Drainage System

NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 Drainage System Class 11 Geography

Book Solutions

1(i)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
Which one of the following rivers was known as the ‘Sorrow of Bengal’?
(a) The Gandak
(b) The Son
(c) The Kosi
(d) The Damodar

Answer

(d) The Damodar
Exercises Page Number 31

1(ii)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
Which one of the following rivers has the largest river basin in India?
(a) The Indus
(b) The Brahmaputra
(c) The Ganga
(d) The Krishna

Answer

(c) The Ganga
Exercises Page Number 31

1(iii)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
Which one of the following rivers is not included in ‘Panchnad’?
(a) The Ravi
(b) The Chenab
(c) The Indus
(d) The Jhelum

Answer

(c) The Indus
Exercises Page Number 31

1(iv)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
Which one of the following rivers flows in a rift valley?
(a) The Son
(b) The Narmada
(c) The Yamuna
(d) The Luni

Answer

(b) The Narmada
Exercises Page Number 31

1(v)

Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below.
Which one of the following is the place of confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi?
(a) Vishnu Prayag
(b) Rudra Prayag
(c) Karan Prayag
(d) Deva Prayag

Answer

(d) Deva Prayag
Exercises Page Number 31

2(i)

State the differences between the following.
River Basin and Watershed

Answer

River Basin

Watershed

The catchments of large rivers are called river basins.

The catchments of small rivulets and rills are often referred to as watersheds.

These are larger in the area.

These are small in area.

Exercises Page Number 31

2(ii)

State the differences between the following.
Dendritic and Trellis drainage pattern

Answer

Dendritic drainage pattern

Trellis drainage pattern

The drainage pattern resembling the branches of a tree is known as dendritic.

When the primary tributaries of rivers flow parallel to each other and secondary tributaries join them at right angles, the pattern is known as trellis.

The drainage pattern of Northern plain is the example of such pattern.

The drainage pattern of Himalayan mountain is the example of such pattern.

Exercises Page Number 31

2(iii)

State the differences between the following.
Radial and Centripetal drainage pattern

Answer

Radial drainage pattern

Centripetal drainage pattern

When the rivers originate from a hill and flow in all directions, the drainage pattern is known as ‘radial’.

When the rivers discharge their waters from all directions in a lake or depression, the pattern is known as ‘centripetal’.

The rivers originating from the Amarkantak range is the example of such pattern.

Sambhar Lake of Rajasthan is the example of such pattern.

Exercises Page Number 31

2(iv)

State the differences between the following.
Delta and Estuary

Answer

Delta

Estuary

A Delta is a triangular landmass formed at the mouth of the river.

An Estuary is a funnel shaped formed at the mouth of the river.

It is formed in the regions of low tides and coastal plains.

It is formed in the regions of high tides and rift valleys.

These are extremely fertile and support agriculture.

They provide fishing ground and support inland transportation.

The rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra form deltas.

The rivers like Narmada and Tapi form estuaries.

Exercises Page Number 31

3(i)

Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
What are the socio-economic advantages of inter-linking of rivers in India?

Answer

The socio-economic advantages of inter-linking of rivers in India are:
• The problems of floods and drought will get solved as excess water from an area can be transferred to water deficit areas.
• The inland waterway transportation will improve which will make the transportation of materials across the country easier.
• It will also help in imporving irrigational facilities which will increase the productivity.
• It will provide various opportunities such as hydro-electricity and fisheries activities.
Exercises Page Number 31

3(ii)

Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
Write three characteristics of the Peninsular river.

Answer

Three characteristics of the Peninsular river are:
• These rivers originate in Peninsular plateau and central highland.
• These are seasonal and dependent on monsoon rainfall.
• These rivers are smaller having fixed course with well adjusted valleys.
Exercises Page Number 31

4(i)

Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words.
What are the important characteristic features of north Indian rivers? How are these different from Peninsular rivers?

Answer

The important characteristic features of north Indian rivers are:
• They originate in Himalayan mountain covered with glaciers.
• These rivers are perennial in nature because they receive water from glacier and rainfall.
• These rivers form deep gorges and V-shaped valleys in mountainous areas.
• It has long course, flowing through the rugged mountains experiencing headward erosion and river capturing.
• These rivers are young and youthful, active and deepening in the valleys.

These are different from peninsular rivers because of these reasons:
• The north Indian rivers have very large basins while peninsular rivers have relatively smaller basin.
• The north Indian rivers are perennial as they receive water from glaciers and rainfall while peninsular rivers receive their water only from monsoon rains.
• The north Indian rivers are antecedent and consequent leading to dendritic pattern in plains while peninsular rivers are super imposed, rejuvenated resulting in trellis, radial and rectangular patterns.
• The north Indian rivers are young and youthful, active and deepening in the valleys while peninsular rivers are old with graded profile, and have almost reached their base levels.
Exercises Page Number 31

4(ii)

Answer the following questions in not more than 125 words.
Suppose you are travelling from Haridwar to Siliguri along the foothills of the Himalayas. Name the important rivers you will come across. Describe the characteristics of any one of them.

Answer

If we are travelling from Haridwar to Siliguri along the foothills of the Himalayas we will come across Gomti, Ramganga, Rapti, Gandak, Kosi, Kamla, Saryu, Sharda, Ghaghra, Mahanadi and Ganga.
The characteristics of Gandak:
• It rises in the Nepal Himalayas between the Dhaulagiri and Mount Everest and drains the central part of Nepal
• It comprises two streams, namely Kaligandak and Trishulganga.
• It enters the Ganga plain in Champaran district of Bihar and joins the Ganga at Sonpur near Patna.
• Its length is 630 Km.
Exercises Page Number 31