GSEB Class 7 Science Solutions Chapter 7 Weather, Climate and Adaptations of Animals of Cl

 

Question 1. Name the elements that determine the weather of a place.
Answer: The temperature, moisture, precipitation, wind-speed, etc., are the factors that decide the weather conditions of a place.
In simple words: Things like how hot or cold it is, how much water is in the air, if it's raining, and how fast the wind blows, all together tell you what the weather is like.

Exam Tip: Remember these key elements as they are fundamental to understanding how weather patterns are formed and described in meteorology.

 

Question 2. When are the maximum and minimum temperature likely to occur during the day?
Answer: The day's highest temperature usually happens in the afternoon, and the lowest temperature occurs in the early morning.
In simple words: The hottest time of day is typically in the afternoon, and the coldest time is usually very early in the morning.

Exam Tip: Understand that the Earth warms up throughout the day as it receives sunlight, leading to peak temperatures in the afternoon, and cools down overnight, reaching its lowest point just before sunrise.

 

Question 3. Fill in the blanks:
(i) The average weather taken over a long time is called _______
(ii) A place receives very little rainfall and the temperature is high throughout the year, the climate of that place will be _______ and _______
(iii) The two regions of the earth with extreme climatic conditions are _______ and _______
Answer:
(i) The general weather over a long period is known as the climate of the place.
(ii) If an area gets very little rain and stays hot all year, its climate will be hot and dry.
(iii) The two areas of the Earth with very harsh weather conditions are the polar and tropical regions.
In simple words: Climate is the long-term weather pattern. Places with low rain and high heat have a hot, dry climate. Earth's harshest climates are in the polar and tropical zones.

Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, always consider the context to choose the most precise terms. Distinguish clearly between 'weather' (short-term) and 'climate' (long-term).

 

Question 4. Indicate the type of climate of the following areas:
(a) Jammu and Kashmir:
(b) Kerala:
(c) Rajasthan:
(d) North-east India:
Answer:
(a) Jammu and Kashmir – moderately warm and moist climate.
(b) Kerala – very warm and humid climate.
(c) Rajasthan - hot and arid climate.
(d) North-east India – This part of India receives much rain for most of the year, leading to a wet climate.
In simple words: Jammu and Kashmir is somewhat warm and wet. Kerala is very hot and humid. Rajasthan is hot and dry. North-east India gets a lot of rain, making it wet.

Exam Tip: When describing climates, use specific adjectives like 'moderately hot', 'very hot', 'humid', 'dry', and 'wet' to accurately convey the conditions of each region.

 

Question 5. Which of the two changes frequently, weather or climate?
Answer: Weather
In simple words: Weather changes quickly, but climate stays mostly the same for a long time.

Exam Tip: Remember that weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions (hourly, daily), while climate describes long-term average weather patterns (years, decades).

 

Question 6. Following are some of the characteristics of animals:
(i) Diets heavy on fruits
(ii) White fur
(iii) Need to migrate
(iv) Loud voice
(v) Sticky pads on feet
(vi) Layer of fat under skin
(vii) Wide and large paws
(viii) Bright colours
(ix) Strong tails
(x) Long and large beak
For each characteristic indicate whether it is adaptation for tropical rainforests or polar regions. Do you think that some of these characteristics can be adapted for both regions?
Answer:
Characteristics Adaptation for of animals
(i) Diets rich in fruits – tropical rainforests
(ii) White fur – polar regions
(iii) Must migrate – polar regions
(iv) Powerful voice – tropical rainforests
(v) Gripping pads on feet – tropical rainforests
(vi) Covering of fat under skin – polar regions
(vii) Broad and big paws – polar regions
(viii) Vibrant colours – tropical rainforests
(ix) Muscular tails – tropical rainforests
(x) Long and big beak – tropical rainforests
No. These characteristics cannot be suited for both regions.
In simple words: Animals have special features to live in hot, wet rainforests or cold, snowy polar regions. For example, white fur helps in snow, while bright colors help hide in the rainforest. These adaptations don't usually work in both places.

Exam Tip: When identifying adaptations, think about how each feature directly helps the animal survive specific environmental challenges like extreme cold, dense vegetation, or food availability in its habitat.

 

Question 7. The tropical rainforests has a large population of animals. Explain why it is so.
Answer: Because of constant warmth and rainfall, tropical regions can sustain a very large quantity and diverse range of creatures.
In simple words: Tropical rainforests have many animals because they are always warm and rainy, which means lots of food and places to live.

Exam Tip: Focus on the two primary factors – consistent warmth and abundant rainfall – that contribute to the high biodiversity and population density in tropical rainforests.

 

Question 8. Explain with examples, why we find animals of certain kind living in particular climatic conditions.
Answer: Creatures adjust to thrive in the environments where they reside. Traits and behaviours that enable them to fit into their habitats come from evolution. Therefore, to survive in a specific climate, animals need specific adapted characteristics. This explains why we see certain types of animals living in particular weather conditions. For instance, animals in polar areas are suited for the very cold climate. They possess unique traits, such as white fur, a powerful sense of smell, a layer of fat beneath their skin, and broad, big paws for swimming and moving in snow.
In simple words: Animals have special features that help them live in certain climates, which developed over time. For example, polar animals have white fur and fat to stay warm in the snow.

Exam Tip: When explaining adaptations, always link the specific feature directly to how it helps the animal overcome a challenge posed by its environment, providing clear examples.

 

Question 9. How do elephant living in the tropical rainforest adapt itself?
Answer: The elephant has adjusted to rainforest conditions in many amazing ways. It possesses a trunk that it uses as a nose, giving it a powerful sense of smell. The trunk also helps it pick up food. Its tusks are changed teeth. These can rip the bark off trees, which elephants enjoy eating. So, the elephant can manage food competition very effectively. The elephant's big ears help it detect even very quiet sounds. They also assist the elephant in staying cool in the hot, moist rainforest climate.
In simple words: Elephants in rainforests use their strong-smelling trunks to find and grab food. Their tusks peel tree bark, and their large ears help them hear well and keep cool in the warm, wet weather.

Exam Tip: When describing animal adaptations, focus on how each physical feature or behaviour directly contributes to survival in its specific environment, detailing its utility.

 

Question 10. A carnivore with stripes on its body moves very fast while catching its prey. It is likely to be found in:
(a) polar regions
(b) deserts
(c) oceans
(d) tropical rainforests
Answer: (d) tropical rainforests
In simple words: A fast, striped meat-eater that hunts in dense areas is typically found in tropical rainforests because its stripes help it blend into the dappled light and shadows.

Exam Tip: Think about the camouflage benefits of stripes in different environments. In rainforests, dappled sunlight creates vertical shadows where stripes provide excellent concealment for predators.

 

Question 11. Which features adapt polar bears to live in extremely cold climate?
(a) A white fur, fat below skin, keen sense of smell.
(b) Thick skin, large eyes, a white fur.
(c) A long tail, strong claws, white large paws.
(d) White body, paws for swimming, gills for respiration.
Answer: (a) A white fur, fat below skin, keen sense of smell.
In simple words: Polar bears survive in the cold because of their white fur for camouflage, a layer of fat to keep warm, and a sharp sense of smell to find food.

Exam Tip: When identifying adaptations for extreme cold, consider features that provide insulation (fat, fur), camouflage (white fur), and help with hunting or mobility in their specific habitat.

 

Question 12. Which option best describes a tropical region?
(a) hot and humid
(b) moderate temperature, heavy rainfall
(c) cold and humid
(d) hot and dry
Answer: (a) hot and humid
In simple words: A tropical region is best described as an area that is both very warm and has a lot of moisture in the air.

Exam Tip: Tropical regions are located near the equator, leading to consistently high temperatures and abundant moisture due to evaporation from warm oceans and frequent rainfall.

Extended Learning - Activities And Projects

 

Question 1. Collect weather reports of seven successive days in the winter months (preferably December). Collect similar reports for the summer months (preferably June). Now prepare a table for sunrise and sunset times as shown:
Table:

Try to answer the following questions:
(i) Is there any difference in the time of sunrise during summer and winter?
(ii) When do you find that the sun rises earlier?
(iii) Do you also find any difference in the time of sunset during the month of June and December?
(iv) When are the days longer?
(v) When are the nights longer?
(vi) Why are the days sometimes longer and sometimes shorter?
(vii) Plot the length of the day against the days chosen in June and December.
Answer: Students should prepare a table for sunrise and sunset times as shown. On the basis of your observations and interpretations answer the questions.
(i) Yes, the sun comes up earlier in summer compared to winter.
(ii) The sun appears earlier in the summer season.
(iii) Yes, there is a variation in when the sun goes down during June and December. The sun sets later in June and earlier in December.
(iv) Days are longer during summer (specifically in June).
(v) Nights extend more during winter (in December).
(vi) Our planet moves around the sun in an oval path. Seasons change as the Earth's position relative to the sun varies. We live in the Northern Hemisphere, which leans towards the sun in summer. A bigger part of the Earth receives sunlight, leading to longer days and shorter nights. In winter, the Southern Hemisphere leans towards the sun. Consequently, the Northern Hemisphere gets less light, causing shorter days and longer nights.
(vii) Plot the graph as directed.
In simple words: You need to fill out a table with sunrise and sunset times for summer and winter. Then, you'll see that the sun rises and sets at different times, and days are longer in summer because of how Earth tilts as it goes around the sun.

Exam Tip: When performing observational activities, carefully record data, then analyze it to draw conclusions about seasonal changes in day length and sunrise/sunset times, connecting them to Earth's orbit and tilt.

 

Question 2. Collect information about the Indian Meteorological Department. If possible, visit its website: http//www.imd.gov.in. Write a brief report about the things this department does.
Answer: Meteorological Department: The examination of atmospheric processes and events, mainly to predict weather, is termed meteorology. The agency responsible for these tasks is called the meteorological department. Roles of the Meteorological Department: Some key functions of the meteorological department involve studying natural processes and phenomena like:
• rising or falling air pressure in specific areas.
• how clouds form.
• ground shifts that might cause earthquakes.
• investigating atmospheric changes that could lead to storms or hurricanes.
• fluctuations in air temperature, moisture, and wind speed.
• the times of sunrise and sunset, and the highest and lowest temperatures of the previous day.
So, the meteorological department always monitors the various processes and events occurring in the atmosphere. Based on their research and observations, they forecast things like:
• Tomorrow's weather conditions.
• When the monsoon rains are anticipated.
• To investigate when cyclones, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc., are likely to happen.
In simple words: The Meteorological Department studies weather and atmosphere to forecast future conditions. They track air pressure, cloud formation, earthquakes, storms, temperature changes, and daily sun times. This helps them predict tomorrow's weather, monsoon arrival, and severe events like cyclones.

Exam Tip: To write a comprehensive report, identify the core purpose of the department (studying and forecasting weather) and then list its specific functions, detailing the types of phenomena it monitors and predicts.