Geography Chapter-05: Major Domains of the Earth

1. Answer the following questions briefly

(a) What are the four major domains of the earth?

The four major domains of the earth are

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

(b) Name the major continents of the earth?

The seven major continents of the Earth are 

  1. Asia
  2. Europe
  3. Africa
  4. North America
  5. South America
  6. Australia
  7. Antarctica

(c) Name the two continents that lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere?

The two continents that lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere are Australia and Antarctica.

(d) Name the different layers of atmosphere?

The different layers of atmosphere are

  1. Troposphere
  2. Stratosphere
  3. Mesosphere
  4. Thermosphere
  5. Exosphere

(e) Why is the earth called the ‘blue planet’?

The earth is called the 'blue planet' because more than 71 percent of the earth is covered with water.

(f) Why is the Northern Hemisphere called the Land Hemisphere?

The Northern Hemisphere called the Land Hemisphere because the greater part of Earth’s landmass lies in the Northern Hemisphere.

(g) Why is the Biosphere important for living organisms?

The biosphere is the narrow zone of contact between the land, water and air. It is in this zone that life, that is unique to this planet, exists. All the living organisms including humans are linked to each other and to the biosphere for survival.

2. Tick the correct answers

(a) The mountain range that separates Europe from Asia is

  • (i) the Andes 
  • (ii) the Himalayas 
  • (iii) the Urals

► (iii) the Urals

(b) The continent of North America is linked to South America by

  • (i) an Isthmus 
  • (ii) a Strait 
  • (iii) a Canal

► (i) an Isthmus

(c) The major constituent of atmosphere by percent is

  • (i) Nitrogen 
  • (ii) Oxygen 
  • (iii) Carbon dioxide

► (i) Nitrogen

(d) The domain of the earth consisting of solid rocks is

  • (i) the Atmosphere 
  • (ii) the Hydrosphere 
  • (iii) the Lithosphere

► (iii) the Lithosphere

(e) Which is the largest continent?

  • (i) Africa 
  • (ii) Asia 
  • (iii) Australia

► (ii) Asia

3. Fill in the blanks

(a) The deepest point on the earth is _____________ in the Pacific Ocean.

► Mariana Trench

(b) The _____________ Ocean is named after a country.

► Indian

(c) The _____________ is a narrow contact zone of land, water and air that supports life.

► Biosphere

(d) The continents of Europe and Asia together are known as _____________.

► Eurasia

(e) The highest mountain peak on the earth is _____________.

► Mt. Everest

Map

On the outline map of the world, mark the following:

Europe, Asia, Antarctica, South America, Australia, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic ocean, Ural Mountains and Isthmus of Panama.