NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which one of the following scholars coined the term ‘Geography’?

• (a) Herodotus
• (b) Eratosthenes
• (c) Galileo
• (d) Aristotle

Answer: (b) Eratosthenes.

(ii) Which one of the following features can be termed as ‘physical feature’?

• (a) Port
• (b) Road
• (c) Plain
• (d) Water park

Answer: (c) Plain.

(iii) Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct option.

• (a) 1B, 2C, 3A, 4D
• (b) 1A, 2D, 3B, 4C
• (c) 1D, 2B, 3C, 4A
• (d) 1C, 2A, 3D, 4B

Answer: (d) 1C, 2A, 3D, 4B

(iv) Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship?

• (a) Why
• (b) Where
• (c) What
• (d) When

Answer: (a) Why.

(v) Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis?

• (a) Sociology
• (b) Geography
• (c) Anthropology
• (d) History

Answer: (d) History.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) What important cultural features do you observe while going to school? Are they similar or dissimilar? Should they be included in the study of geography or not? If yes, why?

Answer: On the way to school, I observe roads, buildings, markets, vehicles, parks, and people. These features are dissimilar as they change from one place to another. Yes, they should be included in geography because they are part of human-made environments and help understand spatial distribution and cultural diversity.

(ii) You have seen a tennis ball, a cricket ball, an orange and a pumpkin. Which one amongst these resembles the shape of the earth? Why have you chosen this particular item to describe the shape of the earth?

Answer: An orange best resembles the shape of the earth because it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator. Similarly, the earth is not a perfect sphere but is called a geoid or oblate spheroid due to its slightly flattened poles.

(iii) Do you celebrate Van Mahotsava in your school? Why do we plant so many trees? How do the trees maintain ecological balance?

Answer: Yes, we celebrate Van Mahotsava in our school. We plant many trees to increase green cover, control air pollution, and conserve biodiversity. Trees maintain ecological balance by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, preventing soil erosion, supporting rainfall, and providing habitat to organisms.

(iv) You have seen elephants, deer, earthworms, trees and grasses. Where do they live or grow? What is the name given to this sphere? Can you describe some of the important features of this sphere?

Answer: Elephants, deer, earthworms, trees, and grasses are found on land, in water, and air. They all belong to the biosphere, which is the zone of life on earth. The biosphere includes all living organisms and their interactions with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

(v) How much time do you take to reach your school from your house? Had the school been located across the road from your house, how much time would you have taken to reach school? What is the effect of the distance between your residence and the school on the time taken in commuting? Can you convert time into space and vice versa?

Answer: The time to reach school depends on the distance. If the school is across the road, it takes less time. Greater distance means more time is needed for commuting. Yes, we can convert time and distance by relating speed, like saying a place is 2 km away or 30 minutes away.

3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

(i) You observe every day in your surroundings that there is variation in natural as well as cultural phenomena. All the trees are not of the same variety. All the birds and animals you see, are different. All these different elements are found on the earth. Can you now argue that geography is the study of “areal differentiation”?

Answer: Yes, geography is the study of "areal differentiation" because it observes and analyzes the variations in natural and cultural phenomena found in different areas of the earth. The differences in physical features like landforms, climate, and vegetation, as well as human-made features such as settlements, languages, food habits, and occupations, all point towards the uniqueness of each region. Geography seeks to understand why such differences occur and how they are related to one another in particular spaces. By studying spatial patterns, associations, and causal relationships, geography helps explain how both nature and humans shape the landscape differently across regions. Thus, geography’s main concern is to examine, describe, and explain areal differentiation, as it reflects the variation and distribution of both physical and cultural elements on Earth.

(ii) You have already studied geography, history, civics and economics as parts of social studies. Attempt an integration of these disciplines highlighting their interface.

Answer: Geography, history, civics, and economics are interconnected disciplines within social studies. Geography studies the spatial distribution of natural and human phenomena, history focuses on temporal development and events over time, civics deals with civic rights, duties, and governance, and economics explores resource use and economic activities. Geography and history are closely related as historical events often have geographical contexts—like wars influenced by terrain or settlement along rivers. Civics and geography link through the study of boundaries, regions, and spatial organizations of populations. Economics relies on geography for understanding resource locations, trade routes, and patterns of production and consumption. An integrated approach helps explain how societies develop, function, and evolve spatially and temporally, contributing to comprehensive knowledge about our world.

Mastering Geography as a Discipline NCERT Solutions helps students strengthen their fundamentals. By practicing chapter-wise questions and answers, learners gain clarity about different branches of geography and the importance of spatial relationships in our world.

Clear understanding of physical geography and human geography not only builds academic confidence but also improves exam performance. Focus on connecting real-life examples with theoretical knowledge for enhanced learning and revision.

Revise important sections of your Geography as a Discipline chapter regularly. This approach ensures you grasp key concepts, retain information for exams, and develop a deeper appreciation of how geography shapes human life and the environment.