Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
A school group compared the climate of Mumbai and Nagpur. Both places are located at a similar latitude, but Mumbai experiences cooler summers and milder winters. Nagpur, which is farther from the sea, experiences hotter summers and colder winters.
(a) Which climatic factor explains this difference?
(b) How does the sea influence temperature?
(c) Which place has a greater annual temperature range?
(d) Why are coastal areas generally more moderate in temperature?
(e) What is the approximate temperature range of Mumbai according to the chapter?
Answer:
(a) The difference is mainly due to proximity to the sea.
(b) The sea acts as a moderator of temperature.
(c) Nagpur has the greater annual temperature range.
(d) The sea heats and cools more slowly than land, reducing temperature extremes in coastal areas.
(e) Mumbai has an approximate temperature range of 14°C.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
During summer, the Asian landmass becomes very hot and develops a low-pressure system. Winds move from the cooler ocean towards the land. These winds carry moisture and bring heavy rainfall over India.
(a) Why does low pressure develop over the land in summer?
(b) From where do the winds move towards the land?
(c) Why do these winds bring rainfall?
(d) What are these seasonal winds commonly called?
(e) What is the direction of the monsoon winds in winter?
Answer:
(a) The Asian landmass heats up rapidly during summer, creating a low-pressure system.
(b) Winds move from the cooler, high-pressure ocean towards the hot land.
(c) The ocean winds carry moisture, which condenses and produces rainfall.
(d) They are called monsoon winds.
(e) In winter, winds reverse and generally blow from land towards the ocean.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
The Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall during the southwest monsoon. However, the Deccan Plateau lying to their east receives less rainfall and the rainfall is often interrupted.
(a) Which geographical factor is responsible for this difference?
(b) What role do the Western Ghats play?
(c) Which side of the Western Ghats receives more rainfall?
(d) What is the monsoon associated with this rainfall called?
(e) Why does the Deccan Plateau receive less rainfall?
Answer:
(a) The difference is mainly due to topography.
(b) The Western Ghats act as a natural barrier to the monsoon winds.
(c) The western slopes receive more rainfall.
(d) It is the southwest monsoon or summer monsoon.
(e) The Deccan Plateau lies on the eastern side of the Western Ghats, where rainfall is lower and often interrupted.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
A farmer in a region of India depends heavily on monsoon rainfall. One year, the monsoon fails and rainfall is much below normal. Agricultural production declines, water becomes scarce and food prices begin to rise.
(a) What is meant by monsoon failure?
(b) How does it affect agriculture?
(c) Why may people have to travel longer distances for water?
(d) How can monsoon failure affect food prices?
(e) How can it affect agricultural labourers?
Answer:
(a) Monsoon failure refers to poor rainfall during the monsoon season.
(b) Poor rainfall causes agricultural production to suffer.
(c) Water scarcity may force people to travel long distances in search of water.
(d) Reduced agricultural production can make food more costly.
(e) Agricultural labourers may migrate to cities in search of work.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
A cyclone is developing near the Indian coast. Atmospheric pressure near the sea has become lower than the surrounding areas. Moist air from the sea moves towards the low-pressure area, and winds become increasingly strong.
(a) What type of pressure system is associated with cyclone formation?
(b) Where does the air moving into the system come from?
(c) What does the incoming air carry?
(d) What happens when the low-pressure system becomes intense and winds become very strong?
(e) What is the cloudless centre of a cyclone called?
Answer:
(a) A low-pressure system is associated with cyclone formation.
(b) Air moves into the system from the surrounding areas.
(c) The air from the sea carries moisture and rain.
(d) An intense low-pressure system with high wind speeds may develop into a cyclone.
(e) The cloudless centre is called the eye of the cyclone.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
A town receives very heavy rainfall during the monsoon. The drainage system cannot handle the large amount of water. Many roads and low-lying areas become submerged. The town also has many concrete and asphalt surfaces.
(a) What natural event is described in the case?
(b) How can heavy rainfall cause such an event?
(c) How can an overburdened drainage system increase the problem?
(d) Why do concrete and asphalt surfaces contribute to urban flooding?
(e) During which season do floods occur frequently in India?
Answer:
(a) The event described is a flood.
(b) Heavy rainfall produces large amounts of run-off water that the land may not be able to absorb.
(c) An overburdened drainage system cannot carry away excess water effectively.
(d) Concrete and asphalt surfaces do not allow water to be absorbed easily by the earth.
(e) Floods occur frequently during the monsoon season.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
A hilly region receives heavy monsoon rainfall. Forests have been cleared and several buildings and roads have been constructed without following approved methods. After continuous rain, large quantities of soil and debris suddenly move down the slope.
(a) What disaster is described in the case?
(b) Mention one natural trigger of this disaster.
(c) How does deforestation increase its possibility?
(d) How can unsuitable infrastructure construction contribute to it?
(e) Name one region of India where such events are common.
Answer:
(a) The disaster is a landslide.
(b) Heavy rainfall can trigger a landslide.
(c) Cutting down forests increases the chances of landslides.
(d) Improper infrastructure and excessive construction can disturb the natural flow of water and slopes.
(e) Sikkim is one of the regions where landslides are common.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
Scientists have observed rising temperatures and changes in climate patterns. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and environmentally harmful industrial practices have increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
(a) Name one major human activity responsible for climate change.
(b) What happens when excess greenhouse gases accumulate?
(c) How does this contribute to global warming?
(d) Mention one effect of rising temperatures in India.
(e) State one measure that can help reduce the causes of climate change.
Answer:
(a) Burning fossil fuels is one major human activity responsible for climate change.
(b) Excess greenhouse gases trap additional heat in the atmosphere.
(c) This extra trapped heat causes rapid global warming.
(d) Rising temperatures can affect agricultural production and other activities.
(e) Planting trees, increasing renewable energy use or reducing greenhouse-gas emissions can help.
Question: Read the case and answer the questions that follow.
Different regions of India experience different climates. The Himalayas have an alpine climate, the Thar Desert has an arid climate, the western coastal region has a tropical wet climate, and the central Deccan Plateau has a semi-arid climate.
(a) What type of climate is found in the Himalayas?
(b) Which region has an arid climate?
(c) Why does the western coastal region receive heavy rainfall?
(d) What type of climate does the central Deccan Plateau have?
(e) Name one crop favoured by the tropical wet climate of the western coastal strip.
Answer:
(a) The Himalayas have an alpine climate.
(b) The Thar Desert has an arid climate.
(c) The western coastal strip receives heavy monsoon rainfall.
(d) The central Deccan Plateau has a semi-arid climate.
(e) Rice is one crop favoured by the tropical wet climate.
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