Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Question

Answer Geographical Diversity of India

Question 1.
What are some key geographical features of India?
Answer:
India has a wide variety of geographical features, including:

1. The Himalayas in the north, which protect the country from cold winds and
give rise to rivers.
2. The Northern Plains, which are fertile and support agriculture.
3. The Thar Desert in the west, which has a dry climate.
4. The Peninsular Plateau in the south, rich in minerals and forests.
5. The Coastal Plains and Islands, which support fishing, trade, and tourism.
6. Major Rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, and Krishna,
which are crucial for irrigation, drinking water, and transportation.

Question 2.
How does India’s geographical diversity affect our lives?
Answer:
India’s geographical diversity affects our lives in many ways:

1. Climate: Different regions have different climates, such as the cold

Himalayas, hot deserts, and tropical coastal areas.
2. Agriculture: The fertile plains help in growing crops, while hilly areas
support terrace farming and plantation crops.
3. Resources: Forests provide timber and medicinal plants; plateaus offer
minerals.
4. Occupations: People near coasts do fishing, in plains they farm, in plateaus
they mine.
5. Culture and Lifestyle: Diversity in landforms leads to varied food, clothing,
festivals, and ways of living across the country.

Let’s Explore

Question 1.
Look at the map of India given below. What are you able to observe? Recall your lesson
on different types of landforms—mountains, plains and plateaus. Which landforms can
you identify on the map? What do the different colours on the map mean? (Page – 2)

Answer:

The various types of landforms that I can identify on the map as follows:
 1. The Himalayan mountains in the northern part of India.
2. The Northern Plains just south of the Himalayas, covering states like
Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.
3. The Peninsular Plateau, including the Deccan Plateau, covering central and
southern India.
4. The Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats running along the western and
eastern edges of the southern plateau.
5. The Thar Desert in the north-western part of India in Rajasthan.

The different colours on the map mean:

1. Dark brown usually shows high mountains.

2. Light brown or yellow shows plateaus and hilly regions.
3. Green indicates plains and low-lying areas.
4. Blue represents water bodies like rivers, lakes, and seas.

Question 2.
Do you recall your lesson on latitudes and longitudes? Look at the above map. Can you
read, approximately, the latitude and longitude where India lies?
Identify the above features on India’s physical map. (Page 3)
Answer:

1. Latitude: 8°4’N to 37°6’N

2. Longitude: 68°7’E to 97°25’E This means India lies in the Northern
Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.

Question 3.

Can you loca te the names of the states in the different parts of the Himalayas? Take
the help of both the physical and political maps for this exercise. (Page 6)
Answer:
The Himalayan region is divided into three main parts:

Western Himalayas – Found in the states of:

1. Jammu and Kashmir

2. Ladakh
3. Himachal Pradesh
4. Uttarakhand (western part)

Central Himalayas – Found mainly in:

 1. Uttarakhand (central region)
2. Part of Sikkim

Eastern Himalayas – Found in:

1. Sikkim
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Northern parts of West Bengal (especially the Darjeeling district)

Question 4.
Notice the concentration of lightning in the plains. What could be the reason for this
concentration? (Page 11
Answer:
The concentration of lightning in the plains can be attributed to several factors:

1. Flat Terrain: Plains are flat and have fewer natural obstacles like mountains
or hills that can disrupt the flow of air. This allows for the rapid movement
of warm, moist air from the surface upwards, creating the conditions for
thunderstorms and lightning.
2. Proximity to Water Bodies: Many plains are near large bodies of water, such
as rivers or lakes, which
contribute to high humidity levels. The increased moisture in the air can
lead to the formation of thunderstorms and lightning.
3. Heat during Summer: During the hot summer months, the plains experience
high temperatures which lead to the rapid rise of warm air. This creates
convective currents, which, when they meet cooler air, lead to the formation
of thunderstorms and lightning.
4. Monsoon Winds: The monsoon winds that bring heavy rainfall also increase
the frequency of thunderstorms and lightning, especially in the plains areas
during the rainy season.

Question 5.
What is the shape of a sand dune? While mountains are made of rock and their shape is
fixed, why do you think sand dunes also have a similar shape, even though they are
made of sand? (Page 12)
Answer:
A sand dune usually has a crescent or ridge-like shape, with one side gently sloping and
the other side steeper. Although sand dunes are made of loose sand and not solid rock
like mountains, they often maintain a similar shape because of the consistent direction
of wind. Wind carries sand particles and deposits them in a particular pattern, forming a
dune. As long as the wind blows in the same direction, the shape of the dune remains
stable. Even though the material is loose, the forces of nature especially wind direction
and speed keep reshaping the sand in such a way that dunes retain a recognizable
form, just like mountains maintain theirs due to the solid structure of rocks.

Question 6.
Let’s go back to the map (given on page 8). Trace your path slowly from the Thar Desert
towards the east. Do you see the Aravalli Hills? (Page 14)
Answer:
Yes, when we trace the path from the Thar Desert towards the east on the physical map
of India, we can see the Aravalli Hills.
The Aravalli Hills are located in the eastern part of the Thar Desert, mainly in the state of
Rajasthan. They appear as a narrow hill range running in a southwest to northeast
direction. These hills are one of the oldest fold mountain ranges in India and act as a
natural boundary, partly separating the desert from the more fertile plains to the east.

Question 7.
Look at the political map given below and identify the states that the range spans. Did
you see Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat? (Page 15)
Answer:
Yes, the Aravalli Range spans across the following states in the political map of India:

1. Rajasthan: The Aravalli Hills cover a major part of southeastern and central
Rajasthan.
2. Haryana: The hills extend into southern Haryana.
3. Delhi: A small extension of the Aravalli Range reaches the Ridge area of
Delhi.
4. Gujarat: The southern end of the range stretches into northeastern Gujarat.

Question 8.
Look at the physical map of India (given on page 8) of the book. Notice the direction of
the flow of the rivers. (Page 16)
Answer:
We can see the following directions of river flow:
 1. In the Northern Plains, major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and
Brahmaputra flow from the north to the east. They originate in the
Himalayas and flow towards the Bay of Bengal.
2. In central and southern India, rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery
generally flow from west to east, also draining into the Bay of Bengal.
3. However, some rivers like the Narmada and Tapi flow from east to west,
draining into the Arabian Sea. These rivers originate from the central
highlands and the Satpura range.

Question 9.
Tribal communities are largely spread over the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal,
Odisha, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat.
Examine the physical map (on page 8) and political maps given above to locate the
states and connect them to their location on the physical map. (Page 17)
Answer:
We can observe the following:

1. Jharkhand: Located on the Chotanagpur Plateau, a region rich in minerals

and forests, which supports many tribal communities.
2. West Bengal: Especially the western part (Purulia region) is hilly and
plateau-like, adjoining the Chotanagpur region.
3. Odisha: The eastern state with Eastern Ghats and forested hilly areas,
home to various tribal groups.
4. Assam: Located in the northeastern hills and valleys, with tribes living in
hilly and forested areas.
5. Madhya Pradesh: Spread across the central plateau and forested highlands,
ideal for tribal settlements.
6. Chhattisgarh: Lies on the Chhattisgarh plain and forest-covered hills,
supporting dense tribal populations.
7. Maharashtra: Especially in the western and eastern hilly areas, like Vidarbha
and Western Ghats, where tribal communities live.
8. Telangana: Located on the Deccan Plateau, with forested hills and tribal
settlements in the northern part.
9. Gujarat: Especially in the eastern tribal belt near the Satpura ranges and
forested regions.

Question 10.
Look at the physical map of India in your school atlas or wall map and find the names of
five rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal. Find out India’s coastal states and discuss
the difference between the western and eastern coastal plains. (Page 19)
Answer:
Five rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal are:

1. Ganga
2. Brahmaputra
3. Mahanadi
4. Godavari
5. Krishna

India has the following coastal states: Eastern Coastal States (along the Bay of Bengal):

1. West Bengal
2. Odisha
3. Andhra Pradesh
4. Tamil Nadu

Western Coastal States (along the Arabian Sea):

1. Gujarat
2. Maharashtra
3. Goa
4. Karnataka
5. Kerala

The difference between the western and eastern coastal plains are as follows.

Western Coastal Eastern Coastal

Feature
Plains Plains

Between
Between
Eastern Ghats
Location Western Ghats
and Bay of
and Arabian Sea
Bengal
 Narrow (50 to Wide (up to 120
Width
100 km) km)

Large rivers with

deltas, e.g.,
Small rivers, e.g.,
Rivers Godavari,
Narmada, Tapi
Mahanadi and

Ganga

Rocky and
Terrain Flat and fertile
uneven

Features

estuaries and
Coastal Large deltas
lagoons
Features and lagoons
backwaters (e.g.,

Kerala)

Question 11.
Do you know what it is called when these rivers split into multiple streams near the
coast? Discuss with your teacher in class to find out!
Answer:
Yes, when rivers split into multiple streams near the coast, especially before entering a
sea, it is called a delta. This process is called “delta formation”, and the streams are
called distributaries. For example, the Ganga-Brahmaputra and Godavari rivers form
large deltas.

Class 7 SST Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity of India

Question Answer (Exercise)
Question 1.
What, in your opinion, are two important geographical features of India? Why do you
think they are important?
Answer:
Two important geographical features of India are the Himalayas and the Northern
Plains. The Himalayas protect India from cold winds from the Central Asia and also
bring rainfall by blocking the monsoon winds. The Northern Plains are very fertile due to
the rivers like the Ganga, making it suitable for agriculture and supporting a large
population.

Question 2.
What do you think India might have looked like if the Himalayas did not exist? Write a
short note or sketch a drawing to express your imagination.
Answer:
If the Himalayas did not exist, India might have been a dry and cold region like Central
Asia. The monsoon winds would not have been trapped, resulting in less rainfall. There
would have been more deserts and fewer rivers, and farming would have been difficult.
The
northern region would not be as populated as it is today.

Question 3.
India has been called a ‘mini-continent’. Based on what you’ve read, why do you think
this is so?
Answer:
India is called a ‘mini-continent’ because of its vast size and varied geographical
features. It has mountains in the north, deserts in the west, fertile plains, plateaus in the
south, and long coastlines. It also has a great diversity of climates, languages, cultures,
and traditions, making it feel like a continent within a country.

Question 4.
Follow one of India’s big rivers from where it starts to where it meets the ocean. What
are the different ways in which people might utilise this river along its journey?
Answer:
Let’s take the Ganga River. It starts from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas and
flows through Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal before emptying into
the Bay of Bengal. Along its journey, people use the river for drinking water, farming
(irrigation), bathing, religious rituals, fishing, and transportation.

Question 5.
Why is the southern part of India referred to as a peninsular plateau?
Answer:
The southern part of India is called a peninsular plateau because it is a raised landmass
that is surrounded by water on three sides the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the
Indian Ocean. It is made of hard rocks and is older than the northern plains, with hills,
rivers, and valleys.

Question 6.
Which UNESCO Heritage Site mentioned in this chapter did you find more interesting?
Write a short paragraph to describe what about it is interesting.
Answer:
I found the Western Ghats very interesting. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site
because they are one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity. They
have many types of plants and animals that are not found anywhere else. They are also
very important for controlling climate and rainfall in the region.

Question 7.
Look at the two maps of India, physical as well as political (given on page 8 and page 10
respectively). Identify the place you are at now. Which physical feature of India would
you use to describe its location?
Answer:
I am in Delhi, which is located in the Northern Plains of India. This area is flat and fertile
because of rivers like the Yamuna and the Ganga. It is part of the Indo-Gangetic plains,
which are good for agriculture and densely populated.

Question 8.
Food preservation techniques differ from place to place across India. They are adapted
to local conditions. Do a class project. Gather different methods of preserving food.
Hint: Drying vegetables when they are in season for use during the off-season.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

Question 9.
Despite having such different regions (mountains, deserts, plains, coasts), India remains
one country. How do you think our geography has helped unite people?
Answer:
India’s geography has helped people to connect and depend on each other. Rivers from
the mountains bring water to the plains, while crops grown in the plains are shared with
hilly and desert areas. Coastal areas help with trade and travel. Over time, people from
different regions have shared ideas, food, festivals,

RD

RD Sharma Class 12 Solutions Sharma

Class 11
Geographical Diversity of
India Class 7 Very Short
Question Answer
Q.1 Name the two festivals celebrated in Ladakh.

Question 2.

Define the term plateau.

Question 3.

Which rivers flow across the Peninsular Plateau?

RD

Sharma
Question 4.

What is a delta, and how is it formed? Class 9

Question 5.

What is special about the Sundarbans in West

Bengal?

Question 1.
Mention the significance of Project Tiger.
Answer:
The project supports the return of the tiger to its
habitats.

Question 2.
How are the sand dunes formed?
Answer:
The sand dunes are formed when the wind shifts
and shapes the sand into hill-like formations.
Question 3.
Where is the Pushkar Mela held?
Answer:
Pushkar Mela is held at the edge of the Thar
Desert.

Question 4.
Which is the cleanest village in Asia?
Answer:
Mawlynnong village, situated in the east Khasi
hills of Meghalaya is known as the cleanest
village in Asia.

Question 5.
Write one importance of Shad Suk Mynsiem
festival.
Answer:
The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival is celebrated by
the Khasi people as a form of gratitude towards
nature.

Question 6.
Name the India’s financial center.
Answer:
Mumbai at the west coast is India’s financial

Question 7.
What is a plateau?
Answer:
A plateau is a flat area of land that rises above
the surrounding land, with steep sides.

Question 8.
Which mountain range is found on the western
coast of India?
Answer:
The Western Ghats are found on the western
coast of India.
Geographical Diversity of
India Class 7 Short Question
Answer
Question 1.
Name some tribal communities in India. Where
do they live?
Answer:
Santhal, Gond, Baiga and Bhil are some of the
national tribes in India. They generally live in the
dense forests of plateaus.

Question 2.
What do you know about lagoon? Give example.
Answer:
Lagoon is a body of water separated from large
bodies of water such as an ocean, a lake or
another river.

Question 3.
Discuss the difference between the
Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar
islands.
Answer:

Lakshadweep Andaman and

Feature
Islands Nicobar Island

Located in the Located in the

Location
Arabian Sea Bay of Bengal
 Number of 500 large and
36 Islands
Islands small Islands

Nature of Volcanic
Coral Islands
Islands Islands

Q.4 What is significance of Rakesh Sharma’s

statement “Sare jahan se achchha” in the

context of India?

Answer:

Rakesh Sharma’s statement reflects his pride in

India, highlighting its beauty and greatness from

the perspective of space. The phrase “Sare jahan

se achchha” is a line from a patriotic song,

symbolizing India’s national identity and pride.

Q.5 Why is the Gangotri Glacier significant in

Indian culture?
Answer:

The Gangotri Glacier is considered sacred

because it is the source of the Bhagirathi River,

which is one of the major tributaries of the

Ganges. It is a pilgrimage site and attracts many

spiritual seekers and pilgrims who believe the

river has divine significance.

Long Question Answer

Question 1.How are the Aravallis responsible for

shaping the geography and climate of

northwestern India.

Answer: Due to the following reasons, Aravallis are

responsible for shaping the geography and climate

of the northwestern state: It act as the natural

barrier, preventing the Thar desert from expanding

further eastwards. They are rich in minerals like

marble, granite, zinc and copper. It supported

mining and construction activities for centuries.

Historical forts like Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and

Ranthambore etc. located in this region.

Q.2 Write the important features of the Delta.

Answer: Delta are the landforms formed at the

mouth of a river It is formed when river deposits

sediments into a larger body of the water such as

an ocean, a lake or another river. Gradually, these

sediments build up forming a triangular or fan-

shaped area. The fertile deltas like the Godavari,

Krishna, Kaveri and Mahanadi rivers makes the

land ideal for farming.

Q.3 Explain three main ranges of the Himalaya.

Answer:The three main ranges of the Himalayas

are as follows:Himadri: It is also known as the

Greater Himalayas, are the highest and the most

rugged part of the range. This region remains snow

covered through out the year. The region has high

peaks like Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

Himachal: Also known as the Lower Himalayas. It

lies to the south of the Greater Himalayas. It have

a more moderate climate. Popular hill stations are

present here like Nainital and Darjeeling.

Shivalik Hills: Also known as Outer Himalayas,

forms the outermost and the lowest range. These

regions are rich in dense forests and wildlife.

Q. 4 How do the Western Ghats contribute to the

climate and biodiversity of India? Explain in points.

Answer:The Western Ghats are a mountain range

that runs parallel to the western coast of India.

They act as a barrier, causing heavy rainfall on the

western side and creating a dry region on the

eastern side. The range is rich in biodiversity, with

many unique plant and animal species. It is home

to several rivers like the Godavari, Krishna, and

Kaveri, which provide water for farming and

industries.The Western Ghats have been declared

a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their

ecological importance. The Ghats help maintain

the climate of the region, supporting lush forests

and agricultural activities.

Q.5 . Describe diversity of the
Indian coastline. How does it
vary across the West and East
coasts?
Answer:

India has a long coastline of over 7,500 km, which

is dotted with beaches, cliffs, and forests.

1The West Coast stretches from Gujarat to Kerala

and has rocky cliffs, coves, and creeks. Rivers like
the Narmada and Tapti form estuaries here.

2The West Coast has many important ports and

cities that are centers of economic activity, such
as Mumbai, Goa, and Karnataka.

3The East Coast stretches from the Ganga delta

to Kanyakumari. It is characterized by wide
plains and river deltas, like the Godavari, Krishna,
and Kaveri deltas.

4The East Coast has more broad beaches and

important lakes like Chilika Lake and Pulicat
Lake.

5The two coasts differ in terms of their physical

features, with the West Coast being more rocky
and the East Coast having fertile deltas ideal for
farming.

Q.6 Why are re the Sundarbans important for

wildlife?

Q
7 What are the various features of the cold
desert, Ladakh in respect of climate, wildlife and
festivals etc.

Question 8
Explain few important features of the Thar
desert.

Question 9
Explain the geographical features of the
Peninsular Plateau and its importance to India’s
economy.

RD

RD Sharma Class 8 Sharma

Class 7

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