Physical Regions: Mountains, Plateaus, Desert and Deltas

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

1. Q1.Into how many major physiographic divisions is India generally divided?

   • A.Three
   • B.Four
   • C.Six✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Eight

   Explanation: The divisions are the Northern Mountains, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains and the Islands.

2. Q2.The Thar Desert lies mainly in the State of:

   • A.Gujarat
   • B.Rajasthan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Punjab
   • D.Madhya Pradesh

   Explanation: The Great Indian Desert covers western Rajasthan and extends into Pakistan.

3. Q3.The Siachen Glacier is located in the:

   • A.Karakoram range✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Pir Panjal range
   • C.Zaskar range
   • D.Shiwalik range

   Explanation: Siachen is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions.

4. Q4.The largest delta in the world, shared by India and Bangladesh, is the:

   • A.Godavari delta
   • B.Sundarbans delta✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Mahanadi delta
   • D.Krishna delta

   Explanation: The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, with the Sundarbans mangroves, is the largest delta.

5. Q5.The Kashmir Valley lies between the:

   • A.Himadri and Shiwalik
   • B.Karakoram and Kunlun
   • C.Pir Panjal and Zaskar ranges✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Aravalli and Vindhya

   Explanation: The valley is drained by the Jhelum.

6. Q6.The capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep is:

   • A.Minicoy
   • B.Port Blair
   • C.Agatti
   • D.Kavaratti✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Kavaratti is the capital and administrative centre of Lakshadweep.

7. Q7.The Meghalaya Plateau is a detached part of the:

   • A.Peninsular Plateau✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Himalaya
   • C.Northern Plains
   • D.Thar Desert

   Explanation: The Garo-Rajmahal gap separates the Meghalaya Plateau from the main peninsular block.

8. Q8.The Chotanagpur Plateau is famous for its:

   • A.desert landscape
   • B.coral reefs
   • C.rich mineral deposits✓ Correct Answer
   • D.tea gardens

   Explanation: The plateau holds coal, iron ore, mica and bauxite, and is called the "Ruhr of India".

9. Q9.The Malwa Plateau is mostly made up of:

   • A.glacial deposits
   • B.coral limestone
   • C.wind-blown sand
   • D.volcanic basalt (lava)✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Malwa Plateau is part of the Deccan Trap, giving it black soils.

10. Q10.The Rann of Kachchh is a:

    • A.vast salt marsh✓ Correct Answer
    • B.high plateau
    • C.coral atoll
    • D.mangrove delta

    Explanation: It is a seasonally flooded salt marsh in Gujarat, partly extending into Pakistan.

11. Q11.Crescent-shaped sand dunes common in the Thar Desert are called:

    • A.moraines
    • B.barchans✓ Correct Answer
    • C.drumlins
    • D.atolls

    Explanation: Barchans form where wind blows from one dominant direction.

12. Q12.Mawsynram, which receives the highest rainfall in the world, is in the:

    • A.Western Ghats
    • B.Nilgiri Hills
    • C.Khasi Hills of Meghalaya✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Aravalli Hills

    Explanation: The funnel-shaped Khasi Hills trap monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal.

13. Q13.Nanda Devi, the highest peak lying entirely within India, is in:

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

    Explanation: Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is in the Garhwal Himalaya.

14. Q14.The Palghat (Palakkad) Gap, a major pass in the Western Ghats, connects:

    • A.Maharashtra and Goa
    • B.Karnataka and Goa
    • C.Kerala and Tamil Nadu✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Gujarat and Rajasthan

    Explanation: The gap lies between the Nilgiris and the Anaimalai Hills.

15. Q15.The Thal Ghat pass connects Mumbai with:

    • A.Nashik✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Pune
    • C.Goa
    • D.Bengaluru

    Explanation: The Bhor Ghat connects Mumbai with Pune; the Thal Ghat connects Mumbai with Nashik.

16. Q16.The Sundarbans are best known for their:

    • A.coral reefs and sharks
    • B.coniferous forests
    • C.desert wildlife
    • D.mangrove forests and the Royal Bengal Tiger✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Sundarbans are the largest mangrove forest in the world.

17. Q17.K2 (Godwin Austen), in the Karakoram, is the world's:

    • A.highest peak
    • B.third highest peak
    • C.fifth highest peak
    • D.second highest peak✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: K2, about 8,611 m, is second only to Mount Everest.

18. Q18.The general slope of the Deccan Plateau is towards the:

    • A.west
    • B.north
    • C.south
    • D.east✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Most major peninsular rivers such as the Godavari and Krishna flow eastwards.

19. Q19.The Aravalli range runs in which general direction?

    • A.east to west
    • B.north-east to south-west✓ Correct Answer
    • C.north to south
    • D.north-west to south-east

    Explanation: The Aravalli stretches from near Delhi to Gujarat in a north-east to south-west direction.

20. Q20.The Narmada flows between which two ranges?

    • A.Aravalli and Vindhya
    • B.Vindhya and Satpura✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Western and Eastern Ghats
    • D.Pir Panjal and Zaskar

    Explanation: The Narmada flows in a rift valley with the Vindhyas to the north and the Satpuras to the south.