Write short notes on the following.
(i) The Indian Desert
(ii) The Central Highlands
(iii) The Island groups of India
(i) The Indian desert: lies towards the western margins of the aravali hills. It is an undulating sandy plain covered with sand dunes known as barchans. This region receives very low rainfall below about 150 mm per year (15 cm). It contains arid climate with low vegetation canopy. Streams appear during the rainy season. Soon after they disappear into the sand as they don't have enough water to reach the sea. Luni is the only large river in this region.
(ii) The central highlands: lies to the north of the Narmada river. It covers the major part of the malwa plateau. The rivers in this region flows from southwest to northeast that indicates the slope of this region. It is wider in the west and narrower in the east. Bundelkhand and baghelkhand points the eastward extension of this plateau. The plateau further extends from eastwards into the chhotanagpur plateau.
(iii) The island groups of India: India has 2 main island groups, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar island. The lakshadweeep consists of this group that are formed of coral deposits known as atolls in Malayalam which refer to their ring or horse shoe-shaped. The Andaman and nicobar islands on the other hand are larger in size. They are more in numbers and more widely scattered. There are about 200 islands in the Andaman group and 19 islands in the nicobar group.
Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the help of suitable examples.
Give reasons as to why.
(i) Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian subcontinent?
(ii) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.
(iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.
(iv) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
(v) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are drought-prone.
Why does the rainfall decrease from the east to the west in Northern India.
Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.
The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What are the controls affecting the climate of India?
(ii) Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?
(iii) Which part of India does experience the highest diurnal range of temperature and why?
(iv) Which winds account for rainfall along the Malabar coast?
(v) What are Jet streams and how do they affect the climate of India?
(vi) Define monsoons. What do you understand by “break” in monsoon?
(vii) Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?
Give the characteristics and effects of the monsoon rainfall in India.
Describe how the Himalayas were formed.
Discuss the mechanism of monsoons.
Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the cold season.
Describe how the Himalayas were formed.
Discuss the mechanism of monsoons.
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) What are tectonic plates?
(ii) Which continents of today were part of the Gondwana land?
(iii) What is the bhabar?
(iv) Name the three major divisions of the Himalayas from north to south.
(v) Which plateau lies between the Aravali and the Vindhyan ranges?
(vi) Name the island group of India having coral origin.
The central location of India at the head of the Indian Ocean is considered of great significance. Why?
Name different types of Vegetation found in India and describe the vegetation of high altitudes.
Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) The Tropic of Cancer does not pass through
(a) Rajasthan (c) Chhattisgarh
(b) Orissa (d) Tripura
(ii) The easternmost longitude of India is
(a) 97° 25' E (c) 77° 6' E
(b) 68° 7' E (d) 82° 32' E
(iii) Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim have common frontiers with
(a) China (c) Nepal
(b) Bhutan (d) Myanmar
(iv) If you intend to visit Kavarati during your summer vacations, which one of the following Union Territories of India you will be going to
(a) Puducherry (c) Andaman and Nicobar
(b) Lakshadweep (d) Diu and Daman
(v) My friend hails from a country which does not share land boundary with India. Identify the country.
(a) Bhutan (c) Bangladesh
(b) Tajikistan (d) Nepal
Distinguish between population growth and population change.
Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
(i) Which one of the following describes the drainage patterns resembling the branches of a tree?
(a) Radial (c) Centrifugal
(b) Dendritic (d) Trellis
(ii) In which of the following states is the Wular lake located?
(a) Rajasthan (c) Punjab
(b) Uttar Pradesh (d) Jammu and Kashmir
(iii) The river Narmada has its source at
(a) Satpura (c) Amarkantak
(b) Brahmagiri (d) Slopes of the Western Ghats
(iv) Which one of the following lakes is a salt water lake?
(a) Sambhar (c) Wular
(b) Dal (d) Gobind Sagar
(v) Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?
(a) Narmada (c) Godavari
(b) Krishna (d) Mahanadi
(vi) Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?
(a) Mahanadi (c) Krishna
(b) Tungabhadra (d) Tapi
(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of the population in
(a) the area of departure (c) both the area of departure and arrival
(b) the area of arrival (d) none of the above
(ii) A large proportion of children in a population is a result of
(a) high birth rates (c) high death rates
(b) high life expectancies (d) more married couples
(iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to
(a) the total population of an area
(b) the number of persons added each year
(c) the rate at which the population increases
(d) the number of females per thousand males
(iv) According to the Census 2001, a “literate” person is one who
(a) can read and write his/her name
(b) can read and write any language
(c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding
(d) knows the 3 ‘R’s (reading, writing, arithmetic)
Answer the following questions briefly.
(i) Name the group of islands lying in the Arabian sea.
(ii) Name the countries which are larger than India.
(iii) Which island group of India lies to its south-east?
(iv) Which island countries are our southern neighbours?