📝 80 MARKS EXAMINATION PAPER
India's Drainage Systems: Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers
⏱️ Time: 2.5 Hours
📋 Total Questions: 20
Section A: MCQ 1 Mark × 20 = 20 Marks
Q1.
The world's largest drainage basin belongs to:
Answer: (b) Amazon River
Explanation:
The Amazon River in South America covers about 7 million km². In India, the Ganga basin is the largest.
Q2.
A water divide is:
Answer: (b) An upland separating two drainage basins
Explanation:
Example: Ambala lies on the water divide between Indus and Ganga systems.
Q3.
Himalayan rivers are:
Answer: (b) Perennial
Explanation:
Himalayan rivers flow year-round due to glacier melt and rainfall, unlike seasonal peninsular rivers.
Q4.
In which state is the Wular Lake located?
Answer: (c) Jammu and Kashmir
Explanation:
Wular Lake is India's largest freshwater lake. It was formed by tectonic activity, not glacial action. Located in Jammu and Kashmir, it's a vital water source for the region.
Q5.
The river Narmada has its source at:
Answer: (b) Amarkantak Hills
Explanation:
The Narmada originates in the Amarkantak Hills of Madhya Pradesh and flows westward through a rift valley formed by faulting.
Q6.
Which one of the following lakes is a salt water lake?
Answer: (a) Sambhar
Explanation:
Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan is a salt water lake located in an inland drainage basin. Its water is used for salt production through evaporation.
Q7.
Which one of the following is the longest river of the Peninsular India?
Answer: (c) Godavari
Explanation:
The Godavari is the largest peninsular river with a length of about 1,500 km. Also known as "Dakshin Ganga," it has the largest drainage basin among peninsular rivers.
Q8.
Which one amongst the following rivers flows through a rift valley?
Answer: (b) Narmada and Tapi
Explanation:
Narmada and Tapi are the only long peninsular rivers flowing westward through rift valleys (formed by faulting). They form estuaries, not deltas.
Q9.
The Sundarban Delta is formed by:
Answer: (c) Ganga and Brahmaputra combined
Explanation:
The Sundarban Delta is the world's largest and fastest-growing delta, formed by the combined waters of Ganga and Brahmaputra. It's home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Q10.
Which river is known as the "Tsang Po" in Tibet?
Answer: (b) Brahmaputra
Explanation:
Brahmaputra is called "Tsang Po" in Tibet, "Dihang" in Arunachal Pradesh, and "Jamuna" in Bangladesh. It carries less silt in Tibet but enormous amounts in India due to climate differences.
Q11.
Ambala is located on the water divide between which two river systems?
Answer: (a) Indus and Ganga
Explanation:
Ambala in Punjab is a classic example of a water divide. Water flowing west goes toward Indus, while water flowing east goes toward Ganga.
Q12.
Which of the following is formed by rivers when they reach slower speeds near the sea?
Answer: (c) Deltas
Explanation:
Deltas are fan-shaped formations created where rivers slow down near the sea and deposit silt. Examples: Sundarban, Godavari, Kaveri deltas.
Q13.
The main water divide in Peninsular India is formed by:
Answer: (b) Western Ghats
Explanation:
Western Ghats run from north to south close to the western coast, forming the main water divide. Most peninsular rivers originate here and flow eastward.
Q14.
Which of the following rivers originated near Mansarowar Lake in Tibet?
Answer: (c) Brahmaputra and Indus
Explanation:
Both Brahmaputra (east of lake) and Indus (north of lake) originate near Mansarowar Lake in Tibet. The Ganga originates from Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand.
Q15.
According to the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), what percentage of Indus water can India use?
Answer: (b) 20%
Explanation:
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 allows India to use only 20% of Indus water. This water is used for irrigation in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The remaining 80% flows to Pakistan.
Q16.
The Marble Rocks are located on which river?
Answer: (b) Narmada near Jabalpur
Explanation:
The Marble Rocks (Bhedaghat) are located on the Narmada River near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The Dhuadhar Falls, where the river plunges over steep rocks, is also nearby.
Q17.
In which year was the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) launched?
Answer: (b) 1985
Explanation:
GAP was launched in 1985 to clean the Ganga. In 1995, it was expanded to cover other rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
Q18.
Which of the following characteristics is NOT typical of Himalayan rivers?
Answer: (b) Seasonal flow
Explanation:
Seasonal flow is characteristic of PENINSULAR rivers, NOT Himalayan rivers. Himalayan rivers are PERENNIAL (flow year-round) due to glacier melt and consistent rainfall.
Q19.
Which river forms the second biggest waterfall in India?
Answer: (b) Kaveri
Explanation:
The Kaveri River forms the Shivasamudram Falls, which is the second biggest waterfall in India. The hydroelectric power generated is supplied to Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Kolar Gold Field.
Q20.
What percentage of the world's surface is covered by water?
Answer: (b) 71%
Explanation:
71% of the world's surface is covered with water, but 97% of that is saltwater. Only 3% is freshwater, and of that, three-quarters is trapped in ice. This makes freshwater extremely precious!
Section B: Short Answers 2-3 Marks × 10 = 30 Marks
Q1. (2 marks)
Define drainage and drainage basin.
Answer:
Drainage: The entire river system of an area.Drainage Basin: The area drained by a single river and its tributaries.
Q2. (2 marks)
What is a gorge? Give one example.
Answer:
Gorge: A deep, narrow valley with steep sides cut by a fast-flowing river through mountains (upper course).Example: Indus Gorge in Ladakh / Narmada Gorge at Jabalpur (Marble Rocks)
Q3. (3 marks)
Distinguish between Himalayan and Peninsular rivers (any 3 points).
Answer:
| Point | Himalayan | Peninsular |
|---|---|---|
| Flow | Perennial | Seasonal |
| Length | Very long | Shorter |
| Deltas | Well-developed | Moderately developed |
Q4. (2 marks)
Name the two headstreams of the Ganga and their meeting point.
Answer:
Bhagirathi (from Gangotri Glacier) and Alaknanda meet at Devaprayag in Uttarakhand.
Q5. (3 marks)
Why does Brahmaputra carry more silt in India than in Tibet?
Answer:
In Tibet (Tsang Po): Cold, dry climate = less rainfall = less erosion = less siltIn India (Assam): High rainfall region = heavy runoff = intensive erosion = more silt
This causes riverbed to rise, leading to frequent channel shifts and floods.
Q6. (2 marks)
What is the Sundarban Delta? State two features.
Answer:
Formed by Ganga and Brahmaputra where they meet the sea.Features:
• World's largest delta
• Home to Royal Bengal Tiger
Q7. (2 marks)
Name two west-flowing peninsular rivers.
Answer:
Narmada and Tapi - the only long peninsular rivers flowing westward through rift valleys.
Q8. (2 marks)
Define delta and estuary. How do they differ?
Answer:
Delta: Fan-shaped landform where river deposits silt at the sea.Estuary: Funnel-shaped mouth where freshwater meets saltwater.
Difference: Deltas formed by east-flowing rivers (Godavari), estuaries by west-flowing rivers (Narmada, Tapi).
Q9. (3 marks)
Write economic importance of rivers (any 3 points).
Answer:
• Irrigation: Water for agriculture• Hydroelectric Power: Dams generate electricity
• Navigation: Trade and transport
• Settlements: Cities developed on riverbanks
Q10. (2 marks)
What is the Ganga Action Plan (GAP)?
Answer:
Launched in 1985 to clean the Ganga River and address rising pollution. Later expanded to other rivers under NRCP (1995).
Section C: Long Answers 5 Marks × 6 = 30 Marks
Q1. (5 marks)
Explain characteristics of Himalayan rivers and compare with Peninsular rivers.
Answer (Key Points):
Himalayan Rivers:✓ Perennial (water all year)
✓ Long courses from source to sea
✓ Fed by rain + melted snow
✓ Intensive erosion, carry huge silt loads
✓ Form gorges, meanders, well-developed deltas
Peninsular Rivers:
✗ Seasonal (depend on rainfall)
✗ Shorter courses
✗ Fed by rainfall only
✗ Less erosion, less silt
✗ Flow east (deltas) or west (estuaries)
Q2. (5 marks)
Describe the journey of the Ganga River from source to sea.
Answer (Key Points):
Source: Bhagirathi + Alaknanda meet at DevaprayagMountains: Flows through Himalayas, emerges at Haridwar
Plains: Flows eastward 1,800 km with gentle slope
Tributaries: Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi
Delta: Bifurcates at Farakka, joins Brahmaputra to form Sundarban Delta
Q3. (5 marks)
Explain the Brahmaputra River System and its characteristics.
Answer (Key Points):
Origin: East of Mansarowar, Tibet (Tsang Po)Entry to India: U-turn at Namcha Barwa, enters as Dihang
Course: Flows through high-rainfall Assam
Features: Braided channel, many riverine islands
Problem: Carries huge silt, causes annual devastating floods
Importance: Joins Ganga to form Sundarban Delta
Q4. (5 marks)
Distinguish between east-flowing and west-flowing peninsular rivers.
Answer:
| Feature | East-Flowing | West-Flowing |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri | Narmada, Tapi (only 2) |
| Source | Western Ghats | Central highlands/Satpura |
| Direction | Eastward | Westward |
| Outfall | Bay of Bengal | Arabian Sea |
| Mouth Feature | Deltas | Estuaries |
| Valley Type | Normal valleys | Rift valleys |
Q5. (5 marks)
Explain river features: gorges, meanders, and deltas with examples.
Answer:
GORGES: Deep narrow valley cut by fast river (upper course)Example: Indus Gorge (Ladakh), Marble Rocks on Narmada
MEANDERS: S-shaped curves in river path (middle course)
Example: Ganga plains (falls 1 m per 6 km)
DELTAS: Fan-shaped land where river meets sea (lower course)
Example: Sundarban (largest), Godavari, Kaveri deltas
Q6. (5 marks)
Discuss economic importance of rivers and the problem of river pollution.
Answer:
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE:✓ Irrigation for agriculture
✓ Hydroelectric power generation
✓ Navigation and trade
✓ Urban settlements and cities
POLLUTION PROBLEM:
✗ Sewage and industrial effluents
✗ Reduced self-cleaning capacity
✗ Death of aquatic life
SOLUTIONS:
→ GAP (1985), NRCP (1995), Namami Gange (2014)
✅ Exam Tips & Success Strategies
📌 TIME MANAGEMENT:
• Section A (MCQ): 25-30 minutes
• Section B (Short): 40-45 minutes
• Section C (Long): 50-55 minutes
• Review: 10-15 minutes
• Section A (MCQ): 25-30 minutes
• Section B (Short): 40-45 minutes
• Section C (Long): 50-55 minutes
• Review: 10-15 minutes
📝 ANSWER WRITING:
✓ Read questions carefully
✓ Underline key words
✓ Use examples from India
✓ Draw diagrams where applicable
✓ Use tables for comparisons
✓ Write neatly and clearly
✓ Read questions carefully
✓ Underline key words
✓ Use examples from India
✓ Draw diagrams where applicable
✓ Use tables for comparisons
✓ Write neatly and clearly
🎯 IMPORTANT TOPICS:
• Himalayan vs Peninsular rivers
• Ganga and Brahmaputra systems
• Water divide concept
• River features (gorges, deltas)
• Economic importance
• River pollution and conservation
• Himalayan vs Peninsular rivers
• Ganga and Brahmaputra systems
• Water divide concept
• River features (gorges, deltas)
• Economic importance
• River pollution and conservation
