Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Questions and Answers Social Science Chapter 1

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Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Question Answer Geographical Diversity of India

NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity of India Questions and Answers Solutions

Geographical Diversity of India Class 7 Question Answer (In-Text)

The Big Questions (NCERT Page No. 1)

Question 1.
What are some key geographical features of India?
Answer:
India’s key geographical features include the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains and the Islands.

Question 2.
How does India’s geographical diversity affect our lives?
Answer:
India’s diverse geography affects daily life in many ways, including the climate, farming, traditions and jobs. The different
landscapes, such as mountains, deserts, coasts and fertile plains, shape how people live, the food they eat and the work they do. This variety also creates unique cultures, traditions and languages in different regions.

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 2) 

Question 3.
Look at the map of India at the end of the book. What are you able to observe? Recall your lesson on different types of landforms mountains, plains and plateaus. Which landforms can you identify on the map? What do the different colours on the map mean?

Answer:
Multiple colours on the map of India indicates the various land forms like mountains, plains, and plateaus, along with different colours representing different elevations. I can identify on the map that the yellow colour shows the plains, the green colour shows the plateaus whereas orange colour shows the Mountains region (for colour map refer NCERT Map at the end of the book).

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 3)

Question 4.
Do you recall your lesson on latitudes and longitudes? Look at the map. Can you read, approximately, the latitude and longitude where India lies?
Answer:
India lies between 8°4′ N and 37°6′ N latitude and 68°7′ E and 97°25′ E longitude. Identify the above features on India’s physical map.
Answer:

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 6)

Question 5.
Can you locate the names of the states in the different parts of the Himalayas? Take the help of both the physical and political maps for this exercise.
Answer:

Don’t Miss Out (NCERT Page No. 11)

Question 6.
Most rivers are named after goddesses  Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri, etc. The name of Brahmaputra, however, means ‘the son of Brahma’. This river gets bigger during summer instead of drying up! Can you guess why?
Answer:
The Brahmaputra River increases in size during the summer due to heavy monsoon rains, glacial meltwater and the influx of water from numerous tributaries.

Let’s Explor (NCERT Page No. 11)

Question 7.
Notice the concentration of lighting in the plains. What could be the reason for this concentration?

Answer:
In the plains, lightning happens more often because there is more moisture (water in the air) and the air gets heated a lot by the sun. This heat makes the air rise and mix, creating unstable conditions. Also, tiny particles like dust in the air help water droplets in clouds grow bigger. When the clouds get very big and heavy, they create stronger lightning.

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 12)

Question 8.
What is the shape of a sand dune? While mountains are made of rock and their shape is fixed, why do you think sand dunes also have a similar shape, even though they are made of sand?
Answer:
Sand dunes typically have smooth, curved shapes like crescent, linear, or star forms, shaped by wind shifts. Unlike solid mountains, dunes constantly shift, yet they retain familiar forms due to consistent wind forces. The movement of sand grains follows predictable aerodynamics, forming ridges and slopes that resemble stable structures. Though dunes are made of loose sand, their shape remains recognisable because wind directs their buildup and erosion in specific patterns. Unlike mountains, dunes can shift and move over time, but they still keep a familiar form because the wind shapes them in the same way again and again.

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No.  14)

Question 9.
Let’s go back to the map. Trace your path slowly form the Thar Desert towards the East. Do you see the Aravalli Hills?
Answer:
Do it yourself.

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 15)

Question 10.
Look at the political map in the text book and identify the states that the range spAnswer: Did you see Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat?
Answer:
Yes, I can see that range of Aravalli spans through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi.

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 16)

Question 11.
Look at the physical map of India given at the end of the book. Notice the direction of the flow of the rivers.
Answer:
On a physical map of India, rivers flow according to the land’s height. Rivers usually move from higher areas to lower areas, finally reaching the sea. The Himalayan rivers start in the mountains and flow either East towards the Bay of Bengal or West towards the Arabian Sea. The Peninsular rivers mostly begin on the Deccan Plateau and flow East into the Bay of Bengal, but a few flow West into the Arabian Sea.

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 17)

Question 12.
Tribal communities are largely spread over the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat. Examine the physical and political maps at the end of this book to locate the states and connect them to their location on the physical map.
Answer:

Let’s Explore (NCERT Page No. 19)

Question 13.
Look at the physical map of India in your school atlas or wall map and find the names of five rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal. Find out India’s coastal states and discuss the difference between the Western and Eastern coastal plains.
Answer:
The difference between the western and eastern coastal plains are

Feature	Western Coastal Plains	Eastern Coastal Plains
Location	Between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats	Between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats
Width	Narrow	Wider
Coastline Type	Submerged coastline	Emergent coastline
River Features	Few rivers, no major deltas	Many rivers form large deltas (e.g., Ganga, Mahanadi)
Port Suitability	Good for natural harbours and ports	Fewer natural ports
States Covered	Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala	Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal

Question 14.
Do you know what it is called when these rivers split into multiple streams near the coast? Discuss with your teacher in class to find out!
Answer:
When a river splits into multiple streams near the coast, it’s called a delta. A delta is a landform that forms where a river flows into a larger body of water, like a sea or lake, and deposits sediment.

Class 7 SST Chapter 1 Geographical Diversity of India Question Answer (Exercise)

Questions and Activities (NCERT Page 24-25)

Question 1.
What, in your opinion, are two important
geographical features of India? Why do you think they are important?
Answer:
Two important geographical features of India are the Himalayan mountain range and the Northern Indian Plains. The Himalayas are important as they act as a natural barrier, influencing climate and isolation. The Northern Plains, formed by rivers like the Ganges are important as they are highly fertile and crucial for agriculture.

Question 2.
What do you think India might have looked like if the Himalayas did not exist? Write a short note or sketch a drawing to express your imagination.
Answer:
Without the Himalayas, India’s land and weather would change a lot. The big Indo-Gangetic plains would become much colder in winter and might turn into deserts or dry areas because there would be no mountains to stop the cold winds from Central Asia. Important rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra, which start in the Himalayas, would dry up. This would cause water shortage and turn Northern India into a desert.

Question 3.
India has been called a ‘mini-continent’. Based on what you’ve read, why do you think this is so?
Answer:
India is called a ‘mini-continent’ because of its unique geography, culture and history. It is surrounded by natural barriers like the Himalayas in the North, the Indian Ocean in the South and East and the Arabian Sea in the West. These give India its own special identity. India has many different ecosystems and climates. It also has a rich and diverse culture with many languages, religions and traditions. I think because of these reasons India would be called a ‘mini-continent’.

Question 4.
Follow one of India’s big rivers from where it starts to where it meets the ocean. What are the different ways in which people might utilise this river along its journey? Discuss in groups in your class.
Answer:
The river Ganga is one of the largest river in India. The Ganga River originates from the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas and flows into the Bay of Bengal, supporting millions along the way. In the upper reaches, it provides drinking water, irrigation and opportunities for adventure tourism. In the fertile plains, it sustains agriculture, fishing, transportation and industries while serving as a spiritual hub with rituals and pilgrimages.

Near the delta, the river nourishes mangroves, supports biodiversity, regulates flooding and enables maritime trade. Throughout its journey, the Ganga is central to livelihoods, culture and environmental balance, making it one of India’s most significant natural and spiritual resources.

Question 5.
Why is the Southern part of India referred to as a Peninsular Plateau?
Answer:
The Southern part of India is called the Peninsular Plateau because it is a large, raised piece of land (a plateau) surrounded by water on three sides (a peninsula). It is mostly flat like a table and is bordered by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

Question 6.
Which UNESCO Heritage Site mentioned in this chapter did you find more interesting? Write a short paragraph to describe what about it is interesting.
Answer:
I find the Golden City, a UNESCO Heritage Site, very interesting. Jaisalmer, also known as the ‘Golden City,’ is a lively desert town in Rajasthan, India. It is located in the middle of the Thar Desert and is famous for its beautiful yellow sandstone buildings.
The most famous landmark is the Jaisalmer Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s rich culture, stunning views and desert charm make it a popular place for tourists.

Question 7.
Look at the two maps of India, physical as well as political, given at the end of the NCERT book. Identify the place you are at now. Which physical feature of India would you use to describe its location?
Answer:
I am in Noida. Noida is situated on the Yamuna plains. It has mostly flat land, with some gentle ups and downs in a few areas. Thecity lies in the flood plains of the Yamuna and Hindon Rivers.

Question 8.
Food preservation techniques differ from place to place across India. They are adapted to local conditions. Do a class project. Gather different methods of preserving food. Hint: Drying vegetables when they are in season for use during the off-season.
Answer:
Food preservation means keeping food for a longer time so that we can eat it later, especially when the food is not in season or is hard to find. This helps reduce waste and ensures we have enough food to eat all year round.

Some methods of food preservation are as follows

1. Drying The oldest method of food preservation. Vegetables, fruits and fish are dried in the sun to preserve them for off-seasons. Example, dried mango slices (amchur) in North India or dried fish in coastal regions.
2. Pickling Vegetables, fruits and even meat or fish are preserved using oil, salt and spices. Examples, mango or lemon pickles in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.
3. Fermentation In colder regions, fermentation is used to preserve food. For example, bamboo shoot pickles in the North-East or idli/dosa batter in South India.
4. Salt Preservation Fish and meat are salted to keep them fresh for longer. For example, salted fish along the coastal areas.
5. Cooling In higher altitudes, where temperatures are low, people store food in naturally cool spaces like caves or cellars.
6. Jamming Fruits are turned into jams or marmalades to last longer. For example, guava and orange jams.

Question 9.
Despite having such different regions (mountains, deserts, plains, coasts), India remains one country. How do you think our geography has helped unite people?
Answer:
India has many different regions like mountains, deserts, plains and coasts, but geography has helped unite its people. For example

1. Rivers connect places and support farming and trade, bringing people together.
2. Mountain passes allowed old trade routes and cultural exchanges.
3. The monsoon gives similar farming seasons, creating shared traditions.

Festivals linked to nature and geography are celebrated in many parts of India. Regions depend on each other for resources, which helps the country stay united.