SECTION A – 1 Mark Each (Q1–Q17)
Multiple Choice Questions (Including Assertion–Reason Type)
Q 1 – The Earth’s axial tilt is mainly responsible for:
A. Tides
B. Seasons
C. Eclipses
D. Ocean currents
B. Seasons
Q 2. Which layer of the atmosphere has maximum ozone concentration?
A. Troposphere
B. Stratosphere
C. Mesosphere
D. Thermosphere
B. Stratosphere
Q 3. Assertion (A): Western disturbances bring winter rainfall to north-western India.
Reason (R): They originate over the Mediterranean Sea.
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
B. Both true but R does not explain A
C. A true, R false
D. A false, R true
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
Q 4. The deepest oceanic trench is associated with which plate boundary?
A. Divergent
B. Transform
C. Convergent
D. Passive
C. Convergent
Q 5. Which soil in India is most suitable for cotton cultivation?
A. Laterite
B. Alluvial
C. Black
D. Red
C. Black
Q 6. Assertion (A): Tropical cyclones weaken rapidly on land.
Reason (R): They lose moisture and latent heat supply.
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
Q 7. The Coriolis force is zero at:
A. Equator
B. Tropic of Cancer
C. Poles
D. Mid-latitudes
A. Equator
Q 8. Which drainage pattern is common in the Deccan Plateau?
A.Radial
B. Dendritic
C. Trellis
D. Rectangular
B. Dendritic
Q 9. Which mineral is associated with the Singhbhum belt?
A. Coal
B. Iron ore
C. Petroleum
D. Bauxite
B. Iron ore
Q 10. Assertion (A): The Himalayas block cold continental winds from Central Asia.
Reason (R): They act as a climatic divide for India.
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
Q 11. The phenomenon of El Niño affects Indian monsoon by:
A. Strengthening it
B. No effect
C. Weakening it
D. Causing cyclones
Q 12. Which river flows through a rift valley in India?
A. Ganga
B. Yamuna
C. Narmada
D. Godavari
C. Narmada
Q 13. Assertion (A): Laterite soils are rich in iron and aluminium.
Reason (R): They are formed due to intense leaching in high rainfall areas.
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
Q 14. Which type of cloud is associated with thunderstorms?
A. Cirrus
B. Stratus
C. Cumulonimbus
D. Nimbostratus
C. Cumulonimbus
Q 15. The main source of groundwater recharge is:
A. Evaporation
B. Condensation
C. Infiltration
D. Transpiration
C. Infiltration
Q 16. Which pass connects India with Tibet?
A. Shipki La
B. Nathula
C. Rohtang
D. Banihal
B. Nathula
Q 17. Assertion (A): Mangroves are found in deltaic regions.
Reason (R): They grow in saline and tidal environments.
A. Both A and R are true and R explains A
SECTION B – Source Based Questions (3 Marks Each)
Q 18–Q 19
Q 18. Source:
“The Indian monsoon is influenced by differential heating of land and sea, ITCZ shift and jet streams.”
Questions:
a) Name the jet stream influencing Indian monsoon.
b) What is ITCZ?
c) Mention one impact of monsoon variability.
a) Tropical Easterly Jet
b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone
c) Floods or droughts
Q 19. Source:
“The Peninsular Plateau is composed of ancient crystalline rocks.”
Questions:
a) Name the oldest landmass of India.
b) One economic importance of the plateau.
c) One major river originating here.
a) Peninsular Plateau
b) Rich in minerals
c) Godavari / Krishna
SECTION C – Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)
Q 20–Q 23
Q 20. Explain any three factors affecting the distribution of natural vegetation.
The distribution of natural vegetation depends on the following factors:
- Climate: Temperature and rainfall determine the type and density of vegetation. Tropical regions support dense forests, while arid regions have sparse vegetation.
- Soil: Fertile soils support rich vegetation, whereas sandy or saline soils restrict plant growth.
- Relief: Slope and altitude affect soil depth and moisture. Mountain slopes have different vegetation at different heights.
Q 21. Describe three characteristics of tropical cyclones.
a. Low-pressure centre: Tropical cyclones develop around a deep low-pressure area, causing air to move inward.
b. Spiral wind movement: Winds rotate anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
c. Heavy rainfall: They bring intense rainfall leading to floods, storm surges and destruction in coastal areas.
Q 22. Why is the Ganga plain densely populated? (Any three reasons)
- Fertile alluvial soil: The plain is enriched by river deposits, making it ideal for agriculture.
- Flat terrain: Flat land supports easy construction of settlements, transport and farming.
- Availability of water: Rivers, canals and groundwater ensure sufficient water for domestic and agricultural use.
Q 23. Explain the concept of weathering with one example.
Weathering is the in-situ disintegration and decomposition of rocks without movement.
Example: Frost weathering occurs when water enters rock cracks, freezes, expands and breaks the rock into fragments.
SECTION D – Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)
Q 24–Q 28
Q 24. Explain the structure of the Earth with a neat diagram description.
The Earth is composed of three concentric layers:
- Crust:
- Outermost and thinnest layer
- Continental crust (sial) and oceanic crust (sima)
- Mantle:
- Lies below the crust
- Made of silicate minerals rich in iron and magnesium
- Source of magma
- Core:
- Innermost layer
- Composed mainly of nickel and iron (nife)
- Divided into outer liquid core and inner solid core
Responsible for Earth’s magnetic field
Q 25. Describe the mechanism of Indian monsoon.
The Indian monsoon is explained by the following mechanisms:
- Differential heating: Land heats faster than sea creating low pressure over India in summer.
- Shift of ITCZ: ITCZ shifts northward towards the Tropic of Cancer during summer.
- Jet streams: The Tropical Easterly Jet strengthens the southwest monsoon winds.
- El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO): Weakens monsoon during El Niño years.
Ocean–atmosphere interaction: Indian Ocean Dipole affects rainfall distribution.
Q 26. Discuss the classification of soils in India.
Indian soils are classified into the following major types:
- Alluvial soil: Found in river plains; very fertile
- Black soil: Clayey, moisture-retentive; ideal for cotton
- Red soil: Rich in iron, poor in nitrogen
- Laterite soil: Formed by leaching; found in high rainfall areas
- Arid soil: Sandy and saline; found in desert regions
Forest soil: Found in mountainous regions
Q 27. Explain the formation of landforms by running water.
Running water forms landforms through erosion, transportation and deposition:
- Erosional landforms: V-shaped valleys, gorges, potholes
- Transportation: Rivers carry sediments downstream
- Depositional landforms: Floodplains, levees, deltas and meanders
These processes are most active in different stages of a river.
Q 28. Describe the Himalayan drainage system.
The Himalayan drainage system consists of three major river systems:
- Indus system: Originates near Mansarovar; long course through arid regions
- Ganga system: Perennial river fed by glaciers; forms fertile plains
- Brahmaputra system: Large volume of water; causes floods in Assam
These rivers are perennial and form extensive floodplains.
SECTION E – Map Based Questions (5 Marks Each)
Q 29–Q30
Q 29. On the outline map of India, locate and label:
a) Karakoram Range – Northernmost mountain range beyond Himalayas
b) Thar Desert – Western Rajasthan
c) River Tapi – Flows westward between Narmada and Godavari
d) Chilika Lake – Odisha coast
e) Iron ore belt – Odisha–Jharkhand belt
(India: Physical Environment)
1. Karakoram Range
📍 Location to mark:
- Extreme north of India, north of Ladakh
- Along the India–China–Pakistan border
✍️ Tip: Mark above the Great Himalayas.
2. Thar Desert
📍 Location to mark:
- Western Rajasthan
- Along the India–Pakistan border
✍️ Tip: Shade lightly in western Rajasthan.
3. River Tapi (Tapti)
📍 Location to mark:
- Origin: Satpura Range (Madhya Pradesh)
- Flow direction: East to West
- Mouth: Arabian Sea near Surat
✍️ Tip: Draw a short west-flowing river below Narmada.
4. Chilika Lake
📍 Location to mark:
- Odisha coast
- Near Bay of Bengal, south of Mahanadi delta
✍️ Tip: Small oval shape on Odisha coastline.
5. Iron Ore Belt (Odisha–Jharkhand Belt)
📍 Location to mark:
- Northern Odisha + Southern Jharkhand
- Around Keonjhar–Mayurbhanj region
✍️ Tip: Mark with a dot or small shaded area.
Q 30. On the world map, locate:
a) Pacific Ring of Fire – Circum-Pacific plate boundaries
b) Equator – 0° latitude
c) Tropic of Capricorn – 23½° South
d) Mid-Atlantic Ridge – Divergent plate boundary
e) Mediterranean Sea – Between Europe, Africa and Asia
1. Pacific Ring of Fire
📍 Location to mark:
Along the edges of the Pacific Ocean
Around Japan, Philippines, New Zealand, West coasts of North & South America
✍️ Tip: Draw a curved belt around Pacific margins.
2. Equator (0° Latitude)
📍 Location to mark:
Horizontal line at 0° latitude
Passing through Ecuador, Congo, Indonesia
✍️ Tip: Draw straight line at centre of world map.
3. Tropic of Capricorn (23½° South)
📍 Location to mark:
South of Equator
Passing through Australia, South Africa, Brazil
✍️ Tip: Parallel line below Equator.
4. Mid-Atlantic Ridge
📍 Location to mark:
Centre of Atlantic Ocean
Between South America and Africa
✍️ Tip: Broken zig-zag line in middle of Atlantic.
5. Mediterranean Sea
📍 Location to mark:
Between Europe (north) and Africa (south)
East of Atlantic Ocean
✍️ Tip: Shade the sea lightly.