NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science (Exploring Society) Chapter 3: Landforms and Life (NCERT 2026–27)

These Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 3 solutions cover Landforms and Life from Exploring Society: India and Beyond, the new NCF textbook for the 2026–27 session. The chapter belongs to the theme India and the World: Land and the People and explores the three major landforms — mountains, plateaus and plains — their physical features, environments, flora and fauna, and the challenges and opportunities of life in each. Below you get step-by-step answers to every question in the Questions, activities and projects exercise, clear notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions and FAQs.

Class: 6 Subject: Social Science Book: Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter: 3 Theme: India and the World: Land and the People Session: 2026–27
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Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society Chapter 3 – Overview

Chapter 3, Landforms and Life, explains that a landform is a physical feature on the surface of the Earth, shaped over millions of years, with a deep connection to the environment and to human life. Landforms are broadly divided into three categories — mountains (much higher than the surrounding land, with a broad base, steep slopes and a narrow summit), plateaus (raised land with a more or less flat surface and often steep sides), and plains (extensive flat or gently undulating land, usually below 300 metres). Each landform has its own climate, flora and fauna, and its own occupations — terrace farming, herding and tourism in the mountains; mining and waterfalls on plateaus; and farming, fishing and river navigation in the fertile plains. The chapter shows how people have adapted to mountains, plateaus, plains and even deserts, facing challenges such as landslides, flash floods and groundwater depletion, while celebrating these landforms in culture, poetry and worship. It is a testimony to human adaptability and resilience.

Key Concepts & Terms

Landform: a physical feature on the surface of the Earth that takes shape over millions of years; the three broad categories are mountains, plateaus and plains.

Altitude: the height of an object above sea level — for example, the altitude of a mountain, a plane in flight or a satellite.

Mountains: landforms much higher than the surrounding landscape, with a broad base, steep slopes and a narrow summit; tall and sharp peaks like the Himalayas are ‘young’, while rounded ones like the Aravalli Range are old.

Hills: highlands with a lower height, less steep slopes and rounded tops — they belong to the same broad type as mountains.

Plateau: a landform that rises up from the surrounding land and has a more or less flat surface, often with steep sides; rich in minerals and called ‘storehouses of minerals’.

Plains: landforms with an extensive flat or gently undulating surface, without large hills or deep valleys, generally not more than 300 metres above sea level; floodplains made fertile by river sediments are ideal for farming.

Precipitation: water from the atmosphere reaching the ground in any form — rain, snow and hail are the most common forms.

Terrace farming: cultivation done on steep mountain slopes by cutting steps into the slope.

Montane forest: a forest that grows in mountainous regions, where conifers such as pines, firs, spruce and deodar are common.

Confluence: the meeting point of two or more rivers, often regarded as sacred.

Other key terms: Terrain (a stretch of land seen from the point of view of its physical features), Valley (a lower area between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it), Sediments (particles of rock, sand and silt carried and deposited by rivers), Sea level (the average level of the ocean surface), Resilience (the capacity to meet challenges and adapt to or overcome them), and the desert (a large, dry expanse with very little precipitation and unique flora and fauna).

“Questions, activities and projects” — Full Solutions

All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Questions, activities and projects section. Answers are original, written in exam-ready style.

1. In what type of landform is your town / village / city located? Which features mentioned in this chapter do you see around you?

ANSWER This is an observation activity, so the answer depends on where you live; identify your own landform and the features you can see around you. Model answer: My city is located in the plains. Around me I see an extensive flat surface without any large hills or deep valleys. The land is fertile and used for growing food crops such as wheat and rice, and there is a river flowing nearby that is used for fishing and irrigation through canals — all features of plains mentioned in the chapter. (If you live in the mountains, write about steep slopes, terrace farming, montane forests, herding and tourism; if on a plateau, write about its flat raised surface, steep sides, rocky soil, mining and waterfalls.)

2. Let us go back to our initial trip from Chhota Nagpur to Prayagraj and Almora. Describe the three landforms you came across on the way.

ANSWER On this journey you pass through all three major landforms: 1. Plateau (Chhota Nagpur, Jharkhand): The Chhota Nagpur Plateau is a raised landform with a more or less flat surface and steep sides. It has rocky soil and is rich in minerals such as iron, coal and manganese, so mining is a major activity here. 2. Plains (Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh): Prayagraj lies in the fertile Ganga plain, an extensive flat land formed by river sediments. Farming, fishing and river navigation are common, and the confluence of rivers here is regarded as sacred. 3. Mountains (Almora, Uttarakhand): Almora lies in the Himalayan mountains — high land with a broad base, steep slopes and narrow summits, covered with montane forests. Terrace farming, herding and tourism are the main occupations.

3. List a few famous pilgrimage spots in India along with the landforms in which they are found.

ANSWER India has many pilgrimage spots spread across all landforms:
Pilgrimage spotLandform
Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath (Uttarakhand / Kashmir)Mountains (Himalayas)
Vaishno Devi (Trikuta hills, Jammu)Mountains / hills
Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam), Haridwar, VaranasiPlains (Ganga plain)
Tirupati (Tirumala hills, Andhra Pradesh)Plateau / hills
Rameswaram, Puri (Jagannath Temple)Coastal plains
This shows that pilgrimage spots are found in mountains, plateaus and plains, reflecting the deep cultural value of all landforms in India.

4. State whether true or false —

• The Himalayas are young mountains with rounded tops.

ANSWERFalse. The Himalayas are young mountains, but they have tall and sharp peaks, not rounded tops. Rounded tops are a feature of older mountains like the Aravalli Range.

• Plateaus usually rise sharply at least on one side.

ANSWERTrue. A plateau has a more or less flat surface, but some of its sides are often steep slopes, so it rises sharply at least on one side.

• Mountains and hills belong to the same type of landform.

ANSWERTrue. Hills are highlands with a lower height, less steep slopes and rounded tops, but they belong to the same broad category as mountains.

• Mountains, plateaus and rivers in India have the same types of flora and fauna.

ANSWERFalse. Different landforms have different climates and are home to different flora and fauna. For example, montane forests and snow leopards are found in mountains, while fertile plains support different crops, fish and birds.

• Ganga is a tributary to the Yamuna.

ANSWERFalse. It is the other way round — the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga. The Ganga is the main river, and the Yamuna and the Ghagara join it.

• Deserts have unique flora and fauna.

ANSWERTrue. Deserts are large, dry expanses with very little precipitation, and their flora and fauna are specially adapted to survive harsh, dry conditions, making them unique.

• Melting snow feeds rivers.

ANSWERTrue. At lower altitudes, snow on mountains melts every summer and turns into water that feeds rivers.

• Sediments from rivers deposited in the plains makes the land fertile.

ANSWERTrue. Rivers carry particles of rock, sand and silt called sediments and deposit them in the plains, making the soil very fertile and ideal for growing crops.

• All deserts are hot.

ANSWERFalse. Not all deserts are hot. Some deserts are hot, like the Sahara and the Thar, but others are cold, like the Gobi Desert in Asia.

5. Match words in pairs:

ANSWER The correct matches are:
WordMatch
Mount Everestroof of the world
raftingriver
camelsdesert
plateauAfrica
Gangetic plainsrice fields
waterwayGanga
Mount Kilimanjaroclimbing
Yamunatributary
Note: ‘roof of the world’ is normally used for the Tibetan Plateau; here it is matched with Mount Everest as the highest point. ‘Plateau’ pairs with Africa because the East African Plateau is famous for its mining, and the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What is a landform? Name the three major types.

ANSWERA landform is a physical feature on the surface of the Earth that takes shape over millions of years and is closely connected with the environment and life. The three major types of landforms are mountains, plateaus and plains.

Q2. What is the difference between a mountain and a hill?

ANSWERA mountain is much higher than the surrounding land, with a broad base, steep slopes and a narrow summit. A hill is a highland with a lower height, less steep slopes and a rounded top. However, both belong to the same broad category of landform.

Q3. Why are plateaus called ‘storehouses of minerals’?

ANSWERPlateaus are rich in mineral deposits, so they are called ‘storehouses of minerals’. Mining is a major activity on plateaus — for example, the East African Plateau is famous for gold and diamonds, and the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in India has huge reserves of iron, coal and manganese.

Q4. How are floodplains formed, and why are they ideal for farming?

ANSWERFloodplains are formed by rivers that originate in mountains and carry particles of rock, sand and silt called sediments. The rivers deposit these sediments in the plains, making the soil very fertile. This is why floodplains are ideal for growing crops of all kinds, and agriculture is a major occupation there.

Q5. What is terrace farming, and where is it practised?

ANSWERTerrace farming is cultivation done on steep slopes by cutting steps into the slope. It is practised in mountainous regions where the rugged terrain and steep slopes make regular farming difficult, so steps are cut to create flat land for growing crops.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Describe the mountain environment and the main occupations of people living in the mountains.

ANSWERMountain slopes are often covered with a type of forest called montane forest, where conifer trees such as pines, firs, spruce and deodar are common; they grow tall and cone-shaped with thin, pointed leaves. At higher altitudes, the trees give way to grasses, mosses and lichen. Deep forests, rivers, lakes, grasslands and caves are home to diverse fauna such as the snow leopard, the ibex, the Himalayan tahr, the yak, the golden eagle and the black bear. Because the terrain is rugged and steep, regular farming is possible only in some valleys; cultivation is done by terrace farming, and in many regions herding is preferred over agriculture. Tourism is also an important source of income — the crisp air and scenic beauty attract visitors for skiing, hiking, mountaineering, paragliding and pilgrimages. However, an excessive inflow of visitors can harm the fragile mountain environment, so a balance must be found.

Q2. Explain life in the plains, with reference to the Ganga plain.

ANSWERPlains have an extensive flat or gently undulating surface and fertile soil, so they support a large part of the world’s population. The first civilisations developed around rivers in fertile plains. About 40 crore people — more than one-fourth of India’s population — live in the Ganga plain (the ‘Gangetic plain’). The main occupations are river fishing and agriculture: food crops such as rice, wheat, maize, barley and millets, and fibre crops such as cotton, jute and hemp are grown. Traditional agriculture was rainfed, but in recent decades it has turned to irrigation through canals and groundwater. While irrigation has increased production, it has also caused the depletion of groundwater, along with problems of high population and pollution. Because plains have a gentle slope, river navigation is easy and supports trade, travel and many cultural and economic activities.

Q3. What challenges and opportunities are associated with life in the mountains?

ANSWERLife in the mountains offers many opportunities as well as challenges. The opportunities include pure, crisp air, beautiful scenery, terrace farming and herding, and income from tourism through skiing, hiking, mountaineering and pilgrimages. The mountains are also rich in forests, rivers and wildlife, and many communities consider them sacred. However, the challenges are serious: landslides (the sudden collapse of earth or rock), flash floods (sudden local floods caused by cloudbursts), avalanches (the sudden fall of snow, ice or rock), heavy snowfall, very cold weather and the dangers of uncontrolled tourism, which can damage the fragile environment. Despite these challenges, people still choose to live in the mountains because of the natural beauty, fertile valleys, cultural and spiritual value, and their strong sense of belonging to the land — showing great adaptability and resilience.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. A physical feature on the surface of the Earth that takes shape over millions of years is called a:

(a) climate    (b) landform    (c) sediment    (d) terrain

2. The three broad categories of landforms are:

(a) hills, valleys and deserts    (b) mountains, plateaus and plains    (c) rivers, lakes and oceans    (d) forests, grasslands and deserts

3. The height of an object above sea level is called its:

(a) altitude    (b) precipitation    (c) confluence    (d) terrain

4. Which of these is described as a ‘young’ mountain range with tall and sharp peaks?

(a) Aravalli Range    (b) Himalayas    (c) Vindhya Range    (d) Western Ghats

5. The largest and highest plateau in the world, nicknamed the ‘Roof of the World’, is the:

(a) Deccan Plateau    (b) Chhota Nagpur Plateau    (c) Tibetan Plateau    (d) East African Plateau

6. Cultivation done on steep mountain slopes by cutting steps into the slope is called:

(a) shifting cultivation    (b) terrace farming    (c) plantation farming    (d) mixed farming

7. Plains are generally not more than how many metres above sea level?

(a) 100 metres    (b) 300 metres    (c) 1,000 metres    (d) 4,500 metres

8. The highest mountain in south India, also known as ‘Anai Peak’, is:

(a) Mount Everest    (b) Kanchenjunga    (c) Anamudi    (d) Mont Blanc

9. Which of the following is a cold desert?

(a) Sahara Desert    (b) Thar Desert    (c) Gobi Desert    (d) Kalahari Desert

10. The meeting point of two or more rivers is called a:

(a) valley    (b) confluence    (c) summit    (d) floodplain

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(b), 3-(a), 4-(b), 5-(c), 6-(b), 7-(b), 8-(c), 9-(c), 10-(b).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: Melting snow on mountains feeds rivers.

Reason: At lower altitudes, snow melts every summer and turns into water that flows into rivers.

A-R 2. Assertion: Floodplains are ideal for growing crops.

Reason: Rivers deposit sediments of rock, sand and silt in the plains, making the soil very fertile.

A-R 3. Assertion: All deserts in the world are hot.

Reason: Deserts are large, dry expanses with very little precipitation.

A-R 4. Assertion: Regular farming is difficult in the mountains.

Reason: The mountain terrain is usually rugged and has steep slopes.

A-R 5. Assertion: The Himalayas have rounded tops like the Aravalli Range.

Reason: The Himalayas are old mountains that have been rounded by erosion.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(A), 3-(D), 4-(A), 5-(D).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Learn the three landforms (mountains, plateaus, plains) and the distinguishing features of each — for mountains: broad base, steep slopes, narrow summit; for plateaus: raised, flat top, steep sides; for plains: flat, below 300 m, fertile. Always link each landform to its environment and main occupations (terrace farming and tourism in mountains, mining on plateaus, agriculture and fishing in plains). Remember the textbook’s named examples — Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Anamudi, the Tibetan and Deccan plateaus, the Chhota Nagpur Plateau, the Ganga plain, and hot deserts (Sahara, Thar) versus cold deserts (Gobi). For true/false questions, give a one-line reason for each answer.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Saying the Himalayas have rounded tops — they are young mountains with tall, sharp peaks; rounded tops belong to old ranges like the Aravalli.
  • Writing that the Ganga is a tributary of the Yamuna — it is the reverse; the Yamuna is a tributary of the Ganga.
  • Assuming all deserts are hot — the Gobi is a cold desert.
  • Confusing plateau (raised flat land with steep sides) with plains (low, flat land below 300 m).
  • Forgetting that mountains and hills belong to the same type of landform.
  • Leaving observation/activity questions (Q1) blank — write your own example based on where you live.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 3 of Class 6 Social Science Exploring Society about?

Chapter 3, Landforms and Life, explains the three major landforms — mountains, plateaus and plains — their physical features, climates, flora and fauna, and the challenges and opportunities of life in each, along with deserts and the cultural importance of landforms in India.

What are the three major types of landforms?

The three major types of landforms are mountains (much higher than the surrounding land, with a broad base, steep slopes and a narrow summit), plateaus (raised land with a flat surface and steep sides) and plains (extensive flat land, usually not more than 300 metres above sea level).

What is the exercise heading for Chapter 3 of Exploring Society?

The end-of-chapter exercise in Exploring Society: India and Beyond Chapter 3 is headed Questions, activities and projects and contains 5 questions (including a true/false set and a matching exercise), all answered step by step on this page.

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