NCERT Class 7 Social Studies Chapter 1 and 2

Class 7 Social Science

NCERT textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Part I. 

Chapters 1 and 2 are “Geographical Diversity of India” and “Understanding the Weather.”

Chapter 1: Geographical Diversity of India

A. 20 Short Question Answers

1. What are the major geographical features of India?
   Answer: The major features are the Himalayas, Northern Plains, Peninsular Plateau, Indian Desert, Coastal Plains and Islands.
2. Why are the Himalayas important for India?
   Answer: They protect India from cold winds and are the source of many important rivers.
3. Why are the Himalayas called the “Water Tower of Asia”?
   Answer: Their glaciers and snow feed many major rivers of Asia.
4. Name the three main ranges of the Himalayas.
   Answer: Himadri, Himachal and Shiwalik.
5. What is the Northern Plains?
   Answer: They are vast fertile plains formed by the deposits brought by rivers.
6. Why are the Northern Plains fertile?
   Answer: Rivers deposit fertile alluvial soil in these plains.
7. Name the three major river systems associated with the Northern Plains.
   Answer: The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems.
8. What is the Peninsular Plateau?
   Answer: It is an ancient, elevated landmass covering much of southern India.
9. What is the Indian Desert also known as?
   Answer: It is commonly known as the Thar Desert.
10. Where is the Thar Desert located?
    Answer: It is mainly located in north-western India.
11. What are coastal plains?
    Answer: They are low-lying areas lying between the plateau and the sea.
12. Name the two main coastal plains of India.
    Answer: The Western Coastal Plain and the Eastern Coastal Plain.
13. Name the two main island groups of India.
    Answer: Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
14. What is special about Lakshadweep?
    Answer: Lakshadweep consists mainly of coral islands.
15. What is special about Barren Island?
    Answer: Barren Island has an active volcano.
16. How does geography affect people's lives?
    Answer: It influences their occupations, food, clothing, settlements and culture.
17. Why are the Northern Plains densely populated?
    Answer: They have fertile soil, water availability and favourable conditions for agriculture.
18. What are the Aravalli Hills?
    Answer: They are one of the oldest mountain ranges in India.
19. Why is India geographically diverse?
    Answer: India has mountains, plains, plateaus, deserts, coasts and islands.
20. How does geographical diversity contribute to India’s unity?
    Answer: Different regions have different landscapes and lifestyles, yet they are connected as parts of one country.

B. Fill in the Blanks — 10

1. The ________ are located in the northern part of India.
   Answer: Himalayas
2. The Northern Plains are formed mainly by ________ deposits.
   Answer: alluvial
3. The three major Himalayan ranges are Himadri, Himachal and ________.
   Answer: Shiwalik
4. The ________ Desert is located in north-western India.
   Answer: Thar
5. The Peninsular Plateau is an ________ landmass.
   Answer: ancient
6. The ________ Coastal Plain lies along the Arabian Sea.
   Answer: Western
7. Lakshadweep consists mainly of ________ islands.
   Answer: coral
8. Barren Island is an ________ volcanic island.
   Answer: active
9. The Ganga and Brahmaputra are important ________ of India.
   Answer: rivers
10. The Himalayas influence India’s ________ and river systems.
    Answer: climate

C. True or False — 10

1. The Himalayas are located in southern India. — False
2. The Northern Plains are generally fertile. — True
3. The Thar Desert receives heavy rainfall throughout the year. — False
4. The Peninsular Plateau is an ancient landmass. — True
5. Lakshadweep consists mainly of coral islands. — True
6. Barren Island has an active volcano. — True
7. India has no islands. — False
8. Geography influences people's occupations and lifestyles. — True
9. The Northern Plains were formed partly by river deposits. — True
10. The Himalayas have no connection with India's rivers. — False

Chapter 2: Understanding the Weather

A. 20 Short Question Answers

1. What is weather?
   Answer: Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.
2. What is the atmosphere?
   Answer: The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
3. What are the main elements of weather?
   Answer: Temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind and precipitation are important elements of weather.
4. What is temperature?
   Answer: Temperature tells us how hot or cold the air is.
5. Which instrument measures temperature?
   Answer: A thermometer measures temperature.
6. What is humidity?
   Answer: Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air.
7. Which instrument measures humidity?
   Answer: A hygrometer measures humidity.
8. What is wind?
   Answer: Wind is moving air.
9. What does an anemometer measure?
   Answer: An anemometer measures wind speed.
10. What is wind direction?
    Answer: Wind direction tells us the direction from which the wind is blowing.
11. What is precipitation?
    Answer: Precipitation is water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain, snow or hail.
12. What is rainfall?
    Answer: Rainfall is the amount of rain received at a particular place.
13. What is air pressure?
    Answer: Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air on a surface.
14. What is a weather station?
    Answer: A weather station is a place where weather conditions are observed and recorded.
15. Why is weather forecasting important?
    Answer: It helps people prepare for events such as heavy rain, storms, droughts and heat waves.
16. How does weather affect our daily life?
    Answer: It affects our clothes, food, travel, farming and outdoor activities.
17. What is a weather forecast?
    Answer: It is a prediction of future weather conditions.
18. Why are weather observations recorded?
    Answer: They help scientists understand weather patterns and make forecasts.
19. How can weather forecasts help farmers?
    Answer: They help farmers plan activities such as sowing, irrigation and harvesting.
20. Why should people pay attention to severe weather warnings?
    Answer: Such warnings help people take safety measures and reduce risks.

B. Fill in the Blanks — 10

1. Weather is the state of the ________ at a particular time and place.
   Answer: atmosphere
2. A ________ measures temperature.
   Answer: thermometer
3. ________ is the amount of water vapour in the air.
   Answer: Humidity
4. A ________ measures wind speed.
   Answer: anemometer
5. Moving air is called ________.
   Answer: wind
6. A ________ measures humidity.
   Answer: hygrometer
7. Rain, snow and hail are forms of ________.
   Answer: precipitation
8. A place where weather observations are recorded is called a weather ________.
   Answer: station
9. Weather forecasts help people prepare for severe weather ________.
   Answer: events
10. The force exerted by air is called air ________.
    Answer: pressure

C. True or False — 10

1. Weather describes atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place. — True
2. A thermometer measures humidity. — False
3. An anemometer measures wind speed. — True
4. Humidity refers to water vapour in the air. — True
5. Wind is moving air. — True
6. Weather forecasts are useful only for scientists. — False
7. Rain is a form of precipitation. — True
8. Weather has no effect on agriculture. — False
9. A weather station records weather conditions. — True
10. Severe weather warnings can help people stay safe. — True

D. 6 Medium Question Answers

1. Explain the difference between weather and climate.
   Answer: Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, such as a rainy morning or a hot afternoon. Climate refers to the usual pattern of weather experienced over a much longer period. Thus, weather can change from day to day, while climate describes longer-term patterns.
2. How do the different elements of weather affect our daily lives?
   Answer: Temperature affects the clothes we wear and the activities we do. Rainfall affects farming and travel. Wind can affect transport and outdoor activities. Humidity affects how comfortable we feel. Therefore, weather conditions influence many everyday decisions.
3. How is weather measured and recorded?
   Answer: Different instruments are used to measure different elements of weather. A thermometer measures temperature, a hygrometer measures humidity and an anemometer measures wind speed. Weather stations collect and record these observations for studying and forecasting weather.
4. Why is weather forecasting important?
   Answer: Weather forecasting gives information about expected weather conditions. It helps farmers plan agricultural activities and helps people prepare for heavy rainfall, storms, heat waves and other severe events. It also supports safe travel and public safety.
5. Why is it important to study weather?
   Answer: Weather affects agriculture, transport, health, water availability and daily activities. Studying weather helps us understand atmospheric conditions and prepare for changes or extreme events.
6. How can weather warnings help communities?
   Answer: Weather warnings give people advance information about dangerous conditions such as storms, heavy rain, drought or heat waves. People can take precautions, protect property, avoid unsafe travel and move to safer places when necessary.