Geography Questions and Answers of Chapter- EARTH'S EMPIRE

EARTH’S EMPIRE

Q1: Write down four major spheres of our earth.

Ans: 1. The physical Domain:

a)  Lithosphere (land)

b) Atmosphere (air)

c)   Hydrosphere (water)

2. The biological domain:

Biosphere

Q2: What do you mean by Lithosphere?

Ans:  Lithos means rock. Ths layer is called crust and extends upto the depth of 100 Km. Lithosphere is mainly composed of minerals. These masses on the surface of the earth is called continents and the water bodies surrounding these landmasses are called ocean basins.

Q3: Answer the following:

a)  Largest continent: Asia

b) Asia and Europe combine called as –Eurasia

c)   Dark continent: Africa

d) A continent surrounded by 3 oceans Arctic, pacific and Indian ocean: Asia

e)  This continent is separated from Europe by 3 mountains, Ural Mountains, The Caspian sea and the black sea.

f)    The largest desert of the world: Sahara

g)  The longest river : Nile river

h) Continent which is surrounded by oceans and seas from all sides:  Africa

i)     North America and South America are separated by : Isthmus of Panama Canal

j)     Europe and Africa are separated by : Strait of Gibraltar

Q4: Why Africa is called Dark Continent?

Ans: It is called Dark Continent because it developed slowly and for a very long time it remained unexplored.                                                                                                                                                                     

Q5:  What are the geographical barriers which separate largest and second largest continent?

Ans: Asia and Africa are separated by Suez Canal.

Q6: Write names of major latitudes which pass through following continents:

a)  Asia: Tropic of cancer

b) Africa: Tropic of cancer, Equator and tropic of Capricorn

c)   Antarctica-South pole

d) Europe: The Arctic Circle

Q7: Which is the island Continent and why is it called so?

Ans: Island continent is the name given to Australia. It is called so because it is an island (surrounded by water from all sides)

Q8: What is the name of research stations of India in Antarctica?

Ans: Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri

Q9: Write down the importance of lithosphere.

Ans: Lithosphere is important because of the following reasons:

·      The rocks and minerals found in lithosphere are used by different industries.

·      It provides homes to animals and plants.

·      It provides soil needed for agriculture.

·      It gives us land needed by various activities.

Q10: What is the distribution of water present on earth?

Ans:  Earth’s 71% is covered by water and remaining 29% is land. Out of this 71%, 97.25 percent is oceans. The remaining 2.75 percent is fresh water for human consumption.

Q11: Name four major oceans present in the world.

Ans: The four major oceans are Pacific, the Atlantic ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.

Q12: Answer the following in one world:

a)  Largest and deepest ocean: The pacific Ocean

b) The deepest place on the earth in pacific ocean: Mariana Trench

c)   Connection between Pacific ocean and Arctic ocean- Bering Strait

d) Depth of Mariana trench- 11,034 meters

e)  Busiest ocean in the world: Atlantic ocean

f)    Smallest ocean- Arctic ocean

g)  Extensions of Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean- Southern Ocean

h) Meaning of Pacific:  Calm and Tranquil

i)     A sea which is an extension of Atlantic ocean- Caribbean Sea

Q13:  Why Atlantic ocean is the busiest ocean in the world?

Ans: Because of its irregular coast, it is an ideal location for ports and harbours and facilitates trade and commerce. That’s why it is the busiest ocean in the world.

Q14: Which three continents surround the Arctic Ocean?

Ans: North America , Europe and Asia.

Q15: Why do Mountain climbers find it difficult to breathe at higher altitude?

 Ans: Because air density decreases as we go high in altitudes (heights). Because of less air mountain climbers find it difficult to breathe.

Q16: What is Greenhouse effect?

Ans: Carbon di oxide helps to keep earth warm by absorbing heat radiated from earth. This is known as greenhouse effect. And Carbondioxide is called greenhouse gas.

Q17: What causes air to move?

Ans: The difference between the air pressure of two places causes movement of air.

Q18: How do we understand Biosphere?

Ans: Biosphere contains life present in other 3 sphere of earth. Biosphere is divided into two groups:

Plant Kingdom and Animal Kingdom

Q19: What is an ecosystem?Give an example.

Ans: A zone that is characterised by a distinct climate, plant and animal life. For example, Pond ecosystem, forest ecosystem, mountain ecosystem etc.

Q20: Write a function of nitrogen gas.

Ans: It dilutes Oxygen.