Social Science- Geography

Climate of India

Extra Questions 

1.    What does the word mausim mean? (Season)

2.    Define climate. (Climate is defined as the weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period of time).

3.    What did Sir Dudley Stamp, a renowned geographer of the 20th century, say about India? (That ‘India is basically a tropical country, although its Northern part is situated in the temperate belt’. Thus, he refers to the climate of India as ‘Tropical Monsoon Climate.’)

4.    From where is the word ‘monsoon’ derived? (from the Arabic word ‘mausim’ which means seasons)

5.    What are the chief characteristics of this type of climate? (High temperatures throughout the year, Dry winters in most parts of the country)

6.    Give few examples of diversities in the monsoonal unity of Indian climate. (The maximum temperature in Rajasthan may rise up to 48°C to 50°C, while it may only reach up to 22°C in Gulmarg in Kashmir in June. 1)The temperature may dip to - 40°C at Kargil and only reach 20°C to 22°C in Chennai in the month of December. 2) The annual rainfall at Mawsynram may be recorded as 1,221 cm. On the contrary Jaisalmer in Rajasthan may receive annual rainfall of only 12 cm.)

7.    How does distance from the sea influence the climate? Give an example. (Coastal areas are neither too hot nor too cold. They enjoy equable climate. For example, Mumbai. On the contrary areas which are surrounded by land on all sides experience extreme or continental type of climate.)

8.    Explain how location and latitudinal extent influence the climate of India. (The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into two parts. Areas to the South experience high temperature throughout the year. The areas North experience comparatively low temperatures.)

9.    Explain the impact of the climate on the lives of human beings. (Crops –climate of a particular area determines the types of crops that will be grown in that region For example, tea is grown in high mountains whereas wheat is grown in the plains. Houses –The shape and style of the house is also influenced by the climate of the region. For example, mountains and hills have houses with sloping roofs; dry lands have houses with flat roof. Clothes –People who live in high mountains wear woollen clothes almost throughout the year, while those living in the plains and plateau region seldom wear woollen clothes.)

10. What causes seasonal variations? (Temperature, the monsoon winds and the amount of rainfall)

11. What are the different types of seasons in India and in which month do they fall? (Cold weather season (Winter): Mid December to February; Hot weather season (Summer): March to May; The South - West monsoon season (Rainy): June to mid September; The season of retreating monsoon (Cool): October to mid December)

12. What are the main characteristics of the winter season? (Clear sky, fine weather, light Northerly winds, low humidity and low temperature)

13. Where do the ‘Western Disturbances’ originate? (in the Mediterranean Sea)

14. What happens when the ‘Western Disturbances’ enter our country? (These winds cause little rainfall over the Indo - Gangetic Plains and snowfall in the Himalayas)

15. What is loo? (Hot, dry and dusty winds blowing over the Northern Plains during this season are known as ‘loo’.)

16. What are ‘Mango Showers’? (Coastal areas receive rainfall known as ‘Mango Showers’ during this time of the year that helps in early ripening of mangoes.)

17. Which is the coldest month of the winter season? What is the range of the temperature? (January is the coldest month of this season - temperature ranges between 14°C and 27°C)

18. What is the mean temperature during the summer season? ( between 30 to 35°C)

19. Describe the South - West Monsoon Season or Rainy Season: (The onset of this season is on the Kerala coast. During their journey, the South- West Monsoon winds pick enough water from the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. These winds enter the country and strike the mountains and the hills, causing heavy rainfall. India receives three fourths of the total rainfall during this season. Since these winds enter from the South West direction of the country they are known as South - West Monsoon winds. The temperature decreases 2°C to 6°C on an average from that in the summer season. This season is also termed as pre - monsoon or season of advancing monsoon.)

20. What are the chief characteristics of the Cool season (decrease in the humidity levels and clear skies over Northern and Central parts of India)

21. What causes rain during the cool season? (Storms or tropical cyclones are formed in the Bay of Bengal that causes rain).

22. From where does the rain shadow region receive rainfall? (The rain shadow region receives rainfall from North - East Retreating Monsoon winds.)

23. Name two coastal areas that receive good amount of rainfall during the cool season. (Coastal areas such as the Ganga - Brahmaputra delta, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, receive good amount of rainfall during this season.)

24. Why are tropical cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal are a great threat to life and property? (as these are accompanied by surface winds and thunderstorms)

25. What is the average temperature during the cool season? (between 25°C and 30°C)

26. Name any two anamalous rainfall regions. (Tamil Nadu; Assam ;Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Western parts of Uttar Pradesh.)

27. Name two regions with very low rainfall: (Western Punjab, Kuchchh, Jammu and Kashmir, South Punjab)

28. Name two regions with very high rainfall: (Western coastal plain, Western slope of Western Ghats, and most of the North Eastern States.)

29. Name two regions with high rainfall: (Eastern slopes of Western Ghats, major parts of Northern Plains, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Eastern coastal plain)

30. Name two regions with 50-100 cm of rainfall: (Larger parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Eastern Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh)

31. Explain the Importance of Monsoon: (A large number of Indian people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Thus, monsoon rains act as a unifying factor and yield good crops for them. India is an agricultural country. Its economy is greatly influenced by monsoon that results in adequate amount of crop production and facilitates its export. The monsoon season prevails in the country for a short duration. This leads to scarcity of water at certain times. Sudden heavy downpour may cause floods in the country. Again, little or no rainfall may lead to droughts. Thus, management of monsoon water by constructing dams, irrigation canals, etc. is important in our country.)

Linear Equations

Decimals

Social Science- Geography: India Location and physical features

 India Location and physical features

Question and Answers

1. How did India get its name? (The word ‘India’ has been derived from the Greek word Indoi meaning land or the region beyond the river Indus or Sindhu.)
2. What is the rank of India in terms of area? (seventh largest in the world)
3. What is the the time difference between Arunachal Pradesh and Rann of Kuchchh? (120 minutes or 2 hours)
4. Name the Northern tip and the Southern tip of India. (Northern tip of India is Indira Col in Kashmir and the Southern tip is Kanyakumari)
5. What is the northern most point of India? (Indira Col)
6. Name the island groups of India. (Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands)
7. Name the physical features of India (Physical Features of India:The Northern Mountains, The Northern Plains, The Peninsular Plateau, The Great Indian Desert, The Coastal Plains, The Islands)
8. Name the rivers that drain the Indus Basin. (River Indus and its tributaries: Jhelum, Chenab, Beas, Ravi and Sutlej)
9. What do you know about Greater Himalayas? (Also known as Himadri, Innermost range of Himalayas, Average altitude is 6100 metres, Consists of few highest peaks of the world, For example, Mt. Everest (8850 m), Kanchenjunga (8598 m), Makalu (8481), Important passes are Shipki La, Nathu La, etc)
10. What are the different physical features of India?  
11. How are Northern Plains classified?
12. Explain in brief about the Malwa Plateau. (Lies to the North of Vindhya hills, bounded by Aravali Ranges in the West and Bundelkhand in the East, The Narmada, the Tapi and the Mahi flow into the Arabian Sea)
13. Why is the Deccan plateau most important cotton growing region? (Consists of rich black soil used for cotton cultivation)
14. Name the two major island groups of India (The Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are two major island groups of India.)
15. What does the word Lakshadweep mean? (The Lakshadweep Islands means ‘Hundred Thousand Islands’ in Sanskrit.)
16. Name the volcanic island (The only active volcanic island called Barren Island is located here.)
17. Why is the Indo - Gangetic plain known as the ‘Food Bowl’? (The fertile alluvial soil of Indo - Gangetic plain facilitates production of different types of crops. Thus, it is known as the ‘Food Bowl’ of the country.)
18. How do Himalayas protect us? (The Himalayas act as a natural barrier against foreign invaders and cold winter winds from Northern Asia.)

Decimals

 STD VI

Life needs food

1.Junk stuffs like burger, potato chips and pizza are also food, so do you think we should eat them to get energy? Why?

No, because they are not healthy, nutritious, they will make us fatty

2. DEFINITION OF FOOD.

Food is any edible substance which one eats in order to provide useful material that is required by the body of living being.

3. Name some products that are produced from milk.

 Ghee , cheese, butter Ø  etc

4. Name an insect product that we eat.

  Honey

5.  What do you understand by healthy nutritious food?

The food keeps us healthy, provide nutrition, give strength.

6. Why is food essential for us?

 Food essential  for getting energy, & also to give  strength to our body.

7.  What are the sources of food?

Plant and animal source.

8. Give example of certain seeds used as food.

 Wheat ,corn etc.

 9. Name some food items obtained from animal sources.

Milk,  egg, meat.

10. How do the plants get food to grow big and produce fruit?

Plants make food for itself by the process of photosynthesis.

11.Can all plants make food for themselves?

No, only green plants can make food for themselves.

12.  Is that the reason ‘green plants’ are called ‘producers’?

 (Yes)

13. What can we do to help our bodies stay healthy?

We can stay healthy by adapting healthy habits like exercising, eating healthy food, bathing regularly and properly brushing our teeth.

14. Definition of Nutrient:

 The useful materials that are present in food and needed by living organism to sustain its life are called ‘Nutrients’.

15.Why do we need energy?

We  need energy to perform various functions .

16. What gives us energy?

Food

17.   Name the basic components of food that provide us nutrients.

Carbohydrates,  fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

18.Which nutrient/ component of food forms the major portion of our food?

Carbohydrates

19. Give some benefits of fats to our body.

Fats provide energy and warmth to our body.

20.Name some major sources of proteins.

Milk, meat, eggs, peas, grams etc.

21.How are proteins useful to the body?

Proteins help the body in the growth and repair of worn-out parts.

22. What will happen if one consumes food rich in fats and sugar?

become obese, fat, excess weight gain.

· Vitamins are classified as either fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E and K) or water soluble (vitamins B and C). · The fat soluble vitamins are soluble in fats. These fat soluble vitamins, especially vitamins A and E, are then stored in body tissues.

 · Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored by the body. Since they are eliminated in urine, we require a continuous daily supply in our diet.

 · The water-soluble vitamins include the vitamin B-complex group and vitamin C.

 · Vitamin B complex comprises 8 different types of vitamins namely Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12.

· Vitamin D is prepared by our body in the presence of sunlight.

23.Why are vitamins essential?

They are essential because they help in growth, to keep healthy and to fight against diseases.

24. Why is iron needed in our body?

iron makes  RBCs , component of blood.

25. Which mineral is needed to keep muscles, brain and nerves healthy?

Potassium

26.Give some sources of iodine.

Fish, shellfish,

27.Why are  fibres  essential?

Fibres help  to carry waste, undigested material from the body.

28. What should we do to retain the balance of water in our body?

Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day, eat fruits, vegetables and drink juices and milk as they are good sources of water.

29. Define the term ‘balanced diet’.

The daily intake of food which contains all the necessary nutrients in the right quantities is called a balanced diet.

Life can adapt

1.       Where will you find an earthworm?

In the soil.

2 .Where will you find a frog or a lotus plant?

Ponds, lakes

3.What type of animals or birds will you find in the polar/ snow regions?

Polar  bear, reindeer, penguin, snow leopard.

 4.Give one example of a plant and an animal found in desert region?

Cactus, camel

5.DEFINITION OF HABITAT:

       The natural surrounding where the living organisms can survive, breed and flourish is called habitat.

6. The word ‘bio’ means ‘life’ and a living or once living component of a community describes biotic component. ® Plants, animals, fungi, microorganisms etc. are examples of biotic components of a habitat.

  7. The word origin ‘a’ means ‘not’ or ‘without’ and ‘biotic’- pertains to life’.

     Therefore, the word ‘abiotic’ means ‘without life’ or ‘non-living.

    The non- living things such as air, food, water, soil, sunlight and heat are the abiotic components.

8. A natural habitat is an environmental area where a specific organism lives.

 It is the place in nature that particular species calls home.

For. e.g forests, pond, lakes, deserts, polar region

9.Will a camel be able to survive in polar region or a polar bear will be able to survive in a desert? Why? No, because they will not be able to survive as they don’t have the special feature suitable for that type .

10. The presence of specific features or certain habits which enable a plant or an animal to live in its surroundings is called adaptation.

Adaptations involve changes in the characteristics of the living organisms that develop over a period of time and enable them to survive in a particular environment.

11.Why man (human beings) is considered well adapted among all living things?

 it is because human beings are capable of adapting to any environment.it will not be able to breathe, it cannot swim on water.

12. What is the difference between habitat and adaptation?

Habitat is the natural surrounding where the living organisms can survive, breed and flourish whereas adaptation is specific features or certain habits which enable a plant or an animal to live in its surroundings.

13.What are the adaptations shown by a duck to its aquatic habitat?

webbed feet, feather covered with waxy substance.

14. What are xerophytes?

land plants which live in the conditions of water scarcity are called xerophytes.

15.Give few examples of desert plants.

cactus, Cassia, agave etc

16. What is so special about succulent plants?

Such plants have specialized roots, stems, leaves which collect and store water in them during rains.

17. Give few examples of succulent plants.

Aloe, agave

18.Name some plants that produce drought resistant seeds. (Cassia,  Argemone)

19.Give examples of some adaptations shown by the desert plants.

leaves are modified into long slender leaves spines, plats leaf like stems, extensive roots system, drought resistant seeds

20. Which part of these plants usually carries out photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is carried out by stem, covered with thick waxy layer that helps to retain water.

21. Why do desert plants lose so little water?

Because their leaves are reduced to  spines

22.Name a few differences in structure/ body parts between fishes and human beings

.Fishes have fins, scales on their body, tail, gills, whereas human beings do not have tail or fins like fishes, no gills, they cannot breathe under water.

23.Whales&  Dolphins

They are categorized as mammals. ®

They breathe air through nostrils or have blowholes located on their head to take oxygen at the surface of water. Hence they come out to the water surface to breathe from time to time. ®

 They can stay inside water for a long time without breathing.

What adaptation does a chameleon show to its surrounding?

( it can change the colour to protect itself from enemies.

A group of kangaroo is called a mob.

ü Starfish can switch their gender whenever they like ü

 Giraffes are as tall as two storey house.

ü Dolphins sleep with only half of their brain and with one eye open so they can watch for predators and other threats.

ü Penguins lost their ability to fly 62 million years ago.

 How do the fins and the tail help fishes inside the water?

(fins and the tail help fishes to change directions and keep their body balance)

Xerophytes: These plants live in conditions of water scarcity.Extensive well developed root system. leaves are small and spine shaped e.g. cactus, opuntia

Hydrophytes: These plants live in conditions of plenty of water. Root system is  not well developed or absent.Leave are large and broad, etc e.g.  hydrilla , lotus