GEOGRAPHY- CLASS-11: FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER-1
Geography as a Discipline
1. Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Which one of the following scholars coined the term 'Geography'?
Answer: (b) Eratosthenes
Explanation: Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar, first used the term 'Geography'. He is also known as the Father of Geography.
(ii) Which one of the following features can be termed as 'physical feature'?
Answer: (c) Plain
Explanation: A plain is a natural landform created by nature, whereas a port, road, and water park are human-made features.
(iii) Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct option.
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| 1. Meteorology | C. Climatology |
| 2. Demography | A. Population Geography |
| 3. Sociology | D. Social Geography |
| 4. Pedology | B. Soil Geography |
Correct Answer: (d) 1C, 2A, 3D, 4B
Explanation:
- Meteorology is related to weather and climate.
- Demography is the study of population.
- Sociology is the study of society and is related to Social Geography.
- Pedology is the study of soil.
(iv) Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship?
Answer: (a) Why
Explanation: The question "Why" helps us understand the causes and effects of geographical phenomena.
(v) Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis?
Answer: (d) History
Explanation: History studies events over time and therefore attempts temporal (time-based) synthesis, while Geography mainly attempts spatial (place-based) synthesis.
2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) What important cultural features do you observe while going to school? Are they similar or dissimilar? Should they be included in the study of geography or not? If yes, why?
Answer:
While going to school, I observe schools, temples, markets, roads, houses, parks and different occupations of people. These features may be similar or dissimilar in different places. Yes, they should be included in geography because they show how people live and interact with their environment.
(ii) You have seen a tennis ball, a cricket ball, an orange and a pumpkin. Which one amongst these resembles the shape of the earth? Why have you chosen this particular item to describe the shape of the earth?
Answer:
An orange best resembles the shape of the Earth. Like the Earth, it is slightly flattened at the top and bottom and bulges in the middle. The Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid (geoid).
(iii) Do you celebrate Van Mahotsava in your school? Why do we plant so many trees? How do the trees maintain ecological balance?
Answer:
Yes, Van Mahotsava is celebrated in our school by planting trees. Trees provide oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion, conserve water and provide shelter to wildlife. Thus, they help maintain ecological balance and protect the environment.
(iv) You have seen elephants, deer, earthworms, trees and grasses. Where do they live or grow? What is the name given to this sphere? Can you describe some of the important features of this sphere?
Answer:
Elephants, deer, earthworms, trees and grasses live or grow in the Biosphere. It is the zone where life exists on Earth. It includes all living organisms and their interaction with land, water and air.
(v) How much time do you take to reach your school from your house? Had the school been located across the road from your house, how much time would you have taken to reach school? What is the effect of the distance between your residence and the school on the time taken in commuting? Can you convert time into space and vice versa?
Answer:
I take about 20 minutes to reach my school. If it were across the road, I would take only 2–3 minutes. Greater distance requires more travel time. Thus, time and space are closely related and can often be compared in geography.
3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.
(i) You observe every day in your surroundings that there is variation in natural as well as cultural phenomena. All the trees are not of the same variety. All the birds and animals you see are different. All these different elements are found on the earth. Can you now argue that geography is the study of "areal differentiation"?
Answer:
Yes, geography can be called the study of areal differentiation because different places on the Earth have different natural and cultural characteristics. Natural features such as mountains, rivers, forests, climate, soil and vegetation vary from one region to another. Similarly, cultural features like language, religion, occupation, food habits, clothing, transport and settlements also differ from place to place. These variations make every region unique. Geography studies these differences and explains why they exist and how they influence human life. It also examines the relationship between people and their environment. By comparing different regions, geography helps us understand the diversity of the Earth and the reasons behind it. Therefore, geography is rightly known as the study of areal differentiation because it focuses on the unique characteristics of different places and regions.
(ii) You have already studied geography, history, civics and economics as parts of social studies. Attempt an integration of these disciplines highlighting their interface.
Answer:
Geography, history, civics and economics are closely connected branches of social studies. Geography explains the physical environment, natural resources and human activities of different places. History tells us about past events and how societies have developed over time. Civics explains the functioning of government, rights and duties of citizens and the importance of democracy. Economics studies the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. These subjects are interconnected because geographical conditions influence historical events, economic activities and political systems. For example, fertile plains encourage agriculture, which supports economic development and the growth of civilizations. Similarly, mountains, rivers and climate affect trade, settlement and administration. Studying these subjects together provides a complete understanding of society, human life and the relationship between people and their environment. Thus, all four disciplines complement each other and help us understand the world in a better way.