NCERT Class 6 Social Science Chapter 3 MCQs – Landforms and Life

Mountains, plateaus and plains are the three major categories of landforms described in the chapter. Each has distinct physical features. These features influence the climate, living organisms and activities of people who make their homes there.

Altitude is the height of an object or place above sea level. It can describe a mountain, a flying bird or an aircraft. Understanding altitude helps us compare the heights of different places.

Mountains rise much higher than the surrounding landscape. A broad base, steep slopes and a narrow summit are their common features. Depending on their height and temperature, some mountains also remain covered with snow.

Hills generally have lower heights, less steep slopes and more rounded tops than high mountains. These differences help us recognise them. Both are raised features of the land, but their shapes and heights differ.

Precipitation is water that reaches the ground from the atmosphere. Rain, snow and hail are examples. Snow and hail consist of water in a solid state, while ordinary rainfall reaches the ground as liquid drops.

The Andes are a major mountain range in South America. The Himalayas are in Asia, and the Alps are in Europe. A mountain range is a group of mountains, sometimes stretching over thousands of kilometres.

Mount Kilimanjaro in eastern Africa is described as an isolated mountain. It does not belong to a mountain range. This example shows that although many mountains occur in long ranges, some stand separately.

The Aravalli Range is much older than the Himalayas. Over a very long period, erosion has worn down and rounded its features. The chapter contrasts these older forms with the tall, sharp peaks of younger mountains.

Montane forests grow in mountain regions. Conifers such as pines, firs, spruce and deodar are common there. These trees often grow tall and cone-shaped, with thin, pointed leaves suited to their mountain surroundings.

A tributary is a river that joins another river. The chapter gives the Yamuna and the Ghagara as tributaries of the Ganga. Such joining rivers contribute water to the main river along its course.

Terrace farming involves cutting steps into a slope and growing crops on them. Mountain land is often steep and rugged. Terraces provide spaces where cultivation can take place despite the difficult shape of the land.

Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest in 1984. The chapter describes her achievements and encouragement of other climbers. She later helped train Arunima Sinha for her own mountain-climbing efforts.

A landslide occurs when a mass of earth or rock suddenly collapses from a mountainside. It is one of the challenges of mountain life. The chapter also mentions avalanches, flash floods and heavy snowfall.

A plateau rises above the surrounding land and has a more or less flat surface. Some of its sides may be steep. Its height can range from a few hundred metres to several thousand metres.

The Tibetan Plateau is the world’s largest and highest plateau. Its average altitude is about 4,500 metres. This great height explains its nickname, the Roof of the World, as described in the chapter.

Plateaus contain rich deposits of useful minerals, making mining an important activity in many plateau regions. The chapter mentions iron, coal and manganese in Chhota Nagpur, and gold and diamonds in the East African Plateau.

Rivers carry particles of rock, sand and silt from higher regions. They deposit these sediments in the plains. This process enriches the soil and makes many floodplains suitable for agriculture and the growth of crops.

A confluence is a place where two or more rivers meet. The chapter explains that such places often have cultural importance. Many communities regard river sources and confluences as sacred and hold ceremonies there.

The Gobi Desert in Asia is an example of a cold desert. Deserts are defined mainly by very little precipitation, rather than heat alone. The Sahara and Thar are examples of hot deserts in the chapter.

The five tiṇais connect different landscapes with occupations, lifestyles and emotions. They show how closely people observed their surroundings. This classification illustrates the relationship between natural environments and the cultural lives of human communities.

Terraces create usable steps on a steep slope, making cultivation possible in mountain areas. This is an example of people adapting farming to their landform. Ordinary flat-field farming is difficult on rugged mountain terrain.

Mountain scenery and opportunities for hiking, skiing and climbing attract visitors. Tourism can therefore provide income to local people. The chapter also explains that excessive visitor numbers can put pressure on the fragile mountain environment.

Many plateaus have rocky soil that is less favourable for farming, but lava plateaus can be an exception. Their rich black soil may support cultivation. The chapter therefore warns against treating every plateau environment as identical.

River plains offer extensive flat land and fertile soil enriched by deposited sediments. These conditions support agriculture. The chapter describes rice, wheat and other crops in the Ganga plain, where farming is a major occupation.

Irrigation can increase agricultural production, but heavy use of groundwater can reduce underground water supplies. The chapter identifies this depletion as a challenge for farming in the Ganga plain. Water use therefore needs careful attention.

Plains generally have gentle slopes, which make river navigation easier. People can use suitable river stretches to travel and transport goods. The chapter describes boats on the Ganga as an example of this economic role.

Deserts are large dry areas with very little precipitation. Some, such as the Gobi, are cold. The chapter also explains that people have adapted to desert conditions and developed rich cultural traditions in these environments.

At some mountain altitudes, snow melts during summer and supplies water to rivers. Those rivers continue towards lower regions. This connection shows how mountain conditions can influence water availability and life in distant plains.

Tourism brings income and opportunities to mountain communities, but excessive visitor pressure can damage their surroundings. The chapter stresses the difficulty of finding a balance. Careful management recognises both people’s livelihoods and the environment’s needs.

The chapter describes people adapting to difficult desert conditions while maintaining folk songs and other traditions. This illustrates resilience and a close cultural relationship with the land. Different environments present challenges that communities learn to meet.