Chapter 10: Getting to Know India
Solved textbook questions with step-by-step explanations.
Grade 5 Q&A: Chapter 10: India: Our Country
Welcome to the Questions and Answers section for Grade 5 Environmental Studies (Part One), Chapter 10: "India: Our Country." This chapter takes us on a journey through the diverse landscapes and cultural richness of India. We will explore its major physical features, different states, varied climates, and the agricultural practices that sustain its people. We will also understand the concept of unity in diversity that defines our nation.
Important Questions and Answers
Q1: What are the major physical divisions of India?
Answer: The major physical divisions of India include the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands.
Q2: Name some important mountain ranges in India.
Answer: The Himalayas are the most important mountain range in the North. Other ranges include the Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura, Western Ghats, and Eastern Ghats.
Q3: What kind of climate is found in the desert region of India?
Answer: The desert region of India, like the Thar Desert, has a hot and dry climate with very little rainfall.
Q4: What are the main crops grown in the Northern Plains of India?
Answer: The Northern Plains are very fertile, and main crops grown here include wheat, rice, sugarcane, and pulses.
Q5: What is unique about the climate of coastal areas in India?
Answer: Coastal areas in India have a moderate climate, neither too hot nor too cold, due to the influence of the sea.
Q6: How many states and union territories does India have?
Answer: (As per the typical Grade 5 curriculum, this would be 28 States and 8 Union Territories, but it's important to note that these numbers can change with administrative decisions.)
Q7: What is the capital of India?
Answer: The capital of India is New Delhi.
Q8: What is meant by 'unity in diversity' in the context of India?
Answer: 'Unity in diversity' means that despite having many different languages, cultures, religions, and traditions, people in India live together as one nation.
Q9: How does the diversity of physical features influence the lifestyle of people in India?
Answer: The diversity of physical features influences lifestyle through climate, available resources, and occupations. For example, people in mountains might wear warm clothes and practice terrace farming, while those in coastal areas might rely on fishing.
Q10: Name some important rivers of India.
Answer: Some important rivers of India include the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Indus, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.
Q11: What is the significance of the Peninsular Plateau?
Answer: The Peninsular Plateau is rich in minerals like iron ore, coal, and manganese, making it an important industrial region.
Q12: What kind of vegetation is found in the Himalayan region?
Answer: The Himalayan region has a variety of vegetation, from coniferous forests at higher altitudes to deciduous forests at lower altitudes, depending on the elevation and climate.
Q13: How do the coastal plains contribute to India's economy?
Answer: The coastal plains are important for agriculture (especially rice and coconut), fishing, trade through ports, and tourism.
Q14: What are the main languages spoken in India?
Answer: India has many official languages, including Hindi and English, and numerous regional languages like Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, etc.
Q15: How do festivals contribute to the cultural diversity of India?
Answer: Festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, each with unique traditions, music, and food, showcasing the rich cultural diversity and bringing people together.
Q16: What is the primary occupation of people living in the Northern Plains?
Answer: The primary occupation of people living in the Northern Plains is agriculture, due to the fertile soil and abundant water supply from rivers.
Q17: Describe the climate of the Himalayan region.
Answer: The Himalayan region has a cold climate, with heavy snowfall in winter and cool summers at higher altitudes.
Q18: What are islands? Name some island groups of India.
Answer: Islands are pieces of land surrounded by water on all sides. Important island groups of India are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea.
Q19: How does the monsoon season affect agriculture in India?
Answer: The monsoon season is crucial for agriculture in India as it brings most of the rainfall, which is essential for growing various crops, especially rice and pulses.
Q20: What is the significance of the Ganga river?
Answer: The Ganga is one of the most sacred and important rivers in India, providing water for irrigation, drinking, and supporting a large population along its banks.
Q21: How do people in the desert region adapt to their environment?
Answer: People in the desert region adapt by wearing light cotton clothes, conserving water, and often relying on animal husbandry (like camels) for livelihood.
Q22: What are the main types of soil found in India?
Answer: India has various types of soil, including alluvial soil (in plains), black soil (in plateaus), red soil, laterite soil, and desert soil, each suitable for different crops.
Q23: How do the different physical features contribute to India's natural beauty?
Answer: The majestic Himalayas, vast plains, ancient plateaus, serene coastal areas, and beautiful islands all contribute to India's diverse and stunning natural beauty, attracting tourists.
Q24: What is the importance of forests in India?
Answer: Forests are important as they provide timber, medicinal plants, habitat for wildlife, help in maintaining ecological balance, and contribute to rainfall.
Q25: How does the variety of food habits reflect India's diversity?
Answer: The variety of food habits across India, influenced by climate, local produce, and cultural traditions (e.g., rice in south, wheat in north, seafood in coastal areas), clearly reflects its immense diversity.
Q26: What is the role of agriculture in India's economy?
Answer: Agriculture is a backbone of India's economy, providing livelihood to a large population and contributing significantly to the country's food security and exports.
Q27: How do the maps in the chapter help us understand India better?
Answer: The maps in the chapter help us visualize India's geographical features, the location of its states, and the distribution of different regions, making it easier to understand the country's vastness and diversity.
Exercise Solutions
Q1: Fill in the blanks.
- India is a country of diverse physical features.
- The highest mountain range in India is the Himalayas.
- The climate in the desert region is hot and dry.
- The coastal areas have a moderate climate.
- India is known for its unity in diversity.
Q2: Answer in one sentence.
- Name the major physical divisions of India.
Answer: The major physical divisions of India are the Himalayan Mountains, the Northern Plains, the Peninsular Plateau, the Coastal Plains, and the Islands. - What is the capital of India?
Answer: The capital of India is New Delhi. - What is 'unity in diversity'?
Answer: 'Unity in diversity' means that despite having many different languages, cultures, and religions, people in India live together as one nation. - Name two important rivers of India.
Answer: Two important rivers of India are the Ganga and the Yamuna.
Q3: True or False.
- The Northern Plains are very fertile. True
- The desert region receives heavy rainfall. False
- India has only one official language. False
- The Peninsular Plateau is rich in minerals. True
Q4: Match the following:
(Note: As an AI, I cannot create interactive matching. I will provide the correct pairs.)
- Himalayas - Mountains
- Thar Desert - Hot and Dry Climate
- Northern Plains - Wheat and Rice
- Coastal Areas - Fishing
- Peninsular Plateau - Minerals
Q5: Observe the map of India and answer the questions:
(Note: Without the specific map image, I will provide general examples based on common map features of India.)
- Name any two states in the Northern Plains.
Answer: (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar) - Name any two states in the coastal areas.
Answer: (e.g., Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat) - Which mountain range is in the North of India?
Answer: The Himalayas. - Locate the desert region on the map.
Answer: (Point to Rajasthan in the western part of India.)
References
- Maharashtra State Board Environmental Studies (Part One) Standard Five Textbook (2015 Edition) - Chapter 10: India: Our Country.
- Maharashtra State Board 5th Standard Environmental Studies Syllabus.
- Balbharati Environmental Studies Part 1 Textbook.