Climate Short and Long Important Question Class 11 Geography Chapter-4 Book-India Physical Environment

 

1. What is the main climate of India?

Answer: 

The climate of India is mainly a monsoon climate, which is based on rainfall.

2. In what forms is uniformity and diversity seen in the climate of India?

Answer:

Uniformity: Monsoon has its effect throughout the country.

Diversity:

• Temperature difference: It can reach 50°C in summers in Rajasthan and -45°C in winters in Ladakh.

• Difference in rainfall: Cherrapunji receives 1100 cm of rainfall, while Rajasthan receives only less than 10 cm.

3. What are the main factors affecting the climate of India?

Answer:

• Latitude: As the Tropic of Cancer passes through India the climate in north and south India is different.

• Himalayan Mountains: It blocks the cold winds and forces the monsoon winds to cause rain.

• Distribution of water and land: Temperatures are constant along the coasts, while there is greater variation in the interior.

• Distance from the coast: Coastal areas have a balmy climate while interior areas experience sharp variations in temperature.

• Altitude above sea level: Temperature decreases as altitude increases, e.g. Darjeeling remains cooler while Agra located at the same latitude is hot.

4. How is the Indian monsoon formed?

Answer: 

• The Indian monsoon is caused by the thermal difference between the land and the sea.

• In summer, low air pressure forms in North India, which attracts winds from the sea.

• The south-east trade winds change into south-west monsoons after crossing the equator.

5. When does the monsoon enter India and how does it spread?

Answer:

• Entry of monsoon into Kerala: First week of June.

• Mumbai and Kolkata: Reaches June 10-13.

• Spread across India: By mid-July.

6. What is break in monsoon?

Answer: 

When after a few days of continuous rain during the monsoon season, the rainfall suddenly stops for a few days or weeks, it is called monsoon break.

7. When does the retreat of monsoon occur?

Answer:

• In September: Monsoon starts retreating from northwest India.

• In October: It withdraws from Central and South India.

• Rainfall in Tamil Nadu: The retreating monsoon winds carry moisture from the Bay of Bengal and cause rain in Tamil Nadu.

8. How many seasons are there in India?

Answer: 

There are four major seasons in India:

• Winter (November to February)

• Summer (March–June)

• South-west monsoon (June-September)

• Withdrawal of monsoon (October-November)

9. What are the weather changes that occur in India during winter?

Answer:

It becomes colder in North India, while South India remains relatively warmer.

• Western Disturbances: Bring light rain and snowfall in northwest India.

• Rain in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh: Due to north-east monsoon.

10. What are the main temperature zones in India during summer?

Answer:

• North India: Temperatures can reach 40°C to 50°C.

• South India: Due to maritime influence the temperature ranges between 25°C to 35°C.

• Desert region (Rajasthan): The temperature becomes very high during the day and very low at night.

11. What local events occur before the monsoon in India?

Answer:

• Loo: Dry and hot winds in northern India.

• Kal Baisakhi: Rain accompanied by strong winds in Bengal and Bihar.

• Dust storm: Dust storms in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

12. Where does the maximum rainfall occur in India?

Answer: 

Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya are the rainiest places in the world.

13. Where does the least rainfall occur in India?

Answer:

• Ladakh and western Rajasthan (less than 10 cm).

• Kutch and some parts of Gujarat.

14. What are the main causes of rainfall in India during monsoon?

Answer:

1. Monsoon Winds.

2. Mountain barriers (Orographic Rainfall).

3. Cyclonic Disturbances.

15. How does Indian agriculture depend on monsoon?

Answer:

• 64% of the population depends on agriculture.

• Crop production depends on the timing and amount of monsoon rainfall.

• Excessive rainfall may cause floods and less rainfall may cause drought.

• Rabi crops benefit from cool winds.

16. What is global warming?

Answer: 

When the average temperature of the Earth increases, it is called global warming.

17. What are the main causes of global warming?

Answer:

• Increase in greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, CFCs).

• Deforestation.

• Excessive burning of coal and petroleum.

18. What are the effects of global warming?

Answer:

• Rising sea levels.

• Climate change.

• Extreme heat and health issues.

19. What could be the effects of global warming in India?

Answer:

• Coastal areas may be flooded.

• There will be a bad impact on agriculture.

• Heat waves and droughts may increase.

20. What are the measures to stop global warming?

Answer:

• To promote tree plantation.

• Adoption of renewable energy (solar and wind energy).

• Saving energy and reducing the use of vehicles.