03 November 2023

Q1. Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface and some places are devoid of vegetation. which of these can be a probable reason?

1. It receives maximum rainfall from the Monsoon.
2. It is a major volcanic zone.
3. It is disturbed by frequent plate movements.
4. It is a region containing radioactive minerals.

Explanation:

• This area receives maximum rainfall from the south west monsoon. As a result, the Meghalaya plateau has a highly eroded surface. Cherrapunji displays a bare rocky surface devoid of any permanent vegetation cover.
• Option D: Similar to the Chotanagpur plateau, the Meghalaya plateau is also rich in mineral resources like coal, iron ore, sillimanite, limestone d uranium. However, this isn’t a reason behind the denuded surfaces.

Q2. Consider the following pairs:

Type of Plateau: Example

1. Intermont Plateau: Tibetan Plateau
2. Volcanic Plateau: Deccan Plateau
3. Piedmont plateau: Malwa plateau

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• When plateau are enclosed by Fold Mountains, they are known as intermont plateau. Examples are the Tibetan Plateau between the Himalayas and the Kunlun and the Bolivian Plateau between the two ranges of the Andes. Intermont are some of the highest and the most extensive plateaux in the world.
• Molten lava may issue from the Earth’s crust and spread over its surface form successive of basaltic lava.
• These solidify to form a lava plateau. Some examples of volcanic plateaux are the Antrim Plateau of Northern Ireland, the north-western part of the Deccan Plateau and the Columbian-Snake Plateau in the United States.
• The Piedmont plateau- a Piedmont plateau is located close to a mountain on one side. Some good examples of Piedmont plateaus are the Malwa plateau in India, the Patagonian plateau in Argentina and the Piedmont plateau in America.

 Q3. Which of the following form a part of the Peninsular Plateau in India?

1.Chotanagpur Plateau

2.Meghalaya Plateau

3.Aravalli Hills

Select the correct answer using code given below.

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. None of the above

Explanation:

All the options are correct.

• The northern boundary of the Peninsular Block may be taken as an irregular line running from Kachchh along the western flank of the Aravali Range near Delhi and then roughly parallel to the Yamuna and the Ganga as far as the RajmahalHillsandtheGangadelta.Apartfrom these,the KarbiAnglong and the Meghalaya Plateau in the northeast and Rajasthan in the west are also extensions of this block. The northeastern parts are separated by the Malda fault in West Bengal from the Chotanagpur plateau. In Rajasthan, the desert and other desert–like features overlay this block.

Q4. The Chota Nagpur Plateau is spread over which of the following states?

1.Madhya Pradesh

2.Chhattisgarh

3.Jharkhand

4.Odisha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 4 only
4. 2, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

The Chota Nagpur Plateau is a plateau in eastern India, which covers much of Jharkhand state as well as adjacent parts of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. The Indo-Gangetic plain lies to the north and east of the plateau, and the basin of the Mahanadi River lies to its south.

 Q5. Consider the following statements

1. Deccan plateau is made up of intrusive igneous rocks.
2. Igneous and sedimentary rocks can change into metamorphic rocks under great heat and pressure.

Choose the correct statements using the codes given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 only 
3. Both 1 and 2
4. None

 Explanation:

Deccan plateau is made up of Basalt rocks which are extrusive igneous rocks.Igneous and sedimentary rocks can change into metamorphic rocks under great heat and pressure. Eg:- clay changes into state and limestone into marble.

Q6. Consider the following statements

1. Plateaus are rich in mineral deposits
2. Lava Plateaus are good for cultivation
3. Huge reserves of iron, coal and manganese are found in Chotanagpur plateau.

Choose the correct statements using the codes given below

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 3 only 

 Explanation:

• A plateau is an elevated flat land. It is a flat topped table land standing above the surrounding area. A
• plateau may have one or more sides with steep slopes.
• Plateaus are very useful because they are rich in mineral deposits. The African Plateau is famous for gold and diamond mining. In India huge reserves of iron, coal and manganese are found in chhotonagpur plateau.
• The lava plateau are rich in Black soil that are fertile and good for cultivation. Many plateaus have scenic spots and are great attraction to tourists.

 Q7. The South-Western Plateau Region is known for the deposits of which of the following minerals?

1. Ferrous metals
2. Bauxite
3. Coal
4. Kyanite

Select the correct answer using the codes below.

1. 3 and 4 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Explanation:

• This belt extends over Karnataka, Goa and contiguous Tamil Nadu uplands and Kerala. This belt is rich in ferrous metals and bauxite.
• India is the largest producer of kyanite in the world. The USA, the UK and Japan depend heavily on imports from India. Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka produce practically the whole of kyanite of India.
• Kyanite in the form of mullite is widely used in the manufacture of glass, burner tips, spark plugs, heating elements and high voltage electrical insulations and in the ceramic industry. The belt also contains high grade iron ore, manganese and limestone. This belt packs in coal deposits except Neyveli lignite.

Q8. In the context of Indian physiography, Malda fault separates;

1. The Vindhyas from the Satpura ranges
2. The Delhi ridge from the Aravallis.
3. The Eastern Ghats from the Western Ghats
4. Meghalayan plateau from the Peninsular plateau.

       Explanation:

• Peninsular Block of India: The northern boundary of the Peninsular Block may be taken as an irregular line running from Kachchh along the western flank of the Aravali Range near Delhi and then roughly parallel to the Yamuna and the Ganga as far as the Rajmahal Hills and the Ganga delta.
• Apart from these, the Karbi Anglong and the Meghalaya Plateau in the northeast and Rajasthan in the
• west are also extensions of this block.
• The northeastern parts are separated by the Malda fault in West Bengal from the Chotanagpur plateau.
• The Malda fault broadly separates the Meghalayan Plateau from the peninsular plateau. Hence option

(d) is the correct answer.

 Q9. Consider the following statements in the context of Central Highlands (or the Madhya Bharat Plateau):

1. The general slope of the highlands is towards the south and south-east.
2. Musi river basin forms the majority part of the region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Central Highlands: also called the Madhya Bharat Pathar or Madhya Bharat Plateau. It is to the east of the Marwar or Mewar Upland and the north of the Narmada river. It covers the major portion of the Malwa plateau. Most of the plateau comprises the basin of the Chambal river which flows in a rift valley. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
• The Kali Sindh, flowing from Rana Pratap Sagar, The Banas flowing through Mewar plateau, and The Parwan and the Parbati flowing from Madhya Pradesh are Chambal’s main tributaries. It is a rolling plateau with rounded hills composed of sandstone. Thick forests grow here. To the north are the ravines or badlands of the Chambal river and Satpura ranges, to the south is the Deccan plateau, and to the west are Aravalli ranges It slopes towards the north and northeastern directions. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• Musi River or Musinuru is a tributary of the Krishna River in the Deccan Plateau flowing through Telangana state in India. Hyderabad stands on the banks of Musi river.

  Q10. In the context of the Peninsular plateau, consider the following statements:

1. The general elevation of the Peninsular plateau is from the west to the east.
2. The plateau is devoid of crustal faults and fractures.
3. Shillong and Karbi-Anglong plateau are the extensions of the Peninsular plateau.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Rising from the height of 150 m above the river plains up to an elevation of 600-900 m is the irregular triangle known as the Peninsular plateau. Delhi ridge in the northwest, (extension of Aravalis), the Rajmahal Hills in the east, the Gir range in the west, and the Cardamom Hills in the south constitute the outer extent of the Peninsular plateau. However, an extension of this is also seen in the northeast, in the form of Shillong and KarbiAnglong plateau. Hence statement 3 is correct.  This is one of the oldest and the most stable landmass of India. But, the Bhima fault needs special mention, because of its recurrent seismic activities. This Peninsular plateau has undergone recurrent phases of upliftment and submergence accompanied by crustal faulting and fractures. Hence statement 2 is not correct.  The general elevation of the plateau is from the west to the east, which is also proved by the pattern of the flow of rivers. Hence statement 1 is correct.The western and northwestern part of the plateau has an emphatic presence of black soil. On the basis of the prominent relief features, the Peninsular plateau can be divided into three broad groups: (i) The Deccan Plateau(ii) The Central Highlands(iii) The Northeastern Plateau.