NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 Climates of India

NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 Climates of India Solutions English Medium to each chapter is provided in the list so that you can easily browse through different chapters NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 Climates of India and select need one. NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 Climates of India Question Answers Download PDF. NCERT Class 7 Social Science Texbook Solutions in English.

NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 3 Climates of India

Join Telegram channel

Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 7 Social Science Textual Solutions in Englishi Medium are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 7 Social Science Notes, CBSE Class 7 Social Science in Hindi Medium Textbook Solutions for All Chapters, You can practice these here.

Chapter: 3

THEME – A: India and the World: Land and the People

The Big Questions? 

1. What makes India’s climate so diverse? 

Ans: India’s diverse weather patterns can bring about extreme conditions such as cyclones, floods, landslides and other such climate-related disasters. These events affect people’s lives, disrupt agriculture, damage infrastructure and disturb local economies. 

2. What are the monsoons? How are they formed? 

Ans: The monsoon season is central to life in India. During the monsoon months, the rivers fill up, the soil is soaked with water, crops grow and life thrives. Strictly speaking, the word ‘monsoon’, which comes from the Arabic word mausim, meaning ‘season’, refers to seasonal winds over a large area of the Indian Ocean and surrounding regions, including Australia, Africa and South Asia.  

WhatsApp Group Join Now
Telegram Group Join Now
Instagram Join Now

During the summer, the Asian landmass heats up faster than the ocean, creating a low-pressure system over the land. As air moves from high-pressure areas (the cooler ocean) to low-pressure areas (the hot land), it picks up moisture from the ocean. This moist air condenses as it reaches the land, resulting in heavy rains, which are commonly referred to as monsoon rains.

3. What is the effect of climate on economy, culture and society? 

Ans: Essential services such as electricity, water and health services will be under increased pressure with climate change. There may be an increase in electricity demand as homes and business use air-conditioning to stay cool as temperatures increase. Agriculture can also be disrupted, leading to food shortages and higher prices. Cultural practices tied to specific climates, such as traditional farming methods or festivals, may be affected. Additionally, communities facing extreme weather events may experience displacement, resulting in social and economic challenges. Overall, climate change influences both the infrastructure and social fabric of societies.

4. How can understanding the climate help us to prepare for natural disasters? 

Ans: Understanding the climate is crucial in preparing for natural disasters as it enables accurate prediction and early warning, allowing communities to take preventive measures. By analyzing climate patterns, meteorologists can forecast weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, storms, or droughts, helping authorities issue timely alerts.

The consequences of climate change now include intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and declining biodiversity. Therefore, a deep understanding of the climate enhances prediction, preparedness, and response strategies, ultimately reducing the impact of natural disasters and safeguarding lives.

5. What is climate change? What are its consequences?

Ans: Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the climate. This may be on the scale of the planet or on a regional scale, and it involves shifts in temperature, precipitation and weather events. In past millennia  natural processes drove climate change. Since the 19th century, however, climate change has been largely driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, environmentally harmful industrial practices, and production and patterns of excessive or wasteful consumption. 

Rising temperatures are causing heatwaves, affecting health and agriculture. Melting ice caps lead to rising sea levels, threatening coastal areas. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, while ocean acidification harms marine life. Climate change disrupts ecosystems, impacts agriculture, and worsens health risks, threatening food security and biodiversity.

Questions and Activities

1. Match the climatic factors with their effects: 

Column A Column B 
(1) Latitude (a) Brings wet air to India during summer 
(2) Altitude (b) Creates different climates in the north and south 
(3) Proximity to the ocean(c) Keeps higher places cooler 
(4) Monsoon winds(d) Moderates the temperature 

Ans: 

Column A Column B 
(1) Latitude (b) Creates different climates in the north and south
(2) Altitude (c) Keeps higher places cooler 
(3) Proximity to the ocean(d) Moderates the temperature
(4) Monsoon winds(a) Brings wet air to India during summer 

2. Answer the following questions: 

(a) What is the difference between weather and climate? 

Ans: The difference between weather and climate are: 

WeatherClimate
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing for example the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy.Climate is the average weather conditions for a particular location over a long period of time, ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. 
‘Weather’ is what we experience every hour or day: it might be raining, or there could be bright sunshine, a lot of wind, etc. The weather keeps changing.Climate is the pattern of weather an area or a region experiences over a long period of time  several decades at least. This pattern varies from region to region.
Affected by daily variations and seasons.Influences seasonal patterns and long-term trends.

(b) Why do places near the ocean have milder temperatures than places far away from it? 

Ans: Places near the ocean have milder temperatures than those farther away due to the moderating effect of water. Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it heats up and cools down more slowly than land. As a result, coastal areas experience less temperature variation, with cooler summers and milder winters. During the day, land heats up quickly, drawing cool ocean air inland, while at night, the ocean releases stored heat, keeping coastal areas warmer. This consistent exchange of heat between the ocean and land ensures more moderate temperatures along the coast.

(c) What role do monsoon winds play in affecting India’s climate? 

Ans: Monsoon winds play a crucial role in shaping India’s climate by bringing seasonal rains and influencing temperature and humidity patterns. During the monsoon season, winds blow from the southwest, carrying moisture from the Indian Ocean over the land. As these winds hit the Western Ghats and the Himalayan foothills, they release heavy rainfall, which is vital for agriculture in India. Water is carried by the monsoon winds, and it rains. Thus monsoons bring rain and play an important role in the water.

(d) Why is Chennai warm or hot throughout the year, while Leh is cold? 

Ans: Chennai lies on the thermal equator and is also coastal, which prevents extreme variation in seasonal temperature. For most of the year, the weather is hot and humid.  In contrast, Leh is situated at a high altitude in the Himalayan region, where the air is thin and less able to trap heat. The cold desert climate and elevation cause Leh to remain cold year-round, with temperatures dropping significantly, even in summer. These geographical factors—latitude, altitude, and proximity to the ocean—play a key role in their temperature differences.

3. Look at a map of India given at the end of this book. Identify the climate for these cities—Leh, Chennai, Delhi, Panaji and Jaipur. 

(i) Is the place near the sea, in the mountains, or in the desert? 

(ii) How do these factors affect the climate there?

Ans: 

CityLocation DescriptionClimate CharacteristicsFactors Affecting Climate
LehIn the mountains (Ladakh region, Himalayas)Cold desert climate, dry, extremely cold wintersHigh altitude, surrounded by mountains
ChennaiNear the sea (Tamil Nadu, Eastern Coast)Tropical wet and dry climate, hot and humidProximity to the sea, coastal influences, monsoon winds
DelhiInland, Northern PlainsSubtropical climate, hot summers, cold wintersContinentality, distance from sea, seasonal wind patterns
PanjabCoastal region (Goa, Western Coast)Tropical monsoon climate, heavy rainfallCoastal proximity, western ghats influence, monsoon winds
JaipurIn the desert (Rajasthan, Thar Desert region)Arid climate, hot days, cool nights, low rainfallDesert region, arid conditions, low humidity

4. Draw the monsoon cycle in summers and winters on a map of India. 

(i) Label where the winds blow in summer and winter. 

(ii) Show the direction of winds during the monsoon.

Ans: 

5. Make a colourful poster showing festivals in India linked to farming and weather (e.g., Baisakhi, Onam). Add pictures or drawings of these festivals. 

Ans: 

6. Imagine you are a farmer in India. Write a short diary entry about how you would prepare for the rainy season. 

Ans: Diary Entry:

28th April 2025

The heat is unbearable these days, but I can sense that the rains are not too far off. I’m getting ready for the rainy season now. The fields are almost ready, and I spent the morning getting things in order. First, I checked the soil it’s dry but ready for planting once the rains come. I’ve made sure the irrigation channels are cleared, and I’ve reinforced the bunds around the fields. If the rain is too heavy, they could break, so I’ve been extra careful this time.

I’ve also bought seeds for paddy. Rice is what I rely on, and the monsoon is everything. I made sure to get good quality seeds from the market. In the coming days, I’ll start sowing, once the first showers come. I’ve checked my tools, cleaned the pump, and made sure the pesticide sprayer is working, just in case we need it to control pests.

I also took some time to stock up on essentials. The roads can get flooded during the rains, so it’s better to be prepared. I’m praying for a good monsoon, but I know that too much or too little rain can hurt. It’s a waiting game now, but I’m ready to face whatever comes.

I can already feel the excitement in the air soon, the soil will be full of life, and my fields will start to turn green again. Hope this year’s rains are kind to us.

—A Farmer

7. Identify a natural disaster (e.g., cyclone, flood, landslide, or forest fire) and write a short essay that includes the causes and impacts. Suggest actions that individuals, communities and the government can take to reduce the impact.

Ans: cyclones: The atmospheric pressure near the sea becomes lower than the surrounding areas, creating a low-pressure system. This is an invitation to the air from surrounding areas to come into the low-pressure area, and the air from the sea moves in, bringing with it moisture and rain. When the low-pressure system is intense and the wind speeds are high, this may result in a cyclone.

The actions individuals, communities, and the government can take to reduce the impact of natural disasters:

(i) Individuals: Prepare an emergency kit, know evacuation routes, and strengthen homes.

(ii) Communities: Educate on safety, and establish cyclone-resistant shelters.

(iii) Government: Improve early warning systems, build coastal defenses, and set up disaster relief infrastructure.

Flood: A flood occurs when water overflows into normally dry land. This could be due to heavy rainfall generating huge run-off water that the land cannot absorb, or due to excessive accumulation of water in bodies like rivers and lakes, until the water overflows or their banks are breached. Floods occur frequently during the monsoons. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Assam are particularly vulnerable to floods. 

The actions individuals, communities, and the government can take to reduce the impact of natural disasters:

(i) Individuals: Keep emergency supplies, follow warnings, and avoid waterlogged areas.

(ii) Communities: Conduct awareness programs and encourage flood-resistant buildings.

(iii) Government: Build flood control infrastructure, improve urban planning, and implement real-time flood forecasting.

Landslide: A landslide is the sudden collapse of rock, soil, or debris, often triggered by heavy rain, earthquakes or volcanic activity. Landslides are common in hilly and mountainous regions such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as the Western Ghats and hilly regions. These events often occur during the monsoon.

In those regions, the chances of landslides have increased due to human activities such as the cutting down of forests, building infrastructure without following approved methods and the construction of too many buildings that block the natural flow of water. 

The actions individuals, communities, and the government can take to reduce the impact of natural disasters:

(i) Individuals: Stay informed, avoid risky areas, and practice safe land use.

(ii) Communities: Educate locals on risks and use erosion control methods.

(iii) Government: Enforce construction regulations, invest in slope stabilization, and set up early warning systems.

Forest fire: Forest fires are uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly across vegetation, often fuelled by dry climatic conditions, droughts or high winds. Human carelessness is another frequent cause. Forest fires are common in states with large forested or grassland areas such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, as well as mountain ranges such as the Western Ghats. Apart from destroying large areas of forest, fires harm wildlife, degrade the ecosystem, spoil the air quality and displace local communities. The consequences are therefore both environmental and economic.

The actions individuals, communities, and the government can take to reduce the impact of natural disasters:

(i) Individuals: Practice fire safety and report suspicious activities.

(ii) Communities: Conduct fire drills and clear dry vegetation around homes.

(iii) Government: Implement firebreaks, enforce fire regulations, and provide firefighting resources.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top