Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 1

Locating Places on the Earth

Question 1. What is the International Date Line, and where is it located?

Answer: The International Date Line is an imaginary line located at approximately 180° longitude. It serves as the line where the date changes by one day when crossed, moving either eastward or westward .

Question 2. How is longitude related to time zones?

Answer: Longitude helps define time zones. The Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, which means it rotates 15° every hour. Each 15° of longitude corresponds to a different time zone, helping to calculate local time.

Question 3. What is the significance of latitude?

Answer: Latitude measures the distance north or south of the Equator. It helps define climatic zones and influences temperature patterns on Earth.

Question 4. What is the difference between local time and standard time?

Answer: Local time is based on the position of the sun at a particular longitude, while standard time is a fixed time for a region, based on the central meridian of that region. In India, for example, the standard time is based on 82.5°E longitude .

Question 5. What are the four cardinal directions?

Answer: The four cardinal directions are North, South, East, and West. These directions help orient maps and guide navigation .

Question 6. What is a map and how do we use it? What are its main components?

Answer: A map is a representation or drawing of some area, like a small village, town, or a large country, viewed from the top. It is used to locate places and understand geographical features. The main components of a map are:

• Distance: Represented by a scale, it shows the actual distance on the ground corresponding to the distance on the map.
• Direction: Indicated by arrows for north, south, east, and west.
• Symbols: These represent features like buildings, rivers, roads, etc.​

Question 7. What are coordinates? How can latitude and longitude be used to mark any location on Earth?

Answer: Coordinates are a system of numbers used to define the precise location of a place. Latitude and longitude are imaginary lines used to locate places on Earth:

• Latitude: Parallel lines that run east-west, measuring the distance north or south from the Equator.
• Longitude: Meridians that run from the North Pole to the South Pole, measuring distance east or west from the Prime.
• Meridian: The combination of latitude and longitude gives the exact position of any place on Earth.

Question 8. How are local time and standard time related to longitude?

Answer: The Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, so it rotates 15° every hour. Local time is determined by the position of the sun at a given longitude. The standard time of a country is usually based on the longitude that passes through its central region. For example, Indian Standard Time (IST) is based on the 82.5°E longitude, which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT.

Question 9. Why do we need symbols and colors on maps?

Answer: Maps use symbols and colors to represent different features like roads, rivers, buildings, and forests. These symbols allow detailed information to be shown in a limited space. Each country may have its own set of standard symbols, like those used by the Survey of India​.

Question 10. What is the significance of the Prime Meridian?

Answer: The Prime Meridian is the reference line for measuring longitude, marked at 0°. It passes through Greenwich, London. Longitudes are measured east or west from this meridian, and it helps in determining time zones across the world. The opposite meridian is the International Date Line, where crossing it changes the date by one day​.

Question 11. Why are lines of latitude called parallels?

Answer: Lines of latitude are called parallels because they run parallel to the Equator and never meet. Each line of latitude is an imaginary line drawn parallel to the others. For example, the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) are parallels of latitude .

Question 12. What is the Prime Meridian, and why is it important?

Answer: The Prime Meridian is the meridian (line of longitude) designated at 0°, passing through Greenwich, London. It is important because it serves as the starting point for measuring longitude. Time zones are calculated based on their position east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Question 13. How do latitude and longitude help in locating places on the Earth?

Answer: Latitude and longitude form a coordinate system that divides the Earth into a grid. Latitude measures the distance north or south from the Equator, while longitude measures the distance east or west from the Prime Meridian. By using these two measurements, any location on Earth can be precisely determined.

Question 14. How do maps represent different features of the Earth’s surface?

Answer: Maps use various symbols and colors to represent different features, such as mountains, rivers, and cities. These symbols make it easier to understand and interpret the information presented on a map. For example, a blue line may represent a river, while a triangle may indicate a mountain.

Question 15. What are the three components of a map, and why are they important?

Answer: The three main components of a map are distance, direction, and symbols:

• Distance is represented by a scale, which helps to measure the actual ground distance between two points on the map.
• Direction is shown through cardinal points (north, south, east, west) and helps users orient themselves.
• Symbols are used to represent physical features like roads, buildings, and rivers, allowing detailed information to be shown in a limited space .