Major Domains of the Earth – Class 6 Geography (Question & Answer)
🧾 Learning Outcomes
Introduction: Understanding the major domains of the Earth is essential for every Class 6 student. This chapter from the NCERT Geography book explains the four main components of the Earth — Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and Biosphere. Below is a collection of thoughtfully crafted questions and detailed answers that align with the syllabus and are designed for exam preparation, quick revision, and competitive learning.
Short Answer Questions
Q1. What are the major domains of the Earth?
A1. The four major domains of the Earth are:
- Lithosphere: The solid outermost layer of the Earth made up of rocks and soil.
- Hydrosphere: All the water bodies including oceans, rivers, lakes, etc.
- Atmosphere: The blanket of air that surrounds the Earth.
- Biosphere: The zone where life exists, comprising parts of all the other three domains.
Q2. Define the term 'Lithosphere'.
A2. Lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the Earth consisting of rocks, soil, and landforms. It includes both the continents and the ocean floors.
Q3. Name the continents of the world.
A3. The seven continents of the world are: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
Q4. What is the significance of the Hydrosphere?
A4. The hydrosphere is essential for life on Earth as it provides water for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use. It also regulates the Earth's temperature through the water cycle.
Q5. What is the atmosphere made of?
A5. The atmosphere is made up of gases like nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), carbon dioxide, argon, and trace gases. It also contains water vapor and dust particles.
Q6. What is the importance of the atmosphere?
A6. The atmosphere is important because it protects life from harmful solar radiation, provides oxygen and carbon dioxide, and regulates the Earth's climate.
Q7. Explain the term 'biosphere'.
A7. Biosphere is the life-supporting zone of the Earth where all living beings exist. It is formed by the interaction of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Long Answer Questions
Q8. Describe the main features of the continents.
A8. The continents are large landmasses that make up the lithosphere:
- Asia is the largest continent, home to the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest.
- Africa is rich in natural resources and divided nearly equally by the Equator.
- North America has varied climates and is bordered by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
- South America is known for the Amazon River and rainforest.
- Antarctica is the coldest continent, largely covered in ice.
- Europe is the second smallest continent but rich in history and culture.
- Australia is the smallest continent and a country too, known for unique wildlife.
Q9. What role does the hydrosphere play in supporting life?
A9. The hydrosphere includes all forms of water on Earth — oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and groundwater. It plays a vital role in maintaining life by:
- Providing water for drinking, irrigation, and sanitation.
- Regulating global temperature and climate through the water cycle.
- Serving as a habitat for aquatic life.
- Driving weather systems through evaporation and condensation.
Q10. How do the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere interact to form the biosphere?
A10. The biosphere exists because of the interaction between the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air). For example:
- Plants grow on the lithosphere, absorb water from the hydrosphere, and take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for photosynthesis.
- Humans and animals depend on all three domains for food, shelter, water, and oxygen.
This interaction supports and sustains life on Earth.
Fill in the Blanks
- The __________ is the solid outer layer of the Earth. (Lithosphere)
- __________ is the zone where life exists. (Biosphere)
- __________ is the smallest continent. (Australia)
- __________ is the largest ocean. (Pacific Ocean)
- The blanket of air around the Earth is called the __________. (Atmosphere)
Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Asia | Largest Continent |
| Amazon | River in South America |
| Antarctica | Coldest Continent |
| Lithosphere | Land surface |
| Atmosphere | Blanket of air |
Exam Tips
- Memorize key terms like Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, etc. with examples.
- Use diagrams in your notebook to visualize domains and their interactions.
- Practice previous year questions from this chapter for better understanding.
- Don't confuse biosphere with only living beings — it's the zone that supports life.
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