GSEB Class 7 Science Solutions Chapter 8 Winds, Storms and Cyclones

Question 1. Fill the missing word in the blank spaces in the following statements:
(a) Wind is air.
(b) Winds are generated due to heating on the earth.
(c) Near the earth's surface air rises up whereas air comes down.
(d) Air moves from a region of pressure to a region of pressure.
Answer:
(a) moving
(b) uneven
(c) warm, cooler
(d) high, low
In simple words: The missing words complete the statements about how wind behaves and moves based on air pressure and temperature differences.

Exam Tip: Remember to use the correct scientific terms for phenomena like air movement, heating, and pressure differences when filling in blanks.

Question 2. Suggest two methods to find out wind direction at a given place.
Answer:
• Hold a piece of paper in your hand. Let it drop from your hand. It will move in the way the wind is going.
• You can also use a wind vane, which helps us find the exact wind direction.
In simple words: You can watch a piece of paper move with the wind, or you can use a special tool called a wind vane to see which way the wind is blowing.

Exam Tip: When describing methods, ensure they are practical and clearly indicate how the desired information (wind direction) is obtained.

Question 3. State two experiences that made you think that air exerts pressure.
Answer:
• Balloons and balls work only when filled with air. If a balloon gets too much air, it bursts because of too much air pressure.
• Air squeezed into a small space is used in the brake systems to stop trains.
In simple words: When you blow too much air into a balloon, it bursts because of the air's push. Also, air is used to help trains stop.

Exam Tip: Provide real-world examples that visibly demonstrate the effect of air pressure, such as inflation or mechanical systems.

Question 4. You want to buy a house. Would you like to buy a house having windows but no ventilators? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, a home without ventilators is not a good or healthy place to reside. Air does not move well in such a house. As a result, there is no clean air. This is because warm air moves up and exits through ventilators, while cool air enters through windows.
In simple words: No, a house without ventilators is not healthy because warm air cannot leave, and fresh air cannot enter properly, stopping good air movement.

Exam Tip: Explain the importance of ventilation for proper air circulation, especially how warm air rises and exits, allowing fresh air to enter.

Question 5. Explain why holes are made in hanging banners and hoardings.
Answer: Air pushes against things. Because of this pressure, banners and hoardings will flap and tear when the wind blows strongly. Holes are put in banners and hoardings to allow wind to go through them so they don't get loose and fall off.
In simple words: Holes in banners let the wind pass through them. This stops the wind's pressure from ripping or blowing the banners away.

Exam Tip: Clearly state that air exerts pressure and explain how holes reduce the impact of this pressure, preventing damage to banners.

Question 6. How will you help your neighbours in case cyclone approaches your village/town?
Answer:
• I will inform them about the cyclone weather forecast and warning messages.
• Quickly share warnings with government departments and all key locations.
• Build cyclone shelters in areas that often get cyclones.
• Help them move important items, household pets, and farm animals to secure spots.
In simple words: I would tell them about warnings, share information with officials, help build shelters, and assist in moving people and belongings to safe places.

Exam Tip: Focus on practical, actionable steps for community assistance before and during a cyclone, including communication, safety, and aid.

Question 7. What planning is required in advance to deal with the situation created by a cyclone?
Answer: To deal with cyclones, it is important to follow these points:
• Listen closely to warnings given on television and radio.
• Go to secure locations.
• Have a disaster kit prepared.
• Keep food in bags that protect from water.
• Avoid going into the ocean.
• Have all important contact numbers handy.
In simple words: You need to listen to warnings, go to safe places, prepare a kit, store waterproof food, avoid the sea, and keep emergency numbers ready.

Exam Tip: Outline comprehensive preparedness steps, covering information gathering, evacuation, supplies, and safety precautions before a cyclone hits.

Question 8. Which one of the following places is unlikely to be affected by a cyclone?
(i) Chennai
(ii) Mangaluru (Mangalore)
(iii) Amritsar
(iv) Puri
Answer: (iii) Amritsar
In simple words: Amritsar is inland, making it less likely to be impacted by cyclones which usually affect coastal areas.

Exam Tip: Cyclones primarily impact coastal regions; therefore, inland cities like Amritsar are generally safe from their direct effects.

Question 9. Which of the statements given below is correct?
(i) In winter the winds flow from the land to the ocean.
(ii) In summer the winds flow from the land towards the ocean.
(iii) A cyclone is formed by a very high- pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it
(iv) The coastline of India is not vulnerable to cyclones.
Answer: (i) In winter the winds flow from the land to the ocean.
In simple words: During winter, the winds typically move from the land towards the sea.

Exam Tip: Recall that winter winds (monsoons) typically blow from land to sea due to temperature differences, while summer winds blow from sea to land.

Extended Learning - Activities And Projects

Question 1. You can perform the Activity 8.5 in – the chapter slight differently at home. Use two plastic bottles of the same size. Stretch one balloon on the neck of each bottle. Keep one bottle in the sun and the other in the shade. Record your observations. Compare these observations and the result with those of Activity 8.5.
Answer: Carry this out yourself by following the instructions from Activity 8.5.
In simple words: Do this activity yourself as explained in Activity 8.5.

Exam Tip: For activity-based questions, describe the setup, predict the outcome, and explain the underlying scientific principle based on your observations.

Question 2. You can make your own anemometer. Collect the following items: 4 small paper cups (used ice cream cups), 2 strips of cardboard (20 cm long and 2 cm wide), gum, stapler, a sketch pen and a sharpened pencil with eraser at one end. Take a scale; draw crosses on the cardboard strips as shown in the Fig. 8.1. This will give you the centres of the strips. Fix the strips at the centre, putting one over the other so that they make a plus (+) sign. Now fix the cups at the ends of the strips. Colour the outer surface of one cup with a marker or a sketch pen. All the 4 cups should face in the same direction. Push a pin through the centre of the strips and attach the strips and the cups to the eraser of the pencil. Check that the strips rotate freely when you blow air on the cups. Your anemometer is ready. Counting the number of rotations per minute will give you an estimate of the speed of the wind. To observe the changes in the wind speed, use it at different places and at different times of the day. If you do not have a pencil with attached eraser you can use the tip of a ball pen. The only condition is that the strips should rotate freely. Remember that this anemom.eter will indicate only speed changes. It will not give you the actual wind speed.
Answer: Create this yourself following the instructions provided in the question.
In simple words: Follow the steps in the question to build your own anemometer.

Exam Tip: When building models, pay close attention to the specified materials and construction steps to ensure the device functions as intended.

Question 3. Collect articles and photographs from newspapers and magazines about storms and cyclones. Make a story on the basis of what you learnt in this chapter and the matter collected by you.
Answer: Based on our experiences, newspaper articles, and learning from this chapter, we understand that cyclones and storms are very damaging and destructive. A cyclone is known as a hurricane in the American continent. It is called a typhoon in the Philippines and Japan.
In simple words: From our experiences and studies, cyclones and storms are very destructive. Cyclones are called hurricanes in America and typhoons in the Philippines and Japan.

Exam Tip: When crafting a story based on research, integrate personal observations with factual information to create a comprehensive and engaging narrative.

Question 4. Suppose you are a member of a committee, which is responsible for creating development plan of a coastal state. Prepare a short speech indicating the measures to be taken to reduce the suffering of the people caused by cyclones.
Answer: As a member of the development planning committee, I will propose that we set up systems to receive early information about cyclones using satellites and radar. The cyclone alert needs to be given 24 hours before a cyclone reaches the coast. Residents in the affected area should be taught through TV, radio, and newspapers to move important household items, pets, and vehicles to more secure locations. They should be asked to keep emergency service phone numbers ready, such as for police, fire department, and medical centers. Additionally, building cyclone shelters in areas prone to cyclones and creating efficient plans for quickly moving people to safety are necessary.
In simple words: My speech would suggest early warnings using technology, educating people to move to safety, having emergency contact numbers ready, building shelters, and making plans for quick evacuations.

Exam Tip: When proposing disaster management strategies, focus on early warning systems, public education, evacuation plans, and robust infrastructure to mitigate impact.

Question 5. Interview eyewitness to collect the actual experience of people affected by a cyclone.
Answer: Perform this task on your own.
In simple words: Conduct this interview yourself.

Exam Tip: When conducting interviews, prepare clear questions to gather specific details about personal experiences and challenges faced during the event.

Question 6. Take an aluminium tube about 15 cm long and 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. Cut slice of a medium-sized potato about 2 cm thick. Insert the tube in the slice, press it, and rotate it 2-3 times. Remove the tube. You will find a piece of potato fixed in the tube like a piston head. Repeat the same process with the other end of the tube. Now you have the tube with both ends closed by potato pieces with an air column in between. Take a pencil with one end unsharpened. Place this end at one of the pieces of potato. Press it suddenly to push the potato piece in the tube. Observe what happens. The activity shows rather dramatically how increased air pressure can push things.
Answer: Complete this yourself using the guidance given in the question.
In simple words: Do this experiment on your own, following the instructions provided in the question.

Exam Tip: Follow experimental instructions precisely, observe outcomes carefully, and articulate how the experiment demonstrates the scientific principle, such as air pressure.