Chapter 8 – West Bengal

West Bengal is an important chapter in WBBSE Class 9 Geography. Here, you will find West Bengal questions and answers arranged clearly to help you revise quickly and prepare better for your exams.

Content Structure

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
2. Very short-type questions and answers
- 2A. Fill in the blanks
- 2B. True or false
- 2C. Single word questions and answers
3. Short-type questions and answers
4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. Which state shares the longest border with West Bengal?
(a) Odisha
(b) Assam
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Bihar

Ans: (d) Bihar

2. Santiniketan is situated in–
(a) Birbhum
(b) Nadia
(c) Howrah
(d) Burdwan

Ans: (a) Birbhum

3. Which is an example of a land port?
(a) Kolkata
(b) Petrapole
(c) Haldia
(d) Berhampur

Ans: (b) Petrapole

4. Which state lies to the north of West Bengal?
(a) Tripura
(b) Odisha
(c) Bihar
(d) Sikkim

Ans: (d) Sikkim

5. In which year was West Bengal formed?
(a) 1956
(b) 1949
(c) 1947
(d) 1951

6. How many states border West Bengal?
(a) 3
(b) 5
(c) 4
(d) 2

Ans: (b) 5

7. Dry deciduous forests are found in–
(a) Plateau regions
(b) Plain regions
(c) Delta region
(d) Mountainous regions

Ans: (a) Plateau regions

8. Food processing research centre is located at–
(a) Asansol
(b) Naihati
(c) Panagarh
(d) Barasat

Ans: (c) Panagarh

9. Which is a famous hill in the plateau region of West Bengal?
(a) Baghmundi
(b) Chitrakoot
(c) Dowhill
(d) Raj Mahal

Ans: (a) Baghmundi

10. Which is a snow-fed river of West Bengal?
(a) Kangsabati
(b) Saptamukhi
(c) Ganges
(d) Ajay

Ans: (c) Ganges

11. Mama Bhagne hill is located in–
(a) Birbhum district
(b) Jalpaiguri district
(c) Darjeeling
(d) Namkhana district

Ans: (a) Birbhum district

12. Which is the largest river of North Bengal?
(a) Balasan
(b) Torsa
(c) Jaldhaka
(d) Balasan

Ans: (b) Torsa

13. The main agricultural product of Darjeeling is–
(a) Tea
(b) Jute
(c) Paddy
(d) Coffee

Ans: (a) Tea

14. Which is an example of a tidal river?
(a) Torsa
(b) Rangit
(c) Dwarkeshwar
(d) Mathabhanga

Ans: (d) Mathabhanga

15. District town of East Midnapore is–
(a) Ghatal
(b) Kanthi
(c) Tamluk
(d) Digha

Ans: (c) Tamluk

16. Famous burnt clay dolls and statues come from–
(a) Bishnupur
(b) Chandipur
(c) Ghatal
(d) Santipur

Ans: (a) Bishnupur

17. Coffee is a–
(a) Plantation crop
(b) Fibre crop
(c) Food crop
(d) None of these

Ans: (a) Plantation crop

18. Biharinath hill is situated in–
(a) Malda district
(b) Bankura district
(c) Birbhum district
(d) Hooghly district

Ans: (b) Bankura district

19. Plassey is situated in–
(a) Howrah
(b) Bankura
(c) Hooghly
(d) Murshidabad

Ans: (d) Murshidabad

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks

1. West Bengal was found on ____________. (15 August 1947)
2. A tributary of the Ganga river which enters into Bangladesh is _______________. (Padma)
3. The ‘Ashwin’ storm occurs in West Bengal during the _______________ season. (autumn)
4. The driest district of West Bengal is _______________. (Purulia)
5. _______________ district is known as the Rice bowl of West Bengal. (Bardhaman)
6. ______________ district is the crown of West Bengal. (Darjeeling)
7. ___________ is called the Ruhr of India. (Asansol-Durgapur region)
8. _____________ is called the city of palaces. (Kolkata)
9. Rivers of North Bengal are ______________. (snow-fed rivers)
10. The ____________ mountain range lies to the north of West Bengal. (Himalayan)
11. The population density of West Bengal is _____________. (about 1029 persons per sq km)
12. The largest quantity of coal resources are found in _____________. (Raniganj)
13. Hazarduari is situated in __________ district. (Murshidabad)
14. Teesta river causes ________ floods. (devastating)
15. Damodar river converges with the ____________ river. (Hooghly)
16. Matla is a _____________ river. (tidal)
17. The Teesta river originated from the ____________ glacier of Sikkim. (Zemu)
18. A hot spring is located in ___________ of Birbhum. (Bakreshwar)

2B. True or false

1. Susunia is the highest mountain in the plateau region of West Bengal. (False)
2. The ancient silt-laden region of South Dinajpur and Malda district is called ‘Barendrabhumi’. (True)
3. The northern part of the Ganga delta is called Mature Delta. (True)
4. Teesta is a rainfed river of West Bengal. (False)
5. Rainfall in West Bengal occurs due to southeast monsoon winds. (False)
6. The plateau region of West Bengal is made of granite and gneiss rocks. (True)
7. The rivers of the Sundarbans are swift flowing. (False)
8. Summers are dry and winters are wet in West Bengal. (False)
9. The storms that occur during autumn in West Bengal are called ‘Aswin’ storm. (True)
10. The laterite soil is found in the Rarh region. (True)
11. The highest peak of Darjeeling district is Gorgaburu. (False)
12. ‘Terai’ means dry rocky land. (False)
13. Purulia district of West Bengal is a plateau area. (True)
14. Pneumatophores are found in ‘Sundari’ trees. (True)
15. Brahmani river is called the Sorrow of Midnapore. (True)
16. The crops which are cultivated for earning money are called cash crops. (True)
17. Berhampore is called the city of palaces. (False)

2C. Very short-type questions and answers

1. What is the combined flow of Dwarkeshwar and Shilai rivers called?
Ans: The combined flow of Dwarkeshwar and Shilai rivers is called the Rupnarayan River.

2. What is the capital of West Bengal?
Ans: The capital of West Bengal is Kolkata.

3. What is the combined flow of the Kangsabati and Keleghai called?
Ans: The combined flow of the Kangsabati and Keleghai rivers is called the Haldi River.

4. How many districts does West Bengal have?
Ans: West Bengal has 23 districts.

5. Which area in West Bengal receives maximum rainfall?
Ans: The area that receives maximum rainfall in West Bengal is Buxa-Duars region.

6. How much percent of India’s area is covered by West Bengal?
Ans: West Bengal covers about 2.7% of India’s total area.

7. Which is the newly formed district of West Bengal?
Ans: The newly formed district of West Bengal is Alipurduar.

8. Name the tributary of Teesta river?
Ans: A tributary of the Teesta River is the Rangeet River.

9. What is the colour of mountainous soil?
Ans: The colour of mountainous soil is dark brown.

10. Which city is called the ‘Ruhr of India’?
Ans: Asansol-Durgapur region is called the ‘Ruhr of India’.

11. In which year West Bengal was formed?
Ans: West Bengal was formed in the year 1947.

12. In which district is located Susunia hill?
Ans: Susunia Hill is located in the Bankura district.

13. Rourkela is famous for which industry?
Ans: Rourkela is famous for the steel industry.

14. Which river in West Bengal was known as ‘river of sorrow’?
Ans: The Damodar river in West Bengal was known as the ‘river of sorrow’.

15. What is the principal agricultural crop of Sundarban?
Ans: The principal agricultural crop of Sundarban is rice.

16. Which city is called city of joy?
Ans: Kolkata is called the City of Joy.

17. Which is the highest peak of West Bengal?
Ans: The highest peak of West Bengal is Sandakphu.

18. The sevoke bridge spans across which river?
Ans: The Sevoke Bridge spans across the Teesta River.

19. What is the total area of West Bengal?
Ans: The total area of West Bengal is about 88,752 square kilometres.

20. Which district accounts for maximum forest cover in West Bengal?
Ans: The district that accounts for maximum forest cover in West Bengal is Darjeeling.

21. Name two snow fed rivers of West Bengal.
Ans: Two snow-fed rivers of West Bengal are the Teesta and Torsa.

22. Which is the most famous animal of jaldapara national park?
Ans: The most famous animal of Jaldapara National Park is the one-horned rhinoceros.

23. Name two areas of milk processing industry?
Ans: Two areas of milk processing industry are Haringhata and Dankuni.

24. Name two rivers of the Sudarbans?
Ans: Two rivers of the Sundarbans are the Matla and Raimangal.

25. Name two areas of fish processing industry.
Ans: Two areas of fish processing industry are Kolkata and Digha.

26. In which year was Alipurduar formed?
Ans: Alipurduar district was formed in the year 2014.

27. Name two fibre crops grown in West Bengal.
Ans: Two fibre crops grown in West Bengal are jute and mesta.

28. What is the capital of Jharkhand?
Ans: The capital of Jharkhand is Ranchi.

29. How many towns are located in West Bengal according to the 2011 census?
Ans: According to the 2011 census, there are 909 towns in West Bengal.

30. In which district is Panchet hill located?
Ans: Panchet Hill is located in the Purulia district.

31. Which two districts in West Bengal have laterite soil?
Ans: Two districts having laterite soil are Bankura and Purulia.

32. Name the two centres of mineral water processing in West Bengal.
Ans: Two centres of mineral water processing in West Bengal are Dankuni and Kalyani.

33. Which river bisects the mountainous area of north Bengal?
Ans: The Teesta River bisects the mountainous area of North Bengal.

34. Name a tributary of Damodar.
Ans: A tributary of the Damodar River is the Barakar River.

35. Which is the commercial hub of north Bengal?
Ans: The commercial hub of North Bengal is Siliguri.

36. Which city is called the Glasgow of India?
Ans: Kolkata is called the Glasgow of India.

37. Which district is West Bengal is called the Queen of hill stations?
Ans: Darjeeling district is called the Queen of Hill Stations.

38. Name two trees of the western plateau region.
Ans: Two trees of the western plateau region are sal and palash.

39. Krishnagar lies in which district?
Ans: Krishnagar lies in the Nadia district.

3. Short-type questions and Answers

1. What is Bagri area?
Ans: The Bagri area is a fertile alluvial region located between the Bhagirathi and Padma rivers in West Bengal. It has been formed by the deposition of river silt over a long period of time. The soil of this area is very rich and productive, which makes it highly suitable for agriculture. Important crops like rice, jute and vegetables are widely cultivated in this region.

2. Where does snowfall occur in West Bengal?
Ans: Snowfall in West Bengal occurs in the high altitude Himalayan areas of Darjeeling district. Places such as Sandakphu and Phalut experience snowfall during the winter season. These regions are located at great heights and have very cold climatic conditions, which make snowfall possible.

3. How many seasons are observed in West Bengal?
Ans: Four seasons are observed in West Bengal. They are:

Winter
Summer
Monsoon
Autumn

4. What type of soil is found in the plains of West Bengal?
Ans: Alluvial soil is found in the plains of West Bengal.

This soil is very fertile.
It is suitable for growing crops like rice, jute and vegetables.
The soil is formed by the deposition of river silt.

5. Where is saline soil found in West Bengal?
Ans: Saline soil is found in the coastal areas of Sundarban and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal. This soil is formed because of the mixing of sea water with the land due to tides. Saline soil is not very good for normal farming, and only salt-tolerant plants grow well in this region.

6. Which is the best place for tea cultivation in West Bengal?
Ans: The Darjeeling hill region is the best place for tea cultivation in West Bengal. This area has a cool climate, heavy rainfall and sloping land, which are very suitable for growing tea plants. Darjeeling tea is famous all over the world for its special taste and quality.

7. What is Aswin storm?
Ans: Aswin storm is a cyclonic storm that occurs in West Bengal during the Bengali month of Aswin (September–October). It brings heavy rain and strong winds to the coastal and delta regions of the state.

8. What is Kal Baisakhi?
Ans: Kal Baisakhi is a strong thunderstorm that occurs in West Bengal in the summer months of April and May. It brings sudden rain, thunder and strong winds. These storms give relief from the hot summer weather.

9. How many types of paddy are cultivated in West Bengal on the basis of seasons?
Ans: Three types of paddy are cultivated in West Bengal on the basis of seasons:

Aus – grown in the summer season
Aman – grown in the monsoon season
Boro – grown in the winter season

10. What is megalopolis?
Ans: A megalopolis is a very large urban region formed when many cities and towns grow and gradually merge together due to continuous urban expansion. It develops because of population growth, industrial development and better transport facilities. In a megalopolis, the cities remain separate but function as a single large urban system.

11. What is information technology industry?
Ans: Information technology industry is an industry that deals with:

Digital communication
Computers and computer systems
Software development
Data processing
Internet services

12. Why is Teesta called the ‘River of Threat’?
Ans: Teesta is called the River of Threat because it is a very fast-flowing and unpredictable river. It frequently changes its course and causes floods in North Bengal. During the rainy season, the water level rises suddenly and leads to landslides and damage to nearby areas. Because of these dangers, Teesta is known as the River of Threat.

13. What is Bhabar?
Ans: Bhabar is a narrow belt of land located at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is made up of stones, pebbles and coarse sand carried by rivers from the mountains. The soil of this region is very porous, so river water goes underground after entering this belt. The Bhabar region lies between the Himalayan mountains and the Terai plain.

14. What is outsourcing?
Ans: Outsourcing is the process of getting work done from outside companies or agencies instead of doing it within one’s own organization. It helps to reduce expenses, save time and increase efficiency. Many companies outsource services such as customer support, software development and data processing.

4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Why is Howrah called the Glasgow of India?
Ans: Howrah is called the Glasgow of India because it is a major industrial and engineering centre like Glasgow in Scotland. Howrah has many industries like engineering goods, iron and steel products, jute mills and rail equipment factories. It has good transport facilities through rail, road and river. The Howrah railway station is one of the busiest in India. Due to its large number of factories and workshops, Howrah earned the title “Glasgow of India.”

2. Why is Howrah called the Glasgow of India?
Ans: Howrah is known as the Glasgow of India because it is an important industrial city of West Bengal. It has many engineering industries, jute mills, iron factories and small-scale industries. It is well connected by roads, railways and waterways. The presence of Howrah Bridge and Howrah Station has increased its importance. Due to heavy industrial concentration like Glasgow in the UK, Howrah got this name.

3. Why is Siliguri called the Gateway of Northeast India?
Ans: Siliguri is called the Gateway of Northeast India because it connects North Bengal with the northeastern states. The narrow corridor known as the Chicken’s Neck lies near Siliguri. All major roads, railways and air routes to Assam, Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal pass through Siliguri. It is an important trade and transport centre. Siliguri is known as the Gateway of Northeast India.

4. Why is Durgapur called the Steel City?
Ans: Durgapur is called the Steel City because it has a large integrated steel plant, known as Durgapur Steel Plant. Many industries like alloy steel, engineering and chemical industries have developed around it. The availability of coal, iron ore, power and water helped its growth. It is one of the main industrial centres of West Bengal and Durgapur is popularly known as the Steel City.

5. What is the significance of the geographical location of West Bengal?
Ans: The geographical location of West Bengal is very important because:

It connects North-East India with the rest of India.
It has access to the Bay of Bengal through Kolkata and Haldia ports.
It has different landforms like mountains, plains, plateau and coastal areas.
It supports many economic activities such as agriculture, trade and industry.
It shares international borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
It plays an important role in national and international trade.

6. Discuss the disadvantages of excessive utilisation of surface water.
Ans: Excessive use of surface water has the following disadvantages:

There may be a shortage of water for domestic and industrial use.
Rivers and lakes may dry up during summer.
It disturbs the natural ecological balance.
Overuse of canal water leads to waterlogging in fields.
The soil may become saline and infertile.
Aquatic plants and animals are badly affected.

7. Discuss the problems and prospects of tea industry in West Bengal.
Ans: Problems of tea industry:

Many tea gardens have old and less productive tea bushes.
There are labour problems and wage issues.
The cost of production is very high.
There is strong competition from other tea-producing countries.
Natural disasters sometimes damage tea gardens.

Prospects of tea industry:

Government support can help in further development.
Darjeeling tea has a high demand in the world market.
Modern technology can help to increase production and quality.
Better marketing can improve export.
Tea tourism is becoming popular and profitable.

8. Discuss the development of food processing industry in West Bengal.
Ans: The food processing industry has developed in West Bengal because:

There is easy availability of agricultural raw materials like rice, fruits, vegetables and fish.
The large population provides a big local market.
Good transport and cold storage facilities are available.
Many big companies like ITC, Britannia and Dabur have set up industries.
The government has established food parks and industrial zones.
Modern technology has improved food processing and packaging.