CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 01 World Geography Some Glimpses MCQs Set 01

Answer: (B) Because oceans cover about 71 per cent of the Earth's surface

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that oceans cover about 71 per cent of Earth's surface and hold 97 per cent of the planet's water, which is why early astronauts called Earth the 'blue planet' when viewing it from space.

Answer: (B) The Earth is an oblate spheroid and cannot be perfectly flattened without tearing

Explanation:
The chapter uses the orange-peel analogy to explain that the Earth's spherical shape makes it impossible to lay it flat without tearing, so all flat maps have inherent distortion. This is why professionals use latitude and longitude coordinates for precision.

Answer: (B) Gulf Stream

Explanation:
The Gulf Stream flows north from near the Equator through the Atlantic Ocean towards Western Europe, bringing warm water that makes places like the United Kingdom warmer than others at the same latitude.

Answer: (B) Organisms rely on energy from chemicals in the water rather than sunlight

Explanation:
The chapter explains that in ocean trenches without light, plants cannot use photosynthesis, so instead they use energy from chemicals in the water to produce food, allowing unique life forms to survive and thrive.

Answer: (B) Overfishing, pollution, and climate change

Explanation:
The chapter clearly states that the Great Barrier Reef faces serious threats from human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change, with these threats making conservation crucial.

Answer: (A) Mercator shows correct directions while Robinson shows correct sizes

Explanation:
The chapter notes that Mercator Projection preserves shape and direction, making it useful for navigation, but greatly distorts size near the poles. Robinson Projection balances size and shape distortions for a more realistic appearance.

Answer: (B) Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that the Tibetan Plateau resulted from collisions between the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which also led to the formation of the Himalayan mountain range.

Answer: (B) It contains the largest reserves of freshwater outside the polar regions

Explanation:
The chapter states that scientists call the Tibetan Plateau and its mountains the 'Third Pole' because it contains the largest reserves of freshwater outside the polar regions.

Answer: (A) They migrate to find pastures supported by underground water supplies

Explanation:
The chapter describes how in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, the climate is harsh and vegetation sparse, but herds migrate seasonally to access pastures that are supported by underground water supplies.

Answer: (B) As a carbon sink, they absorb carbon from the air and store it underground

Explanation:
The chapter explains that the Eurasian Steppes grassland is a global carbon sink—it absorbs carbon from the air and stores it underground, which helps reduce greenhouse effects over time.

Answer: (B) Water for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric power

Explanation:
• The Alps provide water to major European rivers like the Rhine and tributaries of the Danube
• This water supplies drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power to lowland Europe
• The mountains also contain minerals and forests, but water supply is the key feature mentioned for European rivers

Answer: (C) They provide food and shelter for about one-quarter of all ocean species despite covering small areas

Explanation:
The chapter states that reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth and are called the 'rainforests of the sea' because they provide food and shelter for about one-quarter of all ocean species, including fish, crabs, turtles, and sponges, similar to how rainforests support vast biodiversity.

Answer: (B) Nomadic tribes herd livestock and engage in trade using ancient routes carrying gold, salt, and ideas

Explanation:
The chapter explains that the Sahara has been home to nomadic tribes that herd livestock and engage in trade for their livelihood, with ancient trade routes passing through carrying gold, salt, and ideas to the Mediterranean world.

Answer: (B) The predators hunted elk, reducing their population and allowing flora to return

Explanation:
The chapter's DON'T MISS OUT section explains that the park experienced ecological imbalance due to overgrazing by elk. When wolves were introduced in 1995, they hunted the elk, reducing their population and enabling the return of flora, leading to ecological restoration.

Answer: (B) Deforestation and climate change

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that today the Amazon is threatened by deforestation and climate change. Additionally, the DON'T MISS OUT section notes that almost 400 indigenous communities live in the forest and play an important role in conservation, emphasizing the urgency of protecting it from these human-driven threats.

Answer: (B) Complete darkness prevents plants from using sunlight to manufacture food through photosynthesis

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that in trenches with no light, plants cannot use photosynthesis to make food, so instead they use energy from chemicals in the water to produce food.

Answer: (B) Expansion of existing lakes and creation of new ones

Explanation:
The chapter notes that with climate change, snow-melt has led to the expansion of existing lakes and the creation of new ones on the Tibetan Plateau.

Answer: (C) The Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean

Explanation:
The chapter identifies the Suez Canal as a man-made passage opened in 1869 that connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, creating a waterway from the Indian Ocean to Europe.

Answer: (B) High mountains rising significantly above the surrounding landscape

Explanation:
According to the chapter's physical map colour-coding, dark brown represents high mountains, while light yellow represents deserts, green represents plains, and blue represents water bodies.

Answer: (B) The availability of cheap clothing helps low-income residents

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that the Atacama Desert has become one of the world's fastest-growing dumps for discarded clothes due to fast fashion, and the UN has called this waste problem 'an environmental and social emergency'.

Answer: (B) The Mercator preserves shape and direction but distorts size, especially near the poles

Explanation:
The chapter explains that the Mercator Projection preserves shape and direction, making it useful for navigation, but greatly distorts size near the poles (using Greenland as an example), while the Robinson Projection balances size and shape distortions for a more realistic appearance.

Answer: (C) Approximately one-fourth of the original flora and fauna

Explanation:
The chapter states that only about one-fourth of the original flora and fauna remains in the Andes Mountains, making it a critical conservation hotspot.

Answer: (B) It is the largest desert on Earth, covering over 14 million square kilometres, and is the coldest desert

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states that Antarctica is the largest desert on Earth, covering over 14 million square kilometres (more than four times India's area), and is the coldest desert, even colder than the Arctic.

Answer: (B) Deposits of coal, oil, and natural gas

Explanation:
The chapter states that the European Plain region has deposits of coal, oil and natural gas, resources that have been important for economic growth, alongside its fertile soils for agriculture.

Answer: (B) British revenue policies that dispossessed local people of land and imposed heavy taxation

Explanation:
Both uprisings were rooted in British revenue policies—the Paika Sangram emerged from the Company's harsh tax demands on rent-free lands, while the Sambalpur Uprising was sparked by heavy land revenue imposed after British annexation, uniting peasants and landlords against colonial economic exploitation.