GARDEN HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS VIII
Half-Yearly Examination 2015
Geography

Time: 2 hours Full Marks: 80

Answers must be written in the script/s provided. You will not be allowed to write for the
first 15 minutes. This time must be spent in reading the Question Paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing answers.

This Paper is divided into two sections.

Answer both the questions of Section A and any five of Section B .

SECTION A (30 marks)

Answer all the questions.

1. On the outline map of Europe provided, mark or shade as appropriate, and label:
[15 × 1 = 15]

(a ) Norwegian Sea (i) Alps

(b) Gulf of Bothnia (j) Scandinavian Mountains
(c) Strait of Gibraltar (k) River Ural
(d) English Channel (l) River Danube
(e) Caucasus (m) Arctic Ocean
(f) Sea of Azov (n) Corsica
(g) River Rhine (o) UK
(h) Mt Elbrus

2. On the outline map of Asia provided, mark or shade as appropriate, and label: [15 × 1 = 15]

(a ) River Syr Darya (i) Sea of Japan

(b) River Sikiang (j) Persian Gulf

(c) River Yenisey (k) Lake Baikal

(d) Palk Strait (l) Red Sea

(e) Plateau of Iran (m) Zagros

(f) Stanovoi (n) Taiwan

(g) Khingan (o) Arabian Desert

(h) Plateau of Shan

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SECTION B (50 marks)

Answer any five questions.

3. (a) (i) What do you mean by Coriolis force? [1]

(ii) How does it affect the direction of winds? [1]

(b) Why are winters in northern India not as cold as those in China, though both are in
the temperate region? [2]

(c) How does conduction differ from advection? [2]

(d) Explain in detail why during the day the surface of the Earth does not receive the
full amount of solar radiation. [3]

(e) What are stars? [1]

4. (a) When does air become completely saturated? [1]

(b) Why does the amount of insolation received by the Earth vary from place to place?
[1]
(c) Why does a person feel comfortable resting under a tree on a hot afternoon? [2]

(d) What are fiords? [2]

(e) (i) State any two characteristics of plantation agriculture. [2]

(ii) State any two countries in Asia where plantation agriculture is practised. [1]

(iii) Name a crop which is grown in these countries. [1]

5. (a) What is a nebula? [2]

(b) Why is the Sun the most important source of heat energy needed by all forms of life
on Earth? [2]

(c) What are comets? State any two characteristics of a comet. [1 + 2]

(d) Why have swamps formed in the lower courses of the river Ob in Asia? [2]

(e) Why does Eastern Europe experience an extreme climate? [1]

6. (a) State any three characteristics of the Central Plains of Europe. [3]

(b) (i) Why are there numerous lakes in northern Europe? [2]

(ii) Name the largest freshwater lake in Europe. [1]

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(c) State the latitudinal extent of Europe. [1]

(d) (i) Why does shifting agriculture practised in the hilly regions of north-east India
lead to deforestation and soil erosion? [2]

(ii) Name any two crops grown here. [1]

7. (a) Give an account of the Caucasus mountains in Europe. [2]

(b) Write short notes on: [3 × 2 = 6]

(i) The Himalayas

(ii) The Tien Shan

(iii) The plateau of peninsular India

(c) What do you know about the summer monsoons in Asia? [2]

8. (a) Name one warm and one cold current which influence the climate of the eastern
coastal margin of Asia. [1]

(b) State the climatic conditions prevailing in the deserts of Asia. [2]

(c) (i) In which part of Asia is the Taiga climatic belt located? [1]

(ii) State its summer and winter conditions. [2]

(iii) Name any two trees which grow in this climatic belt. [1]

(iv) State any two uses of these trees. [1]

(d) (i) State the uses of mica and manganese found in Asia. [1]

(ii) Name the two countries in Asia where bauxite is mined. [1]