Class 5 SST Question Answers - Globes and Maps

Q1: What is a globe, and why do we use it to study the Earth?
Ans: A globe is a spherical model of the Earth. We use it to study the Earth because it accurately represents the Earth's shape, size, and features like land, oceans, and continents. It helps us understand our planet better.

Q2: Explain what lines of latitude are on a globe. Provide examples of important latitudes.
Ans: Lines of latitude are imaginary lines that run parallel to the Equator on a globe. Some important latitudes include the North Pole (90° N), Arctic Circle (66 ½° N), Tropic of Cancer (23 ½° N), Equator (0°), Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½° S), Antarctic Circle (66 ½° S), and South Pole (90° S).

Q3: Describe the lines of longitude on a globe. What is the Prime Meridian?
Ans: Lines of longitude, also known as meridians, run from the North Pole to the South Pole. The Prime Meridian is the 0° longitude line, which passes through the Greenwich Observatory in the UK. All other meridians are marked off from this point, and they help us locate places on Earth.

Q4: What is the purpose of lines of latitude and longitude on a globe and maps?
Ans: Lines of latitude and longitude on a globe and maps are imaginary lines used to describe the location of places on Earth. They form a grid system that helps us in locating and understanding various physical and human activities on the Earth's surface.

Q5: Why do we need maps even though we have globes? Explain the advantages of using maps.
Ans: Maps are needed because globes are not convenient to carry around. Maps are flat representations of the Earth's surface and can be easily folded and transported. They also allow us to use color codes and symbols to convey information about places and their locations.

Q6: What is the purpose of a scale on a map, and how is it represented?
Ans: A scale on a map shows the ratio between the map distance and the actual ground distance. It helps us understand how much smaller the map is compared to the real world. Scales are represented by a line bar, such as "1 cm: 250 km," indicating that 1 cm on the map represents 250 km on the ground.

Q7: Explain the use of symbols and color codes on maps. Give examples.
Ans: Symbols and color codes on maps are used to represent different features and information. For example, thick lines with dashes and dots mark country boundaries, cities are represented by small circles, and capital cities are shown with a circle within an outer circle. Colors like blue indicate water bodies, red represents roads, and black shows railway tracks.

Q8: How do directions and sub-directions help us understand maps? Provide an example using India.
Ans: Directions like North, South, East, and West help us understand the orientation of a map. In India, if we hang a map on the wall, the Himalayas at the top indicate the North direction, while the Indian Ocean at the bottom represents the South. Sub-directions like Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest provide more precise location information.

Q9: What is the purpose of an atlas, and how can it be helpful?
Ans: An atlas is a collection of maps. It can be extremely helpful for planning trips, tours, or excursions. It provides a wealth of geographical information about countries, states, and regions, making it a valuable resource for travelers and researchers.

Q10: Summarize the essential information to remember about maps.
Ans: Maps use fixed directions (North, South, East, and West), symbols to identify places, and color codes to represent features. They are essential tools for understanding the Earth's surface, its geography, and for various purposes like navigation, planning, and research.