Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 Geography Chapter 5 Geomorphic Processes 2025-26

Q1. Which one of the following is an exogenic geomorphic process?

• (a) Folding
• (b) Volcanism
• (c) Weathering
• (d) Plate tectonics

Answer: (c) Weathering. 

It is an exogenic process, as it is driven by external forces like temperature, water, and wind acting on the earth’s surface.

Q2. The process that results in the uplift or warping of large parts of the Earth's crust is known as

• (a) Orogeny
• (b) Epeirogeny
• (c) Volcanism
• (d) Erosion

Answer: (b) Epeirogeny. 

Epeirogenic movements involve broad, gentle uplifts or subsidences of large parts of the earth’s crust.

Q3. Mass movement that involves a backward rotation of debris is called

• (a) Creep
• (b) Slide
• (c) Slump
• (d) Avalanche

Answer: (c) Slump. 

Slump refers to slipping of units of rock debris with backward rotation relative to the slope.

Q4. Which process is responsible for the mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks in their original place?

• (a) Erosion
• (b) Weathering
• (c) Deposition
• (d) Folding

Answer: (b) Weathering. 

Weathering occurs in-situ and leads to breakdown of rocks without transportation.

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a factor in soil formation?

• (a) Parent material
• (b) Climate
• (c) Latitude
• (d) Time

Answer: (c) Latitude. 

The primary factors are parent material, topography, climate, biological activity, and time. Latitude affects temperature but is not a direct soil-forming factor.

2. Very Short Answer (VSA).

Q1. Define geomorphic processes.

Answer: Geomorphic processes are natural forces including endogenic and exogenic actions, which bring changes to the earth’s surface by causing uplift, breakdown, transport, and deposition of materials.

Q2. What is meant by endogenic processes?

Answer: Endogenic processes are internal earth processes like diastrophism and volcanism, deriving energy from within the earth, and responsible for mountain building, uplift, and related movements.

Q3. Name any two exogenic geomorphic processes.

Answer: Weathering and erosion are two exogenic geomorphic processes, both driven by forces operating at or near the earth’s surface.

Q4. State the role of gravity in mass movements.

Answer: Gravity is the primary force triggering the downslope movement of soil and rock debris in mass movements, directly influencing their speed and impact.

Q5. What is denudation?

Answer: Denudation is the combined action of weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and transportation, leading to the stripping or uncovering of earth’s surface materials.

3. Short Answer Questions.

Q1. Explain the difference between chemical and physical weathering processes.

Answer: Chemical weathering alters the chemical structure of rocks through reactions like oxidation, reduction, and hydration, producing clay and soluble materials. Physical weathering, on the other hand, mechanically breaks rocks into smaller pieces by temperature change, pressure release, or frost action, without changing their chemical composition.

Q2. Why is weathering considered an in-situ process?

Answer: Weathering is termed in-situ because it involves the breakdown and decomposition of rocks directly at their original locations, with minimal or no movement of the loosened material, unlike erosion which involves transport.

Q3. Mention two effects of mass movements on the landscape.

Answer: Mass movements result in sudden changes in the landscape, including slope retreat and landform changes. They can expose fresh rock surfaces and lead to hazards like landslides and debris flow, drastically altering terrain over time.

Q4. List any two soil-forming factors and briefly state their importance.

Answer: Parent material supplies minerals and nutrients, determining soil texture and composition. Climate influences the rate of soil formation by controlling temperature and precipitation, impacting weathering and organic activity.

4. Long Answer Questions.

Q1. Discuss the main differences between endogenic and exogenic geomorphic processes, giving suitable examples.

Answer: Endogenic geomorphic processes originate within the Earth and account for major structural formations such as mountains, plateaus, and earthquakes. Examples include orogeny (mountain building) and volcanism. Exogenic processes are driven by external forces like atmosphere and water, shaping and modifying landforms through weathering, erosion, transportation, and deposition. For instance, rivers eroding valleys or wind transporting sand are exogenic actions. Both process groups interact to shape earth’s surface but differ in energy source and resulting landforms.

1. Endogenic: internal energy, constructs relief (mountains, folds).
2. Exogenic: external energy, degrades/ modifies relief (erosion, weathering).

Q2. Describe the role of climate and biological activity in the process of soil formation.

Answer: Climate regulates soil formation by determining rates of weathering and organic decomposition. High rainfall and temperature accelerate these rates, leading to deeper, richer soils. Biological activity, such as the decomposition of organic matter by plants, animals, and microbes, leads to humus formation, enriches soils with nutrients, and affects soil structure and fertility.

1. Climate: affects temperature and moisture, determines weathering rate.
2. Biological activity: adds organic content, aerates soil, improves fertility.

Q3. How does mass wasting differ from erosion, and why is this distinction important?

Answer: Mass wasting refers to the downward movement of rocks and debris solely under gravity without a transporting agent, like landslides, creep, or slumps. Erosion, however, involves both the detachment and transport of earth material by external agents like water, wind, or ice. This distinction is important for understanding landscape evolution and hazard management.

1. Mass wasting: movement under gravity, not agent-driven.
2. Erosion: material moved by agents (water, wind, ice).

5. Assertion–Reason type questions.

Assertion (A): Weathering is a necessary pre-requisite for soil formation.
Reason (R): Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller fragments and prepares the way for soil development.

• (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true, but R is false
• (d) A is false, but R is true

Answer: (a) A and R are true, and R correctly explains why weathering precedes soil formation by providing necessary regolith.

Assertion (A): Exfoliation is a form of chemical weathering.
Reason (R): Exfoliation results from repeated heating and cooling of rocks.

• (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true, but R is false
• (d) A is false, but R is true

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true. Exfoliation is physical weathering from temperature changes, not chemical.

3. Fill in the Blanks Questions.

Q1. The two main groups of geomorphic processes are _________ and _________ processes.

Answer: Endogenic, Exogenic. 

Endogenic processes originate within the earth, while exogenic processes occur at or near the surface driven by external agents.

Q2. _________ is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of rocks without transportation.

Answer: Weathering. 

It reduces rocks to smaller fragments or new materials in their original location, with no significant movement.

Q3. The five major soil-forming factors are parent material, topography, climate, biological activity, and _________.

Answer: Time. 

Given sufficient time, these factors interact to create soils of varying depth, texture, and fertility.

Advantages of Practicing Geomorphic Processes Questions

Practicing class 11 geography chapter 5 important questions enhances your understanding of geomorphic processes. It helps in grasping concepts like weathering, mass wasting, and erosion, which are essential for CBSE exams and for higher studies in earth sciences.

Students looking for class 11 geography chapter 5 important questions in hindi or the Geormorphic Processes important questions will benefit from structured answers. These cover key points needed for world geography chapter 5 test answers and similar school assessments.