Class 6 Geography Chapter 5 Important Question Answers - Major Domains of the Earth

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Name the four major domains of the Earth.
Ans: The four major domains of the Earth are Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere.

Q2: What is the composition of the Earth's atmosphere?
Ans: The Earth's atmosphere is mainly composed of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and trace amounts of other gases, including carbon dioxide (about 0.04%).

Q3: Which ocean is the largest on Earth?
Ans: The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.

Q4: What is the name of the layer in the atmosphere where weather phenomena occur?
Ans: The layer in the atmosphere where weather phenomena occur is the troposphere.

Q5: Which continent is known as the "island continent"?
Ans: Australia is known as the "island continent."

Q6: Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to space?
Ans: The exosphere is the layer of the atmosphere closest to space.

Q7: What is the primary role of nitrogen in the atmosphere?
Ans: Nitrogen in the atmosphere is essential for plant growth as plants use nitrogen to create essential molecules.

Q8: What is the percentage of freshwater available for human use on Earth?
Ans: Only a very small percentage (about 3%) of Earth's water is available as freshwater for human use.

Q9: Name the layer of the Earth's atmosphere where the ozone layer is found.
Ans: The ozone layer is primarily found in the stratosphere.

Q10: What is the biosphere?
Ans: The biosphere is the narrow zone where the land, water, and air come together, supporting life on Earth.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q11: Explain the role of the atmosphere in supporting life on Earth.
Ans: The atmosphere plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. It provides oxygen for respiration, regulates temperature, protects from harmful solar radiation, and enables weather phenomena. Without the atmosphere, life as we know it would not exist.

Q12: Describe the major features of the four oceans of the Earth.
Ans:

• Pacific Ocean: The largest ocean, almost circular in shape, surrounded by Asia, Australia, North America, and South America.
• Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest ocean, S-shaped, bordered by North America, South America, Europe, and Africa.
• Indian Ocean: Triangular in shape, surrounded by Asia, Africa, and Australia.
• Southern Ocean: Encircles Antarctica, extending northwards up to 60°S latitude.
• Arctic Ocean: Surrounds the North Pole and is within the Arctic Circle.

Q13: Why is the Earth's atmosphere divided into different layers, and what are the characteristics of each layer?
Ans: The Earth's atmosphere is divided into layers based on changes in temperature and composition. The layers, from bottom to top, are:

• Troposphere: Weather occurs here, temperature decreases with altitude.
• Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, temperature increases with altitude.
• Mesosphere: Temperature decreases again with altitude.
• Thermosphere: Extremely high temperatures due to the absorption of solar radiation.
• Exosphere: The outermost layer, where molecules transition into space.

Q14: How does the hydrosphere contribute to the Earth's nickname "the blue planet"?
Ans: The hydrosphere, which includes Earth's oceans, covers over 71% of the planet's surface. This vast expanse of water gives Earth its nickname "the blue planet" due to the predominant blue color when viewed from space.

Q15: Explain the concept of the biosphere and its significance.
Ans: The biosphere is the zone where land, water, and air come together, supporting life. It is the domain of living organisms. The biosphere is significant because it is where all known life exists, making it essential for the survival and diversity of species on Earth.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q16: Discuss the interconnections among the major domains of the Earth (Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere) and their importance for sustaining life.
Ans: The major domains of the Earth are interconnected, and their interactions are essential for sustaining life. The lithosphere provides a solid surface for land-based life, while the hydrosphere provides water, a critical resource for all organisms. The atmosphere regulates temperature, provides oxygen for respiration, and influences weather patterns that affect the biosphere. The biosphere, in turn, relies on these domains for habitat and resources. These interactions are vital for Earth's ecosystems and the well-being of all living organisms.

Q17: Describe the distribution of continents and oceans on the Earth's surface, highlighting the key features of each continent.
Ans: The Earth's continents and oceans are distributed as follows:

• Continents: There are seven continents—Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. Asia is the largest, while Australia is the smallest. Continents are large landmasses separated by water bodies.
• Oceans: There are five major oceans—Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern oceans. The Pacific Ocean is the largest, and the Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest. These oceans are interconnected and cover most of the Earth's surface.

Q18: Explain the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, including the roles of major gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
Ans: The Earth's atmosphere primarily consists of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and trace amounts of other gases, including carbon dioxide (about 0.04%). Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, oxygen supports respiration for humans and animals, and carbon dioxide is used by plants in photosynthesis. The atmosphere's composition is crucial for sustaining life and maintaining a stable environment on Earth.

Q19: Discuss the significance of the biosphere in maintaining the delicate balance of life on Earth and the role of biodiversity within the biosphere.
Ans: The biosphere is where life exists on Earth, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the planet's ecological balance. Biodiversity within the biosphere refers to the variety of species and ecosystems. Biodiversity ensures ecosystem stability, provides resources like food and medicine, and contributes to ecological resilience. The biosphere's diverse organisms interact with one another and their environment, regulating various ecological processes that sustain life and benefit humanity.

Q20: Explain the challenges and importance of managing freshwater resources on Earth, considering the limited availability of freshwater for human use.
Ans: Freshwater resources on Earth are limited, with only about 3% of the planet's water available as freshwater for human use. Managing freshwater resources is essential due to increasing global demand, pollution, and uneven distribution. Challenges include ensuring access to clean drinking water, preserving aquatic ecosystems, and addressing water scarcity in various regions. Effective management is crucial for human well-being, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Sustainable practices, water conservation, and responsible governance are vital for freshwater resource management.