Geography as a Discipline 


EXERCISES

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which one of the following scholars coined the term ‘Geography’?
(a) Herodotus                 (c) Galileo
(b) Erathosthenese         (d) Aristotle

Ans: (b) Erathosthenese.   

(ii) Which one of the following features can be termed as ‘physical feature’?
(a) Port             (c) Plain
(b) Road           (d) Water park

Ans: (c) Plain.

(iii) Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct
option.

1. Meteorology         A. Population Geography
2. Demography        B. Soil Geography
3. Sociology              C. Climatology
4. Pedology               D. Social Geography

(a) 1B,2C,3A,4D (c) 1D,2B,3C,4A
(b) 1A,2D,3B,4C (d) 1C,2A,3D,4B

Ans: 

(iv) Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship?
(a) Why             (c) What
(b) Where         (d) When

Ans: (a) Why.

(v) Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis?
(a) Sociology         (c) Anthropology
(b) Geography      (d) History

Ans: (d) History.

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?
Ans: Schools showcase diverse cultural features like languages, traditions, celebrations, and attire. Though varying degrees of similarity exist, each school retains a unique flavor. Geography, studying human-environment interactions, can and should include these features. They represent cultural landscapes, shaping individuals and influencing local environments.

(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?
Ans: An orange best resembles Earth's shape. Both are oblate spheroids, slightly squished at the poles and bulging at the equator. Unlike perfectly round balls like tennis or cricket, this reflects Earth's rotation and gravity.

(iii) Do you celebrate Van Mahotsava in your school? Why do we plant so many trees? How do the trees maintain ecological balance?

Ans: I don't celebrate Van Mahotsava as I am a large language model and not a physical being. However, I can tell you why it's celebrated and the importance of planting trees!

Van Mahotsava is an annual Indian festival where people plant trees. It's held from July 1st to 7th to raise awareness about the importance of forests and encourage tree planting. Planting trees is crucial for many reasons:

*They produce oxygen: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which we need to breathe.

*They combat climate change: Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

*They prevent soil erosion: Trees' roots hold soil in place, preventing erosion from wind and water.

*They provide habitat for wildlife: Trees provide food and shelter for many animals.

*They improve air and water quality: Trees filter pollutants from the air and water.

*They regulate temperature: Trees provide shade and help to cool the environment.

    Overall, trees play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance. They keep the air and water clean, provide habitat for animals, and help to regulate the climate. Planting trees is a simple but effective way to make a positive impact on 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?
Ans: These friends share the biosphere, Earth's teeming life layer! It's diverse (think giants to microbes), interconnected (a web of life!), and dynamic (ever-changing!). We rely on it for air, water, and more. Protecting it is key!

(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?

Ans: As a large language model, I don't have a physical body or attend school.  However, I can explain the concepts:

*Distance and time are directly related. The farther your school is, the longer it takes to get there.
*If your school were across the road, your commute would be much shorter, maybe just minutes!
*Converting time into space or vice versa isn't possible. While they influence each other, they're different dimensions.
    Remember, these are general principles. Factors like traffic and your mode of transportation can also affect your commute time.


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”?

Ans: Absolutely! Your observations perfectly illustrate the core concept of geography as the study of "areal differentiation." Here's how:

Areal differentiation refers to the variations in physical and human characteristics across different regions on Earth. Just like you noticed, not all trees, birds, animals, or even cultural aspects are the same everywhere. Geography delves into the reasons behind these variations, exploring how:

*Physical factors like climate, topography, and soil influence the distribution of plant and animal life, shaping ecosystems and landscapes.

*Human factors like history, culture, language, and economic activities create diverse patterns of settlements, land use, and social structures.

By studying these variations, geographers aim to understand:

*The unique character of different places: Why are the Amazon rainforest and the Sahara desert so different? How do the cultural traditions of Japan differ from those of Kenya?

*The interconnections between places: How do mountains affect weather patterns in faraway regions? How does global trade link geographically distant economies?

*The impact of human activities on the environment: How does deforestation in one region affect climate change in another? How can we manage resources sustainably in different parts of the world?

    Therefore, your everyday observations of diverse trees, birds, and cultural elements serve as a microcosm of the vast and fascinating field of geography, where understanding "areal differentiation" is key to unraveling the complexities and connections of our planet.

(ii) You have already studied geography, history, civics and economics as parts of social studies. Attempt an integration of these disciplines highlighting their interface.

Ans: Integrating geography, history, civics, and economics paints a vibrant picture of human societies on our planet. Imagine Earth as a stage, with each discipline playing a distinct role:

Geography: Sets the scene, shaping landscapes, resource distribution, and even transportation routes that influence societal development. Think rivers influencing civilizations, mountain ranges forming natural borders, and fertile plains fostering agriculture.

History: Acts as the script, narrating the rise and fall of empires, migrations, revolutions, and cultural exchanges. These events shape political systems, economies, and the very fabric of societies. Picture the Silk Road trade routes connecting economies or the French Revolution reshaping Europe's political landscape.

Civics: Provides the rules of the play, examining how societies govern themselves, make laws, and ensure rights and responsibilities. Consider democratic systems, legal frameworks, and how citizen participation shapes governance.

Economics: Drives the action, analyzing resource allocation, production, trade, and distribution of wealth. Think industrial revolutions, global markets, and economic inequalities shaping social structures and power dynamics.

    The brilliance lies in the interweaving of these disciplines. A geographical feature like a river might influence trade routes (economics), which could lead to cultural exchange (history), ultimately impacting the legal system (civics).

    Understanding this interconnectedness empowers us to analyze complex issues like climate change (geography), its historical impact (history), and how different societies (civics) with varying economic disparities (economics) might approach solutions.

Project Work
Select forest as a natural resource.
(i) Prepare a map of India showing the distribution of different types of forests.
(ii) Write about the economic importance of forests for the country.
(iii) Prepare a historical account of conservation of forests in India with focus
on Chipko movements in Rajasthan and Uttaranchal.



Answer By : Himashree Bora.