Worksheet - Chapter 2: Shaping of the Earth's Surface – Class - 9 NCERT BOOK

Chapter 2: Shaping of the Earth's Surface – Worksheet

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which of the following is an example of an internal (endogenic) force?

  • A) Weathering

  • B) Wind erosion

  • C) Volcanic eruption

  • D) Coastal deposition

2. The theory of plate tectonics, explaining the movement of the Earth's crust, was proposed by:

  • A) Alfred Wegener

  • B) W. J. Morgan

  • C) James Hutton

  • D) Charles Lyell

3. The semi-molten layer located just below the lithosphere that enables tectonic plates to move is the:

  • A) Crust

  • B) Core

  • C) Asthenosphere

  • D) Mantle core boundary

4. At which type of plate boundary is new crust formed due to rising magma?

  • A) Convergent boundary

  • B) Divergent boundary

  • C) Transform boundary

  • D) Subduction boundary

5. What is the key difference between weathering and erosion?

  • A) Weathering involves the movement of rocks, while erosion does not.

  • B) Weathering breaks rocks in place, while erosion involves the transportation of materials.

  • C) Weathering only occurs in deserts, while erosion only occurs in rivers.

  • D) Weathering is caused by wind, while erosion is caused by heat.

6. Which landform is typically created in the upper course of a river?

  • A) Meander

  • B) Delta

  • C) V-shaped valley

  • D) Floodplain

7. A tall pillar of rock left standing in the sea after the roof of a sea arch collapses is known as a:

  • A) Sea cliff

  • B) Stack

  • C) Sea cave

  • D) Wave-cut platform

8. The sudden release of water from a glacial lake due to the breach of a moraine dam is referred to as a:

  • A) Tsunami

  • B) Flash flood

  • C) GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods)

  • D) Avalanche

Section B: Fill in the Blanks

  1. Forces that originate inside the Earth and cause mountain building and earthquakes are called ____________.

  2. The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the $__________.

  3. The San Andreas Fault in the USA is a classic example of a_________ plate boundary.

  4. The region around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity is called the ___________.

  5. Unlike weathering, __________ is the process where rock particles are worn away and transported by natural agents.

  6. Stalactites and stalagmites are unique landforms created by _________ water in limestone regions.

  7. A bowl-shaped hollow found at the head of a glacier is called a __________

  8. Fine dust deposited by wind over large areas to form fertile soil is known as _______

Section C: True or False

  1. External forces wear down and reshape landforms on the Earth's surface. 

  2. Continental plates are generally thinner and denser than oceanic plates. 

  3. At a convergent boundary, tectonic plates slide past each other without creating or destroying crust. 

  4. Weathering is categorized into three types: physical, chemical, and biological. 

  5. A meander is typically formed in the upper, steeper course of a mountain river. 

  6. Sinkholes are formed when the roof of an underground limestone cave collapses. 

  7. Deforestation and unplanned construction on hill slopes increase the risk of landslides. 

  8. An avalanche is defined as the rapid flow of snow, ice, and rocks down a mountain slope. 

Section D: Assertion-Reason Questions

Directions: Read the statements carefully and choose the correct option:

  • A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

  • B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

  • C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is paradoxical or false.

  • D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

1. Assertion (A): The plates of the Earth's crust move slowly over the semi-molten layer beneath them.

Reason (R): Heat from the Earth's core creates convection currents in the mantle.

2. Assertion (A): The Sundarbans Delta is highly fertile and supports dense human settlements and agriculture.

Reason (R): Deltas are formed by the rapid deposition of sediments carried down by rivers as they enter a sea or ocean.

3. Assertion (A): Physical weathering occurs when rocks break down into smaller pieces due to temperature changes or frost action without changing their chemical composition.

Reason (R): In weathering, the broken-down material is continuously transported over long distances by wind and water.

4. Assertion (A): Coastal areas are prone to natural hazards like storm surges and coastal erosion.

Reason (R): Sea waves continuously strike the shoreline, exerting mechanical force to erode, transport, and deposit coastal materials.

Section E: Very Short Answer Questions

  1. Define endogenic forces and give one example.

  2. What drives the movement of tectonic plates in the mantle?

  3. Name the three types of tectonic plates based on what they carry.

  4. Distinguish briefly between weathering and erosion based on movement.

  5. What is a meander? In which course of a river does it usually develop?

  6. Name the natural underground feature that hangs from the roof of a limestone cave, formed by dripping mineral-rich water.

  7. State two human activities that contribute to the occurrence of landslides.

  8. What does the acronym GLOF stand for in the context of glacial regions?

Section F: Short Answer Questions

  1. Explain the theory of plate tectonics and state how plate boundaries influence global landforms.

  2. Differentiate between convergent, divergent, and transform plate boundaries with one example for each.

  3. Describe the three main types of weathering, providing a brief example for each.

  4. How is a river delta formed? Mention two main reasons why deltas are economically important to humans.

  5. Explain how wind shapes landforms in arid regions. Give examples of two wind-formed landforms.

  6. What are the major causes of landslides, and what mitigation measures can be adopted to reduce their impact?

Section G: Long Answer Questions

  1. Describe the internal structure of the Earth in detail, highlighting the characteristics of the crust, mantle, and core, along with the significance of the lithosphere and asthenosphere.

  2. Discuss the various agents of gradation and explain how running water shapes the landscape from its upper course to its lower course.

  3. Examine the impact of landforms on human life, focusing on agriculture, settlements, transport, water resources, and tourism.

Section H: Case-Based Study (4 Marks)

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

The Himalayas, young fold mountains located along the northern border of India, are a classic result of tectonic plate collision. The Indo-Australian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate, causing intense folding and faulting of rock strata. However, this dynamic mountain environment is also highly fragile and prone to natural hazards. Steep slopes, heavy monsoon rainfall, weak rock structures, and increasing human interventions such as road construction, deforestation, and unscientific hillside development frequently trigger devastating slope failures and flash floods.

  1. (1 Mark) Which tectonic plates collided to form the Himalayan mountain range?

  2. (1 Mark) What type of plate boundary interaction caused the formation of these fold mountains?

  3. (2 Marks) Identify two human activities mentioned in the passage that worsen environmental hazards in mountain regions, and state one measure to mitigate them.

Section I: Competency-Based Questions

  1. Scenario Analysis: Imagine you are a disaster management expert assigned to a village situated near a receding glacier in a high-altitude mountain region. The local community is worried about a sudden outburst flood from a nearby glacial lake.

    • Question: Outline an emergency preparedness and mitigation strategy you would recommend to local authorities to protect the village from a potential GLOF event.

  2. Comparative Reasoning: A student argues that "weathering and erosion are essentially the same process because both result in the breakdown of rocks."

    • Question: Critique this statement using scientific reasoning. Explain how the absence or presence of a specific factor differentiates the two processes, and provide real-world examples for each.

 Download Worksheet with Answer:- https://drive.google.com/file/d/175YlXp8ceTMooTlFSDC40AF9OZX7SZcL/view?usp=drive_link

https://link.amazon/B0cDxC1aw  NCERT CLASS 9 Understanding Society – India and Beyond, Textbook of Social Science for Grade 9, Part 1 908 (ENG MED) | History & Geography, Civics & Economics, Grade 9 Curriculum, Part 1 of Series, Indian EducationNCERT CLASS 9 Understanding Society – India and Beyond, Textbook of Social Science for Grade 9, Part 1 908 (ENG MED) | History & Geography, Civics & Economics, Grade 9 Curriculum, Part 1 of Series, Indian Education by National council of educational research and training | 25 April 2026 4.14.1 out of 5 stars (115)


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