Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is the composition of the air?
Ans: Atmosphere is composed of various gases. Major gases present are:
(i) Nitrogen – 78%
(ii) Oxygen – 21%
(iii) Argon - .93%
(iv) Carbon Dioxide – 0.03%
Other Gases – 0.04% (like – helium, hydrogen, methane, ozone, etc. and water vapours & dust particles.

Q2. What is normal lapse rate?
Ans: Temperature decreases at the rate of 1 degree Celsius from every 165 mtrs of ascent. This decline is known as normal lapse rate.

Q3. Define: (a) Weather (b) Climate?
Ans:
(a) Weather: The condition of atmosphere at a particular place and time is known as weather.
(b) Climate: The sum total or average of the weather conditions of a large area over a longer period of time is known as climate.

Q4. What is dew point?
Ans: Temperature at which air gets saturated is known as "Dew Point".

Q5. Which layer of the atmosphere enables wireless communications?
Ans: Thermosphere or Ionosphere is the layer of the atmosphere enables wireless communications.

Q6. Name the unit used for measuring air pressure.
Ans: Barometer is the unit used for measuring air pressure.

 

Short Answer Questions

Q1. What are the factors affecting temperature of any place?
Ans. Following are the factors affecting temperature of any place:
(a) Latitude or Distance From Equator.
(b) Altitude or Height Above The Sea Level
(c) Distance From The Sea
(d) Prevailing Winds and Ocean Currents
(e) Slope of Land

Q2. Why is atmosphere important for us?
Ans. Importance of atmosphere and various gases present in it are:
(a) Life giving gases like oxygen for breathing of animal kingdom and carbon dioxide is inhaled by plant kingdom.
(b) Ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
(c) Tiny dust particles help in the formation of the rain droplets.
(d) It acts as a blanket which prevents the earth from becoming too hot during day and too cold during night.
(e) It protects us from falling meteors and other cosmic dusts. They burn when coming in contact with the atmosphere.
(f) Presence of gases, dust particles and water vapours lend colours to sky.

Q3. What do you mean by precipitation? What is the main source of freshwater on the earth's surface?
Ans: The process in which water vapour falls on the surface of the earth is known as precipitation. Types of precipitation: Rainfall, Snowfall, Hail, Sleet, etc. Underground water is the main source of freshwater on the earth's surface.

Q4. What is atmospheric pressure? How is it important to us?
Ans: The weight of air on the earth's surface is referred to as "Atmospheric Pressure". Atmospheric Pressure is a very important element of weather and climate. A difference in the air pressure defines the direction of wind flow and accordingly, brings changes in the weather conditions.

Q5. What is the main cause of air pollution?
Ans: Any change in the composition of air is termed as "Air Pollution". Following are the main cause of air pollution:
(a) Rapid industrial growth.
(b) Excessive burning of the fossil fuels.
(c) Increase in numbers of automobiles.
(d) Burning of solid waste.
(e) Fire, etc.

Q6. Define: (a) Breeze (b) Drizzle
Ans:
(a) Breeze: These are local winds which blow only during a particular period of the day or year in a small area. For example, land and sea breeze.
(b) Drizzle: Light rainfall in the form of very tiny drop of water is called "Drizzle".

 

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe the structure of the atmosphere. Draw a diagram also.
Ans. Structure of Atmosphere: Atmosphere is divided into five different layers (Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Ionosphere and Exosphere). It extends upto 500 kms.

1. Troposphere:
• This layer is next to earth surface. It Extends upto 15 kms from the earth's surface.
• Temperature decreases at the rate of 1 degree Celsius from every 165 mtrs of ascent. This decline is known as normal lapse rate.
• Average height: 13 kms at poles and 18 kms over the equator.
• All weather changes take place in this layer. Oxygen exists in this layer.
• The boundary separating troposphere and stratosphere is known as tropopause.

2. Stratosphere:
• This layer is next to troposphere and it extends from 15 kms to 50 kms.
• This layer is free from weather changes, cloud formation and dust particles. Hence, this layer is ideal for the air transportation.
• Ozone layer is present here. Ozone layer absorbs/reflects the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
• The boundary separating stratosphere and mesosphere is known as stratopause.

3. Mesosphere:
• This layer is next to stratosphere and it extends from 50 kms to 80 kms.
• Temperature again drops in this layer and can reach upto -100 degree Celsius at the upper boundary layer.
• The boundary separating mesosphere and ionosphere is known as mesopause.

4. Thermosphere:
• This layer is next to mesosphere and it extends from 80 kms to 400 kms.
• This layer contains electrically charged particles called ions, which are found at a height of 250 kms. Due to presence of these ions, this layer is also known as ionosphere.
• This layer protects us from the harmful radiation. Temperature increase with increase in height.

5. Exosphere:
• This is the uppermost layer above the ionosphere and it extends from 400 kms onwards and there is no end. It is a very thin layer and it merges with the space.
• This layer protects us from the harmful radiation.
• Temperature is very high. Light gases like hydrogen and helium float into space from here.

Q2. What are the different types of winds? Describe each giving examples.
Ans. Permanent or Planetary Winds: These winds blow constantly throughout the year in a particular direction. These winds are broadly classified as: -
(a) Trade Winds
(b) Westerlies
(c) Polar Easterlies

(a) Trade Winds: These winds blow from Sub-Tropical high pressure belt towards Equatorial low pressure belt. They blow from North-East in the northern hemisphere and South-East in the southern hemisphere.
(b) Westerlies: These winds blow from Sub-Tropical high pressure belt to Sub-Polar low pressure belt.
(c) Polar Easterlies: These winds blow from Polar high pressure belt to Sub-Polar low pressure belt.

2. Seasonal or Periodic Winds: These winds change their direction in different seasons. The best example is "Monsoon Winds".

3. Local Winds: These winds blow only during a particular period of the day or year. For example, land and sea breeze. These winds bring short time changes in the weather conditions over a smaller area. Some of the examples are: -
(a) Chinook: Chinook means 'snow eater'. These winds are strong, warm and dry. They blow in North America.
(b) Loo: These are hot and dry winds which, blow during the summer season in the northern part of India.
(c) Sirocco: These are hot and moist winds, which blow from Sahara desert to Mediterranean Sea.
(b) Mistral: These are very cold winds, which blow down from the Alps over France.

Q3. Describe the different types of rainfall, Support your answer with appropriate diagram.
Ans. Rainfall can be classified into three types:
1. Convectional Rainfall: When hot air expands and rise to the upper layer of the atmosphere, condensation takes place which leads to formation of clouds. These clouds produce sudden and heavy rainfall. It's a daily feature in the equatorial regions.

2. Relief Rainfall: Relief rain occurs when warm air is forced to cool when it rises over a hill or mountain and then condenses. The other name for relief rain is orographic rainfall. The windward side of the mountains receives heavier rainfall in comparison to that of the leeward side (opposite) of the mountain receives little or no rain at all. It always produces a rain shadow effect.

3. Cyclonic Rainfall: When warm air mass and cold air mass meet, the warm air being lighter climbs over the cold air and cools down, leading to formation of clouds and then rainfall. This type of rain usually is due to the occurrence of cyclonic activities.

Q4. Why do places lying the windward side get rainfall while the leeward side remains dry?
Ans: The windward side gets more rainfall than the leeward side of a mountain. This is because the prevailing winds come up and the cool air tries to hold that much moisture. But since cool air can't hold as much moisture as warm air, it begins to precipitate on the windward side (the side of mountain that is facing the prevailing winds). The dry air moves on to the leeward side (the side of a mountain that is not facing prevailing winds) and stays there, usually causing deserts to form. This makes the leeward side of the mountain have a dry climate.

 

Q5. What is a cyclone? How is it different from anti cyclone?
Ans. A cyclone is a large wind system that moves around an area of low atmospheric pressure. Surrounding air moves toward the low-pressure area and starts to circulate, cyclone moves clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. Cyclones can produce cloudy weather and broad areas of rain and even snow. In the United States, cyclones often are called tornadoes.
An anticyclone system has characteristics opposite to that of a cyclone. That is, an anticyclone's central air pressure is higher than that of its surroundings, and the airflow is anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

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Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is Jhumming?
Ans: Shifting agriculture in India is known as Jhumming.

Q2. Name the three types of millets.
Ans: Three types of millets are: - Jowar, Bajra and Ragi.

Q3. State four leading producers of maize in the world.
Ans: Four leading producers of maize in the world are: North America, Brazil, China, Russia.

Q4. Which is known as the 'Golden Fiber' of India?
Ans: Jute is known as the 'Golden Fiber' of India.

Q5. Name two plantation crops.
Ans: Tea & coffee are the two main plantation crops.

 

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Distinguish between subsistence farming and commercial farming.
Ans:.

Q2. How would you differentiate between primary and secondary activities?
Ans:.

Q3. State the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of cotton.
Ans: Following are the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of cotton:
• Cotton is a fiber crop grown in tropical areas.
• Requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
• It grows best on black soil and requires atleast 6 to 8 months.
• China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt are the leading producers of cotton. It is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.

Q4. Enlist three features of plantation crops.
Ans. Following are the features of plantation crops:
• It is also known as "Monoculture", i.e. single crop grown over a large area.
• Large amount of labour and capital are required.
• The produce may be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories.
• The development of a transport network is thus essential for such farming.
• Plantations are a type of commercial farming where single crop of tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or cotton are grown.
• Major plantations are found in the tropical regions of the world. Rubber in Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, tea in India and Sri Lanka are some examples.

 

Long Answer Questions

Q1. State the geographical conditions favourable for cultivation of rice and wheat.
Ans. Following are the geographical conditions required for the cultivation of rice and wheat:-
1. Rice:
• Rice is a kharif crop.
• Rice is the major food crop of the world. It is the staple diet of the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Rice needs high temperature, high humidity and rainfall. It grows best in alluvial clayey soil, which can retain water.
• Leading producers of rice in the world: - China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, etc.

2. Wheat:
• Wheat is a rabi crop.
• It requires moderate temperature and rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
• It requires well drained loamy soil for its growth.
• Wheat is grown extensively in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India.

Q2. Compare the type of farming in India with that of USA.
Ans. Following is the comparison between India and USA as per the farming:

Q3. In spite of the introduction of the Green Revolution the yield per hectare of cereals is low in India. Give four possible reasons for this.
Ans. Following are the reasons due to which the yield per hectare of cereals is low in India:
• Farming is mainly of Intensive subsistence type, average size of land holding is about 2.4 hectares.
• Most of the work is done by animal labour or human labour.
• Farming in India mainly depends on monsoons.
• Farmers are poor and illiterate.
• Farmers use traditional methods of farming, with less use of quality seeds, fertilizers, machines, etc.

 

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There are three types of economic activities. These are:
1. Primary Activities: Connected with extraction and production of natural resources like forestry, agriculture, mining, animal husbandry, etc.
2. Secondary Activities: Connected with processing and manufacturing. They get raw material from the Primary sector.
3. Tertiary Activities: Provides support to Primary and Secondary sectors through services, e.g. transportation, banking, tourism, etc.

AGRICULTURE:
• The science and art of cultivation on the soil, raising crops and rearing livestock. It is also called farming.
• The word "Agriculture" has been derived from the Latin word "Ager or Agri" meaning "Soil" and "Culture" means "Cultivation".
• Agriculture is a primary activity.
• It includes growing crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers and rearing of livestock.
• In the world, 50 per cent of persons are engaged in agricultural activity.
• Two-thirds of India's population is still dependent on agriculture.

Other activities practiced in India:
• Sericulture: Rearing of silkworms to obtain silk on a large scale.
• Pisciculture: Rearing of fishes on a large scale.
• Viticulture: Cultivation of grapes.
• Horticulture: Growing vegetables, flowers, fruits and decorative plants for commercial use.

 

Factors Influencing the Crop Cultivation:
• The land on which crops are grown is known as "Arable Land".
• Climate and Topography:
   (a) Temperature influence crop cultivation. E.g. rice and sugar cane require high temperature, whereas wheat requires moderate temperature.
   (b) Rainfall also influences crop cultivation. E.g. rice requires more water and thus is grown in wet areas whereas jowar and bajra are grown in dry areas with less   rainfall.
   (c) Soil is also vital factor influencing the crop cultivation. Plains with fertile soil and deltas are most suitable for growing crops.
• Techniques and Implements: In the modern world with the improvement is the technology and implements the crops yield has increased manifolds. Techniques like crop rotation, multiple cropping enable the farmers to grow crops continuously. Storage facilities help in saving the grains from rodent and rain.

 

Farm System:
• Agriculture or farming can be looked at as a system.
• The important inputs are seeds, fertilisers, machinery and labour.
• Some of the operations involved are ploughing, sowing, irrigation, weeding and harvesting.
• The outputs from the system include crops, wool, dairy and poultry products.

TYPES OF FARMING

Farming is practised in various ways across the world. Depending upon the geographical conditions, demand of produce, labour and level of technology, farming can be classified into following types:

SUBSISTENCE FARMING
This type of farming is practiced to meet the needs of the farmer's family. Traditionally, low levels of technology and household labour were used to produce on small output. Subsistence farming can be further classified as intensive subsistence and primitive subsistence farming.

1. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture:
• In intensive subsistence agriculture the farmer cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools and more labour.
• Climate with large number of days with sunshine and fertile soils permit growing of more than one crop annually on the same plot.
• Rice is the main crop. Other crops include wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds.
• Intensive subsistence agriculture is practiced in the thickly populated areas of the monsoon regions of south, southeast and east Asia.

2. Primitive Subsistence Agriculture:

(a) Shifting Cultivation:
• Shifting cultivation is practiced in the thickly forested areas of Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of Southeast Asia and Northeast India. These are the areas of heavy rainfall and quick regeneration of vegetation.
• A plot of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are grown. When soil loses its fertility, the land is abandoned and the cultivator moves to a new plot.
• Shifting cultivation is also known as 'slash and burn' agriculture.
• It is known by different names in the world – Jhuming in North-Eastern States of India, Milpa in Mexico, Roca in Brazil, Ladang in Malaysia and Ray in Vietnam.

(b) Nomadic Herding:
• Nomadic herding is practiced in the semi-arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India, like Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
• In this type of farming, Herder does not grow any fodder but move from one place to another with their animals for fodder and water, along defined routes.
• Sheep, Camel, Yak and Goats are most commonly reared. They provide milk, meat, wool and other products to the herders and their families.

 

COMMERCIAL FARMING
In commercial farming crops are grown and animals are reared for sale in market. The area cultivated and the amount of capital used is large. Most of the work is done by machines. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and high yielding variety of seeds are used in order to get maximum output.
Commercial farming includes commercial grain farming, mixed farming and plantation agriculture.
1. Commercial Grain Farming:
• Crops are grown for commercial purpose.
• Wheat and maize are common commercially grown crops.
• Major areas where commercial grain farming is practiced are temperate grasslands of North America, Europe and Asia. These areas are thinly populated with large farms spreading over hundreds of hectares.
• Severe winters restrict the growing season and only a single crop can be grown.

2. Mixed Farming:
• In mixed farming the land is used for growing food and fodder crops and rearing livestock.
• It is practiced in Europe, eastern USA, Argentina, southeast Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

3. Plantations:
• It is also known as "Monoculture", i.e. single crop grown over a large area.
• Plantations are a type of commercial farming where single crop of tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana or cotton are grown.
• Large amount of labour and capital are required.
• The produce may be processed on the farm itself or in nearby factories.
• The development of a transport network is thus essential for such farming.
• Major plantations are found in the tropical regions of the world. Rubber in Malaysia, coffee in Brazil, tea in India and Sri Lanka are some examples.

 

MAJOR CROPS

India has three cropping seasons, i.e. Rabi, Kharif and Zaid.
1. Rabi: Crops are sown in winters between October to December and harvested between February to April. Major crops of this season are: wheat, barley, peas, gram, and oilseeds.
2. Kharif: Crops are sown in summers between May to July and harvested after rain i.e. between September to October. Major crops of this season are: rice, maize, jowar, bajra, sugarcane, jute.
3. Zaid: In between Rabi and Kharif crops zaid crops like: watermelon, cucumber are grown between April to June.

 

Some of the major crops are:

1. Rice:
• Rice is the major food crop of the world. It is the staple diet of the tropical and sub-tropical regions.
• Rice needs high temperature, high humidity and rainfall. It grows best in alluvial clayey soil, which can retain water.
• In Assam, West Bengal and Orissa, three crops of paddy are grown in a year known as "Aus, Aman and Boro".

2. Wheat:
• Wheat is grown in winter. It requires rainfall during growing season and bright sunshine at the time of harvest.
• Wheat is grown extensively in USA, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and India.
• In India Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh are major wheat producing states.

3. Millets:
• They are also known as coarse grains and can be grown on less fertile and sandy soils.
• It needs low rainfall and high to moderate temperature.
• Jowar, bajra and ragi are millet crops grown in India.
• Other countries are Nigeria and China.

4. Maize:
• Maize is used as both food and fodder crop. It is also known as "Corn".
• Requires moderate temperature, rainfall and lots of sunshine and also, needs well-drained fertile soils.
• Maize is grown in North America, Brazil, Russia, Canada and India.

5. Cotton:
• Cotton requires high temperature, light rainfall, 210 frost-free days and bright sunshine for its growth.
• It grows best on black soil and requires atleast 6 to 8 months.
• China, USA, India, Pakistan, Brazil and Egypt are the leading producers of cotton. It is one of the main raw materials for the cotton textile industry.

6. Jute:
• Jute was also known as the 'Golden Fiber'.
• It grows well on alluvial soil and requires high temperature, heavy rainfall and humid climate.
• This crop is grown in the tropical areas. India and Bangladesh are the leading producers of jute.

7. Coffee:
• Hill slopes are more suitable for growth of this crop.
• It requires warm & wet climate and well drained loamy soil.
• Brazil is the leading producer followed by Columbia and India.
• In India coffee is cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

8. Tea:
• Tea is a beverage crop.
• Tea plants grow well in tropical and sub-tropical climate. It requires warm and moist free climate and well distributed frequent showers throughout the year. It needs deep, fertile, well-drained loamy soils and gentle slopes, rich in humus and organic matter.
• Cheap and skilled labour is required in large number to pick the leaves. Tea is processed within the tea gardens to restore its freshness.
• India, Kenya, China, Sri Lanka produce the best quality tea in the world.
• India is the leading producer and exporter of tea. Assam, Darjeeling, West Bengal and Tripura are leading producers of tea in India.

 

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Agricultural Development refers to efforts made to increase farm production in order to meet the growing demand of increasing population.
2. This can be achieved in many ways such as:
    • Increasing the cropped area.
    • Multiple cropping (Number of crops grown in a year)
    • Improving irrigation facilities
    • Use of fertilizers and high yielding variety of seeds.
    • Mechanization of agriculture is also another aspect of agricultural development.
    • Developing countries with large populations usually practice intensive agriculture where crops are grown on small holdings mostly for subsistence.
    • Larger holdings are more suitable for commercial agriculture as in USA, Canada and Australia
    • The ultimate aim of agricultural development is to increase food security. Food security as defined by the world summit is availability, affordability and accessibility of food. In simple words, food security means all people at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs.

 

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