Practice Exam-Focused Worksheets with Answers for Class 7 Weather, Climate and Adaptations
FAQs on Weather, Climate and Adaptations of Animals to Climate: Class 7 Science Worksheets
1. How is a 3-mark question on differentiating between weather and climate typically answered in Class 7 exams?
To secure full marks for this common question, you should present the differences clearly. Weather refers to the day-to-day atmospheric conditions of a place, while climate is the average weather pattern taken over a long period, typically 25 years or more. As per the 2025-26 CBSE pattern, key differences to mention are:
- Time Period: Weather describes short-term conditions (a day or a week), whereas climate describes long-term patterns.
- Variability: Weather can change dramatically within a day, while climate is more stable and changes over decades or centuries.
- Predictability: Weather forecasts are for the immediate future, while climate defines the expected conditions for a season or region based on historical data.
2. What are the key elements of weather, and why is their measurement important for exams?
The primary elements of weather crucial for your Class 7 syllabus are temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed. It is important to know these because they collectively determine the atmospheric conditions of a specific day. For exams, you should understand that meteorologists use data on these elements to create daily weather reports and forecast upcoming changes, which affects everything from agriculture to daily travel. Maximum and minimum temperatures are recorded using a special thermometer for this purpose.
3. Why do polar regions have an extremely cold climate? How does this influence the animal life found there?
Polar regions experience an extremely cold climate primarily because they receive slanting rays from the sun. Due to the Earth's tilt, the sun remains low on the horizon for many months, providing less direct heat. For six months, the sun may not rise at all, leading to prolonged periods of extreme cold. This harsh climate directly impacts animal life, forcing them to develop specialised adaptations for survival. Only animals that can withstand the cold, find food in icy conditions, and conserve body heat, like polar bears and penguins, can thrive there.
4. Describe three key adaptations of a polar bear that make it a highly expected 5-mark question.
The polar bear is a classic example of adaptation, making it a frequently asked question. For a 5-mark answer, you should detail the following points:
- White Fur: It provides excellent camouflage against the snow and ice, helping it hunt prey like seals. The fur also consists of two thick layers that trap air, acting as a superb insulator against the cold.
- Layer of Fat (Blubber): Underneath its skin, a thick layer of fat, or blubber, provides further insulation, keeping the bear warm even in freezing water.
- Wide and Large Paws: These act like snowshoes, distributing the bear's weight and allowing it to walk on soft snow. The paws are also excellent for swimming and have rough pads to prevent slipping on ice.
5. How do the adaptations for survival in a tropical rainforest differ from those in polar regions? Provide an example for each.
This is a higher-order thinking question. Adaptations in tropical rainforests and polar regions are fundamentally different because they address opposite environmental challenges.
- Polar Regions: Adaptations here focus on surviving the cold and food scarcity. For example, the Polar Bear has a thick layer of blubber and dense white fur for insulation and camouflage in a uniform snowy landscape.
- Tropical Rainforests: Adaptations here are geared towards competition for food and shelter in a dense, multi-layered environment. For example, the Red-eyed Frog has developed sticky pads on its feet to climb trees and escape predators, a feature not needed in the flat, icy polar terrain.
6. What is a significant adaptation of the toucan, and why is it crucial for its life in the rainforest?
A significant adaptation of the toucan, often asked in exams, is its large, colourful, and long beak. This beak is a vital tool for survival as it allows the toucan to reach fruits and berries on thin branches that are too weak to support its body weight. This gives it access to a food source that is unavailable to many other competing animals, making it a crucial adaptation for thriving in the competitive tropical rainforest.
7. Many animals migrate. Why is the annual migration of Siberian cranes from polar regions considered a critical survival strategy, not just a seasonal trip?
The annual migration of birds like the Siberian crane is more than just a trip; it is a fundamental survival mechanism driven by extreme climatic conditions. In winter, polar regions become incredibly harsh, with temperatures dropping far below freezing and food sources becoming scarce under the ice. Migration is therefore not a choice but a necessity to escape these lethal conditions. By travelling thousands of kilometres to warmer places, they find adequate food and survivable temperatures, allowing them to live and breed until the polar summer returns.
8. What are the two main adaptations that help elephants thrive in the Indian tropical rainforest climate?
The elephant has several notable adaptations for life in the tropical rainforest, and two commonly tested ones are:
- The Trunk: The trunk acts as a multi-purpose tool. It is used for picking up food and has a very strong sense of smell. Furthermore, it is used for drinking water and spraying water on its body to keep cool.
- Large Ears: The elephant's large ears are not just for hearing. They have a rich network of blood vessels and act like fans. By flapping its ears, the elephant can radiate excess body heat and keep itself cool in the hot and humid climate of the rainforest.
