WBBSE Solutions For Class 8 Geography Chapter 11 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of Oceania

Chapter 11 Oceania Synopsis

• Oceania is the smallest continent. It is made up of numerous islands. The total population of the continent is less than half of the total population of West Bengal.
• The animals found only in this continent are the Kangaroo, Wallaby, Platypus, Koala, Emu, and Kiwi. Evergreen trees like Jarrah and Karri are also found here. The continent is also the birthplace of Eucalyptus.
• The area of the continent is about 8525989 sq. km.
• The latitudinal extent of Oceania is from 15°N in the north (the northern boundary of Hawaiian Islands) to 47°S in the south (New Zealand’s southern limit) and the longitudinal extent is from 114°E in the west (western border of Australia) to 134°W (Gambier Islands) in the east.
• Mt. Wilhelm (4509 metres) of Papua New Guinea is the highest peak of Oceania. The Murray-Darling River (3572 km) of Australia is the longest river of the continent.
• There are 14 sovereign nations in the. continent and 21 dependent territories. Australia is the largest country and Nauru is the smallest.

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• In the 16th century, Ferdinand Magellan discovered some islands of the continent including the Marinus. In 1644, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman reached Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Islands.
• In 1770, James Cook first anchored on the different islands of the Pacific Ocean and on the eastern coast of Australia. In 1789, rebels of the British Royal Navy settled permanently in Pitcairn Island and eventually, colonies were established in the continent.
• There are four regional divisions of Oceania, namely Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
• The Eastern Highlands, Western Plateau, Central Lowlands, and Coastal Plains are the four important physiographic divisions of the continent.
• The Great Dividing Range is an old fold mountain that stretches all over the eastern part of Australia running north-south direction. Mt. Kosciuszko of the New England Range is the highest peak of Australia.
• Ayers Rock of Austrália in the Western Plateau region is a spectacular feature. It exhibits different colours at different times of the day.
• World’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, is a major attraction of the east Australian coast.
• New Zealand comprises of two main landmasses-the North Island and the South Island. There are many volcanoes in this country. Mount Cook (3164 metres) of the Southern Alps is the highest peak of New Zealand.
• The Canterbury Plains have developed | 20. along the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
• Mauna Loa rises 9170 metres from its base to its summit, which is greater than the elevation of Mount Everest, 8848 metres from sea level to its summit. However, 5000 metres of this volcano lies below sea level and the remaining 4170 meters is above sea level.

WBBSE Class 8 Oceania General Introduction

• There are many lakes in Oceania. Among them, Eyer, Torrens, Mackay, Wills of Australia and Taupo of New Zealand are worth mentioning.
• The different climatic types in Oceania are-Equatorial, Tropical monsoon, Temperate, Mediterranean, Tropical arid Semi-arid and British climate.
• The different vegetation types, prevailing in this continent are- Temperate forest, Tropical grassland, Temperate grassland, Desert vegetation and Mediterranean vegetation.
• The Tropical grasslands are also known as the ‘Parkland Savanna’ and the Temperate grasslands are known as the ‘Downs’.
• In between the Great Dividing Range in the east and Western Plateau in the west lies a plain land. To the south of this plain lies the Murray-Darling basin. It is famous for agriculture and cattle rearing.
• The latitudinal extent of the basin is 24°S-39°S and the longitudinal extent of the basin is 138°E-149°E. It occupies almost 20% of the total area of Australia.
• The Murray River (2589 km) rises from the Australian Alps and the Darling River (1163 km) rises from the New England Range. Together they converge near the city of Wentworth and flow southwest to drain into Encounter Bay.
• The farmers who work in the cattle-rearing farms of the basin are known as Jackaos.
• Australia occupies fifth position in the world for beef production and first position in the world for wool production.
• The city of Cobber is known for copper mining. The city of Broken Hill is known. as the ‘Silver City’.

Chapter 11 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of Oceania Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. What do you know about the discovery of Oceania?
Answer:

Discovery Of Oceania:-

Oceania was discovered by the Europeans. Before that, the islands were inhabited by tribes like the Maoris, Aborigins etc. After the European expedition, many such campaigns were undertaken to know more about Oceania.

In the 16th century, Ferdinand Magellan discovered Marinus and some other islands during his voyage. In 1644 the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovered the islands of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.

In the year 1770, James Cook first anchored in different islands of the Pacific Ocean and the eastern coast of Australia (Sydney). In 1789, the rebels of the British Royal Navy settled permanently in the island of Pitcairn.

Later these people established British colonies in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. 19th century onwards, after the discovery of gold mines and other resources here, a large number of people started migrating from Europe to Australia. Besides the British, the French too colonised a few islands of Oceania.

Question 2. Describe the regional classifications of Oceania.
Answer:

Regional Classifications Of Oceania:-

The islands in Oceania have been classified into the following four regions-

1. Australasia,
2. Melanesia,
3. Micronesia and
4. Polynesia, which are discussed below.

 

1. Australasia:

Australasia, a region of Oceania, mainly comprises of Australia and New Zealand. The region covers 90% area of Oceania.

2. Melanesia:

Melanesia is a subregion of Oceania. The term ‘Melanesia’ literally means ‘black islands’, owing to the dark-skinned inhabitants of the region.

The major islands of the region include New Guinea, Solomon, Fiji, Norfolk, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, etc.

3. Micronesia:

Micronesia is a subregion of Oceania, comprising of thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The maximum islands of this region are coral islands. Guam, Marshall, Nauru, and Kiribati are the major islands of the region.

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Oceania Overview

4. Polynesia:

Polynesia is also a sub-region of Oceania, located at the easternmost part of Oceania. Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Cook, Easter, Pitcairn, etc., are the major islands of this region. Some of the islands of this region are volcanic by origin.

Question 3. Describe the topography of Australia.
Answer:

Topography Of Australia:-

Australia can be divided into the following four categories according to its topography-

1. The Eastern Highlands,
2. The Western Plateau,
3. The Central Lowlands and
4. The Coastal Plains.

1. The Eastern Highlands:

The Eastern Highlands or the Great Dividing Range is a chain of old fold mountains that runs in a north-south direction and stretches all over the eastern part of Australia.

This range extends from the Cape York Peninsula in the north to the Bass Strait in the south. It is known by different names in different regions- Darling Downs, Australian Alps, Blue Range, Liverpool Range, etc.

Mount Kosciuszko of the New England Range is the highest peak of Australia.

2. The Western Plateau:

The vast stretch of undulating land in the western part of Australia is called the Western Plateau (average height 200-500 metres). This plateau region occupies most of Australia.

The rocks of the plateau region are as old as those of the Deccan Plateau region. Some small hills are also located in the eastern and western parts.

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Quite a few deserts-the Great Sandy Desert, the Gibson desert, the Great Victoria desert-have developed in the middle of these hills due to their dry climatic conditions. Playas and oases are often found in the midst of these deserts.

The Ayer Rock of Australia is a spectacular feature in this plateau region. It is made up of red sandstone and its colour changes at different times of the day from dawn to dusk.

3. The Central Lowlands:

The plains lying between the Great Dividing Range in the east and the Western Plateau in the west are called the Central Lowlands (average height 180 metres). The highlands Grey and Selwyn divide this plain into three parts.

In the south lies the Murray-Darling Basin or the Riverine plains, in the middle lies the Lake Eyre Basin and in the north lies the Carpenteria Lowland.

In the Carpenteria Lowland, water comes out naturally from the dug wells without the help of any pumps. These wells are known as Artesian wells.

4. The Coastal Plains:

Narrow Coastal Plains run along all margins of the continent. However, the adjoining coastal plains of the Gulf of Carpentaria in the north and the Great Australian Bight in the south are broad.

The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef, lies parallel to the northeast coast of Australia.

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Question 4. Describe the physiography of New Zealand, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
Answer:

Physiography of New Zealand:

Two main islands, namely, the North Island and the South Island and many small islands like the Stewart, Chatham, etc., have formed New Zealand. Both the North Island and the South Island have hilly topography.

However, the South Island has higher mountains. The highest mountain peak of New Zealand is Mount Cook (3164 metres), which is located in the Southern Alps range of the South Island. The Canterbury Plain extends along the east coast of the island.

The main rivers here are Waikato, Clutha, Whanganui and Taieri. These rivers are short and turbulent. The South Island has a number of glaciers, out of which the Tasman Glacier is the longest.

Understanding Oceania’s Physical Environment for Class 8

Many glacial lakes are found in this mountain region. The highest mountain peak in the North Island is Mount Ruapehu (2797 metres).

Physiography of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia:

These regions consist of numerous igneous islands formed by igneous material deposits at the sea bottom. Hawaii, Soloman, Tahiti, Fiji, etc are examples of igneous islands found here.

Mount Wilhelm (4509 metres) of Papua New Guinea is the highest peak of Oceania. Mouna Loa, Kilauea, etc. are the important volcanoes of the Hawaiian islands. Marshall, Gilbert, Caroline, Nauru, Wake, etc., are the names of a few coral islands.

Question 5. Describe the rivers flowing through the continent of Oceania.
Answer:

Rivers Flowing Through The Continent Of Oceania:-

Most parts of the countries in the continent of Oceania are arid and dry. So lakes, rivers and water bodies are quite less in number here. The notable rivers of the continent are-

 

Question 6. Classify Oceania into different climatic regions according to climatic variations.
Answer:

Classification Of Oceania Into Different Climatic Regions According To Climatic Variations:-

Oceania, due to its vast extent is dominated by various climatic types in various regions. The islands experience a maritime climate while extreme climatic conditions prevail in the interior landmass.

The six different climatic regions of the continent according to its climatic variations are

Class 8 Geography Oceania Topic A Notes

Question 7. Discuss the natural vegetation of Oceania.
Answer:

Natural Vegetation Of Oceania:-

Depending on the climatic variations and diverse landforms, the natural vegetation of Oceania is classified as follows-

 

Other than this, several other types of trees are also found here. Coniferous forests are found along the higher parts of the Great Dividing Range and the mountainous regions of New Zealand where snowfall occurs.

Evergreen forests are seen in some of the islands of Oceania. Coconut trees are also common in these islands. Thus, Oceania is rich in forest-based natural resources.

Question 8. How do the locational factors lead to climatic variations in Oceania?
Answer:

Locational Factors Lead To Climatic Variations In Oceania:-

The reasons causing climatic variations in Oceania are discussed below-

1. Location of the islands:

The island countries of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, etc., are located in the southern hemisphere and experience summer from December to February and winter from June to August.

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 11 Questions and Answers

2. Position of the Tropic of Capricorn:

The Tropic of Capricorn (23% 5) passes through the central part of Australia. Hence, the northern regions of the country mostly experience tropical climates while the southern regions experience a temperate climates.

On the other hand, New Zealand is located further south of the Tropic of Capricorn and experiences a cool temperate climate.

3. Influence of the sea:

The countries in Oceania are surrounded by the sea. Hence, due to proximity to the sea, the coastal regions of the countries do not experience extreme climatic variations like the central regions.

4. Existence of mountain range:

The Great Dividing Range covers the entire eastern part of Australia. The south-eastern trade winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean get obstructed by the eastern slope of the mountain range stretching from north to south.

Hence, the east coast receives heavy rainfall. However, the central and western regions of Australia are more or less rain deprived and many deserts have developed here.

5. Presence of monsoon and trade winds:

In summer, low pressure develops over the northwest region of Australia. Hence, the moist north-west monsoon winds blow over the northern parts of Australia. Generally, it is observed that the south-east trade winds blow over most of the regions in Australia.

Question 9. New Zealand is known as ‘Britain of the southern hemisphere. On the basis of which features would you compare New Zealand to Britain?
Answer: New Zealand can be compared to Britain as these two countries are remarkably similar to each other. Some of the common features are-

1. Island country: Both Britain and New Zealand are island countries.

2. Multiple islands: New Zealand is comprised of several islands, just as Britain.

3. Antipodal position: It is interesting to note that New Zealand lies in the antipodal position of Britain.

4. Similar climatic features: As New Zealand lies in the antipodal position of Britain, the climate of both of these countries is remarkably similar. They both have a temperate climate.

5. Population: Most of the people of New Zealand are of British origin. Thus a similarity can be noticed between these countries in terms of the people living here.

6. Lifestyle: Due to the presence of people of British origin in New Zealand, similarities in food habits, dress and culture can be noticed between the people of these two nations.

Chapter 11 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of Oceania Short Analytical Type Questions

Question 1. Write the characteristics of Ayers Rock.
Answer:

Characteristics Of Ayers Rock:-

Ayers rock is a large rock structure found in the Western Plateau of Australia. It is also known as ‘Uluru’ in Australia and is made up of red sandstone. The rock exhibits different colours from dawn to dusk.

For example, during dusk, the rock shows a typical sunset-red hue. Sometimes it is also yellow or violet. This sandstone formation, rising 863 m above the mean sea level, has a total circumference of 9.4 km. It is the most recognisable natural landmark in Australia.

Question 2. Give an account of the Great Artesian Basin in Australia.
Answer:

Great Artesian Basin In Australia:-

A notable characteristic of Australia’s environment is that there are many artesian wells covering vast stretches of the land. The largest and deepest artesian basin in the world, the Great Artesian Basin, is located in Australia.

This basin encompasses an area of over 1.7 million sq. km over the states of mainly Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales. It is known for its groundwater reserves. This basin is extensively tapped for irrigation purposes.

Question 3. What do you know about the Great Barrier Reef?
Answer:

Great Barrier Reef:-

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest as well as the longest (almost 2300 km long) coral reef in the world. It lies parallel to the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.

The distance between the coral reef and the coastline varies from 80 km to 205 km on average. It extends parallel to the coast for 2000 km. The Great Barrier Reef is a cluster of more than 2,900 reefs.

Oceania Geography Study Guide for Class 8

Formation process:

Remains of the dead bodies of marine animals (corals) along with sedimentary particles get deposited on the sea- bed. Gradually the bed elevates and transforms into an island or reef.

Benefits to the ecosystem:

1. The formation of the coral reef has led to the development and preservation of the ecosystem of the sea.
2. This reef protects the ports of the east coast and the coastal areas from turbulence in the sea.

However, it creates a great hazards to navigate. It acts as a wall and creates an obstruction for ships and thus gets it name as the ‘Great Barrier Reef.

Question 4. Write a short note on the Canterbury Plains.
Answer:

Canterbury Plains:-

The narrow stretch of plain land that has developed along the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand is called the Canterbury Plains.

This region has a temperate climate and receives scanty rainfall. Hence, grasses have grown extensively over the plain instead of trees. This plain region is famous for cattle rearing.

As a result, dairy, leather and meat processing industries have developed in this region.

Question 5. In spite of being shorter than Mauna Loa, Mt. Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world. Why?
Answer:

In spite of being shorter than Mauna Loa, Mt. Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world.

The elevation of the mountain is measured from the sea level. The Mauna Loa (9,170 metres) is a volcanic mountain which is sub-aqueous in nature, i.e., most of it lies below the sea (5000 metres).

Only 4,170 metres of Mauna Loa is above sea level. On the other hand, Mt. Everest has an elevation of 8,848 metres above sea level. Thus, Mt. Everest is considered as the world’s highest mountain peak.

 

Question 6. Give a brief description of the coral islands in Oceania.
Answer:

Coral Islands In Oceania:-

The continent of Oceania is made up of numerous islands and archipelagos. Some of these islands have been formed as a result of the accumulation of the remains of dead marine animals (corals) and polyps.

These islands are called coral islands. Some examples of coral islands are Marshall, Gilbert, Caroline, Kiribati, Nauru, etc. Numerous coral polyps reside in tropical oceans.

The dead bodies of these polyps and the calcium carbonate secreted by the corals are deposited at the base of the oceans. These are gradually accumulated and grow upwards above sea level to form coral islands.

Physical Features of Oceania for Class 8 Students

Question 7. Why is Australia called the ‘Island Continent’?
Answer:

Australia called the ‘Island Continent’

Australia occupies the largest territory in Oceania. It extends from 10°S latitude in the north to 43°S latitude in the south and from 155°E longitude in the east to 113°E longitude in the west.

On average, Australia covers almost 3,500 km from north to south and almost 3,800 km from east to west. It occupies 7.69 million sq. km of the total area in Oceania.

It is also situated on its own tectonic plate, unlike other islands which develop on the tectonic plates of other continents. This makes it a Continental Island.

Moreover, it is the largest country that is completely surrounded by water without any land boundaries with any other continent. Hence, it is called the ‘Island Continent’.

Question 8. Oceania is a unique continent-Justify
Answer:

Oceania Is A Unique Continent:-

Oceania is a unique continent due to the following reasons-

1. The continent consists of more than ten thousand islands and archipelagos.
2. The largest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, is parallel to the east coast of Australia in Oceania.
3. Diverse species of animals like kangaroo, platypus, and birds like emu, kiwi, etc., are exclusively found in this continent of Oceania.

Chapter 11 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of Oceania Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. Discuss the location of Oceania.
Answer:

Location Of Oceania:-

The continent of Oceania consists of several groups of islands that are situated in the Pacific Ocean, to the southeast of Asia. The locational extension of Oceania consists of latitudinal and longitudinal extent.

1. Latitudinal extent:

Almost 15°N latitude in the north (the northern boundary of Hawaiian Islands) to almost 47°S latitude in the south (New Zealand’s southern limit).

2. Longitudinal extent:

Almost 114°E longitude in the west (western border of Australia) to 139°W longitude in the east (Gambier Islands).

Question 2. The Ayers Rock is a spectacular structure in the Western Plateau in Australia. Why is it spectacular?
Answer:

The Ayers Rock is a spectacular structure in the Western Plateau in Australia:-

The Ayers Rock is made up of red sandstone. From sunrise to sunset, the rock structure exhibits different shades of colours such as reddish brown, yellow and even violet. This unique formation attracts tourists from all over the world.

Question 3. What is an artesian well?
Answer:

Artesian Well:- 

Artesian well is a type of well in which water gushes out naturally from underground when deeply drilled. An aquifer, usually made up of sandstone, is present in the artesian well which can retain several gallons of water.

The well is named after the region Artois in France where it was first discovered.

Question 4. What is Parkland Savanna?
Answer:

Parkland Savanna:-

Parkland Savanna is an extensive tropical grassland in Northern Australia. It develops in regions receiving less rainfall. Very tall grasses grow here.

The grassland consists of scattered trees like the Eucalyptus, Jura, etc. and grasses, which makes it look like a park. Thus, it is known as ‘Parkland’.

Question 5. Discuss the wildlife of Australia.
Answer:

Wildlife Of Australia:-

The animals and birds found in Australia are unique. Kangaroos, herbivorous animals, are the most common animal of Australia.

Class 8 Geography Oceania Topic A Short Answer Questions

Besides kangaroos, wallabies, platypi, dingos, sugar gliders, koalas, wombats, etc. are other animals common in Australia. Sheep rearing is very famous in the Murray-Darling Basin. Emu, Kiwi, lyrebird, etc. are common birds in Australia.

Question 6. Why does Australia have a low population density?
Answer:

Australia Have A Low Population Density:-

Most of the central and western part of Australia experiences an arid climate. Moreover, the intermittent lakes have saline water, which leads to the problem of a severe shortage of usable water in Australia.

Hence, population density in Australia is low in most of the regions other than the east and southeast. In the south-east the Murray-Darling basin is quite prosperous and densely populated and is a developed region of the country.

Question 7. Why is Tasmania called ‘the Garden state of the Southern Hemisphere’?
Answer:

Tasmania Called ‘The Garden State Of The Southern Hemisphere’:-

Tasmania is called the ‘Garden State of the Southern Hemisphere’ because it is the only island state in Australia that consists of a number of National Parks and World Heritage Sites (E.g., Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, etc.) which attract tourists from all over the world.

The national parks take up about half of the land area of this state.

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 11 Summary

Question 8. Why is Australia often regarded as the ‘Continent of Australia’?
Answer:

Australia Often Regarded As The ‘Continent Of Australia’:-

Oceania is a continent consisting of Australia and other Pacific islands. There are 14 sovereign states in Oceania among which Australia is the largest.

About 87 per cent of Oceania is occupied by Australia. Hence, Australia is often regarded as the ‘Continent of Australia’.

Question 9. Briefly write about the Great Australian Bight.
Answer:

Great Australian Bight:-

The Great Australian Bight is a large bay. It is surrounded by the Nullarbor Plain in the north, the Darling Range in the west and the Australian Alps in the east. It is a bow-like bay located in the south of Australia.

 

Chapter 11 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of Oceania Very Short Answer Type Questions Fill In The Blanks

Question 1. The ________ Ocean lies to the west of Oceania.
Answer: Indian

Question 2. The Tropic of ________ divides Australia into north and south.
Answer: Capricorn.

Question 3. Oceania is the world’s ________ continent and Australia is the ________ largest island.
Answer: smallest, second

Question 4. The smallest country of Oceania is ________.
Answer: Nauru

Question 5. Oceania is mainly located in the ________ hemisphere.
Answer: southern

Question 6. ________ first landed on the east coast of Australia on April 29, 1770.
Answer: James Cook

Question 7. Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands are together known as ________.
Answer: Australasia

Question 8. The north-eastern part of the Great Dividing Range in Australia is called ________.
Answer: McPherson Range

Question 9. The Great Dividing Range is called ________ in Victoria.
Answer: Australian Alps

Question 10. Three middle parts of the Great Dividing Range are known as New England Range, Liverpool Range and ________.
Answer: Blue Range

Question 11. Victoria, Gibson and Sandy in Australia are examples of ________.
Answer: Hot deserts

Question 12. The Great Barrier Reef lies parallel to the ________ coast of Australia.
Answer: North-east

Question 13. The North Island and the South Island of New Zealand are divided by the ________.
Answer: Cook Strait

Question 14. Mount ________ in Papua New Guinea is the highest peak in Oceania.
Answer: Wilhelm

Question 15. Mauna Loa and Kilauea are ________ in Hawaii.
Answer: Active volcanoes

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 10 Question Answers

Question 16. The Eyre River is a river of ________ Australia.
Answer: Western

Question 17. The main river of the South Island of New Zealand is ________.
Answer: Clutha

Question 18. The ________ is the longest river of New Zealand.
Answer: Waikato

Question 19. The main river in Papua New Guinea is ________.
Answer: Fly

Question 20. The Fly River originates in the ________ mountain range.
Answer: Victor Emanuel

Question 21. The largest lake in Australia is ________.
Answer: Eyre

Question 22. The largest lake of New Zealand is ________.
Answer: Taupo

Question 23. The deepest freshwater lake in Tasmania as well as in Australia is ________.
Answer: St. Clair

Question 24. The grasslands in Australia are called ________.
Answer: Downs

Question 25. ________ climate prevails in Tasmania.
Answer: British

Question 26. ________ is called the ‘Garden of the southern hemisphere’.
Answer: Tasmania

Question 27. The highest mountain peak in the Tasmanian islands is ________.
Answer: Mount Ossa

Question 28. ________ is the largest producer of bauxite in the world.
Answer: Australia

Question 29. ________ is called the largest ‘Island Country’.
Answer: Australia

Question 30. The farming region on the western slope of the Great Dividing Range is known as ________.
Answer: Darling Downs

Question 31. The Australian state, famous for sugarcane cultivation, is ________.
Answer: Queensland

Write True Or False

Question 1. Wheat cultivation occupies 50 per cent of Oceania’s agricultural land.
Answer: True

Question 2. The population of Australia is mainly concentrated in the coastal areas in the west and the north.
Answer: False

Question 3. Australia ranks second in the world in terms of sheep rearing.
Answer: False

Question 4. The largest lake in Australia is the Eyre.
Answer: True

Question 5. Captain James Cook first anchored on the eastern coast of Australia in 1770.
Answer: True

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 10 Question Answers

Question 6. The Desert region occupies vast stretches of Australia’s western parts.
Answer: True

Question 7. The famous Opera House is located in Sydney.
Answer: True

Question 8. The temperate grassland of Australia is known as the ‘Parkland Savanna.
Answer: False

Question 9. The Solomon Island of Oceania is a remarkable example of a coral island.
Answer: False

Question 10. Oceania is the smallest continent of the world in terms of area.
Answer: True

Question 11. The Great Dividing Range is a plateau.
Answer: False

Question 12. The highest peak of Oceania is Mt. Cook.
Answer: False

Question 13. The Canterbury Plains are situated in Australia.
Answer: False

Question 14. Hawaii islands are incorporated in Polynesia.
Answer: True

Question 15. The term ‘mela’ in Melanesia means tiny or small.
Answer: False

Question 16. The Diamantina river empties into Lake Eyre.
Answer: True

Chapter 11 Topic A General Introduction And Physical Environment Of Oceania Match The Columns

1.

Answer: 1. C, 2. D, 3. A, 4. B

Answer In One Or Two Words

Question 1. Which tree is native to Oceania?
Answer: Eucalyptus.

Question 2. Name a flightless bird found in Oceania.
Answer: Kiwi.

Question 3. When do the people of Oceania celebrate Christmas?
Answer: Summer.

Question 4. Which islands did Ferdinand Magellan come across in the 16th century?
Answer: Marinus.

Question 5. In which year did James Cook land on the east coast of Australia?
Answer: 1770.

Question 6. Name an island of the Melanesia region.
Answer: Fiji.

WBBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 10 Question Answers

Question 7. Name a group of islands situated to the north in Oceania.
Answer: Hawaii.

Question 8. What type of islands are Hawaii, Fiji and Tahiti?
Answer: Volcanic islands.

Question 9. Name the rock structure made of red sandstone that is found in the Western Plateau region in Australia.
Answer: Ayers rock.

Question 10. Which is the largest and longest coral reef in the world?
Answer: Great Barrier Reef.

Question 11. Name one coral reef if Australia that poses a hindrance to movement of ships.
Answer: Great Barrier Reef.

Question 12. Where do you find coral islands in our country?
Answer: Lakshwadeep Islands.

Question 13. What is ‘Mount Ruapehu’ in New Zealand?
Answer: A volcano.

Question 14. What is the name of the famous plains in the eastern coast of New Zealand?
Answer: Canterbury Plains.

Question 15. Name the highest peak in Oceania.
Answer: Mount Wilhelm.

Question 16. What is the total height of Mt. Mauna Loa when measured from base to summit?
Answer: 9170 metres.

Question 17. In which island of Oceania, is Mt. Mauna Loa situated?
Answer: Hawaii islands.

Question 18. Where is the mouth of the river Fly?
Answer: Gulf of Papua.

Question 19. Name the largest lake of the hilly region of New Zealand.
Answer: Taupo.

Question 20. What type of climate prevails in Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia?
Answer: Equatorial.

Question 21. Name some trees of the Mediterranean vegetation of Australia.
Answer: Jarrah, Kari, Blue Gum.

Question 22. Where is the Harbour Bridge?
Answer: Sydney.

Question 23. How far does Oceania extend in the south?
Answer: Up to Stewart Island.

Question 24. What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?
Answer: Port Moresby.