India-Size and location Class 9 Previous years’ Board Long Answer Type Questions are given here. Answers are also given in the end. Students should prepare according to the type of questions asked in the board exams.
Previous Years’ Board Questions
1. State the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India’s mainland. What is the latitude of Tropic of Cancer? [CBSE 2015]
OR | What is the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of India? Name the imaginary line which divided India into north and south. [CBSE 2012]
2. Why is the difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at Kanyakumari but not so in Kashmir? [CBSE 2015]
3. Why is 82°30’E has been chosen as the Standard Meridian of India? Explain the reason. [CBSE 2012]
OR | Mention three reasons of selecting only one Standard Meridian for India’s standard time. [CBSE 2015]
4. Give reasons to justify that India had a close links with other parts of the world in ancient times?
Answers
1. Extent of India:
- Latitudinal extension of India: 8°4′ N–37°6’N
- Longitudinal extension of India: 68°7′ E–97°25’E
- Longitudinal of Tropic of Cancer is: 23° 30’N.
2. Reasons of time difference are given below:
(i) The difference in the duration of day and night at Kanyakumari and Kashmir are respectively due to their latitudinal locations.
(ii) Kanyakumari is located closer to the equator i.e., 8° away from the Equator.
(iii) It receives maximum sunlight and experience a minimum gap between day and night. On the other hand, Kashmir lies further away from the Equator and experiences as significant gap between the duration of day and night.
3. The Standard Meridian of India is chosen due to the following reasons:
(i) Many longitudes pass through India from west to east.
(ii) The longitudinal extent of India is about 30o for every 1o of longitude there is a time difference of one hour. Hence, for an interval of 30o there is a time difference of nearly two hours between the eastern and the western most extremity of India. To avoid the confusion of time, 82°30′ E longitude has been chosen as the Standard Meridian.
(iii) There is a general understanding among the countries of the world to select a Standard Meridian in multiples of 7½o both to the east and west of the Prime Meridian so that the minimum time difference between 2 countries is half an hour.
(iv) The Standard Meridian of a country should pass through, as far as possible the middle of a country. 82o 30′ E longitude passes almost centrally through India, hence equidistance from the east and west.
Answers
4. India enjoyed prominent position in the world in ancient times because of the following:
(i) India has the longest central lines on the Indian ocean which used to be a lot of trade.
(ii) These routes have contributed in the exchange of ideas and commodities since ancient times.
(iii) The trans-Indian ocean route connects countries of Europe in west.
(iv) Countries of East Asia provide a strategic location to India.
(v) The ideas of the Upanishads and the Ramayana, the stories of Panchatantra, the Indian numerals and the decimal system thus could reach many parts of the world.
(vi) The spices, muslin and other merchandise were taken from India to different countries.
(vii) On the other hand, the influence of Greek sculpture, and the architectural styles of dome and minarets from West Asia can be seen in different parts of our country.
