Samacheer Kalvi Class 6 Social Science Solutions Term 3 Chapter 2 Globe

I. Fill In The Blanks

 

Question 1. The line of latitude which is known as the Great Circle is ................
Answer: Equator
In simple words: The Equator is a special line of latitude, often called the Great Circle, because it divides the Earth into two equal halves.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the Equator is the only line of latitude that is a great circle; all other parallels of latitude are smaller circles.

 

Question 2. The imaginary lines drawn horizontally on Earth from the West to East are called ................
Answer: Lines or parallels of latitude
In simple words: The horizontal lines circling the Earth are called lines of latitude, or parallels, and they measure how far north or south a place is.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember that lines of latitude run east-west but measure north-south position.

 

Question 3. The 90° lines of latitude on the Earth are called ................
Answer: Poles
In simple words: The lines of latitude at 90 degrees North and 90 degrees South are special points known as the North Pole and South Pole, respectively.

🎯 Exam Tip: Visualizing the Earth as a sphere helps understand why latitudes converge at the poles, marking them as distinct points.

 

Question 4. The Prime Meridian is also called ................
Answer: Greenwich meridian
In simple words: The Prime Meridian, which is the starting line for measuring longitude, is also known as the Greenwich Meridian because it passes through Greenwich, London.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing that the Prime Meridian is also called the Greenwich Meridian is crucial for understanding global time zones.

 

Question 5. The world is divided into ................ time zones.
Answer: 24
In simple words: The Earth is divided into 24 main time zones, each generally representing one hour of difference in local time. This division helps us manage time across the globe.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding why there are 24 time zones (one for each hour in a day) helps grasp how global time works.

II. Choose The Best Answer

 

Question 1. The shape of the Earth is ................
(a) Square
(b) Rectangle
(c) Geoid
(d) Circle
Answer: (c) Geoid
In simple words: The Earth's shape is called a geoid, which means it's like a sphere but a bit flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that 'geoid' describes Earth's unique, slightly irregular shape, not a perfect sphere or circle.

 

Question 2. The North Pole is ................
(a) 90° N Latitude
(b) 90° S latitude
(c) 90° W Longitude
(d) 90° E longitude
Answer: (a) 90° N Latitude
In simple words: The North Pole is located at 90 degrees North latitude, which is the northernmost point on Earth.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between latitudes (North/South) and longitudes (East/West) when identifying locations like the poles.

 

Question 3. The area found between 0° and 180° E lines of longitude is called ................
(a) Southern Hemisphere
(b) Western Hemisphere
(c) Northern Hemisphere
(d) Eastern Hemisphere
Answer: (d) Eastern Hemisphere
In simple words: The region of the Earth that lies between the 0° longitude (Prime Meridian) and the 180° East longitude is known as the Eastern Hemisphere.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly remember the dividing lines for the hemispheres: Equator for North/South, and Prime Meridian/180° longitude for East/West.

 

Question 4. The 23° N line of latitude is called ................
(a) Tropic of Capricorn
(b) Tropic of Cancer
(c) Arctic Circle
(d) Antarctic Circle
Answer: (b) Tropic of Cancer
In simple words: The Tropic of Cancer is a major line of latitude found at 23.5 degrees North of the Equator. This line marks the northernmost point where the sun's rays can be directly overhead.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the key lines of latitude and their degrees: Equator (0°), Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N), Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° S), Arctic Circle (66.5° N), and Antarctic Circle (66.5° S).

 

Question 5. 180° line of longitude is ................
(a) Equator
(b) International Date Line
(c) Prime Meridian
(d) North Pole
Answer: (b) International Date Line
In simple words: The 180-degree line of longitude is special because it's where a new calendar day officially begins, making it the International Date Line.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that the International Date Line is crucial for global timekeeping and marks the change of a calendar day.

 

Question 6. The Sun is found overhead the Greenwich Meridian at ................
(a) 12 midnight
(b) 12 noon
(c) 1 p.m.
(d) 11 a.m.
Answer: (b) 12 noon
In simple words: The sun is directly above the Greenwich Meridian at 12 noon, which is the time used as a reference for global time zones.

🎯 Exam Tip: Local noon occurs when the sun is highest in the sky at your longitude. For the Prime Meridian (Greenwich), this is 12 noon GMT.

 

Question 7. A day has ................
(a) 1240 minutes
(b) 1340 minutes
(c) 1440 minutes
(d) 1140 minutes
Answer: (c) 1440 minutes
In simple words: A full day has 24 hours, and since each hour has 60 minutes, a day has 1440 minutes in total.

🎯 Exam Tip: Basic unit conversions like hours to minutes are fundamental for time calculations.

 

Question 8. Which of the following lines of longitude is considered for the Indian Standard Time?
(a) 82 1/2° E
(b) 82 1/2° W
(c) 811/2° E
(d) 81 1/2° W
Answer: (a) 82 1/2° E
In simple words: The 82.5 degrees East longitude is specifically chosen as the reference point for calculating Indian Standard Time (IST). This central longitude helps to set a consistent time across India.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that a country's standard time is often based on a central longitude to avoid having too many local times.

 

Question 9. The total number of lines of latitude are ................
(a) 171
(b) 161
(c) 181
(d) 191
Answer: (c) 181
In simple words: There are 181 lines of latitude in total, including the Equator (0°), 90 lines in the Northern Hemisphere, and 90 lines in the Southern Hemisphere.

🎯 Exam Tip: Count the Equator (1 line), 90 lines North, and 90 lines South (1 + 90 + 90 = 181) to correctly determine the total number of parallels.

 

Question 10. The total number of lines of longitude are ................
(a) 370
(b) 380
(c) 360
(d) 390
Answer: (c) 360
In simple words: There are 360 lines of longitude, also called meridians, spanning all the way around the Earth. These lines help us measure east-west positions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Each degree of longitude represents a meridian, and there are 360 degrees in a full circle around the Earth.

III. Pick The Odd One

 

Question 1. North Pole, South Pole, Equator, International Date Line.
Answer: International Dateline
In simple words: The North Pole, South Pole, and Equator are all points or lines of latitude that divide the Earth geographically. The International Date Line is a line of longitude that marks where the date changes, making it different from the others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Classify geographical features (poles, equator) versus time-related lines (International Date Line) to find the odd one out.

 

Question 2. Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Prime Meridian.
Answer: Prime Meridian
In simple words: The Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, and Equator are all lines of latitude, which run horizontally. The Prime Meridian is a line of longitude, which runs vertically, making it the odd one.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between lines of latitude (parallels) and lines of longitude (meridians) to correctly identify the different types.

 

Question 3. Torrid Zone, Time Zone, Temperate Zone, Frigid Zone
Answer: Time Zone
In simple words: Torrid, Temperate, and Frigid Zones are all names for the different climate zones on Earth based on temperature. A Time Zone, however, is a region that shares the same standard time, so it's the odd one out.

🎯 Exam Tip: Group related geographical concepts (climate zones) to easily spot the unrelated term (time zone).

 

Question 4. Royal Astronomical Observatory, Prime Meridian, Royal Astronomical Greenwich Meridian, International Date Line.
Answer: Royal Astronomical observatory
In simple words: The Prime Meridian, Royal Astronomical Greenwich Meridian (which is the same), and International Date Line are all imaginary lines on the Earth used for geographic or time reference. The Royal Astronomical Observatory is a physical place, not a line, making it the odd one.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate between physical locations and imaginary reference lines when identifying the odd element.

 

Question 5. 10° North, 20° South, 30° North, 40° West
Answer: 40° West
In simple words: 10° North, 20° South, and 30° North all refer to latitudes, which indicate positions north or south of the Equator. 40° West refers to a longitude, which indicates a position east or west of the Prime Meridian, making it the odd one out.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the directional indicators (North/South for latitude, East/West for longitude) to categorize geographical coordinates.

IV. Match The Following

Answer:
1. - b
2. - d
3. - e
4. - a
5. - c
In simple words: Matching means connecting each item in column A to its correct pair in column B. This involves knowing the specific facts related to each geographical term. For example, Tropic of Capricorn is related to Magaravarai, and the Great Circle is linked to two opposite meridians.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching questions, it's often helpful to first match the pairs you are most certain about, then use elimination for the remaining ones.

V. Examine The Following Statements

 

Question 1.
1. The Earth is spherical in shape.
2. The shape of the Earth is called a geoid.
3. The Earth is flat.
Look at the options given below and choose the correct answer
(a) 1 and 3 are correct
(b) 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 1 and 2 are correct
(d) 1, 2, and 3 are correct
Answer: (c) 1 and 2 are correct
In simple words: Statements 1 and 2 are true because the Earth is roughly spherical but more precisely described as a geoid. Statement 3 is false because the Earth is not flat.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always evaluate each statement individually for its correctness before combining them to choose the best option.

VI. Examine The Following Statements

 

Question 1.
Statement I: The lines of latitude on Earth are used to find the location of a place and define the heat zones on Earth.
Statement II: The lines of longitudes on Earth are used to find the location of a place and to calculate time.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Statement I is correct; II is wrong
(b) Statement I is wrong; II correct
(c) Both the statements are correct
(d) Both the statements are wrong
Answer: (a) Statement I is correct; II is wrong
In simple words: Statement I is correct because lines of latitude are used to find a place's north-south location and define the heat zones. Statement II is considered wrong in this context, although longitudes do help find east-west location and time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully read each statement and evaluate its accuracy based on geographical principles before selecting the best option.

VII. Name The Following

 

Question 1. The imaginary lines are drawn horizontally on Earth
Answer: Lines of latitude/parallels
In simple words: The horizontal imaginary lines that go around the Earth are called lines of latitude, or parallels. These lines help us measure how far north or south a place is.

🎯 Exam Tip: Visualizing the Earth helps to remember that lines of latitude run east-west, parallel to the Equator.

 

Question 2. The imaginary lines are drawn vertically on Earth.
Answer: Lines of longitude /Meridians
In simple words: The imaginary lines drawn vertically on Earth, from pole to pole, are called lines of longitude, or meridians. They help us measure how far east or west a place is.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that meridians of longitude meet at the poles, unlike parallels of latitude which never meet.

 

Question 3. The three dimensional model of the Earth.
Answer: Globe
In simple words: A globe is a spherical model that accurately shows the Earth's shape and geographical features in three dimensions. It helps us understand the world's layout.

🎯 Exam Tip: A globe provides the most accurate representation of Earth's shape, distances, and relative sizes of landmasses.

 

Question 4. India is located in this hemisphere based on lines of longitude.
Answer: Eastern Hemisphere
In simple words: Based on lines of longitude, India is located in the Eastern Hemisphere, which lies east of the Prime Meridian.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately identifying a country's hemisphere requires knowing its latitude (North/South) and longitude (East/West) coordinates.

 

Question 5. The network of lines of latitude and longitude.
Answer: Earth grid / Geographic grid
In simple words: The imaginary lines of latitude and longitude form a criss-cross pattern on the Earth, which is called an Earth grid or geographic grid. This grid helps us pinpoint exact locations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the geographic grid is essential for accurately locating any place on Earth using coordinates.

VIII. Answer Briefly

 

Question 1. What is a geoid?
Answer: A geoid describes the Earth's unique shape, which is not a perfect sphere. It's an irregular shape that bulges at the Equator and is slightly flattened at the poles, and it also changes based on gravity. The term "geoid" means "Earth-shaped".
In simple words: A geoid is the real shape of the Earth. It is like a squashed ball, not perfectly round, and it's slightly bumpy because of gravity.

🎯 Exam Tip: When defining 'geoid', remember to mention both its unique, irregular nature and its deviation from a perfect sphere.

 

Question 2. What is the local time?
Answer: Local time refers to the time at a particular place, determined by the position of the sun. When the sun is directly overhead a specific line of longitude, it is considered 12 noon for all places located on that meridian. This is how local time is measured for any given longitude.
In simple words: Local time is the time in a specific place, decided by when the sun is highest in the sky right above that spot. When the sun is directly overhead, it's noon there.

🎯 Exam Tip: Local time varies with longitude, meaning places on different meridians will have different local times at the same moment.

 

Question 3. How many times would the sun pass overhead a line of longitude?
Answer: The sun passes directly overhead a specific line of longitude only once each day. This occurs when that particular meridian is directly facing the sun, marking the local noon for that line. The Earth's rotation ensures this happens daily.
In simple words: The sun passes right over any single line of longitude just one time every day, making it noon at that line.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate the sun passing overhead to the Earth's rotation to understand why it happens only once a day per longitude.

 

Question 4. What are lines of latitude and longitude?
Answer: Lines of latitude and longitude are imaginary lines drawn on a globe to help find locations and calculate distances and time. Latitude lines run horizontally around the Earth, parallel to the Equator, measuring north-south position. Longitude lines run vertically from pole to pole, measuring east-west position. Together, they form a grid system.
In simple words: Lines of latitude are imaginary horizontal lines showing how far north or south a place is. Lines of longitude are imaginary vertical lines showing how far east or west a place is. Both are used to find exact locations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember that latitude measures N/S distance from the Equator, and longitude measures E/W distance from the Prime Meridian.

 

Question 5. Name the four hemispheres of the Earth.
Answer: The four main hemispheres of the Earth are:
1. Northern Hemisphere
2. Southern Hemisphere
3. Eastern Hemisphere
4. Western Hemisphere
These divisions help in understanding global geography and climates. The Equator divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, while the Prime Meridian and the 180° longitude divide the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
In simple words: The Earth has four main halves: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Hemispheres.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the two main lines that divide the Earth into these four hemispheres: the Equator and the Prime Meridian/180° longitude.

IX. Give Reason

 

Question 1. The 0° line or longitude is called the Greenwich Meridian.
Answer: The 0° line of longitude is known as the Greenwich Meridian because it passes directly through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. This specific location was chosen internationally as the prime reference for measuring longitude and global time. It serves as the starting point for measuring distances both east and west around the globe.
In simple words: The 0° longitude is called the Greenwich Meridian because it runs through Greenwich, London. This point was chosen as the world's main starting line for measuring longitude.

🎯 Exam Tip: Linking the Prime Meridian to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is a key detail for understanding its name and importance.

 

Question 2. The regions on Earth between North & South lines of latitude (66 \( \frac{1}{2} \)°) and poles (90°) is called Frigid Zone.
Answer: The regions between the Arctic Circle (66.5° N) and the North Pole (90° N), and between the Antarctic Circle (66.5° S) and the South Pole (90° S), are called the Frigid Zones. This is because these areas receive very slanted sun rays throughout the year. Due to the low angle of the sun, the temperature in these regions remains extremely low, making them very cold and earning them the name "Frigid Zone."
In simple words: The Frigid Zones are near the North and South Poles because the sun's rays hit these areas at a very low angle all year. This makes these regions very cold and icy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate the angle of the sun's rays to the temperature in a region to explain why Frigid Zones are so cold.

 

Question 3. The International Date Line runs zigzag.
Answer: The International Date Line (IDL) runs zigzag to avoid dividing countries and island groups into different calendar dates. If the IDL were a perfectly straight line along the 180° longitude, it would cut through nations, causing immense confusion with differing dates within the same region. By making it zigzag, the line can go around landmasses and political borders, ensuring that areas within the same country or island chain maintain a consistent date.
In simple words: The International Date Line zigs and zags so it doesn't split countries or islands into two different days. This helps to avoid confusion about dates within the same place.

🎯 Exam Tip: The zigzag nature of the International Date Line is a practical solution to maintain administrative and social coherence regarding dates.

X. Answer In Detail

 

Question 1. What are the uses of globe?
Answer: The Earth is very large, and we only see a small part of it at any time. To understand its overall shape, unique features, and how everything fits together, a three-dimensional model called a globe is used. A globe helps us visualize the Earth as a whole, showing the relative sizes, shapes, and locations of continents, oceans, and countries accurately. It allows us to study geographical features and understand spatial relationships without distortion. Furthermore, globes are often used to demonstrate Earth's rotation and the concept of day and night.
In simple words: A globe helps us see the Earth as a whole, understand its round shape, and see where all the countries and oceans are. It's a small model that shows the real world accurately.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on accuracy, proportionality, and the three-dimensional representation when explaining the advantages of using a globe.

 

Question 2. How are the hemispheres divided on the basis of lines of latitude and longitude? Explain with diagrams.
Answer: The Earth is divided into four main hemispheres based on the imaginary lines of latitude and longitude:

Northern Hemisphere: This is the area of the Earth located between the Equator (0°) and the North Pole (90°N). It includes a large portion of the world's landmasses and population.

Southern Hemisphere: This region lies between the Equator (0°) and the South Pole (90°S). It primarily consists of oceans and parts of continents like Antarctica and Australia.
Eastern Hemisphere: This part of the Earth is found between the 0° line of longitude (Prime Meridian) and the 180° East line of longitude. It contains continents like Asia and Australia.
Western Hemisphere: This is the part of the Earth from the 0° line of longitude to the 180° West line of longitude. It mainly covers the Americas.
In simple words: The Earth is split into Northern and Southern halves by the Equator, and into Eastern and Western halves by the Prime Meridian. These divisions help us understand different parts of the world.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly label the dividing lines (Equator, Prime Meridian) and use shading in diagrams to accurately represent each hemisphere.

 

Question 3. What are the significant lines of latitude? Explain the zones found between them.
Answer: The significant lines of latitude and the climate zones between them are:
1. Equator: 0°
2. Tropic of Cancer: 23 \( \frac{1}{2} \)° N
3. Tropic of Capricorn: 23 \( \frac{1}{2} \)° S
4. Arctic Circle: 66 \( \frac{1}{2} \)° N
5. Antarctic Circle: 66 \( \frac{1}{2} \)° S
6. North Pole: 90° N
7. South Pole: 90° S

Based on the amount of heat received from the sun, the world is broadly divided into three heat zones:

1. The Torrid Zone: This zone is located on both sides of the Equator, lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. It receives the sun's direct rays throughout the entire year, resulting in a consistently hot and humid climate. This area experiences the highest temperatures globally.

2. The Temperate Zone: These zones are found in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, situated between the Torrid Zone and the Frigid Zone. They experience neither extremely hot nor very cold temperatures. The climate here is moderate, with distinct seasons.

3. The Frigid Zone: Located near the poles, these regions lie between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole, and between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole. Due to the very slanting angle of the sun's rays, these zones receive very little heat. Consequently, they are characterized by extremely cold temperatures throughout the year.
In simple words: Important latitude lines are the Equator, Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. These lines divide the Earth into hot (Torrid), mild (Temperate), and very cold (Frigid) zones, depending on how much sunlight they get.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define each heat zone by its latitudinal boundaries and briefly describe its characteristic climate based on sun exposure.

 

Question 4. Explain: Indian Standard Time.
Answer: Indian Standard Time (IST) is the official time zone for India. India's longitudinal extent stretches from approximately 68° 7'E to 97° 25'E, meaning about 29 lines of longitude pass through the country. If each longitude had its own local time, it would create significant confusion. To ensure a uniform time across the nation, the 82\( \frac{1}{2} \)° E line of longitude, which runs centrally through India, is chosen as the standard meridian. The local time at this meridian is considered the Indian Standard Time for the entire country. This helps in managing activities and communication efficiently.
In simple words: Indian Standard Time (IST) is the single time used all over India. It is set based on the time at the 82.5° East longitude, which is considered the middle line of longitude for India. This makes sure everyone in India uses the same time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the need for a single standard time in large countries to avoid confusion due to varying local times across longitudes.

XI. Activity

 

There are five positions marked on the grid given below. Look at them carefully and fill the blanks with reference to the lines of latitude and longitude. The first one is done for you.

 

Question 1. The latitudinal and longitudinal reference of point A.
Answer: 40° N 30° W
In simple words: Point A is found 40 degrees North of the Equator and 30 degrees West of the Prime Meridian.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always state latitude first (N/S) then longitude (E/W) when describing a point's coordinates.

 

Question 2. The latitudinal and longitudinal reference of point B.
Answer: 20° N 10° W
In simple words: Point B is found 20 degrees North of the Equator and 10 degrees West of the Prime Meridian.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice reading coordinates carefully by finding the intersection of the horizontal and vertical lines for each point.

 

Question 3. The latitudinal and longitudinal reference of point C.
Answer: 10° N 20° E
In simple words: Point C is found 10 degrees North of the Equator and 20 degrees East of the Prime Meridian.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to whether the longitude is East or West, as it significantly changes the location on the map.

 

Question 4. The latitudinal and longitudinal reference of point D.
Answer: 40° N 40° E
In simple words: Point D is found 40 degrees North of the Equator and 40 degrees East of the Prime Meridian.

🎯 Exam Tip: Double-check the longitude value and direction (East/West) when reading coordinates from a grid.

 

Question 5. The latitudinal and longitudinal reference of point E.
Answer: 20° S 20° W
In simple words: Point E is found 20 degrees South of the Equator and 20 degrees West of the Prime Meridian.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to use 'S' for South and 'W' for West when writing coordinates in the Southern and Western hemispheres.

Samacheer Kalvi 6th Social Science Globe Additional Important Questions And Answers

I. Fill In The Blanks Answer

 

Question 1. The surface area of the Earth is ................ million square kilometres.
Answer: 510.1
In simple words: The Earth's total surface area is about 510.1 million square kilometers. This vast area includes both land and water.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize key geographical statistics like the Earth's surface area to answer direct recall questions.

 

Question 2. ................ was the first person to draw the lines of latitude and longitude on a map.
Answer: Ptolemy
In simple words: Ptolemy was a very old Greek-Roman scholar who was the first to put lines of latitude and longitude on maps, which helped people find places more easily.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing important figures in geography, like Ptolemy, demonstrates a broader understanding of the subject's history.

 

Question 3. The Royal Astronomical observatory is located at ................
Answer: Greenwich
In simple words: The Royal Astronomical Observatory, where the Prime Meridian begins, is located in Greenwich, a town in London.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the Prime Meridian's starting point is significant for global time and geographical reference.

 

Question 4. The directions on the ground are always shown with respect to the ................
Answer: North
In simple words: When we talk about directions on the ground, we usually use North as our main reference point to know where East, South, and West are.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that North is the cardinal direction typically used as the primary reference for all other directions on a compass or map.

 

Question 5. There are four ................ directions.
Answer: Cardinal
In simple words: There are four main directions: North, East, South, and West. These are called the cardinal directions.

🎯 Exam Tip: The four cardinal directions (North, East, South, West) are fundamental for navigation and map reading.

Samacheer Kalvi 6th Social Science Globe Additional Important Questions And Answers

I. Fill In The Blanks

 

Question 1. The surface area of the Earth is 510.1 million square kilometres.
Answer: The Earth's total surface area is 510.1 million square kilometers. This vast area includes both land and water surfaces, making it a huge planet.
In simple words: The Earth covers a very large area, which is about 510.1 million square kilometers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific numerical facts like the Earth's surface area as they are often used in fill-in-the-blank questions.

 

Question 2. Ptolemy was the first person to draw the lines of latitude and longitude on a map.
Answer: Ptolemy was an ancient Greek scholar who was the first to draw lines of latitude and longitude on a map. These lines helped in creating a grid system for accurately locating places.
In simple words: Ptolemy was the first to put latitude and longitude lines on maps to help find places.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing key historical figures in geography, like Ptolemy, is important for understanding the development of mapping.

 

Question 3. The Royal Astronomical observatory is located at Greenwich.
Answer: The Royal Astronomical Observatory is located in Greenwich, England. This location is significant because it defines the Prime Meridian, which is the starting point for measuring longitudes around the world.
In simple words: The main observatory is in Greenwich, which is also where the world's zero longitude line starts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the Royal Astronomical Observatory with Greenwich and the Prime Meridian, as these terms are closely linked in geography.

 

Question 4. The directions on the ground are always shown with respect to the North.
Answer: When we talk about directions on the ground, they are always shown in relation to North. North is a fixed direction, making it a universal reference point for navigation and mapping.
In simple words: Directions are always understood by pointing towards North.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand that North is the primary cardinal direction used as a reference point for all other directions.

 

Question 5. There are four Cardinal directions.
Answer: There are four main or cardinal directions: North, South, East, and West. These directions are fundamental for navigation and geographic understanding, helping us locate places and orient ourselves.
In simple words: We have four main directions: North, South, East, and West.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the four cardinal directions and their importance in basic navigation and mapping.

II. Answer The Following Questions

 

Question 1. Who said this? The stars in the sky seem to move towards the west because of the Earth’s rotation on its axis
Answer: This statement was made by Aryabhata, an ancient Indian astronomer. He correctly explained that the apparent movement of stars towards the west is due to the Earth rotating on its own axis from west to east.
In simple words: Aryabhata, an Indian astronomer, said that stars look like they move west because Earth spins.

🎯 Exam Tip: Credit the correct personality for their scientific contributions, especially in astronomy, as seen here with Aryabhata.

 

Question 2. Who wrote the book ‘Geographia’?
Answer: The book 'Geographia' was written by Ptolemy. He was a Greco-Roman mathematician, astronomer, and geographer whose work greatly influenced cartography and geographical thought for centuries.
In simple words: Ptolemy wrote the book 'Geographia'. He was a famous Greek mathematician and mapmaker.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be able to associate important works with their authors, especially foundational texts in a subject like geography.

 

Question 3. Name the country that has 7 time zones.
Answer: Russia is the country that has 7 time zones. Due to its enormous east-west extent, Russia spans multiple longitudes, necessitating several time zones to keep local time consistent with the sun's position.
In simple words: Russia has 7 different time zones because it is a very big country stretching from east to west.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing countries with multiple time zones helps understand the concept of time zones and longitude.

III. Answer In Briefly

 

Question 1. Define Meridian
Answer: The word "meridian" comes from the Latin word 'Meridianus,' which means 'midday.' Therefore, a meridian refers to the position of the sun directly overhead at a particular place at noon.
In simple words: A meridian means where the sun is right above you at noon.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the origin and the meaning of the term "meridian" to provide a complete definition.

 

Question 2. What is an axis?
Answer: An axis is an imaginary line around which a large, round object, like the Earth, spins. The Earth rotates on its axis, passing between the North and South Poles, causing day and night.
In simple words: An axis is an invisible line that Earth spins around, going through the North and South Poles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state that the axis is imaginary and defines the path of rotation for celestial bodies like Earth.

 

Question 3. What is hemisphere?
Answer: A hemisphere is one half of the Earth, usually divided into Northern and Southern halves by the Equator. It can also be divided into Western and Eastern halves by an imaginary line passing through the poles (Prime Meridian and 180° longitude).
In simple words: A hemisphere is half of the Earth. It can be the top or bottom half, or the left or right half.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that hemispheres can be defined by both latitude (Equator) and longitude (Prime Meridian), creating four distinct regions.

IV. Choose The Correct Answer

 

Question 1. 23 1/2° N and S 66 1/2° N and S lines of latitudes are called
(a) Low latitudes
(b) Middle latitudes
(c) High latitudes
Answer: (b) Middle latitudes
In simple words: The lines of latitude between 23 1/2 degrees and 66 1/2 degrees, both North and South, are called middle latitudes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the classification of latitudes into low, middle, and high zones, recognizing their corresponding degree ranges.

 

Question 2. The Sun’s rays fall vertically in this region.
(a) Frigid Zone
(b) Temperate Zone
(c) Torrid Zone
Answer: (c) Torrid Zone
In simple words: The sun shines directly overhead in the Torrid Zone.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate the Torrid Zone with direct vertical sun rays, leading to its hot climate.

 

Question 3. High latitudes are there between
(a) 66 1/2°N and S – 90°N and S
(b) 23 1/2°N and S and 66 1/2°N and S
(c) 0° – 23 1/2°N and S
(d) North poles
Answer: (a) 66 1/2°N and S – 90°N and S
In simple words: High latitudes are found between 66 1/2 degrees and 90 degrees North and South, which are closer to the poles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Know the specific latitude ranges for high latitudes, which extend from the Arctic/Antarctic circles to the poles.

 

Question 4. Latitudes are also known as
(a) Nilavangu
(b) Ahalangu
(c) Nettangu
Answer: (b) Ahalangu
In simple words: Another name for lines of latitude is Ahalangu.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be aware of alternative or local names for geographical terms like latitudes, which can appear in multiple-choice questions.

 

Question 5. Lines of latitudes merge
(a) at poles
(b) at the equator
(c) at International Date line
(d) do not merge
Answer: (d) do not merge
In simple words: Lines of latitude never merge or meet each other; they run parallel.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the fundamental characteristic of latitudes: they are parallel circles that never intersect or merge.

V. Match The Following

 

Answer:
1. - b (Tropic of Capricorn - Magaravarai)
2. - d (Longitude - Nettangu)
3. - e (82 1/2°E - Mirzapur)
4. - a (Great Circle - Two opposite meridians)
5. - c (Antarctic Circle - 66 1/2°S)
In simple words: Match each geographical term on the left with its correct related concept or description on the right. For example, Tropic of Capricorn is known as Magaravarai, and 82 1/2°E longitude is important for Mirzapur.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to geographical terms and their specific definitions or associated locations to correctly match them.

VI. Answer In Detail

 

Question 1. Draw the Heat Zones of the Earth
Answer: The Earth is divided into three main heat zones based on how much sunlight each area receives. 1. **Torrid Zone:** This zone is located between the Tropic of Cancer (23 1/2° N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 1/2° S). It receives direct sunlight throughout the year, making it the hottest zone. 2. **Temperate Zones:** These zones are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle (66 1/2° N) in the Northern Hemisphere, and between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle (66 1/2° S) in the Southern Hemisphere. They have moderate climates, with distinct seasons, as the sun's rays are slanting. 3. **Frigid Zones:** These zones are located between the Arctic Circle (66 1/2° N) and the North Pole (90° N) in the Northern Hemisphere, and between the Antarctic Circle (66 1/2° S) and the South Pole (90° S) in the Southern Hemisphere. They receive very slanted sun rays, resulting in extremely cold temperatures and covered with ice most of the year.
In simple words: Earth has three main heat zones: the hot Torrid Zone in the middle, the mild Temperate Zones next to it, and the very cold Frigid Zones near the poles. Each zone gets different amounts of sun.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing heat zones, always include their latitude boundaries and explain the characteristics of sunlight and temperature in each zone.

VII. Mind Map