NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents

THE BIG QUESTIONS?

1. What are oceans and continents? What are their names and their distribution?

Ans: Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover about 71% of the Earth's surface, while continents are large landmasses that form the Earth's land area. There are five major oceans and seven continents.

• Oceans: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.

• Continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

These oceans and continents are distributed across the Earth’s surface, with oceans surrounding and separating the continents.

2. In what ways do oceans and continents impact life on Earth, including human life?

Ans: Oceans regulate Earth's climate, support marine life, and provide resources such as fish and salt. They also serve as major transportation routes for global trade. Continents provide habitats for humans, plants, and animals, and contain natural resources like minerals, forests, and freshwater. Together, oceans and continents shape ecosystems, weather patterns, and human activities like agriculture, trade, and urban development.

LET’S EXPLORE 

1. What are the circular lines in each map called? And do you know what the lines radiating out of the two poles are called?

Ans: The circular lines on the map are called parallels of latitude, which run parallel to the equator. The lines radiating out from the poles are known as meridians of longitude. They help in identifying the exact location of places on Earth.

2. Which hemisphere holds more water?

Ans: The Southern Hemisphere holds more water, as it has a greater area covered by oceans compared to the Northern Hemisphere.

3. What do you think could be the approximate proportion of water to land in the Northern Hemisphere? And in the Southern Hemisphere?

Ans: In the Northern Hemisphere, the proportion of water to land is approximately 60% water and 40% land. In the Southern Hemisphere, the proportion is around 80% water and 20% land.

4. Are all the oceans connected, or are there separations between them?

Ans: Yes, all the oceans are connected, forming a global oceanic system. However, they are traditionally divided into separate oceans based on geographical and historical distinctions.

THINK ABOUT IT 

1. If there is such an abundance of water on the planet, why is there so much talk of ‘water scarcity’ or a ‘water crisis’?

Ans: Even though Earth has a vast amount of water, most of it is saltwater in oceans and not suitable for drinking or agriculture. Only a small portion of the Earth's water is freshwater, and much of that is locked in glaciers or underground. Factors such as pollution, overuse, climate change, and unequal distribution of water resources contribute to water scarcity in many regions, creating a ‘water crisis.’

What ways of saving water are you aware of? Which ones have you seen practised at home, at your school, and in your village, town, or city?

Ans: Some ways to save water include:

• At home: Turning off taps when not in use, using buckets instead of hoses for washing, fixing leaks promptly.

• At school: Installing water-saving devices, ensuring taps are closed properly, and rainwater harvesting.

• In towns or cities: Rainwater harvesting, water recycling, using efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation in agriculture, and public awareness campaigns to reduce water wastage.

LET’S EXPLORE 

Locate the five oceans and, in the table below, mark the hemisphere or hemispheres they belong to.

Ans: 

LET’S EXPLORE

1. Counting the number of squares, name the largest continent and the smallest.

Ans: 

• The largest continent, based on the number of squares, is Asia.

• The smallest continent is Australia.

2. Which one is larger — North America or South America? Africa or North America? Antarctica or Australia?

Ans: 

• North America is larger than South America.

• Africa is larger than North America.

• Antarctica is larger than Australia.

3. Re-colour the diagram by having a single colour for Europe and Asia and rename the result as ‘Eurasia’. Compare its size with South America’s.

Ans: 

After combining Europe and Asia as ‘Eurasia’, it becomes significantly larger than South America.

Write down the list of continents from the smallest to the largest.

Ans: 

From smallest to largest:

1. Australia

2. Europe

3. Antarctica

4. South America

5. North America

6. Africa

7. Asia (or Eurasia if combined with Europe)

Questions, activities, and projects 

1. Explain the following terms: 

(a) Continent:
Ans: A continent is a large, continuous landmass that forms a major part of the Earth's surface. There are seven continents on Earth: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. These land masses vary in size and are home to different countries, cultures, and ecosystems.

(b) Ocean:
Ans: An ocean is a vast body of saltwater that covers about 71% of the Earth's surface. Oceans are interconnected and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate, supporting marine life, and providing resources like fish and minerals. The five major oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic.

(c) Island:
Ans: An island is a landmass that is surrounded by water. Islands can vary in size from small patches of land to large areas like Greenland. Some islands are formed by volcanic activity, while others may be the result of rising sea levels or erosion. Examples include Madagascar and the Hawaiian Islands.

2. Let us draw – Without looking at the maps in this chapter, draw the continents free hand on a sheet of paper and colour them. Then compare your drawing with the map of oceans and continents in the chapter. 

Ans: Do it Yourself

3. Let us do – On the outline map of the world given below, label all the continents and oceans.

Ans: Do it Yourself 

Across 

1. Abundantly produced by the oceans 

3. A large expanse of landmass 

6. A large continent of which India is a part 

8. A major source of pollution of the oceans 

10. The coldest continent

Down 

2. The largest island on Earth 

4. A huge destructive wave from the ocean 

5. The smallest continent 

7. The largest body of water on the Earth 

9. A landmass (but not a continent) surrounded by the sea or ocean

Ans: 

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents provides clear and detailed explanations of key concepts, making it easier for students to understand the subject.

• The solutions help students learn about the location and significance of continents and oceans in a simplified manner.

• By offering answers to all textbook questions, Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents helps in effective exam preparation.

• The chapter encourages students to engage with world geography interactively.

• These solutions help students develop important skills like map reading and spatial understanding.

• NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2 Oceans and Continents ensures a solid grasp of fundamental concepts for long-term retention.

Important Study Material Links for Social Science Chapter 2 Class 6 

Conclusion

NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Social Science Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents offers comprehensive and easy-to-understand explanations, helping students grasp key concepts about the Earth's geography. These solutions ensure that students can effectively learn about the location, features, and significance of continents and oceans, while also developing essential map-reading skills. The detailed answers to textbook questions help in exam preparation and long-term retention of important information. With these solutions, students can build a strong foundation in geography, which will benefit them in higher studies.

Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions Class 6 Social Science 

Related Important Links for Class 6 Social Science 

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