NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 3: Landforms and Life

THE BIG QUESTIONS?

1. What are the major types of landforms and their significance to life and culture?

Ans: The major types of landforms include mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, and valleys. Each landform influences human settlement, culture, and activities:

• Mountains provide resources like water and minerals and are culturally significant for tourism and religious practices.

• Plains are vital for agriculture due to their fertile soil and flat terrain, supporting large populations.

• Plateaus offer opportunities for mining and grazing but are less suitable for agriculture.

• Deserts challenge human survival with scarce water but have been significant for trade routes and adaptation in harsh environments.

• Valleys often provide fertile land and water sources, supporting agriculture and settlement.

What are the challenges and opportunities of life associated with each landform?

• Mountains:

• Challenges: Difficult terrain for agriculture and transportation.

• Opportunities: Tourism, water resources, and minerals.

• Plains:

• Challenges: Susceptible to flooding.

• Opportunities: Rich soil for agriculture and dense human settlements.

• Plateaus:

• Challenges: Limited agricultural opportunities due to rocky terrain.

• Opportunities: Rich in minerals and suitable for livestock grazing.

• Deserts:

• Challenges: Extreme temperatures, and water scarcity.

• Opportunities: Trade routes, adaptation to extreme climates.

• Valleys:

• Challenges: Vulnerable to floods and landslides.

• Opportunities: Fertile land for farming and water supply for settlements.

These images (Fig. 3.6 on page 50) depicts a few challenges that people living in the mountains may face. Discuss them in groups in the class and write one paragraph on each. Also discuss why, despite many such challenges, people still choose to live in the mountains. 

Ans: Challenges Faced by People Living in the Mountains:

1. Difficult Terrain: Living in the mountains means dealing with steep and rocky land. This makes travel and building roads or houses hard. It’s tough to grow crops because the land is uneven, which can make getting to other places and accessing services difficult.

2. Extreme Weather Conditions: Mountains often have very cold temperatures, heavy snow, and strong winds. This can make living conditions harsh and uncomfortable. Extreme weather can also make it hard to travel and access supplies, which can be a problem during storms or heavy snowfall.

3. Limited Resources: Mountains usually have fewer resources like water and fertile land. This can make farming and finding essential resources challenging. The lack of arable land affects local food production and can make it harder for mountain communities to support themselves.

Why People Choose to Live in the Mountains:

Despite these challenges, people choose to live in the mountains for various reasons. The natural beauty and peaceful environment are appealing. The cool climate and fresh air provide a welcome change from the heat of lower areas. Many people enjoy the strong sense of community and unique culture found in mountain regions. Additionally, natural resources like forests and minerals offer economic opportunities that can make mountain living worthwhile.

LET’S EXPLORE 

The picture in Fig. 3.9 has been taken from a satellite. It captures a portion of north India from a high altitude. Observe and discuss the image as a class activity. 

1. Which colour is the Ganga plain?
The Ganga plain is typically shown in shades of green in satellite images, representing the fertile and agricultural land of the region.

2. What does the white expanse represent?
The white expanse usually represents snow-capped mountains or glaciers. In north India, this is often associated with the Himalayan mountain ranges.

3. What does the brown expanse at the bottom left of the image represent?
The brown expanse likely represents arid or semi-arid regions, such as deserts or dry land areas. In north India, this could correspond to parts of the Thar Desert.

LET’S EXPLORE

1. Can you give examples of river sources or confluences from your region that are regarded as sacred by any community? 

• Ganges (Ganga): In India, the Ganges River is considered sacred by Hindus. The river's source in the Himalayas, particularly at Gangotri, and its confluence at Prayagraj (Allahabad) where it meets the Yamuna and the mythical Sarasvati, are highly revered.

• Yamuna: Another sacred river for Hindus, the Yamuna has its source in the Yamunotri Glacier in the Himalayas. The river's confluence with the Ganges at Prayagraj is also considered a holy site.

2. Name some popular tourist destinations in India and identify the category of landform they are associated with.

• Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) - Mountains: Located in the Himalayan range, Shimla is a popular hill station known for its scenic mountain views and pleasant climate.

• Goa - Coastal Plains: Famous for its beautiful beaches, Goa features coastal plains and sandy shores, attracting tourists for its beaches and vibrant nightlife.

• Jaipur (Rajasthan) - Deserts: Known as the "Pink City," Jaipur is situated in the Thar Desert region and offers a glimpse into Rajasthan's desert culture and historic forts.

• Munnar (Kerala) - Plateaus: Munnar is a hill station in the Western Ghats, known for its lush tea plantations on the plateau and its cool climate.

• Agra (Uttar Pradesh) - Plains: Located in the Ganga Plain, Agra is renowned for the Taj Mahal, a majestic monument set against the backdrop of fertile plains.

• Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) - Valleys: Positioned in the Himalayan foothills, Rishikesh is known for its spiritual retreats and adventure sports in the scenic valley area along the Ganges River.

• Leh-Ladakh (Ladakh) - Mountainous Desert: A high-altitude desert region in the Himalayas, Leh-Ladakh is known for its stark landscapes, monasteries, and adventure tourism.

Questions, activities, and projects

1. In what type of landform is your town/village/city located? Which features mentioned in this chapter do you see around you?

Ans: My town is located in the Gangetic Plain. This area is characterised by flat, fertile land that is ideal for agriculture. I can see extensive fields of crops and lush green vegetation all around. The river systems, like the Ganges, flow through the plains, contributing to the fertility of the soil.

2. Let us go back to our initial trip from Chhota Nagpur to Prayagraj and Almora. Describe the three landforms you came across on the way.

• Chhota Nagpur Plateau: Characterised by its elevated and flat terrain with rolling hills and dense forests.

• Gangetic Plains: A vast, fertile plain with extensive agricultural fields and river systems.

• Himalayan Foothills: Rolling terrain leading into the steep and rugged Himalayan mountains with their high peaks and deep valleys.

3. List a few famous pilgrimage spots in India along with the landforms in which they are found.

• Varanasi: Located on the banks of the Ganges River in the plains of Uttar Pradesh.

• Amritsar: Home to the Golden Temple, located in the plains of Punjab.

• Vaishno Devi: Situated in the Trikuta Mountains in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Rishikesh: Located in the foothills of the Himalayas along the Ganges River.

4. State whether true or false —

• The Himalayas are young mountains with rounded tops.

• False. The Himalayas are young mountains, but they have sharp peaks, not rounded tops.

• Plateaus usually rise sharply at least on one side.

• True. Plateaus are often elevated with a steep rise on at least one side.

• Mountains and hills belong to the same type of landform.

• True. Both mountains and hills are types of elevated landforms, though mountains are generally higher.

• Mountains, plateaus, and rivers in India have the same types of flora and fauna.

• False. Different landforms in India support different types of flora and fauna.

• Ganga is a tributary to the Yamuna.

• False. The Yamuna is a tributary to the Ganga.

• Deserts have unique flora and fauna.

• True. Deserts have specialised flora and fauna adapted to arid conditions.

• Melting snow feeds rivers.

• True. Snowmelt from mountains often supplies rivers with water.

• Sediments from rivers deposited in the plains make the land fertile.

• True. River sediments enrich the soil and make the land fertile.

• All deserts are hot.

• False. Deserts can be cold as well, such as the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

5. Match words in pairs:

Ans:

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 3 Landforms and Life

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 3 provides clear and simple explanations of various landforms, helping students understand their types, characteristics, and significance.

• Each question from the chapter is answered in detail, ensuring comprehensive coverage of topics and helping in a better grasp of concepts.

• By offering step-by-step solutions, students can follow a structured approach to learning about landforms and their impact on human life.

• The solutions are aligned with the NCERT syllabus and help in effective revision, improving confidence and performance in exams.

• Real-world examples and illustrations from Chapter 3 Landforms and Life Solutions make the study material engaging and relatable, enhancing students’ interest in the subject.

Important Study Material Links for Social Science Chapter 3 Class 6 Landforms and Life

Conclusion

The NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 3: Landforms and Life offers a clear and easy-to-understand guide to different landforms and their impact on human life. By explaining mountains, plateaus, valleys, and plains, these solutions help students see how these features shape our environment and daily activities. The detailed answers and practical examples make learning engaging and effective. Using these solutions will not only improve your exam preparation but also deepen your understanding of how landforms influence both nature and human life.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science 

Related Important Links for Class 6 Social Science 

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