Worksheet Solutions: Climate | Geography Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

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Q1: Weather refers to the momentary state of the atmosphere, while climate refers to the ________ of weather conditions over a longer period of time.
Ans: average
Climate represents long-term patterns of weather conditions, typically averaged over a 30-year period, while weather is the current state of the atmosphere at any given time.

Q2: The climate associated with seasonal reversal in the direction of winds is known as ________.
Ans: monsoon
A monsoon climate is characterized by seasonal changes in wind direction and associated weather patterns.

Q3: The state of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have a ________ climate.
Ans: tropical
These regions have a warm and humid climate typical of the tropical zone.

Q4: The temperature in Leh in winter can drop down to as low as minus ________.
Ans: 45°C
Leh, located in the high-altitude region of Ladakh, experiences extremely cold temperatures during the winter.

Q5: Cherrapunji and Mawsynram receive over ________ cm of rainfall in a year.
Ans: 1,080 cm
These places in Meghalaya, India, are known for receiving extremely high annual rainfall.

Q6: India is flanked by the Indian Ocean on ________ sides.
Ans: three
India is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the south, west, and east, influencing its climate.

Q7: The difference in altitude affects temperature; it decreases with ________.
Ans: height
As elevation increases, the temperature typically decreases due to the lapse rate in the atmosphere.

Q8: The windward sides of Western Ghats receive ________ rainfall during June-September.
Ans: high
The Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon winds, leading to heavy rainfall on the windward side.

Q9: The southwest monsoon sets in over the Kerala coast by ________.
Ans: 1st June
The onset of the southwest monsoon in India typically occurs around the beginning of June, starting in the state of Kerala.

Q10: El-Nino is a complex weather system that appears once every ________ years.
Ans: three to seven
El-Nino events are irregular and occur approximately every three to seven years, impacting global weather patterns.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: The climate of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the south is different from that of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north.
Reason: All of these regions have a monsoon type of climate.
(a) The assertion and reason are both correct, and the reason explains the assertion.
(b) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
(c) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is correct as it highlights the regional climate differences in India. The reason is correct because all these regions indeed experience a monsoon climate, but the assertion and reason together emphasize that despite having the same monsoon climate, there are significant variations in conditions.

Q2: Assertion: Temperature in the Himalayas is cooler than in the plains.
Reason: Altitude affects temperature, and places at higher altitudes are cooler.
(a) The assertion and reason are both correct, and the reason explains the assertion.
(b) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
(c) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is correct as the Himalayas are at higher altitudes, leading to cooler temperatures. The reason is correct because altitude inversely affects temperature - the higher the altitude, the cooler the temperature.

Q3: Assertion: India is flanked by the Indian Ocean on three sides in the south.
Reason: The differential heating of land and sea creates different air pressure zones.
(a) The assertion and reason are both correct, and the reason explains the assertion.
(b) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
(c) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
The assertion correctly identifies the geographical position of India. The reason is accurate as differential heating of land and sea indeed results in varying air pressure zones, influencing India's climate.

Q4: Assertion: The southwest monsoon sets in over the Kerala coast by 1st June.
Reason: The intense heating of the landmass in the north of the Indian Ocean causes low pressure in the subcontinent.
(a) The assertion and reason are both correct, and the reason explains the assertion.
(b) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
(c) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
The assertion accurately describes the onset of the southwest monsoon. The reason is also valid, as the intense heating of the landmass creates a low-pressure system that attracts the monsoon winds.

Q5: Assertion: Breaks in the monsoon are quite common during the rainy season.
Reason: The breaks in different regions are due to different reasons.
(a) The assertion and reason are both correct, and the reason explains the assertion.
(b) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
(c) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
(d) Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.
Ans: (a)
The assertion accurately identifies the common occurrence of breaks in the monsoon. The reason is valid as it emphasizes that these breaks have diverse causes in different regions.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the main difference between weather and climate.
Ans: Weather refers to the momentary state of the atmosphere, including factors like temperature, precipitation, wind, and humidity, while climate represents the average of weather conditions over a longer period of time, typically spanning 30 years or more.

Q2: Name the factors related to location and relief that influence India's climate.
Ans: A monsoon climate is characterized by seasonal changes in the direction of winds, leading to distinct wet and dry seasons. Monsoons are typically associated with a change in wind patterns that bring heavy rains during a specific period.

Q3: How do the Himalayas affect India's climate?
Ans: The Himalayas act as a climatic barrier, shielding the Indian subcontinent from cold northern winds and influencing the behavior of monsoon winds. They also trap moisture, leading to variations in rainfall patterns.

Q4: Why do coastal areas in India have a more equable climate than the interior regions?
Ans: Coastal areas have a milder and more equable climate due to the moderating influence of the sea, which tends to stabilize temperatures, leading to fewer extreme temperature fluctuations. In contrast, interior regions are farther from the sea's moderating effect, resulting in more significant temperature variations.

Q5: What is the impact of altitude on temperature in India?
Ans: Temperature decreases with increasing altitude. As one ascends in altitude, the air becomes thinner, leading to lower temperatures due to the lapse rate in the atmosphere.

Q6: Describe the significance of the southwest monsoon in India.
Ans: The southwest monsoon is of great significance in India as it brings the bulk of the country's annual rainfall. It is crucial for agriculture, providing the necessary water for crop cultivation. The onset and behavior of the southwest monsoon are essential for India's economy and livelihoods.

Q7: What are the two branches of the monsoon in India, and what factors influence their distribution?
Ans: The two branches of the monsoon in India are the Bay of Bengal branch and the Arabian Sea branch. The distribution of rainfall from these branches is influenced by offshore meteorological conditions and the position of the equatorial jet stream along the eastern coast of Africa.

Q8: What is El-Nino, and how does it affect India's monsoon?
Ans: El-Nino is a complex weather phenomenon characterized by warm ocean currents off the coast of Peru in the Eastern Pacific. It disrupts equatorial atmospheric circulation, leading to irregularities in global weather patterns. In India, El-Nino can lead to droughts, erratic monsoons, and other extreme weather events, impacting the monsoon.

Q9: Define a "break in the monsoon." What are the possible reasons for it?
Ans: A "break in the monsoon" refers to a period during the monsoon season when there is a significant interruption in rainfall. It occurs when there are prolonged dry spells with little or no rain for one or more weeks. The possible reasons for breaks in the monsoon include infrequent rain-bearing storms, changes in wind patterns, and other meteorological factors.

Q10: Explain why dry spells on the west coast are associated with specific wind patterns.
Ans: Dry spells on the west coast are associated with days when winds blow parallel to the coast. These wind patterns prevent the moisture-laden monsoon winds from reaching the region, resulting in reduced rainfall and dry spells along the west coast of India.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the characteristics of the Cold Weather Season in India.
Ans: The Cold Weather Season in India occurs from November to February. It is characterized by the following features:

• Coldest months are December and January in the northern plain.
• Mean daily temperatures are below 21°C over most of northern India.
• Night temperatures may drop below freezing point in Punjab and Rajasthan.
• Excessive cold is attributed to factors like the continental climate of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, snowfall in the nearby Himalayan ranges, and cold winds from the Caspian Sea.

Q2: Describe the pressure and wind patterns during the Cold Weather Season.
Ans: During the Cold Weather Season in India:

• Feeble high pressure conditions exist over the northern plain.
• South India experiences slightly lower air pressure.
• Winds blow from the northwestern high-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone over the Indian Ocean in the south.
• Wind direction is influenced by topography, resulting in westerly or northwesterly winds down the Ganga Valley and northeasterly winds over the Bay of Bengal.
• Occasional disturbances, such as shallow cyclonic depressions, can disturb the otherwise pleasant weather.

Q3: Why do winter monsoons not bring rainfall to most parts of India?
Ans: Winter monsoons do not bring rainfall to most parts of India for the following reasons:

• They lack sufficient humidity, which is necessary for precipitation.
• Anti-cyclonic circulation over the land reduces the possibility of rainfall.
• Consequently, most regions in India experience dry conditions during the winter season.

Q4: Explain the role of temperate cyclones from the Mediterranean Sea in winter rainfall.
Ans: Temperate cyclones from the Mediterranean Sea play a significant role in bringing winter rainfall to northwestern India.
These cyclones:

• Cause rainfall in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh.
• Though the amount of rainfall is meager, it is beneficial for Rabi crops.
• The precipitation is often in the form of snowfall in the lower Himalayas, which is essential for sustaining the flow of water in the Himalayan rivers during the summer months.

Q5: Describe the characteristics of the Hot Weather Season in India.
Ans: The Hot Weather Season in India, which occurs from March to June, is marked by the following characteristics:

• Rising temperatures due to the northward movement of the sun.
• April, May, and June are the hottest months, with temperatures reaching around 48°C in northwestern India.
• Temperatures range between 30°C and 32°C in most parts of India.
• Western Ghats, due to their altitude, maintain temperatures below 25°C.
• The season is characterized by excessive heat and falling air pressure in the northern half of the country.

Q6: What are the main features of the Southwest Monsoon Season in India?
Ans: The Southwest Monsoon Season in India is associated with the following main features:

• It is triggered by high temperatures, attracting southeast trade winds from the Indian Ocean.
• These winds cross the equator, enter the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, and then follow a southwesterly direction.
• The onset of the monsoon is marked by sudden and violent rainfall, termed the "break" or "burst" of the monsoons.
• The monsoon approaches the landmass through two branches: the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch.

Q7: Explain the characteristics of monsoonal rainfall in India.
Ans: Monsoonal rainfall in India has the following characteristics:

• It is seasonal and occurs between June and September.
• Rainfall is governed by relief or topography, with windward sides of regions like the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas receiving over 250 cm of rainfall.
• Rainfall has a declining trend with increasing distance from the sea, e.g., Kolkata receives 119 cm, Patna 105 cm, Allahabad 76 cm, and Delhi 56 cm during the southwest monsoon period.
• Rainfall occurs in wet spells, interspersed with rainless intervals known as 'breaks.' These breaks are related to cyclonic depressions and their passage.

Q8: Describe the Season of Retreating Monsoon in India.
Ans: The Season of Retreating Monsoon occurs in October and November and is characterized by the following features:

• The southwest monsoon weakens as the low-pressure trough of the Ganga plain moves southward in response to the sun's southward march.
• The monsoon retreats from western Rajasthan by the first week of September.
• It withdraws from Rajasthan, Gujarat, the western Ganga plain, and the Central Highlands by the end of September.
• The land is still moist, leading to high temperatures and humidity, known as the 'October heat.'
• Widespread rain in this season is associated with the passage of cyclonic depressions, which originate over the Andaman Sea and cross into the southern Peninsula.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Discuss the distribution of rainfall in India and its variation in different regions.
Ans: The distribution of rainfall in India varies significantly across regions. Here are the main points of variation:

• Areas of High Rainfall: The highest rainfall occurs along the west coast, Western Ghats, and the sub-Himalayan areas in the northeast, where rainfall often exceeds 200 cm. In some parts of Khasi and Jaintia hills, the rainfall even exceeds 1,000 cm. The Brahmaputra valley and adjoining hills receive less than 200 cm of rainfall.
• Areas of Medium Rainfall: Rainfall ranging from 100-200 cm is received in the southern parts of Gujarat, eastern Tamil Nadu, the northeastern Peninsula, the northern Ganga plain along the sub-Himalayas, and the Cachar Valley and Manipur.
• Areas of Low Rainfall: Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the Deccan Plateau receive rainfall between 50-100 cm.
• Areas of Inadequate Rainfall: Parts of the Peninsula, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, as well as Ladakh and most of western Rajasthan, receive inadequate rainfall below 50 cm. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.

Q2: Explain the major climatic types of India based on Koeppen's scheme.
Ans: Koeppen's scheme classifies India into five major climatic types based on monthly values of temperature and precipitation:

• Tropical Climates: These regions have a mean monthly temperature throughout the year above 18°C, characterized by warm and humid conditions.
• Dry Climates: In these areas, precipitation is significantly lower than temperature, leading to arid (W) or semi-arid (S) climates. Arid regions have even lower moisture levels.
• Warm Temperate Climates: These areas have a mean temperature of the coldest month between 18°C and minus 3°C, offering milder conditions.
• Cool Temperate Climates: These regions have a mean temperature of the warmest month over 10°C and a mean temperature of the coldest month under minus 3°C.
• Ice Climates: In these areas, the mean temperature of the warmest month is under 10°C, and conditions are frigid.

Q3: Discuss the factors responsible for the climatic difference between Agra and Darjeeling.
Ans: The climatic difference between Agra and Darjeeling can be attributed to several factors:

• Altitude: Darjeeling is at a higher altitude in the Himalayan region, which leads to cooler temperatures compared to the lower-lying Agra. Higher altitudes generally have lower temperatures due to a decrease in air pressure and a decrease in temperature with altitude.
• Distance from the Sea: Agra is farther from the sea than Darjeeling. The proximity to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean influences Darjeeling's climate, making it more moderate and less extreme than Agra's, which has a continental climate.
• The Himalayan Mountains: The Himalayas play a significant role in modifying weather patterns. Darjeeling is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, which influence its climate by blocking cold air masses from the north and allowing the influence of the warm Indian Ocean.

Q4: Explain the factors influencing the onset and distribution of monsoonal rainfall in India.
Ans: The onset and distribution of monsoonal rainfall in India are influenced by several factors:

• Role of Southwest Trade Winds: The high-temperature conditions in the Indian subcontinent attract the southeast trade winds from the Indian Ocean. These winds cross the equator and enter the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
• Influence of Topography: The relief or topography of the landmass plays a crucial role in directing and intensifying monsoonal rainfall. Windward sides of regions like the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas receive more rainfall.
• Cyclonic Depressions: Monsoonal rainfall distribution is influenced by cyclonic depressions, especially those formed at the head of the Bay of Bengal and their crossing into the mainland. These depressions determine the spatial distribution of rainfall.
• Rainfall Distribution: Rainfall is not uniform throughout India due to topographical features and the influence of the two branches of the monsoon, the Arabian Sea branch and the Bay of Bengal branch. The rain shadow effect affects the Tamil Nadu coast, making it dry during the season.