Chapter 1 Locating Places on the Earth Extra Questions Answers Class 6 Social Science
Extra Question Answer of Locating Places on the Earth for Class 6 SST is available on this page of studyrankers website. This chapter is from NCERT Textbook for Class 6 Science named Exploring Society India and Beyond. This textbook is published by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training). Class 6 Social Science Textbook published by NCERT is prescribed for CBSE students. Chapter 1 Locating Places on the Earth Important Questions are very helpful in understanding the chapter clearly and in easy manner. Students can also find NCERT Solutions for Locating Places on the Earth on this website for their reference. It is very helpful for class 6 students in preparing for the examination. We have included all the important questions and answers from all the topics of Locating Places on the Earth chapter of class 6 SST ncert textbook. Students can also find all the Revision Notes of Locating Places on the Earth chapter for understanding the chapter which is in the textbook updated to latest pattern of cbse and ncert.
Extra Questions for Chapter 1 Locating Places on the Earth Class 6 Social Science
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What is a map?
Answer
A map is a visual representation of an area, illustrating its features and providing guidance on navigation.
Question 2. What is an atlas?
Answer
An atlas is a collection of maps, typically organized by region or theme, used for reference or educational purposes.
Question 3. What are physical maps?
Answer
Physical maps depict natural features such as mountains, rivers, and oceans.
Question 4. What are political maps?
Answer
Political maps show boundaries, countries, cities, and other human-made features.
Question 5. What are thematic maps?
Answer
Thematic maps focus on specific themes or subjects like population distribution or climate zones.
Question 6. What are cardinal directions?
Answer
Cardinal directions refer to the main directions on a map: north, east, south, and west.
Question 7. What are intermediate directions?
Answer
Intermediate directions are points between the cardinal directions, like northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest.
Question 8. What do the arrows on a map indicate?
Answer
The arrows on a map indicate cardinal directions to help orientate the map.
Question 9. What are symbols on a map?
Answer
Symbols on a map represent features such as buildings, roads, and natural elements, providing detailed information in a concise manner.
Question 10. What is the scale of a map?
Answer
The scale of a map indicates the relationship between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground.
Question 11. How are latitudes measured?
Answer
Latitudes are measured in degrees north or south of the Equator.
Question 12. What is the Equator?
Answer
The Equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, equidistant from the North and South Poles.
Question 13. How are longitudes measured?
Answer
Longitudes are measured in degrees east or west from the Prime Meridian.
Question 14. What is the Prime Meridian?
Answer
The Prime Meridian is the line of 0° longitude, passing through Greenwich, England, serving as the starting point for measuring longitudes.
Question 15. How does longitude affect time?
Answer
Longitudes determine time zones, with each 15° difference approximately equal to one hour of time difference.
Question 16. What is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)?
Answer
Greenwich Mean Time is the time at the Prime Meridian and serves as the standard time used worldwide.
Question 17. What are time zones?
Answer
Time zones are regions of the Earth where the same standard time is used.
Question 18. What is the International Date Line?
Answer
The International Date Line is the line approximately 180° longitude, where the date changes by one day when crossed.
Question 19. How does crossing the International Date Line affect time?
Answer
Crossing eastward subtracts a day while crossing westward adds a day to the date.
Question 20. What is a globe?
Answer
A globe is a spherical representation of the Earth's surface, providing a more accurate depiction of geographic features than flat maps.
Question 21. How are maps and globes different?
Answer
Maps are flat representations, while globes are spherical representations of the Earth.
Question 22. What are coordinates on a map?
Answer
Coordinates (latitude and longitude) pinpoint exact locations on Earth's surface.
Question 23. How are coordinates similar to a chessboard?
Answer
Coordinates on a map resemble the grid system used in chess, enabling precise location identification.
Question 24. Why do maps use symbols instead of detailed drawings?
Answer
Symbols on maps save space and simplify representation by using standardized icons to depict features.
Question 25. What does a scale of 1 cm = 500 m mean on a map?
Answer
It means that each centimetre on the map represents a distance of 500 meters on the ground.
Question 26. How do maps help with navigation?
Answer
Maps provide directions, distances, and landmarks to assist travellers in finding locations and navigating routes.
Question 27. How do latitude and longitude help in locating places?
Answer Latitude and longitude are coordinates that precisely identify any location on Earth's surface.
Question 28. What is the purpose of the Equator in geography?
Answer
The Equator divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and serves as a reference for latitude measurements.
Question 29. Why are time zones necessary?
Answer
Time zones help synchronize time across regions, facilitating communication, travel, and international business.
Question 30. Who decided on the Prime Meridian as the international standard?
Answer
The Prime Meridian was established by international agreement in 1884 to pass through Greenwich, England.
Question 31. How does latitude affect climate?
Answer
Latitude influences climate; areas closer to the Equator generally experience warmer climates than those closer to the poles.
Question 32. Why can't a globe be perfectly represented on a flat map?
Answer
The Earth's spherical shape causes distortion when flattened, making it impossible to perfectly represent all areas on a flat map.
Question 33. What are the benefits of using thematic maps?
Answer
Thematic maps provide detailed information on specific subjects, such as population density or land use, offering insights beyond basic geographic features.
Question 34. How do symbols vary on maps of different countries?
Answer
Different countries use unique sets of symbols on their maps to represent features such as buildings, roads, and landmarks.
Question 35. What is the significance of the International Date Line?
Answer
The International Date Line marks where the date changes by one day when crossed, approximately along 180° longitude.
Question 36. How do physical maps differ from political maps?
Answer
Physical maps emphasize natural features like mountains and rivers, while political maps show boundaries, cities, and administrative divisions.
Question 37. What are the primary uses of an atlas?
Answer
An atlas is used for reference, education, and navigation, containing maps of various regions, countries, and thematic topics.
Question 38. How do coordinates help in navigation?
Answer
Coordinates on maps provide precise locations, aiding in navigation by pinpointing specific points of interest or destinations.
Question 39. What are the advantages of using a globe over a flat map?
Answer
A globe provides a more accurate representation of the Earth's surface and spatial relationships than flat maps.
Question 40. How do time zones relate to longitude?
Answer
Time zones are based on lines of longitude, with each zone typically covering 15° of longitude and representing one hour of time difference.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What are cardinal and intermediate directions?
Answer
Cardinal directions are the four main directions on a map: north, east, south, and west. They are shown by arrows, with north usually at the top, as in the small city map.
Intermediate directions are in-between points: northeast (NE), southeast (SE), southwest (SW), and northwest (NW). These help us locate places more precisely.
For example, if the museum is southeast of the bank, it’s between south and east from that point. Cardinal and intermediate directions guide us when navigating maps, ensuring we know which way to go based on the "N" arrow pointing north.
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Cardinal and Intermediate Directions |
Question 2. What are parallels of latitude?
Answer
Parallels of latitude are imaginary lines running east to west around the Earth, parallel to the Equator. The Equator is at 0° latitude, while the North and South Poles are at 90°N and 90°S. These lines measure distance from the Equator in degrees. The Equator is the largest circle, and parallels get smaller toward the poles. Latitude affects climate—hot near the Equator, temperate farther away, and cold near the poles. On a globe, these lines help locate places north or south of the Equator accurately.
Question 3. What are meridians of longitude?
Answer
Meridians of longitude are imaginary half-circles running from the North Pole to the South Pole. They measure distance east or west from the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) up to 180°. For example, Delhi is at 77°E, and New York is at 74°W. Unlike parallels, all meridians are the same length. They help locate places and determine local time, since the Earth spins 15° per hour. The Prime Meridian, passing through Greenwich, is the starting point for measuring longitude globally.
Question 4. How do latitude and longitude help locate places?
Answer
Latitude and longitude together form a grid of coordinates to pinpoint any place on Earth.
- Latitude measures distance north or south of the Equator (0° to 90°N or S), while longitude measures east or west of the Prime Meridian (0° to 180°E or W).
- For example, Delhi is at 29°N and 77°E, as noted in the text. On a globe, these lines intersect, creating a unique spot for every location. This system, like a chessboard’s coordinates, ensures precise navigation and mapping worldwide.
Question 5. What is the Prime Meridian and why is it important?
Answer
The Prime Meridian is the 0° longitude line, passing through Greenwich, England, set as the global standard in 1884. It divides the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres. It’s important because it’s the reference point for measuring longitude and time worldwide. For example, Delhi at 77°E is east of it, and New York at 74°W is west. Time zones are based on it—15° east adds an hour to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It helps standardize location and time globally, unlike India’s ancient Ujjayini meridian.
Question 6. What is the International Date Line?
Answer
The International Date Line is an imaginary line at about 180° longitude, opposite the Prime Meridian. Crossing it changes the date: eastward subtracts a day (Monday to Sunday), westward adds a day (Sunday to Monday). It’s not perfectly straight, bending to avoid splitting countries into two days. It works with time zones, where +12 and -12 hours meet. This line ensures the world’s dates align as the Earth spins, making global travel and communication smoother.
Question 7. What are time zones and why do they exist?
Answer
Time zones are regions where the same standard time is used, based on meridians 15° apart (1 hour). The Earth spins 360° in 24 hours, so 15° equals 1 hour from GMT.
- They exist because local time varies with longitude, making it impractical for countries to use many local times. Time zone lines bend around borders for convenience.
- Large countries like Russia (11 zones) need multiple zones, while India uses one (IST). Time zones keep time consistent within regions.
Question 8. Why does India have one standard time?
Answer
India uses one standard time, Indian Standard Time (IST), 5.5 hours ahead of GMT, despite stretching from 68°E to 97°E (29° longitude). This is because having multiple local times would be confusing in daily life, like travel or communication. Unlike larger countries like Russia with 11 time zones, India’s size allows one time zone. The standard meridian is chosen centrally, and IST unifies the country. This ensures everyone follows the same clock, despite local time differences, like between Porbandar and Tinsukia.
Question 9. What was the Ujjayini meridian in ancient India?
Answer
The Ujjayini meridian, or madhya rekha, was ancient India’s prime meridian, passing through Ujjain, a key astronomy center 1,500 years ago . Used before the Greenwich Meridian, it was a reference for longitude in Indian astronomical texts, as noted by Varahamihira. Cities like Thanjavur were linked to it, though exact measurements were less precise due to limited timekeeping. It shows India’s early understanding of coordinates, later replaced by the global standard at Greenwich in 1884, highlighting its historical role in mapping.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1. What is the difference between a map and a globe?
Answer
|
Map |
Globe |
|
It is a representation of the Earth on a flat surface drawn to scale. |
It is the most correct approximation of the Earth. |
|
It gives us two dimensional view of the Earth. |
It gives us three dimensional view of the Earth. |
|
It shows us the minutest details of the Earth. It may show us even small details of a village or the relief features of various regions. |
It shows us only major details of the Earth like oceans, seas and the continents. |
|
Since latitudes and longitudes are drawn as straight lines, there is a distortion in shape and size of the continents. |
Since latitudes and longitudes are drawn as circles and semi circles, there is no distortion in the shape and size of the continents. |
|
Maps can be folded and handles easily. |
Globes cannot be folded and hence difficult to handled. |
Question 2. Explain how maps help us understand and navigate the Earth, including their components.
Answer
A map is a flat representation of an area, like a city or the Earth, viewed from above.
- Purpose: Maps help us find places and navigate, e.g., locating the bank from the railway station or the market, making them practical tools.
- Component 1: Distance (Scale): Scale shrinks real distances onto paper, e.g., 1 cm = 500 m or 2.5 cm = 500 km letting us calculate real distances.
- Component 2: Direction: Cardinal directions (north, east, south, west) and intermediate ones (NE, SE) are shown by arrows, with "N" at the top, guiding navigation.
- Component 3: Symbols: Symbols like lines for roads or shapes for temples represent features, saving space and making maps clear, standardized by the Survey of India.
- Types of Maps: Physical maps show natural features (mountains), political maps show boundaries (India’s states), and thematic maps focus on specific info, enhancing understanding.
- Navigation Example: Using the small city map, you can plan a route from the station to the museum, using scale for distance, arrows for direction, and symbols for landmarks.
- Broader Use: Maps represent large areas like India, helping us study geography and locate places with precision, unlike a globe, which is less portable.
Question 3. Describe the system of coordinates (latitude and longitude) and how it locates places on Earth.
Answer
Coordinates Defined: Latitude and longitude are a grid system to locate any place on Earth, like a chessboard’s a-h and 1-8 labels.
- Latitude: Lines run east-west, parallel to the Equator (0°), up to 90°N (North Pole) and 90°S (South Pole), measuring north-south distance.
- Longitude: Half-circles run north-south from pole to pole, starting at the Prime Meridian (0°) to 180°E or W, measuring east-west distance.
- How They Work Together: They intersect to form a unique spot, e.g., Delhi at 29°N, 77°E, pinpointing exact locations on a globe or map.
- Latitude’s Role: Affects climate—hot at 0°, temperate at mid-latitudes, cold near poles, helping us understand a place’s environment.
- Longitude’s Role: Determines local time, with 15° equaling 1 hour from GMT, linking position to time zones.
- Example: Mumbai’s approximate coordinates (from an atlas) could be found, showing how this system applies practically.
- Historical Context: India’s Ujjayini meridian was an early version, proving the concept’s ancient roots before Greenwich standardization.
Question 4. Discuss the relationship between longitude and time, including time zones and the International Date Line.
Answer
Earth’s Rotation: The Earth spins 360° in 24 hours, so 15° of longitude equals 1 hour, as it rotates west to east.
- Longitude and Local Time: From the Prime Meridian (0°), time increases eastward (e.g., 15°E = +1 hour) and decreases westward (15°W = -1 hour).
- Time Zones: These are 15°-wide zones with a standard time, e.g., IST at +5.5 hours from GMT, simplifying time across countries.
- Variations: Lines bend around borders, and large countries like Russia have multiple zones (11), unlike India’s single IST.
- International Date Line: At ~180°, it adjusts dates—crossing east subtracts a day, west adds one, avoiding day splits in countries .
- Example: If it’s noon at Greenwich, it’s 5:30 pm IST (77°E), showing longitude’s time impact.
- Practical Case: Porbandar and Tinsukia’s local time differs by ~2 hours (30°), but IST unifies them, highlighting local vs. standard time.
Question 5. Compare local time and standard time, using examples .
Answer
Local Time Defined: Time based on a place’s longitude, changing 1 hour per 15°, e.g., Porbandar (west) vs. Tinsukia (east) differ by ~2 hours.
- Standard Time Defined: A uniform time for a region, like IST (+5.5 hours from GMT), used across India despite longitude spans (68°E–97°E).
- Difference: Local time varies continuously with longitude; standard time is fixed for convenience, ignoring small variations.
- Example 1: In Porbandar, the sun sets later than in Tinsukia due to a 30° gap, but both use IST, so clocks match despite daylight differences.
- Example 2: At 12 pm GMT, local time at 15°E is 1 pm, but a country’s standard time might align differently based on its chosen meridian.
- Purpose: Standard time avoids confusion in large areas, unlike local time, which reflects true solar position.
- Advantage: IST simplifies life in India; without it, every town would have a different clock, disrupting schedules.
- Conclusion: Local time is geographically accurate, but standard time prioritizes unity and ease, balancing science and practicality.