Fundamentals of Physical Geography Class XI Question Bank

GEOGRAPHY

Class XI 

Chapter1

Geography as a discipline

1. What is geography? Why should we study geography? Give two reasons Pg.-2 1+2=3           
   
   Ans.We live on the surface of the earth.Our lives are affected by our surroundings in many ways. We depend on the resources to sustain ourselves in the surrounding areas.
   
   
   

2. Who coined the term geography? Give its two root words. 1+1+1=3                                            Ans. Eratosthenes The term geography was first coined by Eratosthenese, a Greek scholar (276-194 BC.). The word has been derived from two roots from Greek language geo (earth) and graphos (description

3. “Geography as a discipline is concerned with three sets of questions”. Explain. Pg.-3             1+1+1=3                                                                                                                                          Ans Geography as a discipline is concerned with three sets of questions: (i) Some questions are related to the identification of the patterns of naturaland cultural features as found over the surface of the earth. These are the questions about what? (ii) Some questions are related to the distribution of the natural and human/cultural features over the surface of the earth. These are the questions about where?The third question is related to the explanation or the causal relationships between features and the processes and phenomena. This aspect of geographyis related to the question, why?
4. Explain the difference between history and geography? Why is the world called a global village? Pg. -4 1+2=3                                                                                                                          Ans. Geography is a discipline of synthesis. It attempts spatial synthesis, and history attempts temporal synthesis. Its approach is holistic in nature. It recognises the fact that the world is a system of interdependencies. the present world is being perceived as a global village. The distances have been reduced by better means of transportation increasing accessibility. The audio-visual media and information technology have enriched the data base.
5. Explain the two approaches to studying geography? Name one person associated with each approach? Pg.- 7   2+1=3                                                                                                                            Ans The major approaches to study geography have been (i) Systematic and (ii) Regional. The systematic geography approach is the same as that of general geography. This approach was introduced by Alexander Von Humboldt, a German geographer (1769-1859) while regional geography approach was developed by another German geographer and a contemporary of Humboldt, Karl Ritter (1779-1859). In systematic approach, a phenomenon is studied world over as a whole,In the regional approach, the world is divided into regions at different hierarchical levels and then all the geographical phenomena in a particular region are studied

What do you understand about dualism in geography?                                                                   Ans Dualism is one of the main characteristics of geography which got introduced from the very beginning. This dualism depended on the aspect emphasised in the study. Earlier scholars laid emphasis on physical geography. But human beings are an integral part of the earth’s surface. They are part and parcel of nature. They also have contributed through their cultural development. Thus developed human geography with emphasis on human activities

Chapter-2

Origin & Evolution of earth

1. Who gave the nebular Hypothesis? Pg.-13Emmanuel kant

2. What is the other name of the Big bang theory? Pg.-13 Expanding Universe Hypothesis 

3. What are the three stages of the development of the universe according to the Big bang theory? Pg.-15 1+1+1=3 

4. What are the three stages of the development of planets? Pg.-15  1x3 =3                    The stars are localised lumps of gas within a nebula.                                     These small-rounded objects by the process of cohesion develop into what is called planetesimals.                                                                                    In the final stage, these large number of small planetesimals accrete to form a fewer large bodies in the form of planets
     

5. How was the layered structure of the earth developed?

6. What are the three stages of Evolution of the present atmosphere? 1x3 =3 
   

7. Define the following

• Galaxy  A galaxy is a system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity.

• Nebula A galaxy is a system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity. 

• Light year  A light-year is the distance that light travels in vacuum in one a year (365.25 days).

• Planetesimals Planetesimals are small rock fragments that were the seeds of the current planets. As the solar system formed from a nebula, gases and molecules combined and grew larger and larger. Gravity was the driving force that allowed the planetesimals to collide into each other as they orbited the young Sun

• Degassing  The process through which the gases were outpoured from the interior is called degassing.

• Solar winds

• Differentiation

Chapter3

Interior of the Earth

1. Define the following: - 

1. Focus. 

2. Tsunami  

3. Asthenosphere  

4. Magma  

5. Epicenter. 

2. What are the three indirect sources about the interior of the earth? Explain. 1+1+1=3  

3. What is an earthquake? 1+1+1=3  

4. Write a short note on the shadow zone. 3 x 1 = 3

5. Distinguish between body waves and surface waves. 1+1+1=3  

6. Differentiate between Primary waves and secondary waves? 1+1+1=3  

7. Explain the five types of Volcanoes. 5x1=5  

8. Explain the five types of earthquakes. 5x1=5  

9. Explain the structure of the earth?  5x1=5  

10. Explain the five intrusive forms of volcanic landforms. 5x1=5 

Chapter-4

DISTRIBUTION OF OCEANS AND CONTINENTS

1. Multiple choice questions.

    (i) Who amongst the following was the first to consider the possibility of Europe, Africa and America having been located side by side.(c) Abraham Ortelius

   (ii) Polar fleeing force relates to:(c) Rotation of the earth

   (iii) Which one of the following is not a minor plate?(d) Antarctica

   (iv) Which one of the following facts was not considered by those while discussing the concept of sea floor spreading?(c) Distribution of fossils in different continents.

    (v) Which one of the following is the type of plate boundary of the Indian plate along the Himalayan mountains?(d) Continent-continent convergence

   2. Answer the following questions.

   (i) How are the convectional currents in the mantle initiated and maintained?

   (ii) What were the major post-drift discoveries that rejuvenated the interest of scientists in the study of distribution of oceans and continents

2. Define the following: Pg 27               

1. Pangaea

2. Hotspots 

3. Panthalassa

3. Who proposed the theory of continental drift? Explain four pieces of evidence is that support this theory.Pg 27   1+4=5

4. What were the two forces suggested by Wegener that forced the drifting of the continents? Pg27 1x2=2

5. Who gave the convectional current theory ? Explain its basic postulates .3x1=3
1. The convectional current theory was proposed by Arthur Holmes in the 1930s. This theory suggests that convection currents within the Earth's mantle, driven by radioactive decay, are responsible for the movement of tectonic plates and the formation of geological features like mountains. 

6. Explain the concept of seafloor spreading. Give arguments in favor of seafloor spreading. HESS 

7. What is the rim of fire? Why is it called so? Give reasons for the same. 

1. The Ring of Fire, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean characterized by frequent and intense seismic and volcanic activity. It's called the Ring of Fire because it's a geologically active region where the majority of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. 

8. Explain the three major ocean floor configurations. 

9. Who gave the theory of plate tectonics? McKenzie, Parker and Morgan

10. What are the two main sources of heat within the earth?1/2 +1/2=1 

11. Name the plate which has minimum rate of plate movement. The Arctic Ridge

12. Name the plate which has maximum rate of plate movement.  East Pacific Rise

12. What are the 2 types of plates on the basis of size and configeration?  Give two examples of each.    2+1=3 

Chapter-5

Geomorphic processes 

Multiple choice questions.
 (i)Which one of the following processes is a gradational process? (d) Erosion

 (ii) Which one of the following materials is affected by hydration process?Salts
 (iii) Debris avalanche can be included in the category of: (c) Rapid flow mass movements
 

Answer the following questions
 (i)What are the various mobile and mighty exogenic geomorphic agents and
 what is the prime job they perform?
 (ii)“Our earth is a playfield for two opposing groups of geomorphic processes.”
 Discuss.
 (iii) Exogenic geomorphic processes derive their ultimate energy from the sun’s
 heat. Explain.

1.  Distinguish between Exogenic and Endogenic forces. Pg 37

2. What is gradation? Explain its two components? pg 37

3. Distinguish between Aggradation and  Degradation .Pg 37

4. What are the four main factors for endogenic processes? pg 38

5. What do you understand about diastrophism? Explain its four types?pg38

6. What are geomorphic agents. Explain?pg38

7. Explain the Importance of gravity and gradient in framing relief features?pg46

8. What is the main source of energy for an Exogenic forces?pg47

9.  Name the two elements that cause Weathering Weather and Climate 

10. What are the three types of Weathering? 

• Chemical Weathering/ Physical and /Biological Weathering 

11. What are the differences cause in chemical weathering?  Carbonation/ Hydration and /Reduction of the rock 

12. The Physical And Chemical Weathering depend on some applied force can be…Gravitational Force and Expansion Force 

13. What are the agents in Biological Weathering ?Earthworm(kechua)/Termites (dimak)/Rodents (rat)

14. What is denudation? what are the processes concerned under denudation?pg47

15. What do you understand by weathering?Explain its significance. pg48

16. Explain the three major groups of weathering?.pg48

17. What is soil? Explain the process of soil formation? Pg45

18. What are the five factors that influence soil formation?

19. Explain  nitrogen fixation.pg 45

           

Chapter-7

Composition and Structure of Atmosphere

1. Describe the composition of the atmosphere? 

2. Explain the role carbon dioxide, oxygen,and ozone in atmosphere.1+1+1=3 

3. Explain in brief the importance of the following: -  

1. Troposphere  

2. Stratosphere  

3. Ionosphere  

4. What are the elements of weather and climate? 1/2X6=3  

5. Explain Structure of atmosphere.

Chapter8

Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature

1.  DEFINE-

1. Isolation  

2. Aphelion  

3. Perihelion

4.   Isolation

5. Terrestrial radiation  

2. The atmosphere is mainly heated by the………………….

3. What are the four factors that affect isolation? 1x4=4

4. Name the three ways in which earth's atmosphere gets heated? Explain each in detail. 1+3=4  

5. Why does the sky appear red or blue? Why do subtropical deserts have maximum heat? What is the major cause for the heating of the earth?                                            1+1+1=3  

6. What are the five factors that influence the temperature of air?                                                                 5x1=5

7. Distinguish between isolation and terrestrial radiation. 1+1+1=3  

8. What are the four factors that affect insolation? 1x4=4             

9. What is precipitation? Explain four forms of precipitation. 1+4=5 

10. Discuss the processes through which the earth-atmosphere system maintains heat balance.

11. Explain the albedo of the earth.

12. What is the main cause of the heating of the atmosphere? Why?

13. Name a gas that traps heat? Co2

14. Explain heat budget.

15. What is the heat balance or heat budget of the earth?

16. What are isotherms?

17. Explain air drainage?

18. What do you understand about the normal lapse rate?

19. What do you understand by inversion of temperature? Pg87

    
    

Chapter-10

Water in the atmosphere

1. Define:-

• Absolute humidity, 

• Relative humidity, 

• Saturated air, 

• Dew point,

• Evaporation, 

• Latent heat of temp, 

• Condensation, 

• Sublimation, 

• Humidity, 

• Hygroscopic nuclei (pg 98)

2. What are the factors that affect condensation? (pg 99)

3. What are the 4 types of condensation? (pg 99)

4. What are the 4 types of clouds? (pg99)

5. Name the three types of precipitation. Explain each in detail.

6. What are forms of condensation? Describe the process of dew and frost formation

7. Explain relative humidity? How is it different from absolute humidity? 1+2=3

8. Explain the world distribution of rainfall?

9. What are the three type’s rainfalls? Explain in detail.

Chapter- 12 

(WATER)

Page no 99

1. Why is the earth called a blue planet?

2. Explain the hydrological cycle.

3. Name four major divisions of the ocean floor. explain each division in detail 

4. Name the four major oceans 

5. ---------- percentage of land is covered with water 

6. Why do continental shelves have large deposits of petroleum 

7. Explain the five major divisions of the seafloor. give examples 

8. Explain the five minor divisions of the seafloor. give examples
   

9. What are the four factors that affect the temperature of water explain each in detail 

10. Explain the temperature structure of ocean waters over the middle and lower latitudes 

11. Explain the term thermocline 

12. What are the factors that affect ocean salinity 

13. What is salinity 

14. What is the average temperature of the surface water

Chapter-13

Movement of ocean Water

Define the following 

• wave crest 
• wave height
• wave amplitude
• wave period
• wave length
• wave speed 
• wave frequency

1. What are tides? What are the two force responses for tides? Explain (pg 121) 

2. What are waves? Name and explain the two forces that influence wave motion? (pg 120)

3. What is tidal current? (pg 121)

4. Distinguish between neap tide and spring tide? (pg 122)

5. Where is the highest tide recorded? (Pg 122)

6. What are different types of tides based on frequency? (pg 122)

7. Explain points regarding the importance of tide? (pg 122)

8. What are the 3 uses of tides? (pg 123)

9. What are the two types of features that influence ocean current? (pg 123)

10. Explain the 4 primary sources that influence current? (pg 123)

11. What is the difference between drift and current? (pg 123)

12. What are the two types of ocean current on the basis of depth, temperature? (pg 123)

13. What are the effects of ocean currents? (pg 124)