NCERT Solutions For Class 6 Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth
NCERT Question And Answers
Question 1. In the Greek language, Lithos means Stone; Atmos means Vapour; Hudor means Water; and Bios means Life. Can you make words using the above?
Answer:
By using the above Greek words, the following words can be made
- Lithosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Atmosphere
- Biosphere
Question 2. Name the strait between India and Sri Lanka.
Answer:
The strait that lies between India and Sri Lanka is the Palk Strait.
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Exercises
Question 1. Answer the following questions briefly.
(1) What are the four major domains of the Earth?
Answer: The four major domains of the Earth are lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.
(2) Name the major continents of the Earth.
Answer: The major continents of the Earth are Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Europe and Antarctica.
(3) Name the two continents that lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
Answer: Antarctica and Australia are the two continents that lie entirely in the Southern hemisphere.
(4) Name the different layers of the atmosphere.
Answer: The different layers of the atmosphere are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the exosphere.
(5) Why is the Earth called the ‘blue planet’?
Answer: The Earth is called a ‘blue planet’ because 71 per cent of Earth’s surface is covered with water and the remaining 29 per cent makes up the land.
(6) Why is the Northern Hemisphere called the Land Hemisphere?
Answer: The Northern Hemisphere is called the Land Hemisphere as the major part of the landmass lies in it.
(7) Why is the biosphere important for living organisms?
Answer: The biosphere is important for living organisms because it contains all the elements required for life, like air, water and land, which are essential for life.
It is a narrow zone of contact between land, water and air.
Question 2. Tick the correct answers.
1. The mountain range that separates Europe from Asia is
- the Andes
- the Himalayas
- the Urals
Answer: 3. the Himalayas
2. The continent of North America is linked to South America by
- an Isthmus
- a Strait
- a Canal
Answer: 1. an Isthmus
3. The major constituent of the atmosphere by per cent is
- nitrogen
- oxygen
- carbon dioxide
Answer: 1. nitrogen
4. The domain of the Earth consisting of solid rocks is
- the atmosphere
- the hydrosphere
- the lithosphere
Answer: 3. the lithosphere
5. Which is the largest continent?
- Africa
- Asia
- Australia
Answer: 2. Asia
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Fill in the Blanks
Question 1. The deepest point on the Earth is ……. in the Pacific Ocean.
Answer: Mariana Trench
Question 2. The…….. ocean is named after a country.
Answer: Indian
Question 3. The …….. is a narrow contact zone of land, water and air that supports life.
Answer: biosphere
Question 4. The continents of Europe and Asia together are known as ……..
Answer: Eurasia
Question 5. The highest mountain peak on the Earth is ……..
Answer: Mount Everest
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth NCERT Things To Do
Question 1. Cut the outline of the continents from an outline map of the world and arrange them according to their decreasing sizes.
Answer:
Continents arranged in order of decreasing size are as follows
Asia > Africa > North America > South America > Antarctica > Europe > Australia.
Question 2. Collect pictures of expeditions to the Himalayas. Write about the kind of equipment carried by the climbers for protection against sunshine, temperature and the lack of air.
Answer:
The kind of equipment carried by mountaineers to protect themselves from sunshine, temperature and the lack of air are as follows
- Protection from sunshine sunglasses, cap and cream.
- Protection from temperature, special jackets, shoes and gloves.
- Protection from lack of air, oxygen cylinder
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Multiple Choice Question And Answers (MCQs)
Question 1. How many continents are there in the world?
- 8
- 10
- 7
- 6
Answer: 3. 7
Question 2. Which of the following continents lies completely in the Northern Hemisphere?
- Australia
- Europe
- South America
- Africa
Answer: 2. Europe
Question 3. Which is the longest river that flows through Africa?
- The Amazon
- The Ganga
- The Nile
- The Mekong
Answer: 3. The Nile
Question 4. The Andes Mountain is located in which continent?
- South America
- North America
- Europe
- Australia
Answer: 1. South America
Question 5. Which of the following is the smallest continent?
- Australia
- Europe
- Antarctica
- Africa
Answer: 1. Australia
Question 6. Where is 97 % of water found on the Earth?
- In seas
- Underground
- In lakes
- In oceans
Answer: 4. In oceans
Question 7. Which of the following is the largest ocean?
- Pacific Ocean
- Atlantic ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Antarctica ocean
Answer: 1. Pacific Ocean
Question 8. India and Sri Lanka are divided by which of the following?
- Isthmus
- Strait
- Sea
- Lake
Answer: 2. Strait
Question 9. “Rahul Roy is a businessman from India and he has to travel from New Delhi (Asia) to Brazil (South America) for his business meetings. He chooses to take a flight and therefore, he has to cross different continents and oceans.”
Choose the option of continents/oceans that will come in his journey.
- Asia, the Indian Ocean, Africa, the Atlantic Ocean, and South America.
- Asia, Indian Ocean, Europe, Atlantic Ocean, South America
- Indian Ocean, Africa, Atlantic Ocean, South America
- Asia, Africa, Atlantic Ocean, South America
Answer: 1. Asia, Indian Ocean, Africa, Atlantic Ocean, South America.
Question 10. Name the domain of the Earth consisting of a gaseous portion.
- Biosphere
- Lithosphere
- Atmosphere
- Hydrosphere
Answer: 3. Atmosphere
Question 11. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important constituent of
- poles
- air
- Ocean
- gas
Answer: 2. air
Question 12. Which gas is responsible for global warming?
- CO2
- 2
- N2
- H2
Answer: 1. CO2
Question 13. Which is the second largest constituent gas in the atmosphere?
- Nitrogen
- Hydrogen
- Carbon dioxide
- Oxygen
Answer: 4. Oxygen
Question 14. Which of the following statements Is/are correct?
- The hydrosphere comprises only water from the oceans. It. In Greek, Bios means life.
- The solid portion of the Earth on which we live is called the lithosphere.
Codes
- Only 1
- Both 1 and 2
- Both 2 and 3
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 3. Both 2 and 3
Question 15. Which of the following statements Is/are incorrect?
- South America has the Andes mountains.
- Africa has the Ural mountains.
- Ural Mountain divides the Europe and Africa.
Codes
- Only 1
- Both 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: 3. Only 2 and 3
Question 16. Arrange the following oceans according to their sizes from larger to smaller.
- Arctic Ocean
- Atlantic ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Pacific Ocean
Codes
- 1, 2, 3, 4
- 2, 1, 3, 4
- 4, 2, 1, 3
- 4, 2, 3, 1
Answer: 4. 4, 2, 3, 1
Question 17. Arrange the following continents according to their sizes from smaller to larger.
- Europe
- Asia
- Africa
- Antarctica
Codes
- 2, 3, 4, 1
- 1, 2, 3, 4
- 3, 4, 1, 2
- 2, 4, 1, 3
Answer: 1. 2, 3, 4, 1
Question 18. Identify the continent that is being talked about in the following statements.
- It is a huge continent that lies completely in the Southern Hemisphere.
- There are no permanent human settlements.
- Two Indian research stations: Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri are located there.
Options
- Europe
- Africa
- Antarctica
- Asia
Answer: 3. Antarctica
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Match The Following
Question 1.
Codes:
- A B C D
- 4 2 3 1
- 3 2 1 4
- 2 1 4 3
- 1 2 3 4
Answer: 1. 4 2 3 1
Question 2.
- A B C D
- 3 1 2 4
- 4 1 2 3
- 3 1 4 2
- 2 4 1 3
Answer: 2. 4 1 2 3
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Picture Based Questions
Question 1. The picture given below is of an indented coastline which is generally suitable for harbours and ports. Name the ocean in which they are mostly located.
- Pacific Ocean
- Atlantic ocean
- Arctic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
Answer: 2. Atlantic ocean
Question 2. Look at the picture and choose the correct answer. Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to the Earth’s surface?
- Troposphere
- Mesosphere
- Stratosphere
- Exosphere
Answer: 1. Troposphere
Question 3. Count the squares given in the picture and answer the following
(1) Name the largest continent.
Answer: Asia with 44 squares is the largest continent.
(2) Which is larger- Europe or Australia?
Answer: Europe (10 squares) is larger than Australia (8 squares).
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Assertion Reason
1. Assertion (A) Australia is called an island continent.
Reason (R) Australia is surrounded on all sides by oceans and seas.
Codes
- Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
- A is true, but R is false
- A is false, but R is true
Answer: 1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Assertion (A) Atmosphere has five layers.
Reason (R) The density of the atmosphere varies with height.
Codes
- Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
- A is true, but R is false
- A is false, but R is true
Answer: 1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Fill in the Blanks
Question 1. ……. was the first Indian woman to climb the highest
Answer: Bachendri Pal, 23rd May, 1984 2.
Question 2. The continent Asia lies in the ……… and Hemisphere.
Answer: Northern, Eastern
Question 3. The world’s largest hot desert …….. lies in the …………continent.
Answer: Sahara, African
Question 4. The …….. is the world’s largest river.
Answer: Amazon
Question 5. The ……….. is the world’s longest mountain range.
Answer: Andes
Question 6. The shape of the Pacific Ocean is ……
Answer: Circular
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth True/False
Question 1. All the land masses are connected with one another.
Answer: False
Question 2. All the oceans are connected with one another.
Answer: True
Question 3. The sea level remains the same everywhere.
Answer: True
Question 4. The depth of the sea is more than the highest point on Earth.
Answer: True
Question 5. The smaller part of the landmass lies in the Northern Hemisphere.
Answer: False
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Case Based Question
1. Read the passage given below and answer the following questions.
- The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean in the world. It is ‘S’ shaped. It is flanked by the North and South Americas on the Western side, and Europe and Africa on the Eastern side.
- The coastline of the Atlantic Ocean is highly indented. This irregular and indented coastline provides an ideal location for natural harbours and ports. From the point of view of commerce, it is the busiest ocean.
- The Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country, that is, India. The shape of the ocean is almost triangular. In the North, it is bound by Asia, in the West by Africa and in the East by Australia.
- The Southern Ocean encircles the continent of Antarctica and extends Northward to 60 degrees South latitude. The Arctic Ocean is located within the Arctic Circle and surrounds the North Pole.
- It is connected with the Pacific Ocean by a narrow stretch of shallow water known as the Bering Strait. It is bound by the Northern coasts of North America and Eurasia.
Question 1. What is/are the benefit(s) of the indented coastline?
- The indented coastline is good for harbours and ports.
- The indented coastline prevents water from pollution.
- The indented coastline ensures the availability good quality of fish.
- All of the above
Answer: 1. Indented coastline is good for harbours and ports.
Question 2. Which ocean is closest to the South Pole?
- The Southern Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Pacific Ocean
Answer: 1. The Southern ocean
Question 3. Which ocean has the most indented coastline, providing ideal locations for natural harbours and ports?
- Indian Ocean
- Atlantic ocean
- Pacific Ocean
- All of these
Answer: 2. Atlantic ocean
Question 4. Which Ocean is connected with the Pacific Ocean by Bering Strait?
- Indian Ocean
- Atlantic ocean
- South Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
Answer: 4. Arctic ocean
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Very Short Answer Type Question And Answers
Question 1. What are the ocean basins?
Answer: Ocean basins are the division of Earth consisting of huge water bodies.
Question 2. When did Edmund Hillary climb the Mt. Everest?
Answer: Edmund Hillary climb the Mt. Everest on 29th May 1953.
Question 3. What is a continent?
Answer: The division of the Earth which consists of large landmasses is known as a continent.
Question 4. Which continents are bounded by oceans and seas on all sides?
Answer: Africa and Australia are bounded by oceans and seas on all sides.
Question 5. Why can’t we use ocean water?
Answer: Ocean water is too salty in nature so we can’t use it.
Question 6. Which are the continents located around the Pacific Ocean?
Answer: The continents located around the Pacific Ocean are Asia, Australia, North America and South America.
Question 7. What are the three oceans that surround North America?
Answer: The three oceans that surround North America are the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean.
Question 8. Which two oceans surround the South American continent on the East and West?
Answer: The two oceans that surround the South American continent are the Atlantic Ocean on the East and the Pacific Ocean on the West.
Question 9. What are the water bodies that bind the Arctic Circle?
Answer: The water bodies that bind the Arctic Circle are the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean.
Question 10. What is the boundary of the Arctic Ocean?
Answer: The boundary of the Arctic Ocean is with the Northern coasts of North America and Eurasia.
Question 11. What is the basis of the division of atmosphere?
Answer: The basis of the division of the atmosphere is composition, temperature and other properties.
Question 12. Why there is no permanent settlement in Antarctica?
Answer: Antarctica has no permanent settlement because it is located in the South Pole region, which is permanently covered with thick ice sheets.
Question 13. Why is the Atlantic Ocean the world’s busiest ocean in terms of commerce?
Answer: The Atlantic Ocean is the world’s busiest ocean because the indented and irregular coastline provides ideal conditions for harbours and ports, which makes the region suitable for the carriage of goods and transportation.
Question 14. What are the main gases that comprise the atmosphere?
Answer: The main gases that comprise the atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, etc.
Question 15. What is the role of oxygen in the atmosphere?
Answer: The role of oxygen in the atmosphere is important for the existence of life because human beings and animals breathe oxygen for respiration.
Question 16. What is the importance of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere?
Answer: The importance of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere is that it absorbs heat radiated by the Earth to keep the planet warm, and is also essential for the growth of plants.
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Short Answer Type Question And Answers
Question 1. Differentiate between the Isthmus and Strait with examples.
Answer:
The difference between the Isthmus and the Strait is as follows
- Isthmus It is a narrow strip of land that joins two landmasses. For example, North America is linked with South America with a narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama.
- Strait, It is a narrow stretch of. shallow water, which connects two large water bodies like seas and oceans. For example, the Palk Strait divides India and Sri Lanka.
Question 2. Why there is a need to limit the use of natural resources? What would be the result of limiting the use of resources on the Earth?
Answer:
- There is a need to limit the use of natural resources because the stock of natural resources is limited. The unlimited use of natural resources will lead to a shortage of it.
- The result of limiting the use of resources of the Earth would be that the balance of nature between the domains of the lithosphere, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere is maintained.
Question 3. What is Lithosphere? Explain some of its features.
Answer:
- The solid portion of the Earth on which we live is called the lithosphere.
- Some of the features of the lithosphere are
- It comprises the rocks of the Earth’s crust and the thin layers of soil that contain nutrient elements which sustain life.
- There are two main divisions of the Earth’s surface. The large landmasses are known as the continents and the massive waterbodies are called ocean basins.
Question 4. Identify the continent that completely lies in the Southern Hemisphere. Give some of its features.
Answer:
The continent that completely lies in the Southern Hemisphere is Antarctica.
Some of the features of Antarctica are
- It is a huge continent and completely lies in the Southern Hemisphere. The South Pole lies almost at the centre of this continent.
- The continent remains permanently ice-covered due to its position in the South Polar region. There are no permanent human settlements.
Question 5. ‘Hydrosphere consists of water in all its forms’. Explain its composition.
Answer:
- Hydrosphere consists of water in all its forms including running water in oceans and rivers, ice in glaciers, underground water and water vapour in the atmosphere.
- More than 71 per cent of the Earth is covered with water and 29 per cent with land. More than 97 per cent of the Earth’s water is salty and is present in the oceans.
- A large proportion of the rest of the water is present in the form of ice sheets and glaciers or underground water. A very small percentage of water is available as fresh water for human consumption.
Question 6. What are the layers of the atmosphere? Discuss its composition.
Answer:
- The layers of the atmosphere starting from Earth’s surface are called the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere and the exosphere.
- The atmosphere is composed mainly of nitrogen (78 per cent) and oxygen (21 per cent) which make up 99 per cent of clean, dry air. It also includes carbon dioxide, argon and other gases which make up the rest 1 per cent of the air.
Question 7. How do water and air get polluted? How has air pollution led to global warming?
Answer:
- Water gets polluted by the discharge of wastewater and material into water bodies. This makes the water unsuitable for human use and damages other forms of life.
- Air is polluted by emissions from industries, thermal power plants and vehicles. When the amount of Carbon dioxide (C02) increases, it leads to an increase in global temperatures. This is termed as global warming.
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Long Answer Type Question And Answers
Question 1. Write short notes on the following domains of the Earth.
- Lithosphere
- Hydrosphere
- Biosphere
Answer:
- Lithosphere The solid portion of the Earth on which we live is called the lithosphere. It comprises the rocks of the Earth’s crust and the thin layers of soil that contain nutrient elements which sustain life. There are two main divisions of the Earth’s surface. The large landmasses are known as the continents and the massive waterbodies are called ocean basins.
- Hydrosphere The area covered by water on the Earth’s surface is called hydrosphere. More than 71 per cent of the Earth is covered with water and 29 per cent with land.
- Hydrosphere consists of water in all its forms including running water in oceans and rivers, ice in glaciers, underground water and water vapour in the atmosphere.
- Biosphere The word Bios means life. The narrow zone where land, water and air are found together and which contains all forms of life, is called Biosphere. There are several organisms that vary in size, from microbes and bacteria to large mammals. All living organisms are linked to each other and to the biosphere for survival.
Question 2. Give the details of the following main continents.
- Asia
- Africa
- North America
- South America
Answer:
- Asia is the largest continent. It covers about one-third of the total land area of the Earth. The Tropic of Cancer passes through this continent. It is separated from Europe by the Ural mountains on the West.
- Africa is the second largest continent after Asia. The equator runs almost through the middle of the continent. A large part of Africa lies in the Northern Hemisphere. The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn pass through it. The continent is bound on all sides by oceans and seas.
- North America is the third largest continent in the world. It is linked to South America by a very narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama. The continent lies completely in the Northern and Western Hemisphere.
- South America It lies mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. The Andes runs through its length from North to South. South America has the world’s largest river, the Amazon.
Question 3. ‘Oceans are the major part of the hydrosphere. They are all Interconnected’. Explain the major oceans.
Answer:
There are five major oceans that are discussed below
- Pacific Ocean It is the largest ocean that is spread over one-third of the Earth. The shape of the Pacific Ocean is almost circular. It is surrounded by Asia, Australia, and North and South America.
- Atlantic Ocean It is the second largest ocean. It is S-shaped with a highly irregular coastline. It is surrounded by the North and South Americas on the Western side, and Europe and Africa on the Eastern side.
- Indian Ocean It is the only ocean that is named after a country i.e. India. The shape of the ocean is triangular. It is bound by Asia in the North, by Africa in the West and by Australia in the East.
- Southern Ocean It surrounds the Antarctica continent and extends Northward to 60 degrees South latitude.
- Arctic Ocean It is located within the Arctic Circle and surrounds the North Pole. It is surrounded by Northern coasts of North America and Eurasia.
Question 4. The word Bios means life. It is divided into the plant kingdom and animal kingdom.’ Explain the Biosphere as the domain of life.
Answer:
- The word Bios means life. The narrow zone where land, water and air are found together and which contains all forms of life, is called Biosphere.
- There are several organisms that vary in size, from microbes and bacteria to large mammals. All living organisms are linked to each other and to the biosphere for survival.
- The living organisms in the biosphere can be broadly divided into the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom.
- The three domains of the Earth that are lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere, are interlinked with each other and affect each other.
- For example, cutting forests to fulfil our needs for wood, or clearing land for cultivation may lead to fast removal of soil from slopes. Similarly, Earth’s surface may be changed due to natural calamities like earthquakes, landslides, etc.
- For example, there could be submergence of land, like the parts of Andaman & Nicobar Islands were submerged under water during the Tsunami.
- The three domains of the Earth interact with each other and affect each other in some way or the other. For example, cutting forests to fulfil our needs for wood, or clearing land for agriculture may lead to the fast removal of soil from slopes.
- Similarly, Earth’s surface may be changed due to natural calamities like Earthquakes. For example, there could be submergence of land, as happened in the case of Tsunami recently.
- Parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were submerged underwater. The discharge of waste material into lakes and rivers makes the water unsuitable for human use. It also damages other forms of life.
- Emissions from industries, thermal power plants and vehicles, pollute the air. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important constituent of air. However, an increase in the amount of CO2 leads to an increase in global temperatures. This is termed as global warming.
- There is thus, a need to limit the use of resources of the Earth to maintain the balance of nature between the domains of the lithosphere, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere.
(1) What role does CO2 play in the atmosphere and how can an increase in its amount impact the Earth?
Answer:
CO2 plays an important role in the atmosphere as an increase in the amount of CO leads to global warming resulting in an increase in global temperatures.
(2) How does cutting down forests impact the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere?
Answer:
Cutting down forests can impact the lithosphere by leading to rapid removal of soil; the atmosphere by reducing the natural balance; and the hydrosphere by affecting water runoff.
(3) How can pollution be controlled?
Answer:
Pollution can be controlled by limiting contamination of water, land and air.
(4) Why is it emphasised that there is a need to limit the use of Earth’s resources?
Answer:
There is a need to limit the use of Earth’s resources to maintain the balance of nature between the domains of lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere.
Geography Chapter 5 Major Domains Of The Earth Map Based Question
1. On the outline map of the world, mark the following: Europe, Asia, Antarctica, South America, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Ural Mountains.
Answer: