Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 3

Landforms and Life

Question 1: What are the three major types of landforms?

Answer: The three major types of landforms are mountains, plateaus, and plains.

Question 2: How do mountains differ from other landforms?

Answer: Mountains are landforms that are much higher than the surrounding landscape, characterized by a broad base, steep slopes, and a narrow summit. They may be covered with snow depending on the altitude.

Question 3: What is the significance of landforms in shaping life and culture?

Answer: Landforms impact the climate, vegetation, and the way people live. For example, mountain regions may support montane forests and have different occupations like herding, while plains support agriculture due to their fertile soil.

Question 4: What are montane forests?

Answer: Montane forests are forests that grow in mountainous regions and are characterized by trees like pines, firs, spruce, and deodar.

Question 5: Why are some mountains snow-capped?

Answer: At high altitudes, the temperature is very low, which causes snow to accumulate and not melt, making the mountains permanently snow-capped.

Question 6: What is terrace farming, and why is it practised in mountainous areas?

Answer: Terrace farming is the practice of cutting steps into mountain slopes to create flat areas for farming. It is done in mountains where regular farming is difficult due to steep slopes.

Question 7: Why are the Himalayas called ‘young’ mountains?

Answer: The Himalayas are called ‘young’ mountains because they were formed relatively recently in the Earth’s history (millions of years ago) and are still growing in height due to tectonic activities.

Question 8: Name two examples of mountain ranges.

Answer: Two examples of mountain ranges are the Himalayas in Asia and the Alps in Europe.

Question 9: What is a plateau?

Answer: A plateau is a landform that rises up from the surrounding land and has a relatively flat surface. Some of its sides may be steep, and plateaus can be young or old.

Question 10: Why are plateaus called ‘storehouses of minerals’?

Answer: Plateaus are often rich in mineral deposits, which is why mining is a major activity in plateau regions. For example, the Chhota Nagpur Plateau is rich in iron, coal, and manganese.

Question 11: Name two famous waterfalls found on plateaus.

Answer: Two famous waterfalls are the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River in southern Africa and the Jog Falls on the Sharavati River in the Western Ghats of India.

Question 12: How are floodplains formed?

Answer: Floodplains are formed by rivers originating in mountain ranges. These rivers carry sediments (rock, sand, and silt) and deposit them in plains, making the soil fertile.

Question 13: What are the major occupations of people living in plains?

Answer: The major occupations of people living in plains include agriculture and fishing. Crops such as rice, wheat, maize, and cotton are grown in fertile plains.

Question 14: What is a confluence?

Answer: A confluence is the meeting point of two or more rivers. It often holds cultural and religious significance in many parts of the world, including India.

Question 15: What are the five tiṇais in ancient Tamil Sangam poetry, and what do they represent?

Answer: The five tiṇais are landscapes associated with specific deities and lifestyles:

• Kuriñji – mountainous regions, hunting and gathering
• Mullai – grassland and forests, cattle rearing
• Marudam – fertile agricultural plains, farming
• Neydal – coastal regions, fishing and seafaring
• Pālai – arid desert-like regions, journeying and fighting

Question 16: What challenges do people face in mountainous regions?

Answer: People in mountainous regions face challenges like avalanches, landslides, flash floods, cold weather, and heavy snowfall, which make living conditions difficult.

Question 17: What is the role of rivers in the plains?

Answer: Rivers in plains provide fertile soil through sediment deposits, support agriculture, and serve as important routes for transportation and economic activities.

Question 18: How has agriculture changed in the Ganga plains in recent decades?

Answer: In recent decades, agriculture in the Ganga plains has shifted from rainfed farming to irrigation using canal networks and groundwater, which has increased production but also led to groundwater depletion.

Question 19: Why are some deserts called ‘cold deserts’?

Answer: Some deserts, like the Gobi Desert in Asia and Antarctica, are called ‘cold deserts’ because they are located in cold regions and receive very little precipitation.

Question 20: What is the importance of the Tibetan Plateau?

Answer: The Tibetan Plateau is the largest and highest plateau in the world, with an average altitude of 4,500 meters. It is often referred to as the ‘Roof of the World.’