Important Questions: Climate | Geography Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Name the most common form of tropical storms.
Ans: Thunderstorms.

Q2: The average annual rainfall in India.
Ans: 125 cm.

Q3: Name the hottest place in India.
Ans: The Barmer (50°C) is the hottest place in Rajasthan.

Q4: What causes winter rainfall in south-east coast?
Ans: North-east monsoon causes winter rainfall in south-east coast.

Q5: What is October heat?
Ans: The oppressive weather due to high temperature and high humidity is known as October heat.

Q7: What type of climate is found in India?
Ans: Tropical monsoon type climate.

Q8: Name two main seasons of the Indian climate.
Ans:

• South-west monsoon season.
• North-east monsoon season.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q9: What are the coldest parts of India?
Ans: The coldest parts of India are the trans-Himalayan regions. Jammu Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are the coldest states of India. The minimum temperature drops up to -40°C at Drass. These regions get snowfall during winter and temperature remains below freezing point.

Q10: What are the characteristics of western disturbances of the Indian climate?
Ans:

• The cyclones developed near the Mediterranean Sea are termed as western disturbances.
• They move towards India through Iran and Pakistan.
• They come under the influence of westerly jet stream which. brings them to the northern part of India in the winter season.
• They cause rain in the north-west part of the plain of India.

Q11: Name the four months in which India receives high rainfall and why.
Ans: India receives the bulk of rainfall in the months of June, July, August and September known as the rainy season. It is because of the south-west monsoon winds, which are onshore during this period and easterly jet streams stress the tropical cyclone to India which causes heavy rainfall.

Q12: Why Tamil Nadu gets more rain in winter than in summer?
Ans: Because Tamil Nadu lies on the Coromandel Coast on the eastern coastal plain. In summer, Tamil Nadu remains dry. But in winter, the north-east monsoon picks up moisture and crosses the Bay of Bengal. These retreating monsoons are onshore winds causing rainfall in this area.

Q13: Give the main characteristics of the monsoons rains.
Ans:

• The beginning of the rains is sometimes delayed over the whole or a part of the country.
• There are prolonged breaks of rains in July or August.
• Sometimes the rain ends earlier than usual time causing great damage to standing crops.
• The summer rainfall comes in heavy, leading to soil erosion.

Q14: What is the average amount of rainfall over the plains of India?
Ans: The plain is divided into three zones to study the average rainfall.

• The plains of Bihar, BengalandeastemU.P.-rainfall is 100-200cm.
• The plains of central and western U.P. – rainfall is 60-100 cm.
• Plains of Haryana, Punjab – rainfall is 40-60 cm. annually.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q15: What is global warming? Give reasons.
Ans: The climate of the world has changed in the past and is changing at present. Several natural and artificial factors are responsible for this change. Due to global warming, the polar ice caps and mountain glaciers would melt and the amount of water in oceans would increase.
There are the following reasons for global warming:

• The temperature of the world is increasing nowadays.
• Carbon dioxide is the major source of global warming. This gas is released to the atmosphere by burning of fossil fuel.
• Other gases like methane, chlorofluorocarbons, ozone and nitrous oxide which are present in much smaller concentrations in the atmosphere, together with carbon dioxide are known as greenhouse gases. These gases are contributing to global warming.
• Rapid industrialization and technological changes, the revolution in agriculture and transport sectors has resulted in large supplies of carbon dioxide and methane which cause global warming.

Q16: What is the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)? How does it attract south monsoon? What are the important factors which influence the mechanism of Indian weather?
Ans: ITCZ is the zone near the equator from where the north-east trade winds and the south-east trade winds meet each other. It changes its position with the effect of the vertical rays of the sun. It is near the Tropic of Cancer in the north in summer season and near the Tropic of Capricorn in the south in the winter season at about 25°N, as a result of which the south-east trade winds cross over the equator and enter in India as the south-west monsoon.
Factors influencing the mechanism of Indian weather:

• Surface distribution of pressure and winds include monsoons, location of low and high pressure.
• Upper air circulation which includes global weather conditions like air masses and the jet stream.
• Atmospheric disturbances like western cyclones and tropical cyclones cause rainfall.
• These are the factors which affect the Indian weather.

Q17: (i) What is EI-Nino? How is it related to the Indian monsoon?
Ans: El-Nino is used for forecasting long-range of monsoon rainfall. The system involves the ocean and atmospheric phenomena with the appearance of warm winds off the coast of Peru in the Eastern Pacific which affect the weather. EI-Nino is a complex weather system. It appears once every 5 to 10 years bringing drought, floods and other weather extremes to different parts of the world.

(ii) Define ‘drought’ and its various types.
Ans: Drought is a condition in which the amount of water needed for evapotranspiration exceeds the amount of water available for precipitation and soil.
Droughts are of three types:

• Permanent drought is characterised by the arid climate in which vegetation is sparse and hardy, fully adapted to water shortage.
• Seasonal drought is found in dry and rainy seasons. Most of the parts of India suffer from this kind of drought.
• Contingent drought is irregular with variable rainfall and occurs in any season but frequently in sub-humid climates.

Q18: What do you understand by ‘Mango showers’?
Ans: "Mango showers" is a term used in some regions of India to describe pre-monsoon rainfall that occurs during the hot summer months, typically between April and June. This period of rain is known as "mango showers" because it coincides with the flowering and fruiting season of mango trees. The rain showers help in the early ripening of mangoes, one of the most popular and beloved fruits in India.
These showers are important for agriculture as they provide much-needed moisture to the soil before the onset of the monsoon season, which is essential for the growth of crops. The term "mango showers" reflects the agricultural and cultural significance of mangoes in India, where the fruit is not only a staple food but also holds cultural and religious importance.

Q19: Why do Mawsynram and Cherrapunji get very high rainfall?
Ans: Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, both located in the northeastern state of Meghalaya in India, receive very high rainfall due to their geographical location and the presence of specific meteorological factors. Here are the primary reasons why these places experience exceptionally heavy rainfall:

• Geographical Location: Mawsynram and Cherrapunji are situated in the windward side of the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya. When moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean blow towards these hills, they are forced to ascend due to the topography. As the air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to the formation of clouds and eventually heavy rainfall.
• Orographic Effect: The orographic effect occurs when moist air is lifted over a mountain barrier. As the air rises, it cools, and the moisture condenses into clouds and rain. The Khasi Hills act as a barrier, forcing the moist air to rise and resulting in abundant rainfall.
• Monsoon Winds: During the monsoon season, which typically occurs between June and September in this region, the southwest monsoon winds carry moisture-laden air from the Bay of Bengal. When these winds meet the hills of Meghalaya, they are forced to rise, leading to heavy rainfall.
• Convergence of Winds: The region experiences the convergence of moist air masses from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. When these air masses meet, they create a zone of low pressure and instability, which contributes to the development of clouds and rainfall.
• Proximity to the Equator: Both Mawsynram and Cherrapunji are located relatively close to the equator. Warm air near the equator can hold more moisture, and when this warm, moisture-laden air is lifted over the hills, it cools and releases the moisture as rainfall.

The combination of these factors makes Mawsynram and Cherrapunji among the wettest places on Earth, with annual rainfall totals that can reach extremely high levels, sometimes exceeding 467 inches (11,871 mm) in a year.

Q20: What do you mean by ‘Loo’?
Ans: "Loo" is a term used in South Asia, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, to refer to a hot, dry, and gusty wind that blows over the plains during the summer months. The loo is characterized by its high temperatures and low humidity, making it extremely uncomfortable and often dangerous, especially during heatwaves. The term "loo" has its origins in the Persian word "lū," which means wind or breeze. The loo wind typically originates in arid regions and deserts, gaining heat as it travels over hot and dry terrain. When this wind blows, it can cause a rapid increase in temperature, leading to heat stress, dehydration, and other health issues.
People in affected regions often take precautions during a loo event, such as staying indoors, keeping themselves hydrated, and avoiding strenuous physical activities to prevent heat-related illnesses. The loo wind is a common meteorological phenomenon in the Indian subcontinent during the summer months and is a significant factor contributing to the intense heat experienced in the region.