Locating Places on Earth Class 6 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 6 Social Science Locating Places on Earth - 2025-26
1. For a short-answer question in the exam, how would you define latitudes and longitudes?
For an exam, you should define them as follows:
- Latitudes: These are imaginary horizontal circles that run from east to west around the Earth, parallel to the Equator. They measure distance north or south of the Equator (0°).
- Longitudes: These are imaginary vertical lines, also called meridians, that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. They measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0°).
2. Why is the Equator considered the most important parallel of latitude for the CBSE Class 6 exam?
The Equator is a crucial concept because it is the 0° latitude line that divides the Earth into two equal halves: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. It serves as the primary reference line for all other parallels of latitude and is fundamental to understanding the Earth's heat zones.
3. Explain the role of the Prime Meridian in determining the location of a place on a globe.
The Prime Meridian, set at 0° longitude, is fundamentally important for locating places because it divides the Earth into the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere. It acts as the starting point from which all other meridians of longitude are measured, up to 180° east and 180° west. To locate a place, you need both its latitude and its longitude, and the Prime Meridian provides the reference for the east-west coordinate.
4. What is the significance of the graticule, or the grid system, as explained in Class 6 Social Science?
The significance of the graticule lies in its ability to provide a unique address for any point on the Earth's surface. The grid, formed by the intersection of latitudes and longitudes, creates a coordinate system. This system is essential for:
- Accurately creating maps.
- Enabling precise navigation for ships and aircraft.
- Powering modern technology like the Global Positioning System (GPS).
5. From an exam perspective, what are the three main heat zones of the Earth? State one key feature of each.
The three main heat zones of the Earth are:
- Torrid Zone: Located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, this zone receives the most direct sunlight and experiences the highest temperatures.
- Temperate Zones: There are two temperate zones, located between the tropics and the polar circles in both hemispheres. They experience moderate temperatures with distinct seasons.
- Frigid Zones: These zones are located between the polar circles and the poles. They receive extremely slanting sun rays and are the coldest parts of the Earth.
6. How are longitudes related to the calculation of time zones? This is a frequently asked concept.
Longitudes are directly related to time zones because the Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours. This means the Earth turns 15° of longitude every hour (360° / 24 hours). The Prime Meridian (0°) is the reference for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For every 15° you move east, the local time is one hour ahead of UTC. For every 15° you move west, the time is one hour behind.
7. Why are all meridians of longitude the same length, whereas the parallels of latitude are not?
This is a key conceptual difference. All meridians of longitude are semi-circles of equal length because they run from the North Pole to the South Pole, covering the same distance. In contrast, parallels of latitude are full circles that run parallel to the Equator. The Equator is the largest circle, and the length of these circles decreases as you move towards the poles, eventually becoming just a point at the poles (90° N and 90° S).
8. How do the principles learned in 'Locating Places on Earth' apply to modern technologies like GPS on our phones?
The concepts from this chapter are the foundation of modern GPS technology. A GPS receiver in your phone communicates with satellites orbiting the Earth. These satellites use the exact same principle of a coordinate system. By getting signals from multiple satellites, the receiver calculates its precise intersection point of latitude and longitude, which is then displayed as your location on a digital map. Without the grid system, GPS would not be possible.
9. Could the Prime Meridian have been located somewhere other than Greenwich, London? Explain why a standard was needed.
Yes, theoretically, the Prime Meridian could have been any line of longitude. However, it was established at Greenwich by an international agreement in 1884 primarily because Britain was a major maritime power and its maps, which used Greenwich as the reference, were widely used. A global standard was essential for all countries to have consistent and non-conflicting maps, navigation charts, and international timekeeping. Without a single agreed-upon Prime Meridian, global trade, travel, and communication would be chaotic.
