TEXT QUESTIONS :
1. Choose the correct alternative :
1) The mainland of the ‘Indian sub continent’ lies to the north of ___________ .
a) Ten degree channel
b) Tropic of Capricorn
c) Tropic of cancer
d) Equator
2) The Indian Standard Time lies on ________ meridian .
a) 9°30’ N
b) 83°30’W
c) 82°30’ E
d) 37°6’ N
3) The Standard meridian of Indian passes through ___________ .
a) Mumbai
b) Allahabad
c) Lucknow
d) Mirzapur
4) The Southernmost tip of Indian mainland is ___________ .
a) Kanyakumari
b) Cochin
c) Indira Point
d) Thiruvanantapuram
5) India’s nearest neighbour across the sea is ___________ .
a) Nepal
b) Sri Lanka
c) Myanmar
d) Maldives
6) India and Sri Lanka are separated by the __________ Strait .
a) Palk
b) Malacca
c) Suez
d) Gibraltar
Ans :
1) (c) Equator 2) (c) 82⁰30’ E 3) (b) Mirzapur
4) (c) Kanyakumari 5) (b) Sri Lanka 6) (a) Palk .
2. Answer the following questions (Long answers) :
1) Why does one feel a greater difference in the duration of day and night between Kanyakumari than in Kashmir ?
Ans: The latitudinal difference of India is almost 30⁰, the southern part which is closer to the equator has a longer day (as in Kanyakumari) than the northern part (as in Kashmir) which is away from the equator. Since Kanyakumari is closer to the equator, the difference between the duration of day and night in hardly felt but there is a marked difference between the duration of day and night in Kashmir .
2) Why is India referred to as a subcontinent ?
Ans: India is called a subcontinent because it is a distinct landmass and not just a country. It is geographically an independent country and is smaller than a continent. India forms a major part of Asia and stands out clearly from the rest of the Asian continent by its natural features – mountains, plateaus, plains and rivers. It has its own separate climatic characteristics, a distinct cultural identity and a strategically important location. Hence, it is often referred to as a sub-continent by itself .
3) Why has 82⁰30’ E longitude been selected as the Standard Meridian of India ?
Ans: India lies in the northern hemisphere within the latitude of 8⁰ 4’ and 37⁰ 6’ North and 68⁰7’ and 97⁰ 25’ East. Due to the latitudinal difference of about 29 degrees, there is a time gap between the eastern and the western parts of India. Therefore, it is necessary to have a common standard time for the country. It is for this reason that 82⁰ 30’ E is take as the Standard Meridian of India .