Class 7 Social Science Questions Answer Chapter 3 NCERT

Climates of India

Questions and activities

1. Match the climatic factors with their effects:

Answer:

Explanation:

• Latitude affects climate by determining how much sunlight a place gets, making southern India warmer than northern India.
• Altitude makes higher places like hill stations cooler due to lower air density.
• Proximity to the ocean keeps coastal areas like Mumbai milder by moderating temperatures.
• Monsoon winds bring moisture from the ocean, causing heavy rainfall in summer.

2. Answer the following questions:

a) What is the difference between weather and climate?
Answer:

• Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere, like rain, sunshine, or wind, which can change hourly or daily.
• Climate is the average weather pattern of a place over a long period, usually decades, and it remains stable for a region.

For example, today’s rain is weather, but Kerala’s tropical wet climate is its long-term pattern.

b) Why do places near the ocean have milder temperatures than places far away from it?
Answer:
Places near the ocean, like Mumbai, have milder temperatures because the sea absorbs and releases heat slowly, keeping summers cooler and winters warmer. Places far from the ocean, like Nagpur, have extreme temperatures because land heats up and cools down quickly, causing hotter summers and colder winters.

c) What role do monsoon winds play in affecting India’s climate?
Answer:
Monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall to India, especially during the summer (southwest monsoon) from June to September. These winds carry moisture from the ocean, which falls as rain, supporting agriculture, filling rivers, and affecting the economy. In winter (northeast monsoon), dry winds bring cooler weather, but some moisture causes rain in eastern and southern India.

d) Why is Chennai warm or hot throughout the year, while Leh is cold?
Answer:
Chennai is near the equator and the sea, at a low latitude and low altitude, receiving direct sunlight and moderated temperatures, making it warm or hot year-round.
Leh is in the Himalayas at a high altitude, where the air is thinner and cooler, and it’s far from the sea, so it stays cold most of the year.

3. Look at a map of India given at the end of this book. Identify the climate for these cities—Leh, Chennai, Delhi, Panaji and Jaipur.
Is the place near the sea, in the mountains, or in the desert?
How do these factors affect the climate there?

Answer:

Leh:

• Climate: Alpine (cold, snowy winters, cool summers).
• Location: In the mountains (Himalayas).
• Effect: High altitude makes Leh very cold, with thin air and low temperatures year-round.

Chennai:

• Climate: Tropical wet (hot, humid, distinct wet and dry seasons).
• Location: Near the sea (Bay of Bengal).
• Effect: Proximity to the sea keeps temperatures warm and humid, with heavy monsoon rainfall.

Delhi:

• Climate: Subtropical (very hot summers, cold winters).
• Location: In the northern plains, far from the sea.
• Effect: Being inland causes extreme temperatures—hot summers and cold winters—with moderate rainfall.

Panaji:

• Climate: Tropical wet (hot, humid, heavy monsoon rainfall).
• Location: Near the sea (Arabian Sea).
• Effect: The sea moderates temperatures, and the Western Ghats cause heavy monsoon rains.

Jaipur:

• Climate: Arid to semi-arid (hot summers, cool winters, little rainfall).
• Location: Near the desert (Thar Desert).
• Effect: The desert location causes very hot days, cooler nights, and low rainfall.

4. Draw the monsoon cycle in summers and winters on a map of India.
Label where the winds blow in summer and winter.
Show the direction of winds during the monsoon.

Description for Drawing:

Summer Monsoon (Southwest Monsoon, June–September):

Draw arrows from the Arabian Sea (southwest) moving towards India, covering the Western Ghats, northern plains, and northeast.
Label: “Southwest Monsoon Winds” bringing heavy rain from the ocean to land.
Show heavy rainfall on the western coast and northeast (e.g., Mawsynram).

Winter Monsoon (Northeast Monsoon, October–December):

Draw arrows from northern India (northeast) towards the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.
Label: “Northeast Monsoon Winds” bringing dry weather, with some rain in eastern and southern India (e.g., Tamil Nadu).
Show lighter rainfall in the southeast.

Note: Since I cannot draw here, students should sketch a map of India, marking the wind directions and rainfall areas as described.

5. Make a colourful poster showing festivals in India linked to farming and weather (e.g., Baisakhi, Onam). Add pictures or drawings of these festivals.

Poster Description:

Title: “Festivals of Farming and Weather in India”

Festivals to Include:

• Baisakhi: Celebrated in Punjab (April), linked to the harvest of wheat. Draw farmers dancing Bhangra, wheat fields, and vibrant colors.
• Onam: Celebrated in Kerala (August–September), linked to the rice harvest and monsoon. Show flower rangoli (pookalam), boat races, and traditional Onam sadhya (feast).
• Pongal: Celebrated in Tamil Nadu (January), a harvest festival. Draw pots overflowing with rice, sugarcane, and kolam designs.
• Makar Sankranti: Celebrated across India (January), marking the sun’s movement and harvest. Show kites, til-gud sweets, and bonfires.
• Design: Use bright colors like green (fields), yellow (sun), and blue (rain). Add drawings of crops, rainclouds, and people celebrating.
• Text: Write short descriptions, e.g., “Baisakhi: A joyful harvest festival in Punjab, celebrating wheat crops with dance and music.”

Note: Students should create the poster on paper or digitally with these elements.

6. Imagine you are a farmer in India. Write a short diary entry about how you would prepare for the rainy season.

Diary Entry:
Date: 

Dear Diary,

The monsoon is coming in a few weeks, and I’m busy preparing my farm in Maharashtra for the rainy season. First, I cleaned the irrigation channels to ensure water flows to my rice and sugarcane fields. I repaired the bunds around my fields to prevent flooding. I bought high-quality seeds that grow well in heavy rain and stored them safely. I also checked my tools and fixed the roof of my shed to protect my equipment from leaks. My family and I prayed to the rain gods for a good monsoon, as our crops depend on it. I’m hopeful for a bountiful harvest this year!

Yours,

(Farmer)

7. Identify a natural disaster (e.g., cyclone, flood, landslide, or forest fire) and write a short essay that includes the causes and impacts. Suggest actions that individuals, communities, and the government can take to reduce the impact.

Essay: Floods in India

Floods are a common natural disaster in India, especially during the monsoon season. They occur when heavy rainfall causes rivers, lakes, or drains to overflow, flooding dry land. In states like Bihar, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh, floods are frequent due to heavy monsoon rains and flat topography. Human activities, such as poor urban planning, blocked drains, and deforestation, worsen floods by preventing water absorption.

The impacts of floods are severe. They destroy homes, crops, and infrastructure like roads and bridges. People lose their livelihoods, and farmers face huge losses when fields are submerged. Floods can cause diseases by contaminating water and displace communities, forcing them to move to safer areas. For example, the 2013 Uttarakhand floods damaged villages and killed many people.

To reduce the impact of floods, individuals can take small steps. We should avoid littering in drains to keep them clear and plant trees to help the soil absorb water. Communities can work together to build stronger embankments along rivers and raise awareness about flood safety. The government can improve drainage systems in cities, provide early warnings through the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and relocate people from flood-prone areas. Building reservoirs to store excess water and restoring wetlands can also help.

By working together, we can lessen the damage caused by floods and protect lives and property.

The Big Questions (Page 45)

1. What makes India’s climate so diverse?

Answer:
India’s climate is diverse due to several factors:

• Geography: India has varied landscapes like the Himalayan mountains (alpine climate), Thar Desert (arid climate), coastal areas (tropical wet climate), and the Deccan Plateau (semi-arid climate).
• Latitude: Southern India, near the equator, is warm, while northern areas, farther from the equator, are cooler.
• Altitude: Higher places like hill stations (e.g., Shimla) are cooler due to lower air density, while plains are hotter.
• Proximity to the Sea: Coastal areas like Chennai have milder temperatures, while inland areas like Jaipur have extreme heat and cold.
• Topography: The Himalayas block cold winds, and the Western Ghats influence monsoon rainfall.
• Winds: Monsoon winds bring rain, while dry winds from deserts cause heat waves.
  These factors create diverse climates, from snowy Himalayas to humid coasts.

2. What are the monsoons? How are they formed?

What are Monsoons?:
Answer:
Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to India, especially during summer. The term “monsoon” comes from the Arabic word “mausim,” meaning season, and commonly refers to the rainy season from June to September.

How are they Formed?:
Answer:

• In summer, the Indian landmass heats up faster than the ocean, creating a low-pressure system over land. High-pressure air from the cooler ocean (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal) moves toward the land, carrying moisture. This moisture condenses over the warm land, causing heavy rains, known as the southwest monsoon.
• In winter, the land cools faster than the ocean, creating high pressure over land. Winds blow from land to sea, bringing dry weather, called the northeast monsoon. Some winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal, causing rain in eastern and southern India. The Western Ghats and Himalayas influence the distribution of monsoon rains.

3. What is the effect of climate on economy, culture, and society?

Answer:

• Economy: Climate affects agriculture, which is vital to India’s economy. Good monsoon rains ensure healthy crops like rice and wheat, supporting farmers and keeping food prices stable. A “monsoon failure” (poor rainfall) damages crops, raises food prices, and forces rural workers to migrate to cities. Industries also depend on water and stable weather.
• Culture: Climate shapes festivals and traditions. Festivals like Baisakhi (Punjab), Onam (Kerala), and Pongal (Tamil Nadu) are linked to harvests and monsoons. Songs, dances, and rituals celebrate seasons, like praying for rain. The six Indian seasons (ritus) inspire specific festivals, such as Vasanta Panchami (spring).
• Society: Climate influences lifestyles, clothing, and food. People in hot regions wear light clothes, while those in cold Himalayas wear thick woolens. Food choices, like cooling drinks in summer or warm dishes in winter, vary with climate. Climate disasters like floods disrupt communities, affecting social stability.

4. How can understanding the climate help us to prepare for natural disasters?

Answer:
Understanding the climate helps prepare for natural disasters in these ways:

• Predicting Disasters: Knowing climate patterns, like monsoon rainfall or cyclone seasons, helps the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issue early warnings for cyclones, floods, or landslides.
• Planning Infrastructure: Understanding flood-prone areas (e.g., Bihar, Assam) allows better drainage systems and stronger embankments. In hilly areas, avoiding deforestation reduces landslide risks.
• Community Preparedness: People can stock food, water, and emergency supplies in cyclone-prone coastal areas or flood-prone plains. Training by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) helps communities evacuate safely.
• Agriculture Protection: Farmers can choose crops suited to expected rainfall or store water to avoid losses during droughts or floods.

For example, knowing that heavy rains cause floods in Uttar Pradesh helps communities build elevated shelters and governments improve drainage.

5. What is climate change? What are its consequences?

What is Climate Change?:
Answer:
Climate change refers to long-term changes in weather patterns, such as shifts in temperature, rainfall, or extreme weather events. While natural processes caused climate change in the past, human activities like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), deforestation, and industrial practices have driven rapid changes since the 19th century. These release greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide), trapping extra heat and causing global warming.

Consequences:
Answer:

• Rising Temperatures: India’s 2025 winter was 1–3°C warmer, shortening winters and affecting crops.
• Extreme Weather: More frequent cyclones, floods, and droughts disrupt agriculture and livelihoods.
• Agricultural Losses: Unpredictable rains or heat waves reduce crop yields, raising food prices.
• Health Issues: Warmer climates spread diseases, and poor air quality from forest fires harms health.
• Ecosystem Damage: Melting glaciers in the Himalayas cause glacial bursts, and forest fires harm wildlife.
• Economic Strain: Disasters damage infrastructure, and industries face water shortages. These changes threaten food security, water availability, and community resilience, requiring mitigation like using renewable energy and sustainable practices.