NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science - Weather, Climate and Adaptations of Animals to Climate

Weather influences our lives in different ways. During summer, we switch on fans to keep ourselves cool, we use light coloured clothes in order to reflect the heat. During winter, we use dark colour clothes and wrap ourselves in warm clothes to protect us from cold environment.

Ques 1. Name the elements that determine the weather of a place.

Ans: Temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed are the elements that determine the weather of a place.

Ques 2. When are the maximum and minimum temperature likely to occur during the day?

Ans: The temperature is minimum in the morning and maximum at the noon.

Ques 3. Fill in the blanks:

(i) The average weather taken over a long time is called _____.

Ans: (i) Climate

(ii) A place receives very little rainfall and the temperature is high throughout the year, the climate of that place will be ____ and _____ .

Ans: (ii) Hot and Dry.

(iii) The two regions of the earth with extreme climatic conditions are _____ and ____.

Ans: Polar region and desert

Ques 4. Indicate the type of climate of the following areas:

(a) Jammu and Kashmir: _____

Ans: Moderately hot and wet.

(b) Kerala: _______

Ans: Hot and wet

(c) Rajasthan:__________

Ans: Hot and dry

(d) North-east India: ________

Ans: Hot and Wet

Ques 5. Which of the two changes frequently, weather or climate?

Ans: Weather

Ques 6. Following are some of the characteristics of animals:

For each characteristic indicate whether it is adaptation for tropical rain forests or polar regions. Do you think that some of these characteristics can be adapted for both regions?

Ans:

Ques 7. The tropical rain forest has a large population of animals. Explain why it is so.

Ans: Dense forest provides large amount and variety of food. This supports a large population to survive in the rain forest.

Ques 8. Explain, with examples, why we find animals of certain kind living in particular climatic conditions.

Ans: Animals of certain kinds have adaptations for a particular climate. Due to this, some animals are fit to live in a particular type of climate only. Hence some animals live in some selected climate only.

Ques 9. How do elephant living in the tropical rain forest adapt itself.

Ans: Adaptations seen in elephants:

Elephants have well developed sense of smell. It helps the elephant in finding the food. The trunk has powerful muscles which help the elephant in uprooting even a big tree. Elephants have good sense of hearing which help the elephant in sensing danger way in advance. An elephant uses its trunk to sprinkle water all over its body so that it can cool down its body temperature.

Choose the correct option which answers the following questions:

Ques 10. A carnivore with stripes on its body moves very fast while catching its prey. It is likely to be found in

(i) polar regions

(ii) deserts

(iii) oceans

(iv) tropical rainforests

Ans: (iv) Tropical rainforests

Ques 11. Which features adapt polar bears to live in extremely cold climate?

(i) A white fur, fat below skin, keen sense of smell.

(ii) Thin skin, large eyes, a white fur.

(iii) A long tail, strong claws, white large paws.

(iv) White body, paws for swimming, gills for respiration.

Ans: (i) A white fur, fat below skin, keen sense of smell.

Ques 12. Which option best describes a tropical region?

(i) hot and humid

(ii) moderate temperature, heavy rainfall

(iii) cold and humid

(iv) hot and dry

Ans: (i) hot and humid