RBSE Class 11 Geography Important Questions Chapter 1 Geography as a Discipline

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Geography Important Questions Chapter 1 Geography as a Discipline Important Questions and Answers. 

RBSE Class 11 Geography Important Questions Chapter 1 Geography as a Discipline 

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Nature provides the stage and man has to workout which geographer said these words
(A) Rich Thofen
(B) Edward Ackerman
(C) Vidalde La Blache
(D) Hartshone.
Answer:
(C) Vidalde La Blache

 

2. Who was the American Geographer out of the following
(A) Kant and Ritter
(B) Oudlen Stanpand F.F. Monkhouse
(C) Wooldridge and East
(D) Hartshorn and Ackerman.
Answer:
(D) Hartshorn and Ackerman.

3. Which out of the following is not a natural features?
(A) Mountains    
(B) Rivers
(C) Road    
(D) Plains.
Answer:
(C) Road    

4. Who first used the term Geography?
(A) Vidal de la Blache
(B) Eratosthenes
(C) Kant
(D) Hartshorn
Answer:
(B) Eratosthenes

5. When did Agricultural Revolution Occur?
(A) In 15th Century
(B) In 16th Century
(C) In 17th Century
(D) In 18th Century
Answer:
(D) In 18th Century

6. Which book includes the knowledge about earth?
(A) Rigveda
(B) Earthveda
(C) Purana
(D) Ramayan.
Answer:
(B) Earthveda

7. “Environment controls Human activities” To which branch of Geography, does it relate.
(A) Determinism
(B) Possibilism
(C) Welfare approach
(D) Positive approach.
Answer:
(A) Determinism

8. Which one of the following is not a cultural feature?
(A) Buildings    
(B) Roads
(C) Crops    
(D) Continent.
Answer:
(D) Continent.

9. Who introduced systematic geography?
(A) Hambolat
(B) Ritter
(C) Stamp
(D) Hartshone.
Answer:
(A) Hambolat

10. Which scholar tried to understand the universe first?
(A) Thales
(B) Aryabhata
(C) Strebe
(D) Kant.
Answers
(B) Aryabhata

Very Short Answer Type Questions    

Question 1. 
Name two German Geographers of 18th century.
Answer:
Humboldt and Ritter

Question 2. 
Name two main divisions of Geography.
Answer:
Physical Geography and Human Geography.

Question 3. 
Name sub-divsions of Physical Geography.
Answer:
Geomorphology climatology, hydrology and social geography.

Question 4. 
Name two sub-divisons of Human Geography.
Answer:
Economic Geography, Cultural Geography, Population, Historical and Political geography.

Question 5. 
Name two branches of Geography to study weather conditions.
Answer:
Climatology and Meteorology.

Question 6. 
‘Human activities are determined by nature’ whose statement is this?
Answer:
Ratzel.

Question 7. 
Which subjects have given a mathe¬matical approach to Geography?
Answer:
Astronomy, shape and size of earth.

Question 8. 
Name the two main divisions of environment.
Answer:
Natural and Cultural.

Question 9. 
Name the two main methods being used in the study of Geography.
Answer:
Deductive method and Inductive method.

Question 10. 
Name branches of regional geography based on regional approach.
Answer:
Regional studies, Regional planning, Regional development and Regional Analysis.

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1. 
Account for the popularity of Geography as a subject in the schools during the eighteenth century.
Answer:
Geography was a popular subject because it provided knowledge about the people and places of the earth. It described the different natural and cultural facts. It helped to know the relation between man and environment on the earth.

Question 2.
‘The earth’s surface is not uniform.’
Answer:
The earth’s surface is not uniform. It has variations in its physical features. There are mountains; hills, valleys, plains, plateaus, oceans, lakes, deserts and wilderness. There are variations in its social and cultural features too. There are villages, cities, roads, railways, ports, markets and many other elements created by human beings across the whole period of their cultural development.

Question 3. 
Name the four realms of the earth studied through the subject of Geography.
Answer:

1. Lithosphere 
2. Hydrosphere 
3. Atmosphere
4. Biosphere.

Question 4. 
How does Geography studies the multidimensional earth? 
Answer:
Reality is always multifaceted and the ‘earth’ is also multi-dimensional, that is why many disciplines from natural sciences such as geology, pedology, oceanography, botany, zoology and meteorology and a number of sister disciplines in social sciences such as economics, history, sociology, political science, anthropology etc. study different aspects of the earth’s surface. Geography is different from other sciences in its subject matter and methodology but at the same time it is closely related to other disciplines. Geography derives its data base from all the natural and social sciences and attempts synthesis. There is diversity in physical and cultural  environment, so it is known as the study of Areal differentiation.

Question 5. 
How does Physical Geography help in evaluating natural resources?
Answer:
The study of physical geography is emerging as a discipline of evaluating and managing natural resources. In order to achieve this objective it is essential to understand the intricate relationship between physical environment and human beings. Physical environment provides resources and human beings utilise these resources and ensure their economic and cultural development. Accelerated pace of resource utilization with the help of modern technology has created ecological imbalance in the world. Hence, a better understanding of physical environment is absolutely essential for a sustainable development.

Question 6. 
‘Geography is linked with Astronomy’. Explain.
Answer:
Geography studies latitude and longitudes. It is linked with maps and Geoid. Map is a two dimensional representation. Globe is a three dimensional representation. Geography is an art of preparing maps.

Question 7. 
Define Geography according to Richard Hartshorne and Alfred Hettner.
Answer:
According to Richard Hartshorne, geography aims at the description and analysis of areal differentiation on the surface of the Earth. According to Alfred Hettner, Geography studies that areal differences in different aspects on the surface of the earth.

Question 8. 
Explain the aim of Geography.
Answer:
Geography is an areal or spatial science. It studies the relevant aspects of an area in its totality as an animated aspect of nature’s creation. It studies the natural setting of an area and the human response.

Question 9. 
Give a brief definition of Geography.
Or
Explain the viewpoint of Geography as studied in earlier times.
Answer:
The word ‘Geography’is derived from the Greek words (‘Geo’ = earth and ‘Graphe’ = description). Hence Geography means description of the earth. In earlier times, its aim was to know facts about places and people, so as to get acquainted with the world. This description was brought through the narratives of explorers, conquerors, travellers and traders. Some Indian, Greek and Arab scholars laid the foundation of Geography as a science by studying the shape and size of the earth, latitude and longitude, the solar system etc. Till the eighteenth century, geography was purely descriptive in nature. Eratosthenes was the first geographer to use the word geography.

Question 10. 
Explain the modern viewpoint of Geography.
Answer:
Modern Geography as a discipline, is a separate branch of science which describes the surface of the earth. Just as Botany is a study of plants, Geology of rocks, Zoology of animals, Geography is the study of an area and its environment. Geography  studies natural and man-made features of an area. Geography is concerned with a real difference and distributional relationship. It is therefore known as a chronological science also. Geography studies difference of places.

Question 11. 
How does the study of Geography help us in becoming a good citizen ?
Answer:
Geography like other social sciences, history and civics, helps us to become good citizens. It helps us in the study of man-environment relationship. We know human reaction to environment in different parts of the world. We come to know why some countries are rich through the utilization of resources. We thus analyse the causes of variation in the stage of development in different parts. Geography makes us aware of our position on the globe and our relations with other countries of the world. Thus, Geography cultivates a spirit of international understanding between us. It provides us with wisdom for a truly civic outlook. Thus Geography like other social sciences helps us to he better citizens by learning our duties in a wider and broader outlook.

Question 12. 
Why is Geography known as ‘body of knowledge ?
Answer:
In ancient times, the aim of geography was to collect all general information concerning the earth. This knowledge was based on travels by traders, travellers, settlers and conquerors. Geography included the knowledge about the shape and size of earth, latitude, longitude, solar system etc. The subject of Geography gathered much knowledge from other subjects. Therefore it is known as body of knowledge.

Question 13. 
‘Geography is a physical science as well as a social science.’ Discuss.
Answer:
Geography is a science of synthesis. It represents the total picture of an area by studying the physical and human aspects of an area. Physics, chemistry, botany etc. (Physical sciences) are used to study the natural environment. The social science helps to study the human activities such as agriculture, settlements etc. Therefore Geography like the physical sciences and social sciences is included in both the groups.

Question 14. 
“Geography is known as a science of integration or synthesis.” Discuss.
Answer:
The subject of Geography has a close relationship with other subjects. Different subjects provide useful information, but only those factors are studied which help in the aim of Geography. There are many inter-disciplinary areas in the study of geography. Therefore, it is called a science of integration and synthesis. The maps of Relief, Agriculture, Transportation etc. are studied individually, but these maps studied in an integrated way, give very useful results. This approach is called Holistic approach.

Question 15. 
What is Systematic Geography? Name its sub-branches.
Answer:
Geography studies the earth surface from two approaches:
(a) Systematic 
(b) Regional.
Systematic Geography is the study of specific natural or social phenomenon that gives rise to certain spatial patterns and structures on the earth surface. In this method, we select a geographical factor such as climate. We study the causes and effects of its spatial distribution. The focus is on climate and climatic types. A study of agriculture is done with the help of agricultural regions. Thus it is a detailed study of a single geographical factor. This approach was used by Alexander van Humboldt (1769-1859).
 
Question 16. 
What is reglonal Geography? Describe its sub-branéhes.
Answer:
Regional Geography is the integrated study of Geographical factors of an area. One can start with a region, a state, or a river basin and then study it from different approaches. Each region is studied in its total setting. Regions could be based on a single factor like relief, rainfall, vegetation, literacy etc. There could also be multifactor regions. Adminis¬trative areas can be treated as regions. Planning regions are also formed. This approach was used by Karl Ritter (1779 -1859). 

Question 17. 
'The present society has modified their (m) natural environment by inventing and using '. technology.’ Discuss.
Answer:
The geographical phenomena, both the physical and human, are not static but highly dynamic. They change over time as a result of the interactive processes between ‘ever changing earth and untiring and ever-active human beings.’ The primitive human societies were directly dependent on their immediate environment. Geography, thus, is concerned with the study of ‘Nature’ and ‘Human’ interactions as an integrated whole. Human is an integral part of Nature and Nature has the imprints of human. 

The present society has modified their natural environment by inventing and using technology and thus, have expanded the horizon of their operation by appropriating and utilizing the resources provided by nature. With the gradual development of technology, human beings were able to loosen the shackles of their physical environment. Technology helped in reducing the harshness of labour, increased labour efficiency and provided leisure to human beings to attend to their higher needs of life. It also increased the scale of production and the mobility of labour.

Question 18. 
Describe the subject-matter of Physical Geography and its importance.
Answer:
Physical Geography and its importance: 
This chapter appears in the book entitled “Fundamentals of Physical Geography”. The contents of the book clearly reflect its scope. It is therefore, appropriate to know the importance of this branch of geography. Physical Geography includes the study of lithosphere, (landforms, drainage, relief and physiography), atmosphere (its composition, structure, elements and controls of weather and climate; temperature, pressure, winds, precipitation, climatic types etc.). 

Hydrosphere (oceans, seas, lakes and associated features with water realm) and biosphere (life forms including human being and macro organism and their sustaining mechanism viz. food chain, ecological parameters and ecological balance). Soils are formed through the process of pedogenesis and depend upon the parent rocks, climate, biological activity and time. Time provides maturity to soils and helps in the development of soil profiles. Each element is important for human beings. Landforms provide base on which human activities are located. The plains are utilised for agriculture. Plateaus provide forests and minerals. Mountains provide pastures, forest, tourist spots and are sources of rivers providing water to lowlands.

Question 19. 
Describe the interaction between the Physical environment and Human beings.
Answer:
Man and environment are closely related to each other. Man is the product of environment, but he tries to modify it to a certain limit. Man has been always struggling against physical conditions. A poet has described it by the following dialogue between man and nature (God).

Question 20. 
Distinguish between Natural Environment and Total Environment.
Ans.
Natural environment:

1. Natural environment includes atmosphere, hydrospher, lithosphere.
2. Natural environment comprises soils, air, water, vegetation.
3. This type of environment structured by physical features.

 
Total environment

1. It includes Biosphere.
2. Total environment comprises, physical, bio and cultural environment.
3. This type of environment structured by physical and man made features.

Comparison Questions

Question 1. 
Distinguish between the following pairs:

1. Regional Geography 
2. Systematic Geography.

Answer:
The geographical study of an area is done with the help of two approaches.
1. Regional Geography:
It is an integrated study of the geographical factors of an area. The main geographical features of a continent or a country or a region are studied. This study examines man- environment relationship. Each geographical factor of a region is examined separately. These findings are integrated to create a distinct character of the region treating it as a unit. Each region is studied in its total setting. The different regions can be compared. Thus the study of regional geography implies the demarcation of regions and sub-regions having similar characteristics.

2. Systematic Geography: 
Systematic Geography implies the detailed study of a single specific geographical factor. For example, the study of climate. The climate of the world as a whole is studied; climatic types and sub-types are recognised over the globe. This approach is explanatory and is largely interpretative. A detailed study of Agriculture is done by marking agricultural regions of India. Thus the study of a specific geographical factor is known as systematic geography. It studies geographical facts in an individual manner.

Question 2. 
Distinguish between:
Physical Geography and Bio-geography.
Answer:
Physical Geography:

1. It is a study of land forms continente, mountains, plateaus, valleys and other features.
2. It has four main sub. branches; Geomor phology, Climtlogy, Hydro1ogy Soil Geography.

Bio-geography:

1. Bio Geography studies the distribution of plants and AflimÑla.
2. It has four main sub-branches: Plants Geography, Zoo geography, Human ecology, Environmental Geography

Essay Type Questions

Question 1. 
Describe the main branches Geography.
Answer:
Branches of Geography Geography is an interdisciplinary subject of study. The study of every subject is done according to some approach. The major approaches to study geography have been (a) Systematic and (b) Regional. The systematic geography approach is the same as that of General Geography. This approach was introduced by Alexander Von Humboldt, a German Geographer (1769-1869) while regional geography approach was developed by another German Geographer and a contemporary of Humboldt, Karl Ritter (1779-1859).

(a) Human Geography. Human Geography studies the influence of environment on human life. Man tries to modify his environment and creates man-made or cultural features. These features include agriculture, towns, settlements, means of transportation etc. The study of these man-made features is called Human Geography. Human Geography may be divided into following main branches:

1. Social / Cultural Geography:
This branch deals with the cultural aspects of different human groups. The cultural aspects include the following aspects :

1. Shelter
2. Food
3. Clothing
4. Skills
5. Tools,
6. Language
7. Religion 
8. Social organisation. 

Some geographers prefer to call it Social Geography. It studies the dynamic as well as cultural elements contributed by the society. 

2. Economic Geography. Economic Geography studies the economic activities of man. It studies the distribution and utilisation of resources of the earth. It is a study of products in the form of their production, consumption and exchange.lt studies agriculture, industry tourism, trade, transport infrastructure and services etc.

3. Population and Settlement Geography:
Population Geography deals with the study of biological and cultural characteristics of human groups. It studies the distribution of population, population growth, migration, occupational structure death rate, birth rate, age, sex composition, literacy, rural and urban settlements. Settlement Geography studies the characteristics of rural and urban geography.

4. Historical Geography:
Historical Geography studies the geographical development of an area from time to time in the past. It helps us in understanding the region as it is at present. Every region has undergone some historical changes. These temporal changes form the concerns of historical Geography.

5. Political Geography:
It analyses the political and administrative decisions in different political units. It is concerned with boundaries, capitals, local government, international politics and regional planning, political events, delimitations of constituencies, election scenario. It provides a frame work to understand the political behaviour of the people.

6. Other Branches:
Social Geography, Urban Geography Rural Geography, Agriculture, Industrial, Trade/Transport.

(b) Physical Geography. Physical Geography is the study of physical elements or factors of our environment. It is the study of physical or natural features of the earth. These features include mountains, rivers, vegetation, landforms, soils etc. which have been created by nature. These physical features form the basis of human activities. Physical Geography may be divided into the following branches:

1. Geomorphology. It studies the different landforms of the earth. Geomorphology provides the base for geography. These landforms affect the field of geology, geography and climatology.
2. Climatology. It is the study of different elements of atmosphere. These elements include temperature, rainfall, winds, pressure, humidity and cloudiness. It is almost an independent science.
3. Hydrology. It is the study of the science of water-bodies like oceAnswer:The nature of water, its movements, its temperature, ocean relief etc. are studied in this science.
4. Soil Geography. This branch of Physical Geography deals with kinds of soils, their formation and distribution. It helps in the study of land use of an area.

(c) Bio-Geography:
The interface between physical geography and human geography has led to the development of Bio-Geography which includes :
1.    Plant Geography studies the spatial pattern of natural vegetation in their habitats.

2. Zoogeography studies the spatial patterns and geographic characteristics of animals and their habitats.

3. Ecology/Ecosystem deals with the scientific study of the habitats characteristics of species.

4. Environmental Geography. The environ¬mental concerns world over leading to the realization of environmental problems such as land gradation, pollution and concerns for conservation lead to the introduction of this new branch in geography.

Question 2. 
Discuss the relation of Geography with other disciplines.
Or
“Geography is a science of integration or synthesis.” Discuss.
Answer:
Modern Geography describes the earth and its natural and man-made features. It is a descriptive and analytical study. Geography draws a good deal of facts from natural and social sciences. There is a close relationship between Geography and following other allied sciences:

1. Chorological Sciences. Chorological Sciences are concerned with the study of an area. Thus Astronomy and Geography are closely related to each other. Different aspects of Astronomy such as size and shape of the earth, solar system, latitude and longitude have laid the foundation of geography as a science.

2. Chronological Sciences. History is a Chronological Science concerned with the elements of time. History and Geography are linked with each other. History helps us to understand the different stages of human development through different periods.

3. Systematic Sciences. Physics, Chemistry, Botany and Zoology are systematic sciences. These help us to study man-environment relationship.

4. Relation with Economics. Geography is closely related to Economics. Economics helps us to solve problems of economic development of an area and human welfare.

5. Relation with other Sciences. Many branches of Geography have contributed a lot to allied Sciences. Geography is related to Geology; Historical geography is related to History; Political Geography is related to Political Science; Geography is also related to Psychology and Sociology.

Every science contributes some relevant aspects to Geography. These relevant aspects are integrated for our study. The importance of these aspects is understood in a composite or synthetic form. We try to relate physical and man-made features. There is a close relationship between the relief of the land and human development of an area. This is a process of integration or synthesis. Maps and data are integrated to give a composite picture. It is from this point of view that Geography is called a “Science of integration or synthesis.”

Question 3. 
Discuss the scope of Geography with changing times.
Answer:
Scope of Geography The term ‘geography’ means ‘description of the earth’ (geo = earth + graphos = description). The term was first used by Eratosthenes, a Greek geographer who lived in Alexandria, Egypt during 276-192 B.C.E. This is how geography was conceived in ancient times. At present, it is no longer confined to the description of the earth. It has now acquired the status of a science. It explains the arrangement of various natural and cultural features on the earth surface.

Geography-The mother of all Sciences 
Geography is often called the ‘mother of all Sciences’: 
In early periods, Nature was considered omnipotent and omnipresent. Nature was personified and its elements were presented as gods and goddesses and devils and evil spirits. Humans adjusted themselves to natural environment. Domestication of animals and plants, Agricultural Revolution and industrial revolution changed the man-nature relationship. Due to Scientific Inventions, knowledge about continents and oceans, mountains and plains, rivers, lakes, people and places increased many times. Maps and charts were prepared. Thus Geography became really global.

Specialised Disciplines in Geography:
A variety of cultural and natural features gave rise to many specialisations. These disciplines unravel the mysteries of nature and human behaviour. The importance of Geography grew as a science. It looks as the causes and effects of arrangement of various cultural and natural features of earth surface. It takes knowledge from other sciences. It builds theories and principles to explain the changes on earth surface. It is really an interdisciplinary field of study. It is engaged in understanding the changing spatial structural at different territorial levels, global to local and from past to the future.

Source Based Questions

1. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below:
The subject of Geography has a close relationship with other subjects. Different subjects provide useful information, but only those factors are studied which help in the aim of Geography. There are many inter¬disciplinary areas in the study of Geography. Therefore, it is called a science of integration and synthesis. The maps of relief, agriculture, transportation, etc. are studied individually. However, these maps are studied in an integrated way and hence give very useful results. This approach is called Holistic approach.

(i) Which subject has a good relationship with other subjects?
(a) Geography
(b) Human Geography
(c) Physical Geography
(d) All of these 
Answer:
(a) Geography

(ii) What is Geography called?
(a) Science
(b) Systematic science
(c) Science of integration
(d) Science of integration and synthesis
Answer:
(d) Science of integration and synthesis

(iii) The approach of studying in an integrated manner is called:
(a) Directive Approach
(b) Deductive Approach
(c) Inquiry Approach
(d) Holistic Approach
Answer:
(d) Holistic Approach

2. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below:
Geography is the description of the earth. Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar, coined the term Geography. The earth has always been seen as the abode of human beings and Scholars defined Geography as the description of the earth surface as the abode of human beings. Just as reality is always multi-faceted, the earth is also multi-dimensional. Several disciplines from natural sciences, such as, Geology, Pedology, Oceanography, Botany, Zoology and Meteorology; and social sciences like History, Economics, Sociology, and Political Science, etc. study several aspects of earth’s surface. Geography derives its database from other natural and social sciences.

(i) From which language word Geography has been derived?
(a) French    
(b) Greek
(c) Latin    
(d) German
Answer:
(b) Greek

(ii) Who coined the term Geography?
(a) Eratosthenes    
(b) Ptolemy
(c) Ratzel    
(d) Herodotus
Answer:
(a) Eratosthenes

(iii) Which one of the following is a discipline (s) from natural sciences?
(a) Geology    
(b) Pedology
(c) Botany    
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

(iv)    From where does Geography derive its data base?
(a) Natural Sciences 
(b) Social Sciences 
(c) Both (a) and (b)    
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)

Hots Questions 

Question 
‘Geography is a natural-cum-human Science.’ Discuss.
Answer:
Different cultures have developed due to interaction between man and nature. It is an ever evolving and ever changing phenomenon. That is why in similar natural settings, cultures and civilisations are not always the same. The earth surface that geographer studies is, therefore, not homogeneous or isometric; it is marked by vast differences in both natural and cultural features. Geography is thus, a natural-cum-human science engaged in the study of factors and processes, both natural and human, that shape the earth surface and give rise to different cultures and civilisations. It classifies and delineates the earth features to arrive at regional patterns and structures; it identifies the agencies and processes at work to change the existing patterns; and predicts the possible outcomes of the processes at work. 
Thus, geography tries to answer the following questions:

1. What are the natural and cultural features on the surface of the earth?
2. How have they come into being?
3. How are they distributed and why?
4. How are they associated with each other?
5. Are the existing patterns of distribution conducive to human welfare?
6. What can be done to modify them?
7. What are the implications of the proposed changes for humans?

To sum up, geography is a science that studies the spatial arrangement of things on the surface of the earth resulting from a dynamic interaction between humans and nature. 

Self-Evaluation Test:

1. Name a modern Geographer.
2. What is Environment?
3. Name any two branches of Human Geography.
4. Which two words combine to form the term Geography?
5. Why should we study Geography.
6. Name the form realms of earth.
7. Explain the aim of Geography.
8. Why is Geography known as body of knowledge?
9. What is systematic Geography.
10. Geography studies areal differentiation on earth. Explain.