1. What makes India’s climate so diverse?
India is a very large country with high mountains, wide plains, hot deserts, long coasts and many plateaus. Each landform and its height, distance from the sea and wind direction create a different kind of weather, so the climates change from place to place.
2. What are the monsoons? How are they formed?
Monsoons are strong seasonal winds that blow over South Asia.
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In summer, land heats up faster than sea. Air rises over the hot land, making low pressure. Cool, moist air rushes in from the ocean, bringing heavy rain.
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In winter, the land cools faster than sea. Air moves from the land to the ocean, so most places become dry.
3. What is the effect of climate on economy, culture and society?
Climate decides which crops grow, when farmers plant and harvest, what clothes people wear and which festivals they celebrate. Good rains help farming and prices stay low; weak rains can hurt crops and make food cost more.
4. How can understanding the climate help us prepare for natural disasters?
If we know how winds, rain and temperature behave, we can give early warnings for cyclones, floods, heat waves and cold waves. Then people move to safe places, store food and water, and protect animals and crops in time.
5. What is climate change? What are its consequences?
Climate change is a long-term rise or fall in temperature and rainfall patterns, mostly because humans burn coal, oil and gas and cut trees. It can bring stronger storms, heat waves, melting glaciers, sea-level rise and problems for farming and health.
“Let’s Explore” and “Think About It” Activities
Teachers may ask children to do these in class; model answers are given here for practice.
Seasons and Local Life (page 47)
Q 1. Which are your favourite seasons? Explain why.
Sample Answer. My favourite seasons are spring and monsoon. Spring has pleasant weather and many flowers bloom. Monsoon is fun because the air becomes cool after summer and plants look green and fresh.
Q 2. Are there events in your area linked to seasons?
Yes. In Punjab people celebrate Baisakhi at wheat harvest. In Kerala families enjoy Onam after the rice crop. In Assam, Bihu welcomes the sowing and reaping seasons with dance and songs.
Q 3. Do any trees near you change colour or shed leaves before winter? Why?
The gulmohar tree in my city drops many leaves in autumn to save water during the cooler months. The peepal tree also loses leaves so the new fresh leaves can come in spring.
Comparing Two Cities (page 51)
Q 4. Why is Ooty (10–25 °C) cooler than Coimbatore (25–38 °C) even though both lie at the same latitude?
Ooty is high in the Nilgiri Hills (about 2 000 m above sea level). Higher places are cooler because the air is thinner and cannot hold as much heat. Coimbatore is on the lower plain, so it stays hotter.
Traditional Weather Signs (page 55)
Q 5. List local signs that people use to predict rain or fog.
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Examples:
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When ants build tall mounds, heavy rain may come soon.
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If the Cassia fistula (golden shower) tree blooms bright yellow, the southwest monsoon is about 50 days away on the Konkan coast.
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A ring around the moon at night can mean rain in one or two days.
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Causes of Floods (page 60)
Q 6. Why do floods often occur in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Assam?
These states have big rivers or low-lying land. Heavy monsoon rain fills rivers and the flat land cannot drain water quickly, so water spreads over the ground and causes floods.
Effects of Disasters (page 62)
Q 7. Look at cyclones, floods, landslides and forest fires. How do they affect life?
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Cyclone – blows off roofs, uproots trees, stops fishing and power supply.
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Flood – damages houses and crops, spreads disease, blocks roads.
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Landslide – buries roads and villages, cuts water pipes and electricity in hills.
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Forest fire – burns trees and animals, makes smoky air, harms tourists and locals.
Q 8. Which parts of these disasters are natural and which are caused by humans?
| Disaster | Natural Part | Human Part |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclone | Low-pressure wind system over sea | Building weak houses on coast |
| Flood | Very heavy rain | Cutting trees, blocking drains |
| Landslide | Steep slopes and heavy rain | Deforestation, unsafe hill roads |
| Forest fire | Dry hot weather | Leaving camp-fires burning or littering glass bottles |
Q 9. Suggest three preventive steps for each disaster.
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Cyclone – Strong houses, early warning sirens, plant mangrove belts.
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Flood – Keep rivers clean, build high embankments, clear city drains.
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Landslide – Plant deep-root trees, stop hill cutting, make proper water channels.
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Forest fire – Watch towers, ban open flames in dry season, quick fire-brigades.
End-of-Chapter “Questions and Activities” (pages 65-66)
1. Match the climatic factors with their effects
| Column A | Column B – Correct Match |
|---|---|
| (1) Latitude | (b) Creates different climates in the north and south |
| (2) Altitude | (c) Keeps higher places cooler |
| (3) Proximity to the ocean | (d) Moderates the temperature |
| (4) Monsoon winds | (a) Brings wet air to India during summer |
2. Short-Answer Questions
a) Difference between weather and climate
Weather is the change we feel day by day (sunny, rainy, windy).
Climate is the average pattern of that weather in a place over many years.
b) Why are coastal places milder than inland places?
The sea warms up and cools down slowly, so it keeps the nearby land from getting too hot in summer or too cold in winter.
c) How do monsoon winds affect India’s climate?
They bring most of the yearly rain that fills rivers, waters crops and cools the air after hot summer months.
d) Why is Chennai hot most of the year while Leh is cold?
Chennai is near the Equator and at sea level, so it stays warm. Leh is high in the Himalayas (about 3 500 m), so the thin air keeps it cold.
3. Climate of Five Cities
| City | Near Sea / Mountains / Desert | Climate Type |
|---|---|---|
| Leh | High mountains | Alpine cold, little rain |
| Chennai | Coastal, low-lying | Tropical, hot and humid |
| Delhi | Inland plain | Sub-tropical, very hot summers and cool winters |
| Panaji (Goa) | West coast | Tropical wet, heavy monsoon rain |
| Jaipur | Edge of Thar Desert | Hot semi-arid, very hot days, cool nights |
4. Draw the monsoon cycle
(Guidance for students.)
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On an outline map, draw arrows from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal into India for the south-west monsoon (June – Sept).
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Draw arrows out from land to sea for the north-east monsoon (Oct – Jan).
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Label “summer monsoon – wet” and “winter monsoon – dry”.
5. Poster on Festivals and Weather
Include pictures of:
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Baisakhi – wheat harvest in Punjab.
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Onam – rice harvest in Kerala.
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Pongal – thanks for the first rice crop in Tamil Nadu.
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Lohri – end of winter in North India.
Write a slogan: “Good Climate, Happy Harvest!”
6. Farmer’s Diary (sample)
10 June
“Clouds are dark in the east. I cleaned the canal and fixed field bunds. Stored extra seeds in a dry tin. Sent my son to buy fertiliser before prices rise. If rain starts tomorrow, I will sow paddy by evening.”
7. Essay on a Natural Disaster – Cyclone (sample)
A cyclone starts over warm sea water. Hot air rises and cool air rushes in, making strong winds and heavy rain. It can break houses, flood farms and cut electricity. To reduce harm, people should build strong shelters, plant coastal trees, listen to weather warnings and keep emergency kits ready. The government must set up early-warning towers, train rescue teams and make evacuation drills in villages.