Question 1

Q1: (i) On the basis of the news items above, find out the names of places and the seasons described.

Accepted Answer

Answer: Based on the news clippings provided, the following places and seasons are described:    Delhi: Winter (fog, cold waves, shivering conditions, low temperatures, western disturbances), Early Summer (soaring mercury).    Chennai: Retreating Monsoon/Winter (heavy rains, floods, cyclones in Octo...

Question 2

Q2: (ii) Compare the rainfall description of Chennai and Mumbai and explain the reasons for the difference.

Accepted Answer

Answer: Comparison of Rainfall:    Mumbai: The news report describes a catastrophic flood on July 26, 2005, caused by one of the heaviest rainfalls in a century (944.2 mm in 24 hours). This indicates that Mumbai receives very heavy rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season (June-September).    Ch...

Question 3

Q3: (iii) Evaluate flood as a disaster with the help of a case study.

Accepted Answer

Answer: Case Study: Mumbai Floods (July 26, 2005) and Chennai Floods (2005) Floods are natural phenomena that become disasters when they cause widespread damage to human life, property, and the environment. The case studies from the news clippings highlight this evaluation: 1.  Cause: The primary ca...

Question 4

Q1: Why most of the world's deserts are located in the western margins of continents in the subtropics?

Accepted Answer

Answer: Most of the world's deserts are located on the western margins of continents in the subtropics due to a combination of global atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns: 1.  Subtropical High-Pressure Belts: The subtropical regions are dominated by high-pressure belts where air descends. As...

Question 5

Q1: (iv) Which one of the following characterises the cold weather season in India? (a) Warm days and warm nights (b) Warm days and cold nights (c) Cool d...

Accepted Answer

Answer: (b) Warm days and cold nights Explanation: The text states about the cold weather season in northern India, "Days are warm and nights are cold."

Question 6

Q1: Choose the correct answer from the four alternatives given below. (i) Which one of the following places receives the highest rainfall in the world? (a...

Accepted Answer

Answer: (b) Mawsynram Explanation: The text states, "Mawsynram in the southern ranges of the Khasi Hills receives the highest average rainfall in the world."

Question 7

Q1: (ii) The wind blowing in the northern plains in summers is known as: (a) Kaal Baisakhi (c) Trade Winds (b) Loo (d) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Answer: (b) Loo Explanation: The text describes a feature of the hot weather season: "A striking feature of the hot weather season is the 'loo'. These are strong, gusty, hot, dry winds blowing during the day over the north and northwestern India."

Question 8

Q1: (iii) Monsoon arrives in India approximately in: (a) Early May (c) Early June (b) Early July (d) Early August

Accepted Answer

Answer: (c) Early June Explanation: According to the text, "By early June, the low-pressure condition over the northern plains intensifies. It attracts, the trade winds of the southern hemisphere... entering the Indian peninsula as the south-west monsoon."

Question 9

Q2: (v) Define monsoons. What do you understand by "break" in monsoon?

Accepted Answer

Answer:    Monsoon: The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word 'mausim', meaning season. 'Monsoon' refers to the seasonal reversal in the wind direction during a year. It is characterized by a distinct seasonal pattern of wet and dry spells.    "Break" in Monsoon: A "break" in the monsoon refe...

Question 10

Q2: (ii) Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?

Accepted Answer

Answer: India has a monsoon type of climate because its climate is strongly influenced by monsoon winds. The primary characteristic of this climate is the seasonal reversal of the wind system.     In summer: Intense heating of the landmass creates a low-pressure area, which draws moisture-laden wind...

Question 11

Q2: (iv) Which winds account for rainfall along the Malabar coast?

Accepted Answer

Answer: The Southwest Monsoon winds (specifically the Arabian Sea branch) account for the rainfall along the Malabar coast (the southwestern coast of India). This coast lies on the windward side of the Western Ghats, and when these moisture-laden winds strike the mountains, they are forced to rise,...

Question 12

Q2: (vi) Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?

Accepted Answer

Answer: The monsoon is considered a unifying bond for the Indian subcontinent for several reasons: 1.  Agricultural Dependence: The entire agricultural calendar of India is governed by the monsoon. Farmers across the country eagerly await its arrival to begin their sowing activities. 2.  Water Suppl...

Question 13

Q2: Answer the following questions briefly. (i) What are the controls affecting the climate of India?

Accepted Answer

Answer: According to the text, there are six major controls affecting the climate of any place, including India. They are: 1.  Latitude: Determines the amount of solar energy received. 2.  Altitude: Temperature decreases with increasing height. 3.  Pressure and Wind System: Influences temperature an...

Question 14

Q2: (iii) Which part of India does experience the highest diurnal range of temperature and why?

Accepted Answer

Answer:    Part of India: The Thar Desert in northwestern India (specifically western Rajasthan) experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature.    Reason: This happens because sand heats up very quickly during the day and cools down very rapidly at night. The text gives an example: "In the Th...

Question 15

Q3: Why does the rainfall decrease from the east to the west in Northern India.

Accepted Answer

Answer: The rainfall in Northern India decreases from east to west because the moisture-laden winds of the Bay of Bengal branch of the Southwest Monsoon lose their moisture as they travel westwards. 1.  The Bay of Bengal branch first strikes the northeast and then gets deflected westwards by the Him...

Question 16

Q4: Give reasons as to why. (i) Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian subcontinent?

Accepted Answer

Answer: The seasonal reversal of wind direction over the Indian subcontinent is caused by the differential heating and cooling of land and sea.    Summer: The vast landmass of Asia, including India, heats up much faster than the surrounding oceans. This creates an intense low-pressure area over the...

Question 17

Q4: (iii) The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.

Accepted Answer

Answer: The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall due to the Northeast Monsoon winds. During the winter season (October-November), the prevailing winds blow from the northeast across the country. While these winds are dry over most parts of India because they originate over land, they pick up mo...

Question 18

Q4: (ii) The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.

Accepted Answer

Answer: The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months (mainly June to September) because it is brought by the Southwest Monsoon winds. This is a defining characteristic of the monsoon type of climate. The specific atmospheric conditions required for the monsoon—intense low pressure...

Question 19

Q4: (iv) The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.

Accepted Answer

Answer: The delta region of the eastern coast (of rivers like Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri) is frequently struck by cyclones during the retreating monsoon season (October-November). During this period, the low-pressure trough over the northern plains weakens and shifts over to the Bay of Bengal. Th...

Question 20

Q4: (v) Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are drought-prone.

Accepted Answer

Answer: These regions are drought-prone due to receiving scanty rainfall:    Parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat: These areas receive little rain from the Arabian Sea branch of the monsoon because the Aravalli Hills are oriented parallel to the direction of the winds and thus cannot act as a barrier to c...

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