Major Lakes and Waterfalls of India

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Sambhar Lake, the largest inland saltwater lake in India, is in:

   • A.Gujarat
   • B.Odisha
   • C.Rajasthan✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Maharashtra

   Explanation: Sambhar Lake near Jaipur is a major source of salt production.

2. Q2.Dal Lake, famous for its houseboats, is in:

   • A.Srinagar✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Nainital
   • C.Udaipur
   • D.Bhopal

   Explanation: Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir is a major tourist attraction.

3. Q3.Dudhsagar Falls are in which State?

   • A.Kerala
   • B.Goa✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Karnataka
   • D.Meghalaya

   Explanation: Dudhsagar on the Mandovi river is a four-tiered waterfall on the Goa-Karnataka border.

4. Q4.Athirappilly Falls are located in:

   • A.Kerala✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Tamil Nadu
   • C.Andhra Pradesh
   • D.Goa

   Explanation: It is on the Chalakudy river and is often called the "Niagara of India" in Kerala.

5. Q5.Which city is known as the "City of Lakes"?

   • A.Jaipur
   • B.Jodhpur
   • C.Bikaner
   • D.Udaipur✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Udaipur has Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar and several other lakes.

6. Q6.Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India, is located in:

   • A.Jammu and Kashmir✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Manipur
   • C.Uttarakhand
   • D.Kerala

   Explanation: Wular Lake lies in the Kashmir Valley and is fed by the Jhelum.

7. Q7.Pulicat Lake, the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, lies on the border of:

   • A.Kerala and Karnataka
   • B.Odisha and West Bengal
   • C.Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Gujarat and Maharashtra

   Explanation: The Sriharikota barrier island separates Pulicat Lake from the Bay of Bengal.

8. Q8.Vembanad Lake, a Ramsar site, is in:

   • A.Tamil Nadu
   • B.Odisha
   • C.Kerala✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Assam

   Explanation: Vembanad is the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, linked to the backwaters of Kochi.

9. Q9.Lonar Lake in Maharashtra was formed by:

   • A.a meteorite impact✓ Correct Answer
   • B.a volcanic eruption
   • C.a glacier
   • D.a river diversion

   Explanation: Lonar is a saline, alkaline crater lake in basalt rock.

10. Q10.The floating islands of vegetation called "phumdis" are found in:

    • A.Loktak Lake✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Chilika Lake
    • C.Dal Lake
    • D.Pushkar Lake

    Explanation: Loktak Lake in Manipur has phumdis and the Keibul Lamjao National Park, home to the sangai deer.

11. Q11.Pangong Tso, a high-altitude saltwater lake, is in:

    • A.Sikkim
    • B.Himachal Pradesh
    • C.Ladakh✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Arunachal Pradesh

    Explanation: Pangong Tso lies at about 4,300 m and is shared between India and China.

12. Q12.Kolleru Lake, a large freshwater lake, lies between the deltas of the Godavari and the:

    • A.Kaveri
    • B.Mahanadi
    • C.Narmada
    • D.Krishna✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Kolleru in Andhra Pradesh is a Ramsar site and a habitat for migratory birds.

13. Q13.Nohkalikai Falls, one of the tallest plunge waterfalls in India, is in:

    • A.Goa
    • B.Karnataka
    • C.Chhattisgarh
    • D.Meghalaya✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It lies near Cherrapunji in the East Khasi Hills.

14. Q14.Hogenakkal Falls are on the river:

    • A.Krishna
    • B.Kaveri✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Godavari
    • D.Narmada

    Explanation: Hogenakkal lies in Tamil Nadu where the Kaveri enters the State.

15. Q15.Chitrakoot Falls, called the "Niagara of India", is on the river:

    • A.Narmada
    • B.Mahanadi
    • C.Tapi
    • D.Indravati✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: It lies in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, and is the widest waterfall in India.

16. Q16.Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur are on the river:

    • A.Tapi
    • B.Chambal
    • C.Betwa
    • D.Narmada✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Narmada plunges over marble rocks at Bhedaghat.

17. Q17.The highest waterfall in India is generally considered to be:

    • A.Jog Falls
    • B.Kunchikal Falls✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dudhsagar Falls
    • D.Athirappilly Falls

    Explanation: Kunchikal Falls near Agumbe in Karnataka, on the Varahi river, is about 455 m high.

18. Q18.Shivanasamudra Falls on the Kaveri are known for:

    • A.the highest waterfall in India
    • B.one of Asia's first hydroelectric power stations (1902)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.a crater formed by a meteorite
    • D.a marble gorge

    Explanation: The Shivanasamudra hydroelectric plant began operation in 1902 in Karnataka.

19. Q19.Wular Lake was formed as a result of:

    • A.glacial scouring
    • B.a meteorite impact
    • C.tectonic activity✓ Correct Answer
    • D.a coastal lagoon

    Explanation: It lies in a basin created by tectonic movements and is fed by the Jhelum.

20. Q20.The largest freshwater lake in Kerala is:

    • A.Vembanad Lake
    • B.Sasthamkotta Lake✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ashtamudi Lake
    • D.Periyar Lake

    Explanation: Sasthamkotta in Kollam district is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala; Vembanad is brackish and the largest overall.