WBBSE Solutions For Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent

Class 6 Geography WBBSE Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Chapter synopsis

1. Antarctica remains perpetually covered under a 1-2km layer of snow and compacted ice. Thus, it is called the White Continent and is also depicted on maps in white colour.

2. There are huge glaciers in Antarctica. The Lambert Glacier is the longest glacier in the world.

3. Blizzards are violent snowstorms which blow at a speed of over 72 km/h for usually three hours or more.

4. In Antarctica, it is continuously night from May to August. During this time, the rainbow-like natural light display can be seen in the night sky.

This natural colourful light display is known as Aurora or Polar Lights in general and Aurora Australis in particular.

5. The only permanent inhabitant of the continent of Antarctica is the Penguins. Although they are birds, they can not fly but can swim very well. Fishes and krills are the main food of these penguins.

6. Krills are small shrimp-like fishes found in the seas adjacent to Antarctica.

7. Dakshin Gangotri is India’s first research station in Antarctica. The first team of Indian explorers reached Antarctica on 9 January 1982 and set up this station.

8. The eighth team of Indian explorers established India’s second permanent research station, Maitree, 70 km away from the Dakshin Gangotri on 26th March 1988.

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Class 6 Geography WBBSE Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. Describe the topography of Antarctica.
Answer:

Some of the special topographical features of Antarctica are as follows—

Elevation: World’s highest continent Antarctica, is a huge plateau region with an average elevation of 2200m.

In some places, the elevation is so high that these break through the envelope of ice and are seen as rocky tips known as nunataks.

Volcanoes: There are quite a few volcanoes in Antarctica, of which Mt. Erebus and Terror are two. Mt. Erebus is an active volcano.

Glacier: Millions of years of snow and ice deposition have formed several glaciers in Antarctica.

The Lambert Glacier, with a length of 400km and a width of 85 km, is the world’s largest glacier. The Beardmore Glacier is also counted as one of the world’s largest glaciers.

Ice-free valleys: To the east of the Trans-Antarctic Range lies a valley devoid of ice coverings. Winds blow here at an average speed of 320km/hr which dig holes in mountain walls.

Enormous ice blocks: The entire landscape has enormous ice blocks which are as high as skyscrapers. The continent is permanently frozen and the spread of ice over here is endless.

Question 2. Give a description of the weather in Antarctica.
Answer:

Antarctica is the world’s coldest continent. The special characteristics of its weather are as follows—

Temperature: Throughout the year the temperature is below freezing point in Antarctica. In summers, the temperature is about -20°C while in winters it ranges from about —40°C to -75°C. As a result, snowfall occurs throughout the year.

Length of day and night: Between May to August, Antarctica experiences night and between November to February, it is a continuous day. The duration of the daytime and nighttime is six months each.

Wind patterns: The extremely low temperatures create high pressure in this region. Thus, blizzards i.e. snowstorms with high wind velocity—are so common here. In the absence of blizzards, icy winds blow.

Aurora Australis: In winter, when the night sky prevails for about 3 months, sometimes colourful rainbow-like polar lights can be seen in the sky. This is called Aurora Australis.

Severely cold summers: Antarctica receives extremely oblique rays of the sun in summer. As a result, it is always severely cold here.

Question 3. The continent of Antarctica is; uninhabited. Explain why.
Answer:

The continent of Antarctica is; uninhabited:

Antarctica is completely different from all the other continents on Earth. This continent has no permanent inhabitants

Because of the following reasons—

Severe cold: As Antarctica is near the South Pole, it snows throughout the year over here. The lowest temperature on earth has been recorded here.

Permanently snow-covered: As this continent remains permanently snow-covered, mineral resources cannot be easily extracted.

Absence of natural vegetation: Neither natural vegetation can survive nor can crops be cultivated here.

Unavailability of communication: Permanent snow cover makes the development of communication and transportation facilities impossible.

Question 4. Why has Antarctica catted the ‘Continent of Science’?
Answer:

Antarctica catted the ‘Continent of Science’:

Antarctica is uninhabited and hence underdeveloped by standard definitions. However, its true importance lies in its uniqueness.

As no nation has political sovereignty over any part of this continent and also because of the Antarctic Treaty, the continent of Antarctica is open to all nations for the purpose of scientific research.

Antarctica is called the ‘Continent of Science’ because of—

Establishment of research stations: In 1957-58, it was decided that Antarctica would enjoy special status as a zone open for scientific research to all the nations of the world.

Today, there are more than 100 research stations operated by over 40 nations in Antarctica. India has three research stations—Dakshin Gangotri, Maitree and Bharati.

Available resources and their probability: Antarctica has also been found to have reserves of rare minerals. Krill—the protein-rich fish found in the Antarctic Ocean—may just be the answer to any possible food crisis that the world might face in the near future.

The climatic changes in Antarctica and their effect on the global climate and weather pattern are also of great interest to scientists.

Question 5. Why Is Antarctica called an internationally owned landmass?
Answer:

Antarctica is called an internationally owned landmass

because of the following reasons—

Equal rights of conducting research: All the countries of the world have equal rights of conducting research on the continent.

The physical resources have been agreed upon to be only used for research-oriented work.

Equal rights on the available resources: The resources found in this continent are not under the authority of any country. All countries have equal rights to everything available in Antarctica.

Maintaining the ecological balance: Maintaining the ecological balance of the continent and keeping its biodiversity intact is the responsibility of all countries across the world.

Question 6. Discuss two future prospects and two crises of the continent of Antarctica.
Answer:

Future prospects of Antarctica: Two future prospects for Antarctica are—

Mineral resources: This continent has abundant reserves of coal, mineral oil, natural gas, copper, nickel, gold etc.

All these reserved minerals will be of great use to the people of the world in near future.

Food supply: The seas adjacent to Antarctica are rich in marine shrimp or krill, which will meet much of the world’s protein demand in the coming days.

WB Class 6 Geography Question Answer

Future crisis of Antarctica: Two future crises of Antarctica are—

Rise in sea level and decrease in the area of the continent: Due to the gradual rise of the average temperature of the Earth, the ice sheets of this continent are melting rapidly. So, a gradual increase in the sea level shrinks the area of this continent.

Crisis of the existence of the animals: Massive whale and seal hunting have led to a rapid decline in the number of fishes, as well as a decline in the number of krill and penguins. This leads to the upsetting of the natural balance of Antarctica.

Question 7. What according to you are the dangers s, that will appear all over the earth If the Antarctic ice melts down?
Answer:

The ice caps of Antarctica hold great significance for the ecological balance of the entire world and its inhabitants.

Some of the dangers that might result if the ice caps of Antarctica melt are mentioned below:

Submerge of coastal areas: The areas adjoining the coasts will get submerged in water the world over.

Villages, towns and all human habitations will perish. Mangrove forests and their fauna will also perish.

Rainfall in dry areas: Rising sea levels accompanied by global warming will result in more water getting evaporated and increased amounts of rainfall in originally dry areas.

Rise in sea level: A rise in the sea level will cause floods in the rivers and will also result in overflowing dams.

Shortage of drinking water: Glaciers are a source of fresh water. There will be a shortage of drinking water on Earth in the absence of these glaciers.

 

WB Class 6 Geography Question Answer Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. How does the continent of Antarctica form?
Answer:

The continent of Antarctica form:

Scientists believe that at one time, all the continents were part of the ancient supercontinent, Pangea. Pangea then disintegrated into Laurasia and Gondwanaland.

They believe that Antarctica was a part of Gondwanaland. About 200 million years ago, when the continents started to drift away from each other, then Antarctica broke away from Gondwanaland and eventually reached the South Pole.

Over time, because of extreme temperatures, Antarctica experienced heavy snowfall. This compacted snow led to layers of ice being deposited on the landmass.

Question 2. Why is Antarctica called the highest
Answer:

Antarctica called the highest:

The continent of Antarctica is a huge, elevated plateau. A permanent layer of snow and ice raises this continent’s average elevation by almost 400m.

Even if we do not consider the layer of ice and snow, the average elevation is about 2,200 m, which is higher than the average altitude of all the other continents.

Thus, Antarctica is called the highest plateau on Earth.

Question 3. Briefly write a note on Mount Erebus.
Answer:

Mount Erebus:

The second-highest volcano in Antarctica, Mount Erebus (3794m) is an active volcano. It is located on Ross Island.

It was discovered by James Clark Ross in 1841 who named it after one of his ships.

The geologic age of the rock strata has been estimated to be about 1.3 million years. In 1908, Edgeworth David and their team were the first to scale this peak.

WB Class 6 Geography Question Answer

Question 4. What do you mean by shield In geography?
Answer:

Shield In geography:

In geography, shields are large areas of very ancient, exposed igneous and metamorphic rocks.

The Antarctic Shield is one such landmass that broke off from the ancient supercontinent, Pangea.

Though Antarctica is always covered under a thick blanket of snow, scientists have been able to mark the age of this landmass to be almost 1000 million years. At present, it exists as a vast plateau.

Question 5. What is a glacier?
Answer:

Glacier:

A large, slow-moving river of ice is called a glacier. This word comes from the French word ‘glace’ meaning ice.

Glaciers form when snow falls over years in a region, causing the snow at the bottom to get compacted into ice.

Added weight on the underlying layers causes, the ice at the bottom to slowly melt and this meltwater is what makes the glacier flow. Glaciers

Question 6. What is an ice shelf?
Answer:

Ice shelf:

A permanent, flat-topped, floating platform of ice that is attached to the land on one side and floats in the sea on the other, is known as an ice shelf.

When a glacier flows down to a coastline and onto the ocean surface and yet remains frozen when it meets the water, a shelf-like projection forms.

Ice shelves float as a result of gravity. Apart from Antarctica, ice shelves form only in Greenland and Canada. The world’s largest ice shelf is the Ross Ice Shelf.

Question 7. What do you mean by an iceberg?
Answer:

Iceberg:

A large chunk of freshwater ice that has broken off from a glacier or an ice shelf and is floating freely in open water is called an iceberg.

WB Class 6 Geography Question Answer

Since the density of pure ice is much greater than seawater, only about l/10th of an iceberg is visible above water.

Icebergs can range from 1 to 75 metres above sea level in height and can vary between 1,00,000 to 2,00,000 metric tonnes.

The large icebergs have broken off or have been ‘calved’ from the Antarctic Ice Shelf.

The famous Titanic disaster of 1912 occurs when the luxurious British passenger liner, Titanic collided with an iceberg. This disaster caused the deaths of more than 1500 people.

Question 8. Briefly write about the Lambert Glacier.
Answer:

Lambert Glacier:

The Lambert Glacier is a major glacier in East Antarctica and is the world’s largest glacier. It is about 400km in length, about 85km in width and has a depth of almost 2500m at its centre.

In 1952, H Roscoe first described and illustrated the features of this glacier after studying it from aerial photographs. The Lambert Glacier is also one of the world’s fastest-moving glaciers.

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 9. In Antarctica, why do temperatures remain low even in summer?
Answer:

Antarctica receives sunlight almost for six months of the year at a stretch—this is summer in Antarctica. Even then, the temperature does not rise above -20°C.

This is because the continent receives extremely oblique rays from the sun. Also, sunlight is reflected back to the atmosphere from the ice cap which acts as a highly reflective surface.

This is another reason why the temperature does not rise even in summer.

Question 10. What do you understand by polar lights?
Answer:

Polar lights:

At the poles, it is continuously night for six months. During these months, a rainbow-like natural light display occurs in the night sky.

Charged particles from the Sun’s atmosphere collide with the charged particles of the Earth’s atmosphere forming natural colourful light displays known as polar lights.

Specifically, they are called Aurora Borealis in the Arctic region and Aurora Australis in the Antarctic region.

Question 11. What is a blizzard?
Answer:

Blizzards:

Blizzards are defined as violent snowstorms with winds blowing at a speed of over 72km/h for usually three hours or more.

These occur usually in winter. In Antarctica, blizzards can lower the temperature by about 30°C and are also accompanied by lightning.

While blizzards may or may not be accompanied by snowfall, the strong winds cause the loose surface snow to be blown away.

Question 12. Write a note on the Russian research station—Vostok.
Answer:

Russian research station—Vostok:

Vostok is a Russian (formerly Soviet) research station established in 1957 about 1300 km from the South Pole. ‘Vostok’ means East in Russian.

This is at a height of almost 3488m above sea level. The lowest temperature on earth was recorded here, -89.2°C. Research here included ice core drilling and magnetometry.

This research station can house 25 people in summer and 13 people in winter. Although this is a Russian research station, scientists from all over the world conduct research here.

Question 13. Describe the fauna of Antarctica.
Answer:

The fauna of Antarctica:

Though Antarctica does not have a great variety of flora, the animal life in Antarctica is rich and varied. The creature most frequently associated with Antarctica is the penguin.

They feed on small fishes in the Southern Ocean. Krills, whales, and seals are some of the other unique animals whose natural habitat is the ice-covered continent. Albatrosses are also seen here.

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 14. Write a note on the native inhabitant of Antarctica—the Penguin.
Answer:

The native inhabitant of Antarctica—the Penguin:

The living creature most commonly associated with Antarctica is the penguin. Penguins are aquatic birds that cannot fly and are found exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.

Their scientific name is Spheniscidae. Penguins are a neatly bi-coloured species with head markings. Penguins have flipper-like wings and are good swimmers.

They feed on krills, fishes and squids and are experts at catching their food underwater. The Emperor Penguin is the largest among all the penguins.

They are almost 4 feet tall and an adult weighs almost 30 kg. They live up to the age of about 20 years.

Penguin bodies are entirely covered with glossy feathers that never get wet. A thick layer of fat under their skins saves them from the biting cold.

Question 15. Write a note on Krills.
Answer:

Krills:

Krills are small, shrimp-like fishes found in all oceans. Antarctic krill live in large groups, called swarms sometimes reaching densities of 10,000-60,000 individual animals per cubic metre of water.

Krills are commercially fished in the Southern Ocean and in the Waters of Japan. Scientists see krill as the answer to the possible food crisis that the world might face in the coming centuries.

Very high in protein, krill is the main food of Antarctic animals like penguins, seals, whales and birds.

Question 16. Antarctica is home to many rare and interesting animals and birds— Elucidate.
Answer:

Antarctica is home to many rare and interesting animals and birds— Elucidate:

Though Antarctica seems to be an inhospitable environment for life forms on Earth, various interesting animals and birds who have adapted to the harsh conditions are found here.

Penguins—most commonly associated with Antarctica, are aquatic birds who feed on the krill, and fishes in the Southern Ocean.

On land, microscopic and near-microscopic organisms like rotifers and mites are found.

Birds like gulls, skuas and albatrosses are common. The Southern Ocean that bounds Antarctica is home to many mammals like seals, whales, etc.

Small, shrimp-like creatures called krills are the main source of protein for most creatures who inhabit this region.

Question 17. Write a short note on the antarctic treaty.
Answer:

Antarctic treaty:

The continent of Antarctica is exempted from any political sovereignty where the environment is protected and where scientific research and cooperation have priority.

It is a natural reserve with no military presence and free of territorial claims as a result of the Antarctic Treaty signed in Washington D.C.

On December 1, 1959. Representatives from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Norway, the USA and the- the Soviet Union had signed this. Currently, 54 countries are party to the treaty which remains in force indefinitely.

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 18. Write about Indian expeditions to Antarctica.
Answer:

Indian expeditions to Antarctica:

India’s first expedition to Antarctica was much after other countries. In January 1982, the first Indian expedition reached Antarctica.

Dakshin Gangotri, the first Indian research station in Antarctica was built by the members of this expedition.

In 1989, another expedition reached Antarctica and set up Maitree, about 70 kilometres from Dakshin Gangotri. Till now, there have been 30 expeditions to Antarctica from India

Question 19. Write a note on Dakshin Gangotri.
Answer:

Dakshin Gangotri:

Dakshinin AntarcticaGangotriset up is India’sas part first of theresearchIndian <a
Antarctic Programme.

This research station is located about 2500 km from the South Pole. It was constructed and set up by a team of 81 scientists and army and navy personnel between the years 1983-84.

This was a  completely computerised, unmanned research station. Right now, it serves as a supply base for the other two Indian research stations in Antarctica- Maitree and Bharati

Question 20. Briefly write about the research station-Maitree.
Answer:

The research station-Maitree:

Maitree is India’s second permanent research station in the continent of Antarctica.

This research station was set up on 26 March 1988 and completed in 1989 and is located in the Schirmacher Oasis, a rocky, mountainous region.

Maitree is equipped to carry out research in various disciplines like biology, earth sciences, communication, human physiology, and medicine.

It can accommodate up to 25 people in winter. The source of drinking water for Maitree is a nearby freshwater lake named Lake Priyadarshini.

Question 21. What is the future of Antarctica?
Answer:

The future of Antarctica:

Scientists are concerned about the future of Antarctica because this continent has a huge impact on the climatic balance of the entire world.

Thus, the future of our earth is dependent on the future of Antarctica. Global warming, thinning of the ozone layer and air pollution are all factors that The continent of Antarctica is exempted from any political sovereignty where the environment is protected and where scientific research and cooperation have priority.

It is a natural reserve with no military presence and free of territorial claims as a result of the Antarctic Treaty signed in Washington D.C. on December 1, 1959.

Representatives from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Norway, the USA and the then Soviet Union had signed this. Currently, 54 countries are party to the treaty which remains in force indefinitely.

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Question Answer

Question 22. Antarctica receives the maximum sunshine in summer. It is even greater than the sunshine actually received by the equatorial region in summer. Can you say which this happens? Why is then the temperature still low?
Answer:

India’s first expedition to Antarctica was much after other countries. In January 1982, the first Indian expedition reached Antarctica.

Dakshin Gangotri, the first Indian research station in Antarctica was built by the members of this expedition.

In 1989, another expedition reached Antarctica and set up Maitree, about 70 kilometres from Dakshin Gangotri. Till now, there have been 30 expeditions to Antarctica from India.

Question 23. Why is Antarctica extremely cold?
Answer:

Antarctica extremely cold:

The earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 6634° to its orbital path, this causes the poles to experience six continuous months of day and six continuous months of night.

Antarctica receives no sunlight in the months of March to August. As a result, the temperatures are extremely cold.

Again, while Antarctica does receive the sun’s rays between September and February, these rays are very slanting.

As a result, the region does not get effectively heated and severe cold prevails. Continuous snowfall in this region also helps to keep the temperature low which is further enhanced by the vast expanse of snow cover which reflects back almost the entire amount of incoming sun rays. Thus there is no heat retention.

Question 24. Notice that India’s first expedition to Antarctica occurred in the month of January. It then winters out here. Why is it that expeditions to Antarctica are held in winter?
Answer:

During this period, the sun does not set in Antarctica for three months at a stretch because of the apparent southward movement of the sun.

1. This is one of the reasons why Antarctica experiences summer during this period. The causes that snow that expeditions to Antarctica held in winter are as follows:
2. 24-hour daylight helps to conduct various experiments needed for research.
3. The chances of blizzards or snowstorms are less as it is summer in Antarctica.

 

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Mention The boundaries of the continent of Antarctica.
Answer:

The boundaries of the continent of Antarctica:

The southernmost continent of Antarctica is an island continent—bounded on all sides by the Southern Ocean and with no other landmass near it.

The specific portions of the Southern Ocean that bound it are the Ross Sea, the Weddell Sea and the Bellingshausen Sea.

These seas are all inlets average height of the plateau is about 2500 metres of the Southern Ocean.

 

Question 2. Why Is Antarctica also known as the ‘White Continent’?
Answer:

Antarctica also known as the ‘White Continent’:

Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is also the coldest continent on Earth. Throughout the year, this continent receives oblique rays of the sun and experiences temperatures below freezing point.

Antarctica remains perpetually covered under a km-2 km layer of snow and compacted ice. Thus, it is also called the ‘White Continent’ and is depicted on maps in white colour.

Question 3. Why is Antarctica known as the highest continent?
Answer:

Antarctica known as the highest continent:

The continent of Antarctica is an ancient shield area and an inter-montane plateau. The average height of the plateau is about 2500 metres (without the layer of snow cover).

Since the average elevation of the continent is the highest among all continents, it is called the highest continent.

Question 4. Who was the first person to reach the South Pole? What was the nature of this expedition?
Answer:

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team led the expedition that was the first to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911.

The expedition had to brave extremely hostile weather conditions—snowstorms and extreme cold. Apart from that, massive cracks or crevasses kept on developing in the layer of ice as they travelled over it.

Question 5. Who reached the North Pole first? How was the expedition?
Answer:

In 1909, Robert Peary reached the North Pole along with members of his expedition. This is considered to be the first expedition to the North Pole.

Although Frederick Cook, claims to have reached the Pole in 1908. Peary’s expedition set out on 6 July 1908 with 24 members. On March 1909 they set up their base camp in Ellesmere Island, Canada.

The only explorers on the last part of the journey were Peary and his companion, Henson. When they reached the point they considered to be the North Pole, they spent a few hours there and then returned back to base.

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Question Answer

Question 6. Which countries have research stations in Antarctica?
Answer:

According to the Antarctic Treaty, no nation can lay claim to political sovereignty over Antarctica. It has been identified as a zone of international cooperation and research.

The United States of America, Russia, Norway, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France, Japan, Germany, Argentina and India are some of the 40 countries which have research stations in Antarctica.

Question 7. Name the mineral reserves found in the Antarctic.
Answer:

The minerals found in Antarctica are coal, petroleum, natural gas, copper, nickel and gold.

Question 8. Is there a similar reserve of polar ice at the North Pole? Is it melting down too? 
Answer:

Yes, there is a similar reserve of polar ice at the North Pole too. The reserve of polar ice at the North Pole is facing a similar fate to the ice expanses of Antarctica.

Increased levels of global warming are causing a rapid meltdown of the polar ice caps.

Question 9. Why does it not rain in Antarctica? ‘
Answer:

Antarctica never experiences rainfall as even in summer, the temperature is around -20°C, which is much below the freezing point. All precipitation in Antarctica is thus only in the form of snowfall.

Question 10. Why are lichen, moss and scrub the only natural vegetation to grow and survive in Antarctica? Or, Why isn’t any big tree on this continent?
Answer:

There are many reasons why lichens, mosses and scrubs are the only natural vegetation that grows and survive in the continent of Antarctica.

They are—

Snow-covered land: Antarctica is completely covered by a thick layer of ice and snow. Plants cannot grow roots that would penetrate this ice.

Extreme temperature: The extreme temperature makes it impossible for plants to germinate from seeds, grow or survive.

But, during summers, along the coastline in some parts, one can see the growth of mosses, lichens, flower-bearing herbaceous plants and ferns. In the western parts of the continent, tiny herbs and grasses are also found.

Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1. Man first came to know about the ice-covered continent in the year—

1. 1820
2. 1920
3. 1980

Answer: 1. 1820

Question 2. The Greek word ‘Antarctica’ means-

1. The opposite of the south
2. The opposite of the north
3. The opposite of continent

Answer: 2. The opposite to the north

Question 3. Antarctica is located near the—

1. South pole
2. North pole
3. Equator

Answer: 1. South pole

Question 4. Antarctica is bounded by—

1. Pacific Ocean
2. Atlantic ocean
3. Antarctic ocean

Answer: 3. Antarctic ocean

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Question Answer

Question 5. Antarctica is the world’s continent.

1. Second-largest
2. Fourth-largest
3. Fifth-la largest

Answer: 1.

Question 6. The area of Antarctica is equal to that of Australia—

1. Thrice
2. Twice
3. Four times

Answer: 2. Twice

Question 7. Antarctica is known as the—

1. White continent
2. Green continent
3. Dark continent

Answer: 1. White continent

Question 8. Erebus on ross island in the Antarctic is a volcano that is—

1. Active
2. Extinct
3. Dormant

Answer: 1. Active

Question 9. Antarctica is the world’s longest—

1. Mountain glacier
2. Continental glacier
3. Piedmont glacier

Answer: 2. Continental glacier

Question 10. In Antarctica, it is continuous day for—

1. 12 Months
2. 6 Months
3. 3 Months

Answer: 2. 6 Months

Question 11. The coldest, uninhabited place on earth is—

1. Oymyako
2. Verkhoyansk
3. Vostok

Answer: 3. Vostok

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 12. Antarctica is divided into two parts by the—

1. Ross and Weddell seas
2. Trans-Antarctic mountains
3. Prime meridian

Answer: 2. Trans-Antarctic mountains

Question 13. The longest and the largest continental glacier in the world is—

1. Hubbard
2. Lambert
3. Siachen

Answer: 2. Lambert

Question 14. Antarctica is a continent that is—

1. Uninhabited
2. Sparsely populated
3. Moderately populated

Answer: 1. Uninhabited

Question 15. The bird associated with Antarctica is—

1. Peacock
2. Pigeon
3. Penguin

Answer: 3. Penguin

Question 16. The first person to set foot on the south pole was—

1. James cook
2. Roald Amundsen
3. John Davis

Answer: 2. Roald Amundsen

Question 17. The number of research stations in Antarctica is near—

1. 70
2. 50
3. 100

Answer: 3. 100

Question 18. India’s first research station in Antarctica was—

1. Maitree
2. Vostok
3. Dakshin Gangotri

Answer: 3. Dakshin Gangotri

 

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. 1Almost million years ago, Antarctica broke away from the fused landmass Pangea, and it was a part of____________
Answer: 200

Question 2. The world’s highest continent is____________
Answer: Antarctica

Question 3. Antarctica is the world’s____________ continent.
Answer: Coldest

Question 4. Antarctica extends from 90°S latitude to ____________ °S latitude.
Answer: 60

Question 5. Antarctica is located near the____________
Answer: South pole

Question 6. About____________ per cent of the continent is covered by ice in Antarctica.
Answer: 98

Question 7. Antarctica is the world’s ____________largest continent.
Answer: Fifth

Question 8. The depth of the layer of the ice cover of Antarctica is an average of____________ km.
Answer: 1-2

Question 9. ____________is the Russian research station in Antarctica.
Answer: Vostok

Question 10. Summer in Antarctica is during the months of____________ to ____________
Answer: November, February

Question 11. Between May and August, rainbow-like lights called ____________ can be seen in the dark Antarctic sky.
Answer: Aurora Australis

Question 12. ____________ are the living creatures usually associated with Antarctica.
Answer: Penguins

Question 13. ____________ is a shrimp-like creature.
Answer: Krill

Question 14. Krill is the primary food of ____________
Answer: Penguins

Question 15. Scientists generally travel to Antarctica in the month of ____________
Answer: December

Question 16. According to the Antarctic Treaty of ____________,no nation has sovereignty over Antarctica and it is a zone of international cooperation.
Answer: 1959

Question 17. ____________ countries have research stations in Antarctica.
Answer: 40

Question 18. Indian explorers first set foot on Antarctica on 9 January of the year ____________
Answer: 1982

Question 19. Maitree was set up 70km from Dakshin Gangotri on 26 March of the year ____________
Answer: 1988

Question 20. The Indian research station set up in Antarctica in 2012 is named ____________
Answer: Bharati

 

Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Write True Or False

Question 1. The land area of Antarctica varies with the seasons.
Answer: True

Question 2. Antarctica is also called the Continent of Science.
Answer: True

Question 3. Blizzard is a dry wind that blows over North America.
Answer: False

Question 4. Mt. Erebus is an active volcano.
Answer: True

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 5. Penguins are among the oldest inhabitants of Antarctica.
Answer: True

Question 6. Queen Alexandra Range is a famous mountain range in Antarctica.
Answer: True

Question 7. Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins according to size.
Answer: True

Question 8. Whale fat was used to make margarine.
Answer: True

Question 9. Blizzards are the most dangerous natural disasters in Antarctica.
Answer: True

Question 10. Polar bears are found near the South Pole.
Answer: False

Question 11. The word ‘Antarctica’ in Greek means ‘the opposite to the north’.
Answer: True

Question 12. Antarctica is somewhat circular in shape.
Answer: True

Question 13. Topographically, the continent of Antarctica is an elevated plain land.
Answer: False

Question 14. Maitree is at a distance of about 70 km from Dakshin Gangotri.
Answer: True

Question 15. The length of the Trans-Antarctic Mountain Range is about 3,500km.
Answer: True

 

Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Match The Columns

Answer: 1-E,2-C,3-B,4-A,5-D

 

Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Answer In One Or Two Words

Question 1. From which two Greek words is the word Antarctica derived?
Answer: The word Antarctica is derived from the Greek words ‘Anti’ and ‘Arctos’.

Question 2. Which is the highest continent in the world?
Answer: Antarctica (average height is 2500m without the snow cover).

Question 3. What is the land area of Antarctica?
Answer: About 14 million square km.

Question 4. Which is the nearest continent to Antarctica?
Answer: South America.

Question 5. Which is Antarctica’s highest peak?
Answer: Vinson Massif in the Sentinel Range (4892m)

Question 6. Which is the world’s longest continental glacier?
Answer: Lambert Glacier.

WBBSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 6 Question Answer

Question 7. What is the name of the active volcano in Antarctica?
Answer: Mt. Erebus.

Question 8. Which is the world’s longest continental glacier?
Answer: Lambert Glacier.

Question 9. What is the name of the polar lights that illuminate the skies of Antarctica?
Answer: Aurora Australis.

Question 10. Which native bird of Antarctica can swim but cannot fly?
Answer: Penguins.

Question 11. Who was the first explorer to reach mainland Antarctica?
Answer: English explorer Captain James Cook circumnavigated within 150km of mainland Antarctica for the first time in 1773.

Question 12. If there is an ice-clad continent in the South Poles what is there at the North Pole?
Answer: The North Pole has a frozen ocean.

Question 13. Which continent is called the ‘Continent of Science’?
Answer: Antarctica.

Question 14. In which year was the Antarctic Treaty signed?
Answer: 1959.

Question 15. When did Indian explorers first set foot on Antarctica?
Answer: 9 January 1982

 

Chapter 6 The Ice-Capped Continent Miscellaneous Type Questions Find The odd one out

Question 1. Lambert: Siachen: Scott: Beardmore
Answer: Siachen (not a glacier of Antarctica)

Question 2. Trans-Antarctic Range: Great Himalayan Range: Sentinel Range: Queen Maud Range
Answer: Great Himalayan Range (not a mountain range of Antarctica)

Question 3. Krill: Penguin: Polar bear: Whale
Answer: Polar bear (not an inhabitant of Antarctica)

Question 4. James Cook: Roald Amundsen: Francis Scott: Robert Peary
Answer: Robert Peary (not an explorer of the South Pole)

Question 5. Gangotri: Dakshin Gangotri: Vostok: Maitree
Answer: Gangotri (not a research station)

 

Correct the Following

Question 1. The Greek word ‘Antarctica’ means the opposite of South.
Answer: The Opposite of North

Question 2. The average height of Antarctica is 2-5 metres.
Answer: 2-5 Kilometers

Question 3. The Trans-Antarctic Range extends over 350km.
Answer: 3500km

Question 4. Shackleton and his team were the first to reach the South Pole.
Answer: Amundsen

Question 5. India’s first expedition to Antarctica set up the Maitree research station.
Answer: Eighth

 

Who Am I?

Question 1. I am the world’s coldest, uninhabited continent. Who am I?
Answer: Antarctica

Question 2. I bound the continent of Antarctica on all sides. Who am I?
Answer: Southern Ocean

Question 3. I am the highest peak in Antarctica. Who am I?
Answer: Vinson massif

Question 4. I am the main source of protein for penguins in Antarctica. Who am I?
Answer: Krill

Question 5. I am India’s second research station in Antarctica. Who am I?
Answer: Maitree

 

Scrambled Words

1. CAANTITARC

2. SENUNDAM

3. BUSMOEREUNT

4. INPENGU

5. GANSHINTRIGODAK

Answer:

1. ANTARCTICA

2. AMUNDSEN

3. MOUNT EREBUS

4. PENGUIN

5. DAKSHIN GANGOTRI

 

Fill Up The Blanks In The Knowledge Hive

Question 1. Fill in the knowledge hive with information on Antarctica:

Answer:

1. in 1821, John Davis first set foot on Antarctica.
2. This is the fifth-largest and highest continent in the world.
3. About 98 per cent of this continent is covered in snow and ice. Thus, it is known as the ‘White Continent’.
4. The total amount of snow and ice in Antarctica is estimated to be about 30 million cubic km.
5. The coldest place on earth is Vostok (-89.2°C) in Antarctica i.e., the Russian research station.

Crossword

 

Down:

1. This bird is associated with Antarctica.
3. This is a large, slow-moving river of ice.

Across:

2. This is a large chunk of freshwater ice that floats freely on open water.
4. This is the longest glacier in the world.
5. This is the primary food of penguins.
6. This is one of the world’s largest valley glaciers.

Answer:

Down:

1. Penguin,
3. Glacier

Across:

2. Iceberg,
4. Lambert,
5. Krill,
6. Beardmore

 

Advanced Questions And Answers

Question 1. What is the Scotia Ridge?
Answer: The Scotia Ridge is a submarine mountain range that extends from the southern tip of South America to Antarctica and back, surfacing at intervals as the islands of the Scotia Arc.

This connects with the Andes of South America and the entire arc is about 4350km in length.

Question 2. What is a Nunatak?
Answer: A nunatak is an exposed, rocky part of a mountain or peak that is not covered with snow or ice though it is situated within an ice field.

This term is used in areas where a permanent ice sheet is present, like Antarctica. These appear as scattered islands and are also known as glacial islands.

Some well-known nunataks in Antarctica are Harvey, Newman and Aviator.

Question 3. What is an avalanche?
Answer: Avalanches are described as the rapid downhill snowslip along a slope.

Avalanches can be triggered by many factors like heavy precipitation, earthquakes, change in the compacted snow or overload because of external factors like human activities, etc.

Severe avalanches are natural disasters that can cause immeasurable loss of life and property.

Entire communities were wiped out and nearly 4000 people were killed in the avalanche disaster of Peru in 1962.

 

Formative

Empathy and Cooperation:: This segment will determine the ability of students to cooperate and help others within a group.

Question 1. Just as Penguins are found in Antarctica, Polar Bears are seen in the northern polar region.

Write down an imaginary dialogue between the Polar Bear and the Penguin on the effects of global warming and climate change.
Answer:

Polar Bear: There was a time when I used to see only snow around and now I see less snow and more water around. This has become such a great problem!

Penguin: You are right. I have seen the same condition around me!

Polar Bear: You know how I used to stand on a high icy chunk before the ice started melting?

Penguin: And I can no longer walk around the place where it was completely snow-covered earlier. The cold is also not the same as before.

Polar Bear: Why is this happening? If this continues, where will we be? And what will we eat?

Penguin: I think all this is happening because the world is constantly warming up. The climate is changing all around. The ice caps are melting.

Polar Bear: Well, if all the ice melts due to continuous warming, will we die?

Penguin: Yes, that is right. We will die in the scorching heat. All the ice caps will melt and the level of seawater will increase. We will starve to death. Our homes will all get submerged in water.

Polar Bear: I can foresee a bad situation not only for us but for everyone the world over.

Aesthetics and Creativity:: This segment will check the aesthetic sense and creativity of the students.

Question 1. If we imagine an expedition from the coast of the Ross Sea to the South Pole, then what will we see on our way? Or, What type of natural environment would you face if you go for Antarctica Exped it on?

Answer: If we imagine an expedition from the west of the Ross Sea in Antarctica to the South Pole, we will first see an active volcano called Mt.

Erebus. We would encounter the 3500km long Trans-Antarctic Mountain Range as we would travel beyond the hot stream of lava and warm vapour. Then we would reach an iceless valley.

The wind speed in this valley would be about 320km/h. This strong wind forms holes in the mountain walls.

A little further on, we would see the Beardmore Glacier, surrounded only by scoops of ice as high as skyscrapers. Then there would be just snow and ice all around.

From there to the South Pole, there would just be endless ice. Since I would travel in December-January and it would be summer then, the temperature would be between – 40°C to -20°C.

During this time the Sun is visible in the sky for 24 hours. Moss, lichen and algae grow here around this time.

Animals and birds like penguins, seals, skuas, albatrosses, whales, krills, etc. are common here.