Class 9 Landforms of the Earth Mock Test (ICSE)

Topics in Landforms of the Earth

• Mountains and their formation
• Plateaus
• Plains
• Fold and block mountains

Landforms of the Earth practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   A rift valley or graben is typically formed in association with which of the following landforms?

   1. (a)Block mountains
   2. (b)Residual mountains
   3. (c)Depositional plains
   4. (d)Fold mountains
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a) Block mountains+1

   Answer: (a)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which of the following is a classic example of a depositional plain formed by river action?

   1. (a)The Canadian Shield plain
   2. (b)The Russian Platform
   3. (c)The drift plains of northern Europe
   4. (d)The Indo-Gangetic Plain
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (d) The Indo-Gangetic Plain+1

   Answer: (d)
3. Q3Multiple choice·1 mark
   The Himalayas and the Alps are prominent examples of which type of mountains?

   1. (a)Block mountains
   2. (b)Fold mountains
   3. (c)Volcanic mountains
   4. (d)Residual mountains
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (b) Fold mountains+1

   Answer: (b)
4. Q4Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which of the following plateaus is known as the 'Roof of the World' due to its exceptional altitude?

   1. (a)The Chota Nagpur Plateau
   2. (b)The Colorado Plateau
   3. (c)The Tibetan Plateau
   4. (d)The Deccan Plateau
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (c) The Tibetan Plateau+1

   Answer: (c)
5. Q5Long answer·4 marks
   (a) Differentiate between young fold mountains and old fold mountains on the basis of their age and physical appearance, and cite one example of each. (b) Explain how block mountains are formed due to faulting in the Earth's crust, and name one prominent example located in Europe.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. (a) Age: young fold mountains are of recent origin (formed in the Tertiary period), whereas old fold mountains are very ancient (formed long before the Tertiary period).+0.5
   2. (a) Appearance: young fold mountains have high, rugged peaks and steep slopes, whereas old fold mountains are worn down by denudation and have low, rounded heights and gentle slopes.+0.5
   3. (a) Example of a young fold mountain range, any one of: the Himalayas; the Alps; the Rockies; the Andes; or any other valid young fold mountain range.+0.5
   4. (a) Example of an old fold mountain range, any one of: the Aravallis; the Appalachians; the Urals; or any other valid old fold mountain range.+0.5
   5. (b) Tensional forces crack the crust along faults; the block between two faults is left standing high (a horst) while the land on either side subsides, forming a block mountain.+1
   6. (b) European example, any one of: the Black Forest (Germany); the Vosges (France); the Harz (Germany); or any other valid European block mountain.+1

   Answer: (a) Young fold mountains are recent (Tertiary) with high, rugged peaks and steep slopes, e.g. the Himalayas, Alps, Rockies or Andes; old fold mountains are ancient and worn down, with low, rounded heights and gentle slopes, e.g. the Aravallis, Appalachians or Urals. (b) Tensional forces cause faults; the block between two faults stands high (horst) as the land around it subsides; e.g. the Black Forest or the Vosges.
6. Q6Long answer·4 marks
   Answer the following questions regarding fold and block mountains: (a) Explain how fold mountains are formed due to compressional forces. Name one young fold mountain range. [2] (b) Describe the formation of block mountains and give one example of a block mountain. [2]
   Show answer and step marks

   1. (a) Fold mountains are formed by compressional forces that push layers of sedimentary rock in vast basins (geosynclines) into large waves or folds, creating anticlines and synclines.+1
   2. (a) Young fold mountain range, any one of: the Himalayas; the Alps; the Rockies; the Andes; or any other valid young fold mountain range.+1
   3. (b) Block mountains are formed due to faulting in the Earth's crust caused by tensional or compressional forces, where the central block remains stable or rises (forming a horst) while the side blocks subside.+1
   4. (b) Block mountain example, any one of: the Black Forest (Germany); the Vosges (France); the Satpura (India); the Sierra Nevada (USA); or any other valid block mountain.+1

   Answer: (a) Compressional forces fold the sedimentary layers of a geosyncline into anticlines and synclines, raising fold mountains; e.g. the Himalayas (or Alps, Rockies, Andes). (b) Faulting raises the block between two faults (horst) while the side blocks subside; e.g. the Black Forest (or Vosges, Satpura).

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