Class 5 Chapter 4

Class 5

Chapter 5

Major Landforms

Write Short Notes on the Following:

1.      Plateaus:

a.     Plateau is a highland area on a flat top. It is also called a tableland.

b.      The surface of the earth is often cut by rivers and streams.

c.       Some plateaus like the Deccan Plateau in India and large and extend to hundreds of kilometers.

d.      Some plateaus, like the plateau of Tibet, are surrounded by mountain ranges from all sides.

e.      The plateau of Tibet is the highest plateau in the world and is called the roof of the world.

2.     Plains:

a.     Plains are a broad, flat and low lying surface of land.

b.     Plains are also called lowlands.

c.      The land of the plains are mostly even.

d.     It may be slightly hilly.

e.     Most plains are formed by the deposits of rivers.

f.       The river deposits sand, mud and silt that they carry on their banks to form plains...

g.      Plains may be found along a coast or an island.

3.     Mountains:

a.      A mountain is a landform that rises high above its surrounding land.

b.      It is made of rocks and earth.

c.       Usually mountains are more than 900 meters above the mean sea level.

d.      Mountains vary in height and shape.

e.      A group of mountains joined together is called a range or chain.

f.        The height and shape of mountains tell their age.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1.      How are mountains useful?

Ans:

a.      Mountains are natural barriers. They provide protection from hot and cold winds and from the invaders.

b.      Rivers originate here and provide water for irrigation and other day to day needs.

c.       Mountains districts are famous holiday destination.

d.      Mountains are rich in minerals.

e.      The slops of mountains have rich pastures and forests.

2.      Why plains are thickly populated?

Ans: Plains are thickly populated because:

a.      The soil and the terrain of the plains are good for farming.

b.      Roads and railways can easily be built.

c.       Large industries such as textiles, automobiles, iron and steel have developed in the plains.

d.      Coastal plains are ideal for fishing.

1.      Describe the three stages of a river.

Ans:

	THE UPPER COURSE	THE MIDDLE COURSE	THE LOWER COURSE
1.	In this course river originates from mountains.	In this course, the river enters the plains.	In this course the river joins the bigger water body.
2.	The river flows with full speed.	The speed of the river lessen here.	The speed of the river is extremely slow.
3.	Here, the river has very little water.	It has more water.	It divides into many channels.
4.	Waterfalls are formed at this stage.	Meanders and loops are formed at this stage.	This forms a delta near the mouth.
5.	Example river Ganga originates at Gangotri and flows down the slops till Haridwar.	River Ganga between Kanpur and Allahabad.	River Ganga forms delta as it flows into the Bay of Bengal.

2.      What is a desert? State its unique features.

Ans: Deserts are barren lands that receive very little rainfall.

The region has arid and semi arid climate.

Sand storms are common in all seasons.

Days are hot and nights are very cold.

Sand dunes or hills of sands are its most common feature.

Most desert have small areas of water, where plants grow and people live.

Such a place is known as an oasis.

3.      How are the plains formed? What is the role of rivers in its formation?

Ans: Plains are formed by the deposits of rivers.

The river deposits sand, mud and silt that they carry on their bank.

These deposits form plains.

HIGH ORDER THINKING SKILLS (HOTS) QUESTION:

Q. Rajasthan is a tough state to live in as compared to the Indo-Gangatic Plains. Why?

	Life In Rajasthan	Life in Gangatic Plains
1.	Rajasthan is a desert area.	But in the Indo Gangatic plains the land is very fertile.
2.	The climate is very harsh as the days are very hot and the nights are very cold	Climate is favourable.
3.	It receives very less rain fall, so there is scarcity of water.	There is no water scarcity.
4.	Less crops can be grown in this area.	River Ganga provides with plenty of water.
5.	People cannot live in pucca houses as they become very hot.	People can built pucca houses here.

VALUE CORNER:

Q. Mountains are a symbol of courage. Mention an instance when you helped someone by being courageous.

Ans: Mountains are courageous enough to protect us from hot and cold weather and even from the attack of an enemy.

I also learnt a lot from these mountains.

Once I and my grandmother were alone in the house.                                     

At night my grandmother slept in a sound sleep.

I was still awakening.

Suddenly I heard a few voices in the backyard of my house.

I woke up and saw a few unknown persons had entered our house.

They were trying to break into the rooms.

I went upstairs and stated throwing all the potatoes and onions on them.

I was also shouting for the help.

All the people in the neighbouring houses get up.

They caught the thieves and handed them to the police.

3.