Unit Test (Solution): Climates of India | Social Science Class 7 - New NCERT PDF Download

M.M: 30
Attempt all questions.

• Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
• Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
• Question numbers 9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
• Question numbers 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.

Q1. What term is used to describe the long-term pattern of weather in a region? (1 Mark)
Ans: Climate.

Q2. Which of the following is a factor that influences the climate of a region? (1 Mark)
(i) Population density
(ii) Altitude
(iii) Language spoken
(iv) Type of government
Ans: (ii) Altitude.

Q3. Fill in the blank: 
The ______ monsoon brings heavy rainfall to the western coastal strip of India. (1 Mark)
Ans: Southwest monsoon.

Q4. Which natural disaster is caused by the sudden collapse of rock, soil, or debris in hilly regions? (1 Mark)
(i) Cyclone
(ii) Flood
(iii) Landslide
(iv) Forest fire
Ans: (iii) Landslide.

Q5. What is the name of the gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming? (1 Mark)
Ans: Greenhouse gases.

Q6. Differentiate between weather and climate. (2 Marks)
Ans: Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the atmosphere, such as rain, sunshine, or wind, experienced hourly or daily. Climate, on the other hand, is the long-term pattern of weather in a region, observed over decades, reflecting consistent trends in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions.

Q7. Name two factors that determine the climate of a region and briefly explain their role. (2 Marks)
Ans:

• Latitude: Areas closer to the Equator receive direct sunlight, making them warmer, while areas farther away receive slanted rays, resulting in cooler climates.
• Altitude: Higher altitudes have lower temperatures due to decreased air density and distance from the Earth’s heated surface.

Q8. What is a microclimate? Give one example. (2 Marks)
Ans: A microclimate is the unique climate of a small, localized area that differs from the surrounding region’s climate, with distinct patterns of temperature, humidity, or precipitation. An example is an urban heat island, where cities with many buildings and little vegetation trap heat, making them warmer than nearby areas.

Q9. Explain how the monsoon winds affect India’s climate. (3 Marks)
Ans: Monsoon winds significantly shape India’s climate by bringing seasonal rainfall. In summer, the Asian landmass heats up, creating a low-pressure system that draws moist winds from the high-pressure Indian Ocean. These southwest monsoon winds, starting in June, bring heavy rainfall across India, vital for agriculture and water resources. In winter, the land cools faster, creating high-pressure systems, and winds reverse to blow from land to sea, forming the northeast monsoon, which brings dry conditions to most of India but some rainfall to eastern and southern parts. This cycle influences temperature, humidity, and precipitation patterns.

Q10. Describe how proximity to the sea influences the climate of a region. (3 Marks)
Ans: Proximity to the sea moderates a region’s climate, resulting in milder temperatures compared to inland areas. Seas absorb and lose heat more slowly than land, keeping coastal areas cooler in summer and warmer in winter. For example, coastal regions like Mumbai experience less extreme temperature variations, with summers around 32°C and winters around 18°C, compared to inland areas like Nagpur, where summers can reach 44°C and winters drop to 10°C. This moderating effect reduces the temperature range, creating a more temperate climate.

Q11. How does climate change impact agriculture and the economy in India? (3 Marks)
Ans: Climate change disrupts agriculture and the economy in India by altering temperature and precipitation patterns. Rising temperatures and shorter winters, such as the 1-3°C above-normal temperatures in early 2025, affect crop yields, particularly for temperature-sensitive crops like wheat. Poor monsoon rainfall, or “monsoon failure,” reduces water availability, lowering agricultural output and increasing food prices, which fuels inflation. This impacts farmers’ livelihoods and forces agricultural laborers to migrate to cities. Additionally, climate change affects small-scale industries dependent on agriculture, straining economic stability and increasing the cost of living.

Q12. Discuss the formation and impact of cyclones in India. (5 Marks)
Ans: Cyclones in India form when a low-pressure system develops over the sea, often due to warm ocean waters, causing surrounding air to rush in with high winds and moisture. As the moist air rises, it condenses to form clouds, rotating around a calm center called the “eye of the cyclone.” These storms, common along India’s eastern coast, intensify with high wind speeds and heavy rainfall.
The impacts of cyclones are severe:

• Loss of Life and Property: High winds and flooding cause deaths and damage homes and infrastructure.
• Agricultural Damage: Flooding and strong winds destroy crops, affecting farmers’ livelihoods.
• Economic Disruption: Damaged infrastructure, like roads and ports, halts trade and increases repair costs.
• Environmental Harm: Soil erosion and uprooted trees degrade ecosystems.
• Displacement: Coastal communities are often forced to evacuate, disrupting lives.

The India Meteorological Department monitors cyclones to provide early warnings, and the National Disaster Response Force aids in rescue and recovery efforts to mitigate these impacts.

Q13. Explain the role of topography and altitude in shaping India’s diverse climates. (5 Marks)
Ans: Topography and altitude significantly contribute to India’s diverse climates by influencing temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns.

• Topography: The physical features of a region, such as mountains, plains, and coasts, affect climate. The Himalayas and Karakoram ranges act as barriers, shielding India from cold Central Asian winds, keeping northern plains relatively warmer in winter. The Western Ghats influence the southwest monsoon by blocking moist winds, causing heavy rainfall on their western slopes while leaving the eastern Deccan Plateau drier. In contrast, the flat Thar Desert, with no barriers, receives hot, dry winds, resulting in an arid climate.
• Altitude: Higher altitudes have cooler temperatures due to lower air density and greater distance from the Earth’s heated surface. For example, hill stations like Udhagamandalam (Ooty) at higher altitudes have cooler summers (10-25°C) compared to nearby low-altitude Coimbatore (25-38°C). In the Himalayas, high altitudes maintain freezing temperatures, keeping peaks snow-covered year-round, creating an alpine climate.

Together, topography and altitude create varied climates, from tropical in southern India to alpine in the Himalayas, shaping agriculture, settlement patterns, and lifestyles across the country.