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A. Fill in the blank with appropriate words.

1. The largest state in terms of area is ______

Answer. Rajasthan

2. The river Narmada falls in to the _______

Answer. Arabian Sea

 3.The Greater Himalayas are also known as ______

Answer: Himadri

4. The lagoons of Kerala are also called ______

Answer: Backwaters

5. ______ is the highest peak in South India.

Answer: Anaimudi

B. Match the rows.

1. Pamir Knot	2. Himadri	3. Shimla	4. Patkai Bum	5. Malabar Coast
(a) Greater Himalayas	(b) Himachal	(c) Myanmar	(d) Backwaters	(e)Northern Mountain

Answer:

1. Pamir Knot → (e) Northern Mountain
2. Himadri → (a) Greater Himalayas
3. Shimla → (b) Himachal
4. Patkai Bum → (c) Myanmar
5. Malabar Coast → (d) Backwaters

C. Write true or false. Correct the false sentences.

1. Coral reefs are skeletons of tiny marine organisms called coral polyps.
   Answer: True
2. The Tropic of Capricorn passes through the middle of India.
   Answer: False
   Correction: The Tropic of Cancer (not Capricorn) passes through the middle of India.
3. A peninsula is a land area surrounded on three sides by forests.
   Answer: False
   Correction: A peninsula is a land area surrounded on three sides by water.
4. Most part of India is located in the southern hemisphere.
   Answer: False
   Correction: Most part of India is located in the northern hemisphere.
5. Kanniyakumari is the southernmost tip of mainland India.
   Answer: True

D. Choose the correct answer.

1. What are the southernmost Himalayas known as?
   (a) Shivaliks
2. What are the Sahyadris also known as?
   (c) Western Ghats
3. Between which two countries does the Palk Strait lie?
   (b) India and Sri Lanka
4. What are the Indian islands in the Arabian Sea known as?
   (c) Lakshadweep Islands
5. Which of these is the smallest state?
   (a) Goa

E. Answer the following questions in one or two sentences.

1. With which countries does India share its land boundary?
   India shares its land boundaries with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
2. Give the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India.
   India extends from 8°4’N to 37°6’N latitude and from 68°7’E to 97°25’E longitude.
3. Name the physiographic divisions of India.
   The major physiographic divisions are the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands.
4. Name the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas.
   The three parallel ranges are the Greater Himalayas (Himadri), the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), and the Shivalik Hills.
5. What are the Sahyadris?
   The Sahyadris are another name for the Western Ghats, a mountain range running along the western edge of the Peninsular Plateau.

F. Identify who I am.

1. I am a volcanic island situated in the Bay of Bengal, known for my active volcano.
   Answer: Barren Island
2. I am the highest mountain range in India, known as the ‘abode of snow’.
   Answer: The Himalayas (Himadri range)
3. I am known as the world’s largest delta formed by the confluence of two major rivers.
   Answer: The Sundarbans Delta (formed by the Ganga and Brahmaputra)
4. I am a plateau region in India known for my rich mineral deposits.
   Answer: The Chota Nagpur Plateau
5. I am a desert region located in the north-western part of India.
   Answer: The Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert)

G. Answer the following questions in four or five sentences.

1. Explain the importance of the Himalayas for India.

The Himalayas are vital for India. They act as a natural climatic barrier, protecting the subcontinent from cold northern winds. They are the source of major perennial rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, which provide water for agriculture. The mountains also play a crucial role in India’s defense and are home to diverse forests and wildlife.

• Describe the Shivaliks.

The Shivaliks are the outermost and youngest range of the Himalayas. They are made up of unconsolidated sediment like mud and soft rocks, making them prone to erosion and landslides. These hills have a lower altitude compared to the Greater and Lesser Himalayas and are covered with thick forests. They form a fragile zone between the mountains and the plains.

• Distinguish between the Western and Eastern Ghats.
  The Western Ghats run continuously along the west coast and are higher, with an average elevation of 900-1600 meters. They receive heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon. The Eastern Ghats run discontinuously along the east coast, are lower and broken by rivers, and receive less rainfall as they lie in the rain shadow region.
• Describe the Peninsular Plateau.

The Peninsular Plateau is a large, triangular tableland formed from very old, hard rocks. It is bordered by the Western and Eastern Ghats and slopes gently from west to east. This region is rich in valuable mineral reserves like iron ore and coal. It is divided into two main parts: the Central Highlands and the Deccan Plateau.

• Explain the features of the Northern Plain.

The Northern Plains are vast, fertile flatlands formed by the deposition of alluvium brought by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. They are one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world. The plains have a very gentle slope and are densely populated. They are divided into the Punjab Plains, the Ganga Plains, and the Brahmaputra Plains.