur plateau of India.
3. The grassy slopes of plateaus offer good conditions for animal husbandry activities.
4. Some plateaus are very well-suited for tourism and for filming movies.
In simple words: Plateaus are important for many reasons. They have good soil for crops like cotton, are rich in minerals like iron and gold, are great for raising animals, and some even attract tourists and film crews.

Exam Tip: When listing the importance of a landform, categorize its benefits (e.g., agricultural, mineral, economic, recreational) for a comprehensive answer.

Question 3. Depositional Plain.
Answer: Depositional plains are formed in two ways:
1. Alluvial plains: When rivers flood, the silt they carry spreads along both banks with the water. In this manner, alluvial plains are formed along riverbanks. The Ganga-Yamuna plains in India, the Huang He plain in North China, and the Lombardy plain formed by the Po river in Italy are examples of alluvial plains.
2. Lake plains: Some rivers flow into lakes. These rivers deposit their silt, soil, and sand into the lakes. As a result, the lake slowly fills up, and eventually a plain is formed there, which is called a lake plain. The Kashmir valley region and the Imphal lake region towards Manipur state in India are lake plains.

Answer: When a river reaches the sea, it deposits a large amount of silt due to slow current in areas near the seashore. The plain thus formed is called a 'delta'. When the load of materials like soil and sand carried by the wind meets an obstacle or the wind's speed decreases, deposition by wind occurs. This is known as a 'Loess Plain'.
In simple words: Depositional plains are made in two main ways: by rivers depositing silt when they flood, creating alluvial plains, or by rivers filling up lakes with sediment, forming lake plains. Deltas are formed when rivers meet the sea and drop their silt. Loess plains are formed when wind deposits fine soil and sand.

Exam Tip: Clearly explain each type of depositional plain (alluvial, lake, delta, loess) by describing its formation process and providing relevant geographical examples.

Question 4. State the importance or utility of plains.
Answer: The importance of plains is as follows:
1. Fertile plains are suitable for human habitation in all respects, so economic activities like agriculture, trade, and industry flourish there.
2. Due to the flat surface, the development of roads and railways has increased in the plains.
3. Large cities with dense populations have developed in plain regions.
4. Fertile land is mainly very useful for agricultural products. Some agricultural products provide raw materials to industries.
In simple words: Plains are very useful because their fertile soil is great for farming, helping many people live and work there. Their flat land makes it easy to build roads and railways, leading to big, crowded cities and giving industries the materials they need.

Exam Tip: Highlight the multi-faceted utility of plains, covering aspects like agriculture, infrastructure, population density, and industrial contribution.