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

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 Geography, Chapter 7, Landforms and their Evolution, delves into the dynamic processes that shape our planet's surface. This chapter explores the distinct stages of landform development – youth, mature, and old – highlighting the dominant erosional processes characteristic of each. For instance, downward cutting is a key feature of the youth stage. The solutions also illuminate specific landforms, such as the dramatic canyons carved by rivers and the distinctive cirques sculpted by glaciers. It further examines the prevalence of chemical weathering, particularly in humid climates and limestone regions, leading to unique features like 'Lapies' and 'Uvalas' (valley sinks). Understanding why groundwater flows underground in limestone areas is also clarified, providing a comprehensive overview of geomorphic processes and their resulting landscapes.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 11
Subject	Geography
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	7. Landforms and their Evolution

Chapter summary

Chapter 7 of the Class 11 Geography syllabus, 'Landforms and their Evolution', explores the dynamic processes that create and modify Earth's surface. This NCERT Solutions set breaks down complex concepts, explaining the stages of landform development, the impact of erosion and weathering (both mechanical and chemical), and the formation of various landforms like valleys, canyons, cirques, and karst features. It addresses specific questions on meanders, Uvalas, and underground water flow in limestone terrains, providing clear explanations for effective learning and revision.

Learning outcomes

Understand the different stages of landform development.
Identify the dominant erosional processes in various stages.
Explain the formation of specific landforms like canyons and cirques.
Differentiate between chemical and mechanical weathering and their dominant regions.
Describe the characteristics and formation of karst landforms like Lapies and Uvalas.
Explain the reasons for underground water flow in limestone areas.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Landform Development Stages
Youth Stage
Mature Stage
Old Stage
Downward Cutting
Canyons
Chemical Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Humid Regions
Limestone Regions
Karst Topography
Lapies
Uvalas
Underground Water Flow

Important topics

Landform Development Stages and Processes
Dominance of Chemical vs. Mechanical Weathering
Formation of Canyons and Cirques
Karst Landforms (Lapies, Uvalas)
Underground Water Flow in Limestone Areas

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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 gradient and high potential energy of a river. This allows for significant vertical erosion, leading to the downward cutting of the valley. 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 river erosion over long periods, especially in arid or semi-arid regions where weathering is less effective at softening the 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 are significantly enhanced by the presence of water and warmth. Humid regions provide these conditions, leading to a higher rate of chemical decomposition and dissolution of rocks compared to arid or glacial environments where water is scarce or frozen.

(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' refer to a karst landform characterized by an irregular, corrugated surface. This surface is sculpted by dissolution, resulting in sharp pinnacles, grooves, and ridges, typically found in limestone areas.

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 large, armchair-shaped hollow with very steep, concave high walls, typically found at the head of a glacial valley. It is formed by glacial erosion, where ice accumulates and carves out the rock.

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 rocks and meanders in alluvial plains indicate a change in the river's base level or tectonic uplift. They suggest that a river, previously meandering on a flatter surface, has been rejuvenated and has begun to cut vertically downwards into the underlying bedrock or original land surface.

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

Solution: Valley sinks, also known as uvalas, evolve when multiple sinkholes or dolines merge. This merging occurs due to the slumping of material along their margins or the collapse of the roofs of underground caves connecting them, forming a larger, irregular depression.

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

Solution: Underground flow is more common in limestone areas because limestone rocks are typically permeable, thinly bedded, and possess numerous joints and cracks. These features allow water to infiltrate easily and flow underground, rather than accumulating and flowing on the surface.

Common mistakes

Confusing the dominant erosional processes in different landform development stages.
Misidentifying specific landforms based on their characteristics.
Not clearly distinguishing between chemical and mechanical weathering dominance.
Difficulty in explaining the formation of karst features like Uvalas.

Revision tips

Focus on the key characteristics of each landform development stage (youth, mature, old).
Memorize the specific features and formation processes of landforms like canyons, cirques, and Uvalas.
Understand the conditions that favor chemical versus mechanical weathering.
Review the explanations for underground water flow in limestone areas, paying attention to rock properties.

Practice MCQs

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

Q2. What is a deep valley with steep, step-like side slopes called?

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

Q4. Which term best describes an irregular surface with sharp pinnacles, grooves, and ridges, often formed in limestone areas?

Q5. What is a 'valley sink' or 'Uvala' formed by?

Frequently asked questions

What are the main stages of landform development discussed in this chapter?

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

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 that break down rocks.

What is the difference between a canyon and a gorge?

While both are deep valleys, a canyon typically has steep, step-like side slopes, whereas a gorge is often narrower with nearly vertical walls. The source text specifically defines a canyon with step-like slopes.

How do Uvalas (valley sinks) form?

Uvalas form when multiple sinkholes or dolines merge together, often due to the slumping of material along their edges or the collapse of underground cave roofs.

Why is underground water flow more common in limestone areas?

Limestone rocks are often permeable, thinly bedded, and highly jointed or cracked, which facilitates the infiltration and underground flow of water, making surface runoff less common.

What does the presence of incised meanders indicate?

Incised meanders indicate that a river, which was previously flowing on a relatively stable land surface, has experienced an uplift or a fall in its base level, allowing it to cut vertically into the underlying rock.

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