Question Answers for Chapter 3 Climates of India Class 7 Social Science Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Class 7 Science Climates of India Extra Questions
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What is a microclimate?
Answer
A small area’s unique climate different from its surrounding region.
Question 2. Which climate is found in the Deccan Plateau?
Answer
Semi-arid climate.
Question 3. What causes the monsoon rains in India?
Answer
Seasonal winds are the primary cause of monsoon rains in India.
Question 4. Which region has the coldest climate in India?
Answer
The Himalayan region.
Question 5. Which Indian village gets the world’s highest rainfall?
Answer
Mawsynram in Meghalaya receives the world’s highest rainfall.
Question 6. What is a cyclone?
Answer
A cyclone is a storm with strong winds and rain caused by a low-pressure system.
Question 7. What kind of climate is found on India’s western coast?
Answer
India’s western coast has a tropical wet climate with heavy rainfall.
Question 8. Name one greenhouse gas that causes climate change.
Answer
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas that causes climate change.
Question 9. What is weather?
Answer
Weather is the daily condition of the atmosphere, such as rain, sunshine, or wind.
Question 10. What is climate?
Answer
Climate is the average weather pattern in a region over many years.
Question 11. What is the traditional Indian name for spring?
Answer
The traditional Indian name for spring is vasanta.
Question 12. Why do animals grow thick fur in winter?
Answer
Animals grow thick fur in winter to stay warm in cold weather.
Question 13. How many main seasons are there in India?
Answer
There are five main seasons in India, including the monsoon season.
Question 14. What type of climate does the Himalayas have?
Answer
The Himalayas have an alpine climate with snowy winters and cool summers.
Question 15. Which Indian region has a subtropical climate?
Answer
The Northern Plains have a subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters.
Question 16. What is the climate like in the Thar Desert?
Answer
The Thar Desert has an arid climate with very hot days and cool nights.
Question 17. Name one hill station in the Lower Himalayas.
Answer
Shimla is a hill station in the Lower Himalayas.
Question 18. How does latitude affect climate?
Answer
Places near the Equator are hotter due to direct sunlight.
Question 19. Which Indian city stays warm year-round because of its latitude?
Answer
Kanyakumari stays warm year-round due to its location near the Equator.
Question 20. Why are hill stations cooler than plains?
Answer
Hill stations are cooler because higher altitude reduces temperature.
Question 21. What is the effect of the sea on coastal climate?
Answer
The sea keeps coastal areas cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Question 22. Which inland city has extreme temperatures: Mumbai or Nagpur?
Answer
Nagpur has more extreme temperatures because it is inland.
Question 23. What are hot, dry summer winds from the desert called?
Answer
Hot, dry winds from the desert are called heat waves.
Question 24. What role do the Himalayas play in India’s climate?
Answer
The Himalayas block cold winds from Central Asia.
Question 25. What is topography?
Answer
Topography refers to the shape and features of the land, like hills and plains.
Question 26. What is a microclimate?
Answer
A microclimate is a small area with a different climate than its surroundings.
Question 27. What causes the summer monsoon?
Answer
The summer monsoon is caused by pressure differences between land and ocean.
Question 28. Which part of India gets winter monsoon rainfall?
Answer
East and south India get rainfall during the winter monsoon.
Question 29. How does altitude affect India’s climate?
Answer
Higher altitudes, like hill stations, have cooler climates, while lower areas experience warmer temperatures.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What is the difference between weather and climate?
Answer
Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the atmosphere, while climate is the long-term average of these conditions over many years.
Question 2. Why are the Western Ghats important in determining the climate of India?
Answer
The Western Ghats influence monsoon rainfall by blocking moist air from the sea, leading to heavy rainfall on the western side.
Question 3. What role does latitude play in India’s climate?
Answer
Areas closer to the Equator, like Kanyakumari, remain warm year-round, while regions further north, like Srinagar, experience cooler climates.
Question 4. How does proximity to the sea influence the climate?
Answer
Coastal areas have milder temperatures due to the sea's ability to moderate both summer and winter temperatures.
Question 5. How do seasons influence festivals in India?
Answer
Many Indian festivals are linked to the changing seasons and farming cycles. For example, Baisakhi celebrates the harvest in spring, while Onam marks the monsoon harvest in Kerala.
Question 6. Why does the Deccan Plateau receive less rainfall than the Western Ghats?
Answer
The Western Ghats block monsoon winds, causing heavy rain on their western slopes. The Deccan Plateau lies in the rain shadow region, receiving less rainfall.
Question 7. How does altitude affect temperature in cities like Ooty and Coimbatore?
Answer
Though both cities are at the same latitude, Ooty is cooler because it is at a higher altitude. Higher places have cooler temperatures due to thinner air.
Question 8. Why do inland areas like Nagpur experience greater temperature variation than coastal cities like Mumbai?
Answer
Inland areas heat up and cool down faster, leading to extreme temperatures. The sea near coastal cities keeps the climate more stable.
Question 9. What is the role of sea winds in India’s climate?
Answer
Sea winds carry moisture that leads to rainfall during monsoons. They also help in regulating temperatures in coastal areas.
Question 10. How do people in the Thar Desert adapt to the arid climate?
Answer
People wear loose cotton clothes and build thick-walled houses. They store rainwater in tanks and use water carefully.
Question 11. What is the difference between weather and climate?
Answer
Weather changes daily, like rain or sunshine, while climate is the average weather over many years. Climate gives a long-term pattern of a region.
Question 12. How do topographical features affect rainfall in India?
Answer
Mountains like the Himalayas block cold winds and help in snow formation. The Western Ghats force monsoon winds to rise, causing rainfall on one side and dry weather on the other.
Question 13. How do monsoons affect agriculture in India?
Answer
Most Indian farmers depend on monsoon rains to water their crops. A poor monsoon can lead to crop failure and food shortages.
Question 14. Why is understanding microclimates important for farmers?
Answer
Microclimates help farmers choose the right crops for small areas. Local weather differences can affect growth and harvesting times.
Question 15. What is traditional knowledge used for predicting monsoons?
Answer
Signs like fish surfacing or trees blooming have helped people predict rain for centuries. These signs are still used in some regions along with modern science.
Question 16. How does climate influence traditional art and culture in India?
Answer
Folk songs, dances, and rituals are often inspired by the changing seasons. Many communities pass down stories and customs related to rain, farming, or heat.
Question 17. Differentiate between weather and climate.
Answer
Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the atmosphere, such as rain, sunshine, or wind, experienced hourly or daily. Climate, on the other hand, is the long-term pattern of weather in a region, observed over decades, reflecting consistent trends in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions.
Question 18. Name two factors that determine the climate of a region and briefly explain their role.
Answer
- Latitude: Areas closer to the Equator receive direct sunlight, making them warmer, while areas farther away receive slanted rays, resulting in cooler climates.
- Altitude: Higher altitudes have lower temperatures due to decreased air density and distance from the Earth’s heated surface.
Question 19. What is a microclimate? Give one example.
Answer
A microclimate is the unique climate of a small, localized area that differs from the surrounding region’s climate, with distinct patterns of temperature, humidity, or precipitation. An example is an urban heat island, where cities with many buildings and little vegetation trap heat, making them warmer than nearby areas.
Question 20. Explain how the monsoon winds affect India’s climate.
Answer
Monsoon winds significantly shape India’s climate by bringing seasonal rainfall. In summer, the Asian landmass heats up, creating a low-pressure system that draws moist winds from the high-pressure Indian Ocean. These southwest monsoon winds, starting in June, bring heavy rainfall across India, vital for agriculture and water resources. In winter, the land cools faster, creating high-pressure systems, and winds reverse to blow from land to sea, forming the northeast monsoon, which brings dry conditions to most of India but some rainfall to eastern and southern parts. This cycle influences temperature, humidity, and precipitation patterns.
 |
| Wind Movement |
Question 21. Describe how proximity to the sea influences the climate of a region.
Answer
Proximity to the sea moderates a region’s climate, resulting in milder temperatures compared to inland areas. Seas absorb and lose heat more slowly than land, keeping coastal areas cooler in summer and warmer in winter. For example, coastal regions like Mumbai experience less extreme temperature variations, with summers around 32°C and winters around 18°C, compared to inland areas like Nagpur, where summers can reach 44°C and winters drop to 10°C. This moderating effect reduces the temperature range, creating a more temperate climate.
Question 22. How does climate change impact agriculture and the economy in India?
Answer
Climate change disrupts agriculture and the economy in India by altering temperature and precipitation patterns. Rising temperatures and shorter winters, such as the 1-3°C above-normal temperatures in early 2025, affect crop yields, particularly for temperature-sensitive crops like wheat. Poor monsoon rainfall, or “monsoon failure,” reduces water availability, lowering agricultural output and increasing food prices, which fuels inflation. This impacts farmers’ livelihoods and forces agricultural laborers to migrate to cities. Additionally, climate change affects small-scale industries dependent on agriculture, straining economic stability and increasing the cost of living.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1. Match the Column A with the correct option in Column B.
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
1. Thar Desert |
(a) Tropical wet climate |
|
2. Himalayan region |
(b) Semi-arid-climate |
|
3. Western Ghats |
(c) Alpine climate |
|
4. Deccan Plateau |
(d) Monsoon rain and rice farming |
|
5. Western Coast |
(e) Arid climate with hot days and cool nights |
Answer
|
Column A |
Column B |
|
1. Thar Desert |
(e) Arid climate with hot days and cool nights |
|
2. Himalayan region |
(c) Alpine climate |
|
3. Western Ghats |
(a) Tropical wet climate |
|
4. Deccan Plateau |
(b) Semi-arid-climate |
|
5. Western Coast |
(d) Monsoon rain and rice farming |
Explanations:
- 1 → e: The Thar Desert is an arid region with extreme temperature fluctuations.
- 2 → c: The Himalayan region has an alpine climate with cold temperatures year-round)
- 3 → a: The Western Ghats receive heavy monsoon rains, supporting tropical wet climates.
- 4 → b: The Deccan Plateau experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers.
- 5 → d: The Western Coast has a tropical wet climate, ideal for rice farming due to heavy monsoon rains.
Question 2. Explain how latitude and the Earth’s shape influence climate in different parts of India.
Answer
- Latitude determines how directly the sun’s rays hit a place.
- Areas near the Equator, like Kanyakumari, receive more direct sunlight and are hotter.
- Places farther north, like Srinagar, receive slanted rays and are cooler.
- The Earth’s curve spreads sunlight unevenly, affecting temperatures.
- This results in India having tropical weather in the south and cooler conditions in the north.
- That’s why India has diverse climatic zones.
 |
| Effect of Latitude |
Question 3. What are the characteristics of the summer and winter monsoons in India?
Answer
- The summer monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September, as moist winds blow from sea to land.
- It starts in the south and spreads across the country.
- The winter monsoon, from October to January, involves dry winds moving from land to sea.
- Some moisture from the Bay of Bengal causes rain in east and south India.
- Together, both monsoons impact farming and water supply across India.
Question 4. How does India’s geography contribute to its climate diversity?
Answer
- India has mountains, plateaus, deserts, and coastal areas, each affecting the climate.
- The Himalayas block cold winds and cause snowfall.
- The Thar Desert is hot and dry due to open terrain and low rainfall.
- Coastal regions get heavy rain because of the sea.
- The Deccan Plateau has moderate rainfall and heat.
- This diverse geography creates many different climates across the country.
Question 5. Describe how floods and glacial bursts impact different parts of India.
Answer
- Floods occur when rivers overflow or drainage fails during heavy rainfall.
- In Himalayan regions, melting glaciers or cloudbursts can cause flash floods.
- Glacial lake bursts, like in Uttarakhand in 2013, destroyed villages and claimed lives.
- Lowland states like Bihar and Kerala also face monsoon floods.
- These disasters damage homes, crops, roads, and force people to relocate.
Question 6. What are the causes and effects of landslides in India?
Answer
- Landslides are sudden falls of rocks or soil in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh or Sikkim.
- Heavy rain, deforestation, or earthquakes can trigger them.
- Poor construction on unstable slopes increases risk.
- Landslides destroy roads, block rivers, and damage homes.
- They are dangerous for people living in mountain areas and require early warning systems for safety.
Question 7. How do forest fires affect the environment and people?
Answer
- Forest fires burn trees, destroy habitats, and kill wildlife.
- They release smoke that pollutes the air and harms health.
- Fires can spread quickly due to wind, dry weather, or human carelessness.
- Regions like Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh face these fires often.
- People may lose homes or farmland, and animals lose shelter and food.
- Firefighting efforts and awareness can reduce these disasters.
Question 8. Explain how climate change is affecting India’s weather and agriculture.
Answer
- Climate change is causing unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures.
- Winters are getting shorter, and heatwaves are becoming common.
- Crops fail when rains are too little or come at the wrong time.
- Farmers suffer losses, and food prices rise.
- Poor communities are more vulnerable to these changes.
- Tackling climate change is essential to protect India’s agriculture and economy.
Question 9. What are some solutions to reduce the impact of climate change?
Answer
- One solution is reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy like solar and wind.
- Planting more trees helps absorb carbon dioxide.
- People can also save electricity, recycle, and reduce waste.
- Governments can promote eco-friendly laws and green technology.
- Adapting to climate change through better farming and city planning is also important.
- Together, these steps help fight global warming.
Question 10. Discuss the formation and impact of cyclones in India. (5 Marks)
Answer
Cyclones in India form when a low-pressure system develops over the sea, often due to warm ocean waters, causing surrounding air to rush in with high winds and moisture. As the moist air rises, it condenses to form clouds, rotating around a calm center called the “eye of the cyclone.” These storms, common along India’s eastern coast, intensify with high wind speeds and heavy rainfall.
The impacts of cyclones are severe:
- Loss of Life and Property: High winds and flooding cause deaths and damage homes and infrastructure.
- Agricultural Damage: Flooding and strong winds destroy crops, affecting farmers’ livelihoods.
- Economic Disruption: Damaged infrastructure, like roads and ports, halts trade and increases repair costs.
- Environmental Harm: Soil erosion and uprooted trees degrade ecosystems.
- Displacement: Coastal communities are often forced to evacuate, disrupting lives.
The India Meteorological Department monitors cyclones to provide early warnings, and the National Disaster Response Force aids in rescue and recovery efforts to mitigate these impacts.
Question 11. Explain the role of topography and altitude in shaping India’s diverse climates. (5 Marks)
Answer
Topography and altitude significantly contribute to India’s diverse climates by influencing temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.
- Topography: The physical features of a region, such as mountains, plains, and coasts, affect climate. The Himalayas and Karakoram ranges act as barriers, shielding India from cold Central Asian winds, keeping northern plains relatively warmer in winter. The Western Ghats influence the southwest monsoon by blocking moist winds, causing heavy rainfall on their western slopes while leaving the eastern Deccan Plateau drier. In contrast, the flat Thar Desert, with no barriers, receives hot, dry winds, resulting in an arid climate.
- Altitude: Higher altitudes have cooler temperatures due to lower air density and greater distance from the Earth’s heated surface. For example, hill stations like Udhagamandalam (Ooty) at higher altitudes have cooler summers (10-25°C) compared to nearby low-altitude Coimbatore (25-38°C). In the Himalayas, high altitudes maintain freezing temperatures, keeping peaks snow-covered year-round, creating an alpine climate.
Together, topography and altitude create varied climates, from tropical in southern India to alpine in the Himalayas, shaping agriculture, settlement patterns, and lifestyles across the country.
Question 12. How do climate factors like latitude, altitude, and proximity to the sea affect the temperature and lifestyle of people in different regions of India?
Answer
- Latitude, altitude, and proximity to the sea significantly impact temperature and lifestyle.
- For instance, areas near the Equator, like Kanyakumari, remain warm throughout the year due to the direct sunlight.
- In contrast, places at higher altitudes, like Shimla, experience cooler temperatures because the air is thinner and farther from the Earth's warmth.
- Coastal areas, such as Mumbai, have moderate temperatures, as the sea keeps the summers cooler and winters warmer.
- These factors influence people’s clothing, agricultural practices, and even the types of crops they grow in different regions.
 |
| Proximity to Sea |
Question 13. Compare the climate of the Thar Desert and the Western Coast of India in terms of rainfall and temperature variations.
Answer
- The Thar Desert has an arid climate, with very high temperatures during the day and cool nights due to minimal rainfall.
- The region experiences extreme temperature variations, with summer temperatures often exceeding 40°C and winters dipping to near freezing levels.
- In contrast, the Western Coast has a tropical wet climate, with heavy monsoon rainfall that supports rice and spice cultivation.
The temperature remains moderate throughout the year due to the moderating effect of the sea, with summer temperatures around 32°C and winter temperatures not dropping significantly.
 |
| Coasts of India |
Question 14. How would you plan a crop rotation strategy for a farm in the Northern Plains, taking into account the region's climate and seasons?
Answer
- In the Northern Plains, where the climate is subtropical with hot summers and cold winters, I would plan a crop rotation strategy that includes winter crops like wheat, which grow well in the cooler months, and summer crops like rice, which thrive in the warmer temperatures.
- The monsoon season would bring necessary rainfall, so I would plant crops like rice that require heavy rain.
- After the monsoon, I would rotate with drought-resistant crops or those that can survive in cooler, dry conditions, such as barley or legumes, to prevent soil depletion.
Question 15. If you were a policy maker in a state affected by frequent cyclones, what steps would you take to protect people and minimize damage from future cyclones?
Answer
- As a policy maker, I would first focus on improving early warning systems and ensuring that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides timely and accurate cyclone alerts.
- I would also prioritize the construction of cyclone-resistant infrastructure and the development of evacuation plans for coastal populations.
- Public awareness campaigns about cyclone preparedness and creating cyclone shelters would be essential.
- Additionally, I would promote sustainable land use practices to prevent erosion and increase the resilience of the environment to withstand future storms.
Question 16. Do you think the traditional knowledge of predicting monsoons is still relevant today? Justify your answer.
Answer
- Yes, traditional knowledge of predicting monsoons remains relevant today as it is based on centuries of observation of natural signs.
- For example, signs like fish surfacing on the Konkan coast or the blooming of Golden Shower trees have been reliable indicators of the monsoon's arrival.
- While modern weather forecasting has advanced, traditional knowledge still plays a crucial role in communities with limited access to technology.
- It provides a backup system and reinforces local cultural ties to nature.
Question 17. What would happen to agriculture in India if the monsoon season were to fail for two consecutive years?
Answer
- If the monsoon season were to fail for two consecutive years, it would lead to severe water shortages, particularly in regions dependent on rainfall for irrigation, such as the Northern Plains.
- Crops like rice, which require consistent rainfall, would fail, leading to food shortages.
- This would result in an economic crisis, as agriculture is a major contributor to India’s GDP.
- The failure of the monsoon would also lead to increased food prices, unemployment in rural areas, and a potential migration of workers to urban centers in search of livelihood.
Question 18. Design an educational campaign to teach students about the importance of understanding climate and its effect on agriculture.
Answer
- The campaign would include interactive workshops that explain how different climate factors, like temperature and rainfall, impact crops.
- I would use visual aids like maps, weather charts, and videos to show the effects of climate on crop growth and yield.
- Students would participate in hands-on activities such as creating weather journals to track seasonal changes and learning about the science behind farming in different climates.
- The campaign would also include field trips to farms and invite farmers to discuss how they adapt to changing climates.
The goal would be to raise awareness about the importance of climate knowledge for sustainable agriculture.