Extra Question Answer for Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents Class 6 Social Science

Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents 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 Oceans and Continents 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 Oceans and Continents chapter of class 6 SST ncert textbook. Students can also find all the Revision Notes of Oceans and Continents chapter for understanding the chapter which is in the textbook updated to latest pattern of cbse and ncert.

Extra Questions for Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents Class 6 Social Science

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1. What is the primary color of Earth when viewed from space?

Answer

Blue, due to the vast amounts of water.

Question 2. Which continent has the most land in the Northern Hemisphere?

Answer

Asia

Question 3. What is the Indian Navy's motto?

Answer

"Sam noh Varunah"

Question 4. Name the five major oceans.

Answer

Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, Southern.

Question 5. What causes seawater to be salty?

Answer

Rivers wash salt from land into the oceans.

Question 6. What is the smallest of the five oceans?

Answer

Arctic Ocean

Question 7. What major natural disaster can tsunamis be triggered by?

Answer

Earthquakes

Question 8. What are the two important parts of the Indian Ocean on either side of India?

Answer

Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Question 9. What role do clouds play in the water cycle?

Answer

They bring rain to the continents.

Question 10. What system helps detect tsunamis before they reach the coast?

Answer

Early warning system

Question 11. How many continents are commonly accepted worldwide?

Answer

Seven

Question 12. What is the largest island in the world?

Answer

Greenland

Question 13. Which two continents are often grouped together as 'Eurasia'?

Answer

Europe and Asia.

Question 14. What is the title given to oceans due to their oxygen production?

Answer

The planet's lungs

Question 15. On what date is World Oceans Day celebrated?

Answer

June 8

Question 16.What role do oceans play in the Earth's water cycle?

Answer

They help produce rainfall.

Question 17. Name one major way humans have historically interacted with oceans.

Answer

Trade

Question 18. What are the two main island groups in India?

Answer

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands.

Question 19. What environmental issue is caused by human activities in oceans?
Answer

Pollution

Question 20. Which continent is known for its extreme cold climate and research stations?

Answer

Antarctica

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Why is the Earth called the 'blue planet'?

Answer

The Earth is referred to as the 'blue planet' because a significant portion of its surface, nearly three-fourths, is covered with water. This water, primarily in the form of vast oceans like the Pacific and Atlantic, imparts a distinct blue color when viewed from space. This blue appearance was notably observed by early astronauts. The dominance of water not only defines the planet’s color but also influences its climate and sustains various forms of life, justifying the nickname given by those who first observed it from afar.

Question 2. What are oceans and how much of the Earth do they cover?

Answer

Oceans are large bodies of saltwater that dominate the Earth's surface, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. They cover nearly three-fourths of the Earth's surface, leaving just over one-fourth covered by land. The oceans are interconnected systems without real separations, playing a crucial role in climate regulation, supporting diverse marine life, and facilitating global water cycles.

Question 3. How are continents different from islands?

Answer

Feature	Continents	Islands
Size	Extensive, continuous landmasses significantly larger than islands.	Smaller land forms completely surrounded by water.
Examples	Asia, Africa	Greenland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Number	Seven commonly recognized continents.	Thousands, varying widely in size and geographical features.
Geographical Features	Large areas containing diverse terrains, climates and ecosystems, influencing global geography, climate and politics.	Often have unique ecosystems, can be volcanic and range from tiny to large enough to rival smaller continents.

Question 4. Why do oceans and continents affect climate and life?

Answer 

• Oceans and continents significantly influence Earth's climate and life forms by regulating temperatures, weather patterns, and ecosystems. 
• Oceans cover three-fourths of the planet and are primary producers of oxygen through marine plants. They affect weather systems, including precipitation patterns such as the monsoons. 
• Continents receive these weather influences, supporting diverse biological ecosystems and human populations by providing varied climates and habitats.

Question 5. What is the difference between saltwater and freshwater on Earth?

Answer

Water Type	Location	Characteristics	Uses
Saltwater	Oceans and Seas	Constitutes the majority of Earth’s water, is saline and not portable for most terrestrial life.	Mainly used for navigation and marine resource extraction.
Freshwater	Glaciers, rivers, lakes and underground sources.	Considerably scarcer, essential for drinking, agriculture and most industrial uses.	Critical for drinking, agriculture and industrial processes.

Question 6. How are the Northern and Southern Hemispheres different in terms of water and land?

Answer

Hemisphere	Land Mass	Water Proportion	Impact
Northern	Contains more land mass.	Lesser proportion of water.	Supports a larger human population and kore diverse terrestrial ecosystems; influences climate and weather patterns significantly.
Southern	Contains less land mass.	Greater proportion of water.	Abundant water bodies significantly impact its climate and weather systems; supports diverse marine ecosystems.

 

Question 7. What are tsunamis, and how do they affect coastal areas?
Answer Tsunamis are large, powerful ocean waves typically triggered by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. These waves can travel at high speeds across ocean basins and cause devastating flooding when they reach coastal areas. Tsunamis can lead to significant loss of life and property, as demonstrated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which resulted in over two hundred thousand fatalities and extensive damage along affected coastlines.

Question 8. Why can the number of continents vary between four and seven?

Answer

The number of recognized continents can vary due to different geographical and cultural conventions. Commonly, seven continents are recognized: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. However, some models merge Europe and Asia into a single continent called Eurasia or combine North and South America, reducing the count. These variations reflect historical, cultural, and geographical interpretations of the Earth's major landmasses.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1. Explain how oceans and continents are distributed on Earth and their importance to life.

Answer

• Oceans: Oceans cover nearly three-fourths of the Earth's surface and are primarily represented by five major oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.
• Continents: The seven continents—Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America—make up about one-fourth of the Earth's surface. The distribution of land and water is uneven, with more land in the Northern Hemisphere and more water in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Life Importance—Oceans: Oceans produce over half of the world's oxygen and play a crucial role in regulating climate and weather patterns through their influence on monsoons and other precipitation systems. They support a vast array of marine life, contributing to biodiversity.
• Life Importance—Continents: Continents support diverse ecosystems and human populations, offering a range of climates from the arctic cold of Antarctica to the tropical warmth of Africa and Asia. They receive and recycle water and nutrients from oceanic influences.

Question 2. Describe the five oceans, their locations, and their role in supporting marine life.

​Answer 

1. Pacific Ocean: The largest ocean, it extends from the Arctic in the north to Antarctica in the south, bordering Asia and Australia on the west and the Americas on the east. It plays a critical role in global weather patterns and supports an extensive range of marine life.
2. Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest, it lies between the Americas to the west and Europe and Africa to the east. It is crucial for maritime shipping routes and also supports diverse marine ecosystems.
3. Indian Ocean: Bordered by Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Southern Ocean, it is an important route for oil and other maritime trade and is rich in biodiversity.
4. Southern Ocean: Encircling Antarctica, it helps regulate the global climate by interconnecting with other oceans and supports specially adapted marine species.
5. Arctic Ocean: Located in the polar regions, it is the smallest and shallowest of the five oceans and affects the climate of surrounding regions while supporting species adapted to its icy conditions.

• Marine Life Role: Oceans provide habitat to diverse marine species and are essential for global biodiversity. They are also critical in absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, influencing global climate systems.
• Conclusion: Each ocean has a unique role in supporting marine life and global ecological balance, contributing to biodiversity, climate regulation, and economic activities such as fishing and shipping.

Question 3. Discuss how oceans can be both beneficial and destructive, with examples.

Answer 

Beneficial Aspects:

• Climate Regulation: Oceans regulate the Earth's climate by circulating heat and moisture around the globe. They are instrumental in precipitation patterns, influencing weather systems such as monsoons.
• Biodiversity: Oceans are home to a vast array of species, from tiny plankton to large whales, supporting complex ecosystems that contribute to global biodiversity.
• Economic Resources: They provide essential resources, including food through fisheries and minerals from the ocean floor.

Destructive Aspects:

• Storms and Hurricanes: Oceans generate severe weather patterns, including hurricanes and cyclones, which can cause extensive damage to coastal communities and ecosystems.
• Tsunamis: Triggered by underwater earthquakes, tsunamis can lead to catastrophic loss of life and property, as illustrated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Conclusion: While oceans are vital to sustaining life and supporting global economies, their destructive potential through natural disasters poses significant challenges that require effective management and mitigation strategies.