CBSE Class 11 – Geography Question Paper 2023

SECTION – A

Question 1:

Which Theory is most widely accepted regarding the origin of the Universe at present?

(a) Collision Hypothesis

b) Big Bang Theory

(d) Binary Theory

Question 2:

Which of the following is not included in Diastrophism?

(a) Movement of plate

(b) Epeirogeny processes

d) Mass movement

Question 3:

The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone normally occurs:

(a) near the equator

(b) Near the tropic of Cancer

(d) near the arctic circle

Answer:

(a) near the equator

Question 4:

Which one of the following is the highest cloud in the sky?

(a) Cirrus

(b) Nimbus

(d) Cumulus

Answer:

(a) Cirrus

Question 5:

Which one of the following is the smallest ocean?

(a) Indian Ocean

(b) Arctic Ocean

(d) Pacific Ocean

Answer:

(b) Arctic Ocean

Question 6:

India’s territorial limit is extended up to:

(a) 12 Nautical Mile

(b) 20 Nautical Mile

(d) 7517 km

Answer:

(a) 12 Nautical Mile

Question 7:

Which one of the following country shares the longest land frontier with India?

(a) Bangladesh

(b) China

(d) Myanmar

Answer:

(b) China

Question 8:

On which of the following hill range is the ‘Dodabeta’ peak situated?

(a) Nilgiri hills

(b) Anaimalai hills

(d) Nallamala hills

Answer:

(a) Nilgiri hills

Question 9:

Assertion (A): Perennial rivers mostly originate from the Himalayas

Reason (R): The glaciers in the Himalayas feed the rivers

Options:

(a) Only assertion is correct

(b) Only reason is correct

(d) Both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not the correct explanation for assertion

Answer:

(c) Both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion

Question 10:

Which of these rivers join Ganga River from right bank?

(a) Yamuna and Gandak River

(b) Son and Kosi River

(d) Yamuna and Gomati River

Answer:

(b) Son and Kosi River

Question 11:

In which regions of India does mango shower take place?

(a) Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

(b) Kerala and Coastal Karnataka

(d) Punjab and Haryana

Answer:

(b) Kerala and Coastal Karnataka

Question 12:

What causes rainfall on the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu in the beginning of winters?

(a) South-West monsoon

(b) Temperate cyclones

(d) Local air circulation

Answer:

(c) North-East monsoon

Question 13:

Which season is there during September to December?

(a) Winter Season

(b) Retreating Monsoon

(d) Rainy season

Answer:

(b) Retreating Monsoon

Question 14:

Sandalwood is an example of

(a) Evergreen forest

(b) Deltaic forest

(d) Thorny forest

Answer:

(d) Thorny forest

Question 15:

Which of the following is the thinnest part of Earth’s interior?

(a) Core

(b) Oceanic crust

(d) Mantle

Answer:

(b) Oceanic crust

Question 16:

At which depth the core-mantle boundary is located?

(a) 100 km

(b) 2900 km

(d) 6378 km

Answer:

(b) 2900 km

Question 17:

Which of the following layers is known as NiFe?

(a) Mantle

(b) Continental crust

(d) Core

Answer:

(d) Core

SECTION – B

18. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Tropical deciduous forests are also called the monsoon forests. Tropical deciduous forests are found in areas receiving 70 to 200 cm of annual rainfall Monsoon forests grow over the Sahyadris, the north-eastern parts of the peninsula, middle and lower Ganga valley and along the foothills of the Himalayas in the Shiwaliks, the Bhabar and the Terai. Sal, teak, shisham, sandalwood, khair etc. are important trees. These trees provide useful wood and are economically very important. They shed their leaves in the beginning of summer season in the face of water shortage and are called deciduous forests. They are 30 to 45 meters tall and cover about 20% of our forest area.

1. What is another name of Tropical Deciduous Forests?

2. How much rain fall receiving by Tropical Deciduous Forests?

3. Name some important tree are grow in Tropical Deciduous Forests?

Answers:

1.Monsoon forests

2. 70 to 200 cm of annual rainfall

3. Sal, teak, shisham, sandalwood, khair

Question 19

1.Arrange correct sequence of different layers of the atmosphere from the surface of the Earth to upwards.

Answer:

Troposphere
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere

2.Which layer of atmosphere is vital for telecommunications?

Answer:

Ionosphere

Explanation:

While the question doesn’t explicitly mention the Ionosphere, it is a crucial layer for telecommunications. The Ionosphere is a part of the Thermosphere that contains electrically charged particles. These particles reflect radio waves, enabling long-distance radio communication.

3.What do you mean by tropopause?

Answer:

The tropopause is the boundary between the Troposphere and the Stratosphere. It is characterized by a significant decrease in temperature with increasing altitude and a change in the lapse rate (rate of temperature decrease). The tropopause acts as a barrier between the weather-driven Troposphere and the more stable Stratosphere.

SECTION – C

Question 20:

Differentiate between Systematic approach and Regional approach.

Answer:

Systematic Approach:

Focuses on studying individual elements of the Earth’s surface (e.g., landforms, climate, vegetation, soil) in a systematic manner.
Aims to understand the underlying principles and processes governing these elements.
Involves a global or universal perspective.
Example: Studying global climate patterns, tectonic plate movements, or soil formation processes worldwide.

Regional Approach:

Focuses on studying the unique characteristics and interactions of various elements within a specific region.
Aims to understand the spatial and temporal variations of phenomena within that region.
Emphasizes the regional context and interrelationships between different elements.
Example: Studying the unique climate, vegetation, and landforms of the Amazon rainforest or the Himalayas.

Question 21:

Describe the factors that cause variations in insolation.

Answer:

Insolation, or incoming solar radiation, varies across the Earth’s surface due to several factors:

Angle of Incidence: The angle at which the Sun’s rays strike the Earth’s surface. At higher latitudes, the Sun’s rays are more oblique, spreading over a larger area and resulting in less intense insolation. At lower latitudes, the Sun’s rays are more direct, resulting in higher insolation.
Earth’s Rotation: The Earth’s rotation causes day and night. During the day, a particular location receives direct sunlight, while at night, it receives no direct sunlight.
Earth’s Revolution: The Earth’s revolution around the Sun in an elliptical orbit leads to variations in the distance between the Earth and the Sun, which affects the intensity of insolation.
Tilt of the Earth’s Axis: The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes seasonal variations in insolation. During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer days and more intense insolation.
Atmospheric Absorption and Scattering: The Earth’s atmosphere absorbs and scatters some of the incoming solar radiation, reducing the amount of insolation reaching the surface.

Question 22:

How are Tides caused? Explain their importance.

Answer:

Tides are the periodic rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and, to a lesser extent, the Sun.

Gravitational Pull: The Moon’s gravitational pull exerts a stronger force on the side of the Earth facing it, causing a bulge of water. A smaller bulge occurs on the opposite side of the Earth due to the Earth’s inertia.
Sun’s Influence: The Sun also exerts a gravitational pull on the Earth, contributing to the tides. When the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned (during new moon and full moon), their gravitational forces combine to produce spring tides, which have higher high tides and lower low tides. When the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other, their gravitational forces partially cancel each other out, resulting¹ in neap tides, which have lower high tides and higher low tides.
Importance of Tides:

Navigation: Tides influence navigation by affecting water depths in harbors and channels.
Fishing: Tides affect the movement of fish, influencing fishing activities.
Tidal Power: Tidal energy can be harnessed to generate electricity.
Coastal Erosion and Deposition: Tides play a significant role in shaping coastlines through erosion and deposition of sediments.
Ecological Significance: Tides influence the distribution of marine organisms and their habitats.

Question 23:

Why there is a difference of two hours in local time between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat?

Answer:

The Earth rotates on its axis from west to east. As the Earth rotates, different parts of the Earth pass through sunlight at different times. This creates a difference in local time across longitudes.

Arunachal Pradesh is located in the easternmost part of India, while Gujarat is located in the western part of India.
As the Earth rotates from west to east, the Sun rises earlier in Arunachal Pradesh compared to Gujarat.
For every 15 degrees of longitude, there is a time difference of one hour.
The approximate longitudinal difference between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat is around 30 degrees.
Therefore, there is a difference of approximately two hours in local time between Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

SECTION – C

Question 24:

Who has given the concept of Continental Drift Theory? Write about the evidences which were given in the support of Continental drift

Answer:

Alfred Wegener proposed the Continental Drift Theory in 1912.

Evidences supporting Continental Drift:

Fit of the Continents: The coastlines of South America and Africa appear to fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle,¹ suggesting they were once connected.
Fossil Evidence: Identical fossils of plants and animals have been found on continents now separated by vast oceans, indicating that these landmasses were once joined.
Geological Evidence: Similar rock formations and mountain ranges are found on continents that are now far apart, suggesting they were formed under similar conditions when they were connected.
Paleoclimate Evidence: Glacial deposits and evidence of tropical climates have been found in areas that are now far from the poles and the equator, respectively, suggesting that the continents were once located in different positions.

Question 25:

Name the erosional and depositional features formed by the action of river and diagrammatically explain one land features of each.

Answer:

Erosional Features:

V-shaped valleys: Formed by the downward cutting action of the river.
Waterfalls: Formed when a river flows over a steep cliff.
Gorges: Deep, narrow valleys formed by the river cutting through resistant rock.
Potholes: Circular depressions formed by the swirling action of pebbles and stones in the river bed.

Depositional Features:

Floodplains: Flat, fertile land formed by the deposition of sediments during floods.
Deltas: Fan-shaped deposits of sediments formed at the mouth of a river.
Meanders: Loop-like bends in the river channel formed due to erosion on the outer bank and deposition on the inner bank.
Oxbow Lakes: U-shaped lakes formed when a meander is cut off from the main river channel.

Diagram (Example – V-shaped valley):

Vshaped valley formed by river erosion

Question 26:

Briefly explain the major physiographic divisions of India.

Answer:

India’s major physiographic divisions include:

The Himalayas: A mountain range in the north, forming a natural barrier.
The Indo-Gangetic Plain: A fertile alluvial plain between the Himalayas and the Peninsular Plateau.
The Peninsular Plateau: A large plateau in the southern part of India, formed by ancient rocks.
The Indian Desert: A vast desert region in the northwestern part of India.
The Coastal Plains: Narrow plains along the eastern and western coasts of India.
The Islands: Includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands.

Describe the two island groups of India

Answer:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Located in the Bay of Bengal, these islands are volcanic in origin and are known for their rich biodiversity.
Lakshadweep Islands: Located in the Arabian Sea, these islands are coral islands and are known for their beautiful beaches and coral reefs.

Question 27:

Compare Himalayan Rivers with that of Peninsular Rivers

Answer:

Himalayan Rivers:

Originate from the Himalayas.
Perennial rivers (flow throughout the year) due to snowmelt and rainfall.
Have steep gradients and high velocities.
Form V-shaped valleys and gorges.
Have high erosive power.
Examples: Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra

Peninsular Rivers:

Originate from the Peninsular Plateau.
Seasonal rivers (flow during monsoon season).
Have gentle slopes and low velocities.
Form meandering channels and deltas.
Have low erosive power.
Examples: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri

Question 28:

Name the seasons of India? Describe the South West Monsoon season of India?

Answer:

Seasons of India:

Winter Season (October-February): Cool and dry season.
Summer Season (March-May): Hot and dry season.
South-West Monsoon Season (June-September): Brings heavy rainfall to most parts of India.
North-East Monsoon Season (October-December): Brings rainfall to parts of South India.

South-West Monsoon Season:

Caused by the seasonal reversal of winds due to differential heating of land and sea.
Brings heavy rainfall to most parts of India, especially the central and eastern regions.
Responsible for agriculture in India.
Can also cause floods and landslides.

SECTION – E

Question 29:

On the given map of the world, the following seven features are shown. Identify any five of these features and write their correct names on the lines marked near each feature.

A. A Cold Current
B. An Ocean
C. A Warm Current
D. An Ecological Hotspot
E. A continental plate
F. An earthquake zone
G. A continental

Answer:

Identifying the exact features on the map would require access to the map itself. However, I can give you some general examples of what these features might be:

A. A Cold Current: Examples include the Humboldt Current (off the coast of South America), the Benguela Current (off the coast of Africa), or the California Current.
B. An Ocean: Examples include the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, or Southern Ocean.
C. A Warm Current: Examples include the Gulf Stream (in the Atlantic Ocean), the Kuroshio Current (in the Pacific Ocean), or the North Equatorial Current.
D. An Ecological Hotspot: Examples include the Amazon Rainforest, the Coral Triangle, or the Madagascar.
E. A continental plate: Examples include the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate, the African Plate, or the Pacific Plate.
F. An earthquake zone: Examples include the Ring of Fire (around the Pacific Ocean), the Himalayas, or the San Andreas Fault.
G. A continental: Examples include North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, or Antarctica.

Question 29 (Alternative for Visually Impaired Candidates):

Attempt any five:

A. Where is located Ring of Fire?
B. Name the area of Sahara Desert.
C. Mention the area of Nazca plate.
D. Where is located Mid Atlantic ridge?
E. Where is located Van Lake?
F. Which plate over the Earth is the largest continental plate?

Answers:

A. Where is located Ring of Fire?
- The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped region around the Pacific Ocean.
B. Name the area of Sahara Desert.
- The Sahara Desert is located in North Africa.
C. Mention the area of Nazca plate.
- The Nazca Plate is located off the western coast of South America.
D. Where is located Mid Atlantic ridge?
- The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a submarine mountain range located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
E. Where is located Van Lake?
- Van Lake is located in eastern Turkey.
F. Which plate over the Earth is the largest continental plate?
- The Eurasian Plate is the largest continental plate on Earth.

Question 30:

On the political outline map of India, locate and label ANY FIVE following items with appropriate symbols

A. River Ganga
B. Tropic of Cancer
C. A place in India of lowest temperature
D. Simlipal National Park
E. IST Line of India
F. Nathula Pass
G. Satpura Range

Answers:

A. River Ganga: Locate and label the course of the River Ganga on the map.
B. Tropic of Cancer: Draw a line representing the Tropic of Cancer, which passes through India.
C. A place in India of lowest temperature: Label Dras or Drass, a town in Ladakh, known for its extremely cold temperatures.
D. Simlipal National Park: Locate and label Simlipal National Park in the state of Odisha.
E. IST Line of India: Draw a vertical line representing the Indian Standard Time line (82.5°E longitude).
F. Nathula Pass: Locate and label Nathula Pass in the Sikkim Himalayas.
G. Satpura Range: Locate and label the Satpura Range, a mountain range in central India.

Alternative Questions for Visually Impaired Candidates:

A. Which is separated strait from India and Srilanka?
- Answer: Palk Strait
B. Name the southernmost point of mainland of India.
- Answer: Indira Point (or Pygmalion Point)
C. What is origin place of Kaveri river?
- Answer: Brahmagiri Hills in Kodagu district, Karnataka
D. Where is located Northern Circars?
- Answer: Northern Circars is a coastal region of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
E. Write the name of islands in Arabian Sea.
- Answer: Lakshadweep Islands
F. Name the famous lake of Andhra Pradesh.
- Answer: Kolleru Lake or Hussain Sagar Lake
G. Which is highest peak of southern India?
- Answer: Anamudi (2,695 meters) in the Western Ghats