CBSE Class 11 Geography NCERT Solutions Chapter 7: Landforms and their Evolution

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This chapter delves into the fascinating world of landforms and their evolution, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of geological processes. The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography, Chapter 7, cover key concepts such as the stages of landform development, including youth, mature, and old stages, and the dominant processes occurring in each. It also explores different types of weathering, distinguishing between chemical and mechanical weathering and identifying regions where each is prevalent. The solutions explain specific landforms like canyons, gorges, and cirques, detailing their formation. Furthermore, it addresses underground water flow in limestone regions and the evolution of features like valley sinks (uvalas). These solutions are designed to clarify complex topics, aid in understanding the dynamic nature of Earth's surface, and provide essential preparation for examinations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Fundamental of Physical Geography
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 7

Chapter summary

Chapter 7 of the NCERT Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography focuses on Landforms and their Evolution. The provided solutions explain the different stages of landform development (youth, mature, old) and the dominant erosional processes in each. It details various weathering types and their geographical prevalence, alongside specific landforms like canyons, gorges, and cirques. The chapter also touches upon karst topography, explaining underground water flow in limestone regions and the formation of features like uvalas. These solutions offer clear explanations for understanding the dynamic processes shaping our planet's surface.

Learning outcomes

Understand the different stages of landform development.
Differentiate between youth, mature, and old stages of landform evolution.
Identify and explain various types of weathering processes.
Recognize and describe landforms like canyons, gorges, and cirques.
Explain the reasons for dominant underground water flow in limestone regions.
Describe the formation of valley sinks (uvalas).

Topics covered

Paper topics

Landform Development Stages
Youth Stage
Mature Stage
Old Stage
Weathering Processes
Chemical Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Canyons
Gorges
Lapies
Cirques
Underground Water Flow in Limestone Areas

Important topics

Stages of Landform Development
Types of Weathering
Formation of Canyons and Gorges
Karst Topography Features (Lapies, Uvalas)
Glacial Landforms (Cirques)

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Questions and Solutions

Multiple choice questions.

(i) In which of the following stages of landform development, downward cutting is dominated?

(a) Youth stage

(b) Late mature stage

(d) Old stage

Solution: The youth stage of landform development is characterized by a steep river gradient and high potential energy. This allows the river to focus its erosional energy primarily on downward cutting, deepening its channel significantly. Therefore, downward cutting is dominated in the youth stage.

(ii) A deep valley characterised by steep step-like side slopes is known as

(a) U-shaped valley

(b) Gorge

(d) Canyon

Solution: A canyon is a deep valley with very steep, often step-like side slopes. This landform is typically carved by a river over a long period, especially in arid or semi-arid regions where weathering and mass wasting are less effective at widening the valley. While a gorge is also a deep, narrow valley, the term canyon often implies a larger scale and the characteristic step-like slopes.

(iii) In which one of the following regions the chemical weathering process is more dominant than the mechanical process.

(a) Humid region

(b) Limestone region

(d) Glacier region

Solution: Chemical weathering processes, such as dissolution, oxidation, and hydrolysis, are significantly enhanced by the presence of moisture and warmth. Humid regions typically provide these conditions, leading to a higher rate of chemical decomposition and alteration of rocks compared to mechanical weathering.

(iv) Which one of the following sentences best defines the term 'Lapies'?

(a) A small to medium sized shallow depression

(b) A landform whose opening is more or less circular at the top and funnel shaped towards bottom

(d) An irregular surface with sharp pinnacles, grooves and ridges

Solution: Lapies are a distinctive surface feature of karst topography. They are characterized by an irregular, corrugated or ribbed surface, often appearing as sharp pinnacles, grooves, and ridges. These features are formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, primarily limestone, by rainwater.

(v) A deep, long and wide trough or basin with very steep concave high walls at its head as well as in sides is known as:

(a) Cirque

(b) Glacial valley

(d) Esker

Solution: A cirque is a glacially carved, bowl-shaped hollow or amphitheatre found at the head of a valley. It is characterized by very steep, concave high walls, often referred to as the 'headwall', and forms the starting point for many glaciers.

Answer the following questions in about 30 words

(i) What do incised meanders in rocks and meanders in plains of alluvium indicate?

Solution: Incised meanders in rock indicate that a river, which was once meandering on a lower base level, has been uplifted, allowing it to cut vertically downwards into the bedrock. Meanders in alluvial plains suggest a relatively stable, low-gradient environment where lateral erosion is dominant.

(ii) Explain the evolution of valley sinks or uvalas.

Solution: Valley sinks, also known as uvalas, form when multiple sinkholes or dolines merge. This merging occurs due to the slumping of material along their edges or the collapse of cave roofs connecting them. The result is a larger, often elongated or irregular depression.

(iii) Underground flow of water is more common than surface run-off in limestone areas. Why?

Solution: Limestone is a permeable rock that is often thinly bedded and heavily jointed or cracked. These characteristics allow rainwater to easily infiltrate the ground and flow through underground channels, making underground flow significantly more common than surface runoff in such areas.

Common mistakes

Confusing the dominant processes in different landform development stages.
Misidentifying specific landforms based on their characteristics.
Not clearly distinguishing between chemical and mechanical weathering.
Failing to explain the permeability and jointing of limestone rocks in relation to underground flow.

Revision tips

Draw diagrams to illustrate the different stages of landform evolution and specific landforms.
Create a table comparing chemical and mechanical weathering processes.
Focus on understanding the 'why' behind phenomena, like why underground flow is common in limestone areas.
Review the definitions and characteristics of each landform mentioned in the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. In which stage of landform development is downward cutting of the land by rivers most prominent?

Q2. A deep valley with very steep, step-like side slopes is characteristic of which landform?

Q3. In which type of region is chemical weathering more dominant than mechanical weathering?

Q4. What best describes the landform known as 'Lapies'?

Q5. A deep, long, and wide basin with steep, concave walls at its head is known as:

Frequently asked questions

What are the main stages of landform development discussed in Chapter 7?

Chapter 7 discusses three main stages of landform development: Youth stage, Mature stage, and Old stage, each characterized by different dominant erosional processes and landform features.

What is the difference between a gorge and a canyon?

Both gorges and canyons are deep valleys with steep sides. A canyon is typically wider and may have step-like slopes, often formed in arid regions, while a gorge is generally narrower and steeper, often formed in more resistant rocks.

Why is chemical weathering more dominant in humid regions?

Chemical weathering is more dominant in humid regions because the presence of abundant moisture and warmth accelerates chemical reactions like dissolution, hydrolysis, and oxidation, which break down rocks.

What causes underground water flow to be more common than surface runoff in limestone areas?

Limestone rocks are permeable, thinly bedded, and highly jointed or cracked, allowing water to easily infiltrate and flow underground, forming features like sinkholes and underground drainage systems.

How do these NCERT solutions help in preparing for exams?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for complex concepts, definitions of key terms, and detailed descriptions of landforms and processes, aiding in thorough revision and understanding for exams.

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