NCERT Question-Answer Solution for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2 – Oceans and Continents
Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Theme A — India and the World: Land and the People
Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents
Complete NCERT Question–Answer Set for Class 6 Social Science (Exploring Society: India and Beyond Textbook)
Class 6 Science NCERT Solution – Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents
Oceans and Continents – Full NCERT Question–Answer Solution (CBSE Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond Book)
Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents Full NCERT Question–Answer Set
The Big Questions
1. What are oceans and continents? What are their names and their distribution?
Answer:
Oceans are vast bodies of salty water that cover nearly three-fourths of the Earth’s surface. Continents are large continuous landmasses that together cover a little more than one-fourth of the Earth.
There are five oceans:
- Pacific Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Indian Ocean
- Southern (Antarctic) Ocean
- Arctic Ocean
There are seven continents:
- Asia
- Africa
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- Australia
- Antarctica
Oceans and continents are unevenly distributed. The Northern Hemisphere has more land, while the Southern Hemisphere has more water.
2. In what ways do oceans and continents impact life on Earth, including human life?
Answer:
Oceans and continents play a vital role in shaping Earth’s climate and supporting life. Oceans regulate temperature, bring rainfall, produce more than half of the Earth’s oxygen, and support marine life. Continents provide land for human settlement, agriculture, forests, minerals, and industries.
Human life depends on oceans for food, trade, travel, climate regulation, and rainfall. Continents influence cultures, history, biodiversity, and human activities. Without oceans and continents, life on Earth would not be possible.
LET’S EXPLORE (Page: Distribution of Water and Land)
1. What are the circular lines in each map called? What are the lines radiating out of the poles called?
Answer:
The circular lines are called parallels of latitude.
The lines radiating out from the poles are called meridians of longitude.
2. Which hemisphere holds more water?
Answer:
The Southern Hemisphere holds more water than the Northern Hemisphere.
3. What could be the approximate proportion of water to land in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
Answer:
In the Northern Hemisphere, land is more prominent, though water still occupies a larger area.
In the Southern Hemisphere, water occupies a much larger proportion compared to land.
4. Are all the oceans connected with one another, or are there separations between them?
Answer:
All oceans are connected to one another. The boundaries shown on maps are only conventional and do not exist in nature.
THINK ABOUT IT
1. If there is so much water on Earth, why is there water scarcity?
Answer:
Most of Earth’s water is salty and cannot be used for drinking. Freshwater is limited and unevenly distributed. Pollution, overuse, climate change, and wastage also cause water scarcity.
2. What ways of saving water are you aware of? Where have you seen them practised?
Answer:
Ways of saving water include rainwater harvesting, turning off taps when not in use, recycling water, and using water-efficient appliances. These practices are seen at homes, schools, villages, towns, and cities.
LET’S EXPLORE (Oceans and Hemispheres)
Locate the oceans and identify the hemispheres they belong to.
Answer:
| Ocean | Hemisphere(s) |
|---|---|
| Pacific Ocean | Northern and Southern |
| Atlantic Ocean | Northern and Southern |
| Indian Ocean | Mostly Southern, partly Northern |
| Southern Ocean | Southern only |
| Arctic Ocean | Northern only |
Continents – LET’S EXPLORE
1. Which is the largest and smallest continent?
Answer:
Largest continent: Asia
Smallest continent: Australia
2. Which is larger: North America or South America? Africa or North America? Antarctica or Australia?
Answer:
South America is larger than North America.
Africa is larger than North America.
Antarctica is larger than Australia.
3. What happens when Europe and Asia are coloured together as Eurasia?
Answer:
Europe and Asia together form Eurasia, which is larger than South America.
4. Arrange the continents from smallest to largest.
Answer:
Australia, Europe, Antarctica, South America, North America, Africa, Asia
Questions, Activities and Projects
1. Explain the following terms:
(a) Continent
A continent is a large continuous landmass on the Earth.
(b) Ocean
An ocean is a vast body of salty water covering a major part of the Earth’s surface.
(c) Island
An island is a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides.
2. Drawing Activity
Answer:
This is a practical activity. Students should draw the continents freehand and then compare them with the map given in the chapter.
3. Map Activity
Answer:
On an outline map of the world, students should label all seven continents and five oceans.
4. Crossword – Answers
Across
- Abundantly produced by the oceans – Oxygen
- A large expanse of landmass – Continent
- A large continent of which India is a part – Asia
- A major source of ocean pollution – Plastic
- The coldest continent – Antarctica
Down
- The largest island on Earth – Greenland
- A huge destructive wave from the ocean – Tsunami
- The smallest continent – Australia
- The largest body of water on Earth – Pacific Ocean
- A landmass surrounded by water but not a continent – Island
