Reviewing the Exploring Society India and Beyond Class 8 Solutions and Class 8 Social Science SST Part 2 Chapter 1 World Geography Some Glimpses Question Answer NCERT Solutions before exams can boost your confidence.
World Geography Some Glimpses Class 8 Questions and Answers
World Geography Some Glimpses Class 8 Question Answer
The Big Questions? (Page 1)
Question 1.
What are the unique physical features of the continents?
Answer:
The continents are characterised by a wide variety of landforms that shape climate, ecosystems and human life.
- Mountains: Natural “water towers” (such as the Ural Mountains or the Alps) which store freshwater in glaciers and rivers and act as natural boundaries influencing weather and settlements.
- Plateaus: Vast elevated flatlands like the Tibetan Plateau (often called the “Third Pole”), which regulate climate and hold enormous freshwater reserves.
- Plains and Valleys: Fertile lowlands such as the European Plain, supporting dense populations, agriculture, and trade networks.
- Deserts: Arid regions like the Sahara or Atacama, where life adapted to extreme heat, dryness, and scarce water.
- Grasslands: Expansive ecosystems such as the Eurasian Steppes or African Savannah, which serve as carbon sinks, support grazing animals, and host unique biodiversity.
- Coastal Features: Long coastlines, deltas, and estuaries (e.g., the Nile Delta) that foster trade, fishing, and fertile agriculture.
- Rivers and Lakes: Major water bodies, like the Nile, Amazon, or Great Lakes, providing freshwater, irrigation, transport, and habitats for wildlife.
Question 2.
Why do we need to understand world geography?
Answer:
Understanding world geography is essential because:
- Interconnectedness: Our lives are linked across the globe. For example, the Southern Indian Ocean influences the monsoons in the Gangetic Plains.
- Resource Management: It helps us identify, locate, and responsibly use vital resources such as minerals, timber, and freshwater.
- Navigation and Trade: It helps us understand the importance of waterways, like the Suez Canal and the Strait of Malacca, is crucial for global commerce and connectivity.
- Climate Awareness: It enables us to understand how different regions influence climate and weather patterns, shaping ecosystems and human life.
Question 3.
How do human actions trigger environmental issues?
Answer:
Human activities often disrupt natural systems, leading to serious environmental changes:
- Climate Change: Emissions of Greenhouse gases accelerate global warming, causing the melting of permafrost (which releases more methane) and the melting of snow and ice on the Tibetan Plateau, further altering regional climates.
- Ocean Degradation: Pollution and rising temperatures lead to coral bleaching in ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef, destroying vital marine habitats and biodiversity.
- Deforestation: Large-scale clearing of forests, especially in the Amazon Rainforest, reduces the planet’s ability to absorb Carbon dioxide and destabilises global climate systems.
- Waste and Pollution: Unsustainable practices like fast fashion have turned areas like the Atacama Desert dumping grounds for textile waste, while agricultural run-off contaminates freshwater bodies like the Great Lakes, threatening ecosystems and human health.
Class 8 World Geography Some Glimpses Question Answer
Question 1.
What do you think each of the different colours in the map in (fig below) represents? (Page 2)
Answer:
The different colours in Fig. 1.1 show the different physical features of the Earth. Blue represents oceans and other water bodies; green shows forests, grasslands. and areas with plenty of vegetation; brown represents mountains and plateaus. Light brown or yellow indicates deserts and dry regions, and white shows snow- and ice-covered areas near the poles and on high mountains.
Question 2.
Study the map in (Fig. below). What are the different physical features represented here? (Page No 11)
Answer:
The map shows the following physical features of Asia. These include:
- The Ural Mountains (mountains)
- The Siberian Taiga (forest region)
- The Eurasian Steppes (grasslands)
- The Gobi Desert (desert)
- The Tibetan Plateau (plateau)
- The Pacific Ocean (ocean)
Together, these features highlight the continent’s diverse landscapes, ranging from mountains and plateaus to grasslands, deserts, forests, and oceans.
Question 3.
Assess and describe the Himalayas from the perspective of these different roles. (Page No 15)
Answer:
From the perspective of these different roles, the Himalayas stand as a monumental barrier and symbol, viewed differently from surrounding regions.
To the Tibetan Plateau, they are sacred guardians, shaping culture and spirituality while isolating the land and limiting rainfall. From the Gobi Desert, they appear as distant architects of aridity, blocking monsoon moisture and leaving vast expanses dry and barren. The Eurasian Steppes see them as the southern wall of mobility, halting the free movement of nomads and redirecting trade routes along their edges rather than across their towering peaks.
Meanwhile, the Urals, modest in comparison, regard the Himalayas as their mighty cousins-young, restless, and still
rising, embodying the ultimate expression of tectonic power. Together, these perspectives highlight the Himalayas not only as a geographical divide but also as a cultural, climatic, and historical force that has shaped civilisations, environments, and identities across Asia.
Question 4.
Observe the area covered by the European Plain. Now turn to the political map of the world at the end of this textbook. List the countries that are part of the European Plain (you need not memorise them.) (Page No 18)
Answer:
Based on the map, countries that are part of the European Plain are France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Belarus, and Russia.
Question 5.
On the map (Fig. below) locale the course of the River Nile. Where does it originate from, and in which direction does it flow? Turn to the political map at the end of the book, and identify some of the areas that the river flows through. (Page 22)
Answer:
The Nile River, stretching about 6,650 kilometres, is the longest river in the world and flows steadily northward across eastern and northeastern Africa. It begins with two main tributaries: the White Nile, which rises near Lake Victoria with its most distant source traced to the Kagera River in Burundi, and the Blue Nile, which originates from Lake Tana in Ethiopia. These tributaries meet at Khartoum in Sudan, forming the main Nile that continues its journey north.
Along its course, the river passes through countries such as Uganda. South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt, providing fertile soil and water that sustain millions of people. Finally, the Nile spreads into the broad Nile Delta before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. Its immense length and steady flow have made it a lifeline of civilisations for thousands of years, transforming arid landscapes into productive farmland and shaping history across the region.
Question 6.
The Amazon Rainforest has been called the ‘Lungs of the Earth’. Why do you think this might be so? (Page 24)
Answer:
The Amazon Raïnfhrcst is called the “Lungs of the Earth’ because its billions of trees act as a massive biological air purifier. Through photosynthesis, the forest absorbs vast quantities of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, and releases approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen. This process is vital for regulating the global climate and ensuring the air remains breathable. It is the planet’s primary respiratory system, maintaining the delicate balance of the atmosphere.
Question 7.
The countries in this region need land for development but risk losing the Amazon Rainforest. Discuss in groups: what are the Short and long – term effects of deforestation, and how can we protect the Amazon for the planet’s(Page 24)
Answer:
Deforestation has devastating impacts:
Short-term effects include the immediate loss of indigenous lands and wildlife habitats, while long-term consequences involve disrupted global rainfall and accelerated climate change due to carbon release.
To balance development with conservation, we must promote sustainable farming, enforce strict anti-logging laws, and support indigenous land rights. Protecting the Amazon is not just a regional necessity but a global responsibility to prevent an ecological collapse that would affect every living being on our blue planet.”
Think About It
Question 1.
Oceans give us almost half the oxygen we breathe, such as plankton make this possible. What do you think would happen to all living beings if pollution harmed these planktons, and they could no longer produce enough oxygen? (Page No 4)
Answer:
If pollution harms plankton, the primary source of half our oxygen, the entire global ecosystem would face a catastrophic collapse. Plankton form the foundation of the marine food chain; their decline would lead to the death of larger sea creatures, eventually depleting our food sources. Without sufficient oxygen production, all air-breathing life, including humans and animals, would struggle to survive.
Class 8 SST Part 2 Chapter 1 Question Answer
Questions and Activities (Pages 31-32)
Question 1.
Why do all map projections have some Amount of distortion?
Answer:
All map projections inevitably have distortion because the Earth is a three-dimensional oblate spheroid, while maps are two-dimensional flat surfaces. Mathematically, it is impossible to flatten a curved surface into a plane without stretching, compressing, or tearing parts of it. As a result, every projection must compromise: some preserve shape and direction but distort area, like the Mercator, and some balance distortions but cannot eliminate them entirely, like the Robinson.
In short, no projection can perfectly represent the Earth’s surface; each one sacrifices accuracy in at least one property: area, shape, distance, or direction – depending on its purpose.
Question 2.
What makes the Tibetan Plateau unique?
Answer:
The Tibetan Plateau is known as the “Roof of the World”. It is the highest and largest plateau on Earth. It is unique because it serves as the ‘Third Pole,” holding the largest freshwater ice reserves outside the Arctic and Antarctic, and acts as the source for major Asian rivers like the Indus, Brahmaputra, and Yangtze.
Question 3.
Why are coral reefs called the ‘rainforests of the sea’?
Answer:
Coral reefs are called the “rainforests of the sea” because they are among the most biodiverse land habitats; coral reefs support a massive variety of marine life, about 25% of all ocean species, despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. They provide food and shelter for countless organisms, including fish, crabs, turtles and sponges.
Question 4.
How do the oceans help to regulate the Earth’s Climate?
Answer:
Oceans act as a global thermostat. They absorb vast amounts of solar heat and distribute it around the planet through ocean currents like the Gulf Stream. Additionally, marine plants like plankton absorb carbon dioxide and produce nearly half of the world’s oxygen.
Question 5.
What is the main reason for the Great Barrier Reef facing threats today?
Answer:
The Great Barrier Reef faces serious threats from human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. These changes cause coral bleaching, leading to the loss of habitat for a whole host of sea life.
Question 6.
Why is the Amazon Rainforest often called the ‘Lungs of the Earth’?
Answer:
The Amazon Rainforest is called the “Lungs of the Earth” because its dense vegetation performs massive photosynthesis, absorbing huge quantities of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and producing large amounts of oxygen, helping maintain the Earth’s atmospheric balance.
Question 7.
Choose two different types of geographical features you have explored in this chapter. Write a short paragraph on how they influence the Flora and Funna or Human lives in that area. Do they also have an implication for the Whole globe?
Answer:
Two types of geographical features that shape flora, fauna, and human life-and have global implications-are as follows:
The Eurasian Steppes are vast grasslands stretching across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. They support grassland ecosystems and serve as resting spots for migratory birds like the Siberian crane. They also act as a significant carbon sink, absorbing carbon from the air and storing it underground. Helping to reduce greenhouse effects over time and making them important not just locally but globally in terms of biodiversity and environmental balance.
The Alps, on the other hand, are towering mountains in Europe that host diverse ecosystems ranging from alpine meadows to dense coniferous forests. Species like ibex, marmots, and lynxes thrive here. For human life, the Alps provide fresh water to millions, support hydropower, and attract tourism through skiing and hiking. Globally, they are vital as Europe’s “water towers,” feeding major rivers like the Rhine and Danube, and their melting glaciers serve as indicators of climate change with implications for sea levels and weather patterns worldwide.
Question 8.
Discuss how oceans influence climate and trade. Use examples from the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Answer:
Oceans play a vital role in shaping both climate and trade, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans are prime examples of this influence. The Indian Ocean is central to the South Asian monsoon system, which brings seasonal rains essential for agriculture in countries like India and Bangladesh. Variations in its sea surface temperatures, such as the Indian Ocean Dipole, can cause droughts or floods, affecting millions of lives.
At the same time, the Indian Ocean has long been a hub of maritime trade, from ancient Silk Road routes to
modern shipping lanes that carry oil and goods between the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
The Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean in the world, acts as a global climate engine, its El Niño and La Nina cycles disrupt rainfall and temperature patterns across continents, leading to droughts in Australia. Droughts in South America and changes in fisheries worldwide.
Economically, the Pacific is the busiest ocean for trade, linking Asia and North America through major shipping
routes. Together. these oceans regulate weather systems, sustain livelihoods, and connect economies, making
their influence truly global.
Question 9.
Choose one environmental issues (deforestation, reef bleaching, or desertification) and explain its causes, impacts, and possible solutions.
Answer:
(We are providing answer for all the three environmental issues. Students may choose any one as per their liking.)
Causes, impacts, and possible solutions for deforestation are as follows:
Deforestation occurs mainly due to logging, agriculture, grazing, and urban expansion. It leads to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, disruption of water cycles, and contributes to climate change through increased carbon emissions. Solutions include reforestation, affòrestation, sustainable forestry, and stricter laws against illegal logging (cutting of trees).
Causes, impacts, and possible solutions for reef bleaching are as follows:
Reef bleaching is caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, pollution, and overfishing. Its impacts include the death of corals, collapse of marine ecosystems, and loss of fisheries and tourism. Solutions involve reducing carbon emissions, creating marine protected areas, controlling pollution, and supporting coral restoration.
Causes, impacts, and Possible solutions for desertification are as follows:
Desertification results from overgrazing, deforestation. Unsustainable farming. and prolonged droughts linked to climate change. It reduces soil fertility, lowers agricultural productivity, and forces communities to migrate. Solutions include sustainable land management, planting drought-resistant vegetation, restoring degraded soils, and conserving water. Together, these issues highlight the urgent need for global cooperation and sustainable practices.
Question 10.
Imagine you are a geographer asked to advise a government about protecting one major landscape in your country. Which one would you choose, and why? (We are providing answers based on different landscapes of India. Students may choose any one according to their preference.)
Answer:
(Suggestive Answer) I would choose the Western Ghats because they are a global biodiversity hotspot and the source of many major peninsular rivers. Protecting them ensures water security for South India and prevents the extinction of unique species such as the lion-tailed macaque. The forests of the Western Ghats also help regulate the climate, reduce soil erosion, and support a rich variety of plants and animals. Conserving this landscape will help maintain ecological balance and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
Or
Another important landscape is the Himalayas. which act as the water towers of our country and are the source of many perennial rivers. They influence the monsoon, Support rich biodiversity. and protect northern India from cold winds. Conserving the Himalayas is essential for water security, reducing glacier loss and landslides, and preserving unique ecosystems.
Or
The Sundarbans are the world’s largest mangrove forest and an important biodiversity hotspot. They protect coastal areas from cyclones and floods while providing a habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger and many other species. Conserving the Sundarbans helps protect wildlife, support local livelihoods, and reduce the effects of climate change.
Or
The Titar Desert has a unique ecosystem with plants and animals specially adapted to dry conditions. It supports the livelihoods of many communities through livestock rearing, handicrafts, and tourism. Protecting the Thar Desert helps conserve its biodiversity, prevent desertification, and preserve its unique natural and cultural heritage.
Question 11.
Imagine that someone is funding a group of you for a road trip across two continents. There are differences of opinion on which two they should be. Make a pitch for the ones you would like everyone to go to. Use a blank map, trace your route and locate the places on it, and try to convince the others of your point of view. You could use a variety of creative ways.
Answer:
Students to do it themselves.