Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Passes
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Mountain ranges often act as major barriers to movement of people, goods, and even air masses. However, there are certain natural gaps or low points in these ranges that historically became important trade, invasion, and migration routes. Understanding what these features are called is a key part of basic physical geography and helps in interpreting maps and historical routes across mountains.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
A pass is a natural low level route through a mountain chain that connects two valleys or plains. Historically, passes such as the Khyber Pass and Nathu La have been used for trade and the movement of armies. Peaks refer to pointed summits, dunes are wind formed sand hills in deserts, and plateaus are elevated flat regions. By matching the description in the question with these definitions, we can select the correct term, which is mountain pass or simply pass.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Any basic geography textbook or atlas that explains mountain landforms will define a pass as a narrow, low level route through or across a mountain range. It will also typically give examples such as Zoji La in the Himalayas or the Khyber Pass between Pakistan and Afghanistan. These examples clearly illustrate the concept of a pass as a navigable gap, confirming that this is the term that matches the question stem.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse general mountain terms and pick peaks simply because peaks are commonly associated with mountains. Others may not have a clear mental picture of what a plateau is and may choose it at random. To avoid such errors, it is useful to memorise that a pass is specifically a gap or low point in a mountain range, used as a corridor for travel and communication.
Final Answer:
The natural gaps across mountain ranges that provide routes are called passes.
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