Exercises
1. Name the elements that determine the weather of a place.
Answer. The elements that determine the weather of a place are:
(i) Temperature
(ii) Humidity
(iii) Rainfall
(iv) Wind speed
2. When are the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to occur during the day?
Answer. The maximum temperature during the day occurs at the afternoon while the minimum temperature occurs in the early morning.
3. Fill in the blanks:
(i) The average weather taken over a long time is called ___________.
(ii) A place receives very little rainfall and the temperature is high throughout the year, the climate of that place will be ___________ and ___________ .
(iii) The two regions of the earth with extreme climatic conditions are ___________ and __________.
Answer.
(i) The average weather taken over a long time is called climate.
(ii) A place receives very little rainfall and the temperature is high throughout the year, the climate of that place will be hot and dry.
(iii) The two regions of the earth with extreme climatic conditions are the polar region and the desert.
4. Indicate the type of climate of the following areas:
(a) Jammu and Kashmir: _________________________________
(b) Kerala: ____________________________________________
(c) Rajasthan: __________________________________________
(d) North-east India: _____________________________________
Answer.
a) Jammu and Kashmir → Moderately hot and wet
(b) Kerala → Hot and wet
(c) Rajasthan → Hot and dry
(d) North-east India → Wet
5. Which of the two changes frequently, weather or climate?
Answer. Weather changes frequently.
6. Following are some of the characteristics of animals:
(i) Diets heavy on fruits (ii) White fur (iii) Need to migrate (iv) Loud voice
(v) Sticky pads on feet (vi) Layer of fat under skin (vii) Wide and large paws
(viii) Bright colours (ix) Strong tails (x) Long and large beak
For each characteristic indicate whether it is adaptation for tropical rainforests or polar regions. Do you think that some of these characteristics can be adapted for both regions?
Answer.
(i) Diets heavy on fruits → Tropical rainforests
(ii) White fur → Polar regions
(iii) Need to migrate → Polar regions
(iv) Loud voice → Tropical rainforests
(v) Sticky pads on feet → Tropical rainforests
(vi) Layer of fat under skin → Polar regions
(vii) Wide and large paws → Polar regions
(viii) Bright colours → Tropical rainforests
(ix) Strong tails → Tropical rainforests
(x) Long and large beak → Tropical rainforests
No, these characteristics can’t be adapted for both regions as they are specific.
7. The tropical rainforest has a large population of animals. Explain why it is so.
Answer. In tropical rainforest days and nights are almost equal in length throughout the year. The temperature of these region varies from 15°C to 40°C during the year. These regions get plenty of rainfall. Because of continuous warmth and rain, this region supports wide variety of plants and animals. The climatic conditions in rainforests are highly suitable for supporting an enormous number and a variety of animals. That is why the tropical rainforest has a large population of animals.
8. Explain, with examples, why we find animals of certain kind living in particular climatic conditions.
Answer. Animals are adapted to the conditions in which they live. These adaptations are the just because of long process of evolution. It would be difficult for them to survive if they are moved to region having different climate conditions than from their habitat. Consider the following examples:
- A polar bear has thick layer of fat under their skin which acts heat insulator. It protects the bear from extreme cold climate of polar region. The polar bear cannot survive if it is moved to hot and dry desert region.
- Monkeys have long tails for grasping branches adapted to live in tropical rain forests. It cannot survive in Polar Regions.
9. How do elephant living in the tropical rainforest adapt itself?
Answer. Elephant living in the tropical rainforest are well adapted itself to this region.
- They have strong sense of smell and uses its trunk for smell and to hold food.
- They also use their trunk to hold food.
- They have long ears which help them in keeping cool in hot and humid climate.
- Long ears help them in hearing very soft sound.
- They have thick padded feet which help them in moving silently.
Choose the correct option which answers the following question:
10. A carnivore with stripes on its body moves very fast while catching its prey. It is likely to be found in
(i) polar regions (ii) deserts
(iii) oceans (iv) tropical rainforests
Answer. (iv) tropical rainforests
11. Which features adapt polar bears to live in extremely cold climate?
(i) A white fur, fat below skin, keen sense of smell.
(ii) Thin skin, large eyes, a white fur.
(iii) A long tail, strong claws, white large paws.
(iv) White body, paws for swimming, gills for respiration.
Answer. (i) A white fur, fat below skin, keen sense of smell.
12. Which option best describes a tropical region?
(i) hot and humid
(ii) moderate temperature, heavy rainfall
(iii) cold and humid
(iv) hot and dry
Answer. (i) hot and humid