Q1. [10]
(1) The climate and landscape in Uttarakhand vary greatly with altitude (186 – 7619 m), from the largest glaciers in the higher elevation to the subtropical forests in the lowest elevation.
(2) The lowlands along the border of U.P. are covered by the drier Terai-Savanna grasslands, the moist deciduous forest of the Upper Gangetic Plains form the Bhabhar belt. Due to the extensive agricultural practices, most of these lowland forests have been cleared. Snow and bare ice occupy the highest altitudes.
(3) This state occupies 53,483 sq.km., (1.63% of India's total land area). Out of 13 districts, Uttarkashi occupies the maximum area of 8039 sq. km., while Champawat covers the minimum area of 1634 sq. km. Uttarakhand experiences four types of seasons, namely, Monsoon (June to September), Post-monsoon (October to November), Cold weather (December to February) and Pre-monsoon (March to May). The normal annual precipitation in the state is 1446 mm. Rain usually starts at the end of April and lasts until September. The monsoon rainfall is 78% of the annual rainfall. This makes the state prone to flood during monsoon. Bageshwar receives the maximum normal annual rainfall (1872 mm). 81% falls of this rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. Haridwar receives the minimum normal annual rainfall (1107 mm).
(4) Due to the differences in topographical features, temperatures vary widely. During March and April, temperatures rise until they peak in May and June, when the mean maximum temperature in the southern and valley regions is between 34° and 38 °C, and the mean minimum temperature is between 20° and 24 °C. Temperatures can reach 42 °C in the valleys and southern half of the state and 30 °C in two-kilometre-high elevations on some days. Day and night temperatures begin to dip around the end of September and reach the lowest in January and early February. January is the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 20 °C and an average lowest temperature of 6 °C. The mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures range from 10° to 12 °C at altitudes of 2 km.
(https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/12/1879/)
(338 words)
Read the following text and answer the questions based on the passage above:
- (i) Fill in the blank suitably : The variance in climate and landscape of Uttarakhand as per paragraph 1 is marked by ________. [1]
- (ii) Based on your understanding of the paragraph 2, fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets. Most of the lowland forests are ________ (maintained/cleared) due to the ________ (large-scale/small-scale) agricultural practices. [1]
- (iii) Based on the passage, which of the districts has the lowest rainfall in Uttarakhand ? [1]
- (iv) In the given sentence taken from paragraph 3, select the option that correctly replaces the underlined word, with its most likely Antonym. Rain usually starts at the end of April and lasts until September. [1]
- (A) begins
- (B) arrives
- (C) ends
- (D) commences
- (v) 'This makes the state of Uttarakhand prone to flood during monsoon.' Justify the statement with reference to the passage given above in 30-40 words. [2]
- (vi) Which two districts have maximum and minimum rainfall in the state ? [1]
- (A) Bageshwar and Chamoli
- (B) Nainital and Rudraprayag
- (C) Haridwar and Garhwal
- (D) Bageshwar and Haridwar
- (vii) Complete the given table : Assertion: The temperatures vary widely in the state of Uttarakhand. Reasoning: ________ [1]
- (viii) How is Bhabhar belt formed ? [1]
- (ix) State which of the given statements is not true : [1]
- (A) January is the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 20 °C and an average lowest temperature of 6 °C.
- (B) The mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures range from 15 to 20 °C at altitudes of 2 km.
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2025 2/5/1 Q2
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:12 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(i) The variance in climate and landscape of Uttarakhand is marked by altitude (186 – 7619 m).
(ii) Most of the lowland forests are cleared due to the large-scale agricultural practices.
(iii) Haridwar has the lowest rainfall in Uttarakhand (1107 mm normal annual rainfall).
(iv) (C) ends
('Lasts' means continues until a point; its antonym is 'ends'.)
(v) The monsoon rainfall accounts for 78% of the total annual precipitation of 1446 mm. Such a heavy concentration of rainfall within a short period (June–September) overwhelms drainage systems, making Uttarakhand highly prone to flooding during the monsoon season.
(vi) (D) Bageshwar and Haridwar
(Bageshwar receives the maximum — 1872 mm; Haridwar receives the minimum — 1107 mm.)
(vii)
| Assertion | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| The temperatures vary widely in the state of Uttarakhand. | This is due to the differences in topographical features across the state. |
(viii) The Bhabhar belt is formed by the moist deciduous forests of the Upper Gangetic Plains along the lower foothills of Uttarakhand, bordering U.P.
(ix) Statement (B) is not true.
The passage states that the mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures range from 10° to 12 °C at altitudes of 2 km — not 15° to 20 °C as stated in option (B).
Source: Passage on Climate and Landscape of Uttarakhand, paragraphs 1–4
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Explanation
- (i) The key phrase "vary greatly with altitude" is directly in paragraph 1 — copy it precisely.
- (iv) 'Lasts' = continues/persists; its antonym is 'ends' (C). Students often confuse antonym with synonym here.
- (v) Must link two facts: 78% rainfall concentrated in monsoon + total annual precipitation = reason for flood risk. Two marks need two connected points.
- (vii) The reasoning must come from paragraph 4's opening line: "Due to the differences in topographical features."
- (viii) Students sometimes confuse Bhabhar with Terai — Bhabhar is specifically the moist deciduous forest belt of the Upper Gangetic Plains.
- (ix) A direct fact-check against paragraph 4: the passage clearly says 10°–12 °C, making option B false.
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