QUESTIONS, ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
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1. The picture shown here represents of a natural disaster. Identify the type of disaster shown in the picture.
Answer: A) Flood
2. Match the climatic factors with their effects:
| A | Ans | B |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Latitude | ( b ) | b) Creates different climates in the north and south |
| 2) Altitude | ( c ) | c) Keeps higher places cooler |
| 3) Proximity to the ocean | ( d ) | d) Moderates the temperature |
| 4) Monsoon winds | ( a ) | a) Brings wet air to India during summer |
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3. Answer the following questions:
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i. What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is what we experience every hour or day (such as raining, bright sunshine, or wind) and keeps changing. Climate is the pattern of weather an area or a region experiences over a long period of time—several decades at least.
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ii. Why do places near the ocean have milder temperatures than places far away from it?
Places near the ocean have milder temperatures because the sea acts as a moderator for the temperature, making summers not too hot and winters not too cold. As you move inland away from the coast, temperatures become more extreme.
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iii. What role do monsoon winds play in affecting India's climate?
Monsoon winds bring moisture from the ocean over the land during summer, causing heavy monsoon rains which are vital for agriculture, while winter monsoon winds blow from the land to the ocean, bringing dry conditions to much of Asia.
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i. What is the difference between weather and climate?
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4. Why is Chennai warm or hot throughout the year, while Leh is cold?
Chennai is close to the Equator (low latitude) and near the sea, keeping it warm or hot almost throughout the year. Leh is located in the northern high-altitude mountainous region of the Himalayas, where low temperatures and high altitude make it cold.
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5. Imagine India did not have different seasons. How would this change the lives of farmers, students, and travelers? Give two examples.
1. Farmers would not have specific crop cycles or harvest seasons tied to the monsoons and ritus, making agricultural planning and food production unpredictable.
2. Students and travelers would experience uniform weather year-round without seasonal holidays, festivals, clothing changes, or visits to hill stations for relief from summer heat. -
6. A city experiences frequent heatwaves due to rising temperatures. Using your own ideas, suggest two steps the local government can take to reduce the impact.
1. Increase urban green cover by planting more trees and developing parks to combat urban heat island effects.
2. Establish cooling centers, improve public drinking water supply, and issue timely heatwave alerts to protect citizens. -
7. Look at a map of India given at the end of this book. Identify the climate for these cities - Leh, Visakhapatnam, Delhi, Panaji and Jaipur.
• Is the place near the sea, in the mountains, or in the desert?
• How do these factors affect the climate there?
• Leh: In the mountains (Himalayas); has a cold alpine climate due to high altitude.
• Visakhapatnam: Near the sea (coastal); has a tropical or coastal climate with moderated temperatures and moderate to high humidity.
• Delhi: Inland in the northern plains; has a subtropical climate with very hot summers and cold winters.
• Panaji: Near the sea on the western coast; has a tropical wet coastal climate with moderate temperatures and heavy monsoon rainfall.
• Jaipur: In the western region near the Thar Desert; has an arid climate with extremely hot days, cool nights, and very little rainfall. -
8. Draw the monsoon cycle in summers and winters on a map of India.
• Label where the winds blow in summer and winter
• Show the direction of winds during the monsoon
[Note: Draw on a map of India showing southwest monsoon winds blowing from sea to land during summer and northeast monsoon winds blowing from land to sea during winter as illustrated in Figure 3.9 of the textbook.]
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9. Identify a natural disaster (e.g., cyclone, flood, landslide, or forest fire) and write a short essay that includes the causes and impacts. Suggest actions that individuals, communities and the government can take to reduce the impact.
Floods:
Causes: Heavy monsoon rainfall generating huge runoff that land cannot absorb, overflowing rivers and lakes, glacial bursts in the Himalayas, and urban blocking of waterways.
Impacts: Overflowing water damages infrastructure, disrupts agriculture, displaces communities, destroys homes, and causes loss of human and animal lives.
Mitigation Actions: Individuals can avoid building on waterways and clear drainage; communities can build rainwater harvesting systems and raise awareness; governments can improve drainage networks, build embankments, and deploy forces like the NDRF for rescue. -
10. Make a colourful poster showing festivals in India linked to farming and weather (e.g., Baisakhi, Onam). Add pictures or drawings of these festivals.
[Activity-based poster creation task to be completed by students showcasing festivals like Baisakhi, Onam, Pongal, Bihu, and Makar Sankranti with drawings or pictures.]
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11. Imagine you are a farmer in India. Write a short diary entry about how you would prepare for the rainy season.
Diary Entry:
May 25
Today, I checked the fields and cleared the drainage channels to ensure rainwater flows smoothly without waterlogging. I inspected our stock of seeds—rice and millets—and ensured the farming tools are ready. We are eagerly looking to observe nature's signs and welcome the monsoon winds so we can start ploughing the land and sowing our crops on time.
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