EXERCISE

Q1. What is map? Prepare a list of map elements and state each of them with proper diagrames.

Answer: A map is a representation or drawing of the Earth’s spherical surface, or any part of it, on a flat surface (paper) according to a definite scale.

Map Elements:

Title: The title of the map clearly states what the map is about.

Map Boundaries: The lines that define the limits of the mapped area.

Map Scale: A mathematical ratio that shows the relationship between the distance on the map and the actual distance on the ground.

Conventional Symbols: Standard symbols and signs used to represent various physical and cultural features on a map.

Distance: The actual distance between two places on the ground can be calculated from the map using the scale.

Direction: Indicates the orientation of the map, usually with a North arrow.

Area: The actual area of a region can be determined from the map using the scale.

Shape and Size of Map: The overall shape and size of the mapped area.

Description of the diagrams:

Scale in Statement: A text box showing, for example, “1 cm = 5 km.”

Representative Fraction (R.F.): A text box showing “1:500,000” or “1/500,000.”

Graphical Scale: A straight line marked with divisions and corresponding distances in kilometers.

North Arrow: An arrow pointing to the top of the map with the letter ‘N’ at its tip.

Conventional Symbols: Small diagrams representing features like a railway line with a station, a hut, or a river.

Q2. Draw and name any five conventional symbols used to represent physical features on a map.

Answer:

• Flowing river: A single or double wavy line, usually colored blue.
• Dry river: A single wavy line with dotted parts or a solid line with no color.
• Spring: A small circle with a dot in the center.
• Well: A small circle.
• Reserved Forest: A green shaded area with lines or a specific pattern inside.

Q3. Draw and name any five conventional symbols used to represent cultural features on a map.

Answer: Metalled road: Two parallel solid black lines.

Unmetalled road: Two parallel dotted or dashed black lines.

Inhabited village: A small cluster of black squares.

Temple: A small sketch of a temple with a flag.

Post Office (P.O.): A small square or rectangle with the letters “P.O.” inside.

Q4. Draw and name the international, state, district and sub-division boundary lines.

Answer:

International boundary: A thick line with alternating dashes and dots.

Inter-state boundary: A line with alternating long dashes and small dots.

Inter-district boundary: A line with alternating short dashes and dots.

Sub-division boundary: A line with small dots.

Q5. Draw the conventional symbols for the features mentioned below:

(a) unmetalled road: Two parallel dashed lines.

(b) spring: A small circle with a dot in the center.

(c) deciduous forest: A shaded area with an image of leafless trees.

(d) fort: A small sketch of a fort with battlements.

(e) well: A small circle.

(f) hut: A small sketch of a hut or a small black rectangle.

(g) inhabited village: A cluster of small black squares or dots.

Q6. Draw the outline map of Assam supplied to you on a separate sheet of paper using grid system and plot thereon the important and necessary map elements.

Answer:

• Drawing Procedure:
  1. Take a tracing paper or a white sheet and place it over the provided outline map of Assam.
  2. Draw a network of square grids over the map. Make sure the grids cover the entire map and its surroundings.
  3. Number the grids sequentially from left to right and top to bottom.
  4. On a fresh sheet of paper, draw the same number of grids with the same size.
  5. Now, carefully observe the outline of the map on the original grid. In each square of your new grid, draw the part of the outline that falls within the corresponding square of the original grid.
  6. Connect the lines to complete the outline of the map of Assam.
• Plotting Map Elements:
  1. Add a Title: “Map of Assam.”
  2. Add a North Arrow to indicate direction.
  3. Add a Scale (e.g., 1 cm = 50 km).
  4. Draw and label the major rivers like the Brahmaputra.
  5. Mark and label the major towns and the capital city, Guwahati.
  6. Mark and label the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
  7. Draw and label major transport routes like national highways and railway lines.

Q7. Carry on practice to represent features like the major rivers, towns, national high ways, national parks or wildlife sanctuaries, wetlands, rail lines etc. on a map of your district or state supplied to you.

Answer: This is a practice question. Follow the steps given in Q6 to first draw the outline map of your state or district. Then, use the appropriate conventional symbols (e.g., a wavy line for a river, a circle with a dot for a town, parallel lines for a highway, a specific symbol for a national park) to plot the mentioned features. Remember to include a legend that explains what each symbol represents.

Q8. Draw the international and state boundaries correctly on the map of your state.

Answer: This is a practice question. On your outline map of the state, carefully draw the international boundary (if any) using a line with alternating dashes and dots. Draw the state boundaries using a line with alternating long dashes and small dots. Make sure to label the neighboring states and countries.

Q9. Present a description of the map supplied to you on the following points.

(a) Introduction: The introduction should state the name of the map, its purpose, and the area it represents (country, state, or district). It should also mention the map’s scale, latitudinal, and longitudinal extension.

(b) Physical environment: This part should describe the physical features of the region shown on the map by identifying the conventional symbols for them. This includes describing the relief (mountains, plains), drainage (rivers, lakes), vegetation (forests, grasslands), and climate (if any data is provided).

(c) Cultural environment: This section should describe the man-made features and human activities. This includes describing the distribution of settlements (villages, towns, cities), transport network (roads, railways), industries, and other cultural features like temples or historical sites based on the symbols provided on the map.

Q10. Write briefly about the importance and need of map reading.

Answer: Map reading is a very important skill in geography. The importance and need of map reading are:

• Gaining Knowledge: Maps provide a wealth of information about a region’s physical, political, and socio-economic conditions without actually visiting the place.
• Navigation and Direction: Maps are essential tools for finding one’s way and understanding the direction and distance between places.
• Planning and Development: Maps are used for planning urban development, transport networks, and resource management.
• Military and Defense: They are critical for military and defense operations for strategic planning and navigation.
• Problem Solving: They can be used to analyze geographical problems, such as population distribution or resource availability.

Q1. What is Scale? It is of how many types and what are they?

Answer:

• Definition: Scale is a mathematical ratio that shows the relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding actual distance on the ground. It is the ratio by which the Earth’s surface is reduced to be represented on a map.
• Types: Scale is expressed in three different ways:
  • Statement Scale: When the scale is expressed in words, e.g., “1 cm = 5 km.”
  • Representative Fraction (R.F.): When the scale is expressed as a ratio or a fraction, e.g., “1:100,000” or “1/100,000.”
  • Graphical Scale: When the scale is shown with the help of a line or a bar, which is divided into segments representing specific distances on the ground.

Q2. Explain with examples the significance of scale in map making.

Answer: Scale is the most indispensable element in map making. Its significance is:

• Reduction of Earth’s Surface: It allows the vast Earth’s surface to be reduced to a manageable size that can be drawn on paper.
• Calculation of Distance: With the help of the scale, the actual distance between any two places on the ground can be accurately calculated from the map. For example, if the scale is 1 cm = 10 km, and the distance between two cities on the map is 5 cm, the actual distance is 50 km.
• Representation of Area and Shape: A correct scale ensures that the area and shape of a region are represented accurately on the map.
• Map Classification: Scales are used to classify maps as small-scale (showing a large area with less detail) or large-scale (showing a small area with more detail).

Q3. What is Scale in Statement? Discuss with examples.

Answer: Scale in Statement is a method of expressing the map’s scale in a simple verbal statement. It directly states the relationship between a map distance and a ground distance. For example, “1 cm = 1 km” means that one centimeter on the map represents one kilometer on the ground. This type of scale is easy to understand for the general public.

Examples:

• 2 cm = 1 km
• 1 inch = 50 miles
• 1 cm = 500 m

Q4. What do you mean by Representative Fraction? Mention its characteristics.

Answer: Representative Fraction (R.F.) is a way of expressing a map’s scale as a ratio or a fraction. It is a universal method as it is unit-free. The numerator is always 1, representing a single unit on the map, and the denominator represents the same number of units on the ground.

• Characteristics:
  • Unitless: It does not use specific units like cm, km, or inches. The ratio remains valid regardless of the unit.
  • Universally Used: Since it is unitless, it is a universal method and can be understood and used in any country, unlike statement scales.
  • Numerator is Unity: The numerator is always kept at 1 to make the scale easily comparable.
  • Denominator Determines Scale: The value of the denominator determines the scale of the map. A larger denominator indicates a smaller scale map (e.g., 1:500,000), while a smaller denominator indicates a larger scale map (e.g., 1:1,000).

Q5. Write the characteristics and utilities of a graphical scale.

Answer:

• Characteristics:
  • Line Representation: It is represented by a straight line or a bar, which is divided into primary and secondary divisions.
  • Accurate: It is considered the most accurate type of scale for maps, as it remains correct even if the map is photographically enlarged or reduced. This is because the length of the line scale changes in the same proportion as the map.
  • Easy to Use: It is easy to use for measuring distances directly from the map with the help of a ruler or a piece of paper.
• Utilities:
  • Direct Measurement: It allows for the direct measurement of ground distances from the map without any calculation.
  • Correctness on Enlargement/Reduction: It is the only scale that remains correct when the map’s size is changed. This is very useful in cartography and printing.
  • Understanding Scale: It provides a visual representation of the scale, which is easy to understand.

Q6. The scale in Representative Fraction of a map is 1:250,000. Convert this into statement scale.

Answer:

• Given R.F.: 1:250,000
• This means 1 cm on the map represents 250,000 cm on the ground.
• We know that 1 km = 100,000 cm.
• Therefore, 250,000 cm = 250,000/100,000 km = 2.5 km.
• Statement Scale: 1 cm = 2.5 km

Q7. The scale in statement of a map is 2cm = 35km, convert this into R.F.

Answer:

• Given Statement Scale: 2 cm = 35 km
• This means 2 cm on the map represents 35 km on the ground.
• To find the R.F., we need to convert both to the same unit and set the numerator to 1.
• First, convert km to cm: 35 km = 35×100,000 cm = 3,500,000 cm.
• So, 2 cm = 3,500,000 cm.
• Now, divide both sides by 2 to get the numerator as 1:
• 1 cm = 3,500,000/2 cm = 1,750,000 cm.
• Representative Fraction (R.F.): 1:1,750,000

Q8. Construct a Graphical Scale for R.F. 1:500,000 so as to measure a distance of at least 1km.

Answer:

• Calculation:
  • Given R.F. = 1:500,000
  • This means 1 cm on the map represents 500,000 cm on the ground.
  • Convert to kilometers: 500,000 cm = 500,000/100,000 km = 5 km.
  • So, the statement scale is 1 cm = 5 km.
  • The question requires the scale to measure at least 1 km, so a primary division of 5 km is suitable.
  • To show a total ground distance of, for example, 50 km, we would need a line of 50/5=10 cm.
• Construction:
  • Draw a straight line 10 cm long.
  • Divide the line into 10 equal primary divisions, each 1 cm long. Each division will represent 5 km.
  • Label the divisions from 0 to 45 km to the right of the starting point.
  • Divide the first primary division on the left (from the start to 0) into 5 equal secondary divisions. Each secondary division will represent 1 km (5 km/5=1 km).
  • Label the secondary divisions 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 from left to right.
• Description of the graphical scale: It would be a straight bar, 10 cm long, with primary divisions of 1 cm labeled from 0 to 45 km. The leftmost primary division would be sub-divided into 5 smaller segments, each representing 1 km.

Q9. Construct a Graphical Scale by using the statement scale of 2 inch = 5 miles, so as to measure a distance up to a minimum of 1 mile.

Answer:

• Calculation:
  • Given statement scale = 2 inch = 5 miles.
  • This means 1 inch = 2.5 miles.
  • The question requires the scale to measure a minimum of 1 mile. So, a primary division representing 5 miles is suitable.
  • To show a total ground distance of, for example, 25 miles, we would need a line of 10 inches (25 miles/2.5 miles/inch=10 inches).
• Construction:
  • Draw a straight line 10 inches long.
  • Divide the line into 5 equal primary divisions, each 2 inches long. Each division will represent 5 miles.
  • Label the divisions from 0 to 20 miles to the right of the starting point.
  • Divide the first primary division on the left (from the start to 0) into 5 equal secondary divisions. Each secondary division will represent 1 mile (5 miles/5=1 mile).
  • Label the secondary divisions 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 from left to right.
• Description of the graphical scale: It would be a straight bar, 10 inches long, with primary divisions of 2 inches. The right side would be labeled from 0 to 20 miles. The leftmost primary division would be sub-divided into 5 smaller segments, each representing 1 mile.

Q10. Write short notes:

(a) Graph: A graph is a diagram that shows the relationship between two or more sets of data. It is a visual representation of quantitative geographical data, making it easier to understand the trends and patterns of phenomena like population growth or production over time.

(b) Bar Graph: A bar graph is a diagram that represents data using rectangular bars. The length of each bar is proportional to the value it represents. It is useful for comparing discrete data sets, such as the population of different states in a given year or the production of a crop over several years.

(c) Line Graph: A line graph is a diagram that uses a line to show the relationship between two sets of data. It is particularly useful for showing trends or changes in a phenomenon over a continuous period, such as the yearly temperature or the trend of population growth over decades.

(d) Pie Graph: A pie graph (or pie chart) is a circular graph divided into sectors, where the area of each sector is proportional to the value it represents. It is used to show how parts of a whole are distributed. For example, it can be used to show the composition of a country’s population (rural vs. urban) or the distribution of land for different uses.

(e) Graphical Scale: A graphical scale is a line or a bar drawn on a map that shows the relationship between map distance and ground distance. It is an accurate and universal method of expressing scale because it remains correct even if the map is enlarged or reduced.

Q11. Represent the geographical data given below with the help of appropriate graph.

(a) Number of unemployeds:

• Appropriate Graph: Line Graph or Bar Graph.
• Construction (Line Graph):
  • Draw X and Y axes.
  • The X-axis will represent the “Year of Survey.”
  • The Y-axis will represent the “No. of unemployeds.”
  • Plot the points for each year and connect them with a line to show the trend.
• Construction (Bar Graph):
  • Draw X and Y axes.
  • The X-axis will represent the “Year of Survey” with a separate bar for each year.
  • The Y-axis will represent the “No. of unemployeds.”
  • Draw a rectangular bar for each year, with the height of the bar corresponding to the number of unemployed people.

(b) Jute Production:

• Appropriate Graph: Line Graph or Bar Graph.
• Construction (Line Graph):
  • Draw X and Y axes.
  • The X-axis will represent the “Production Year.”
  • The Y-axis will represent the “Volume of Production (in tons).”
  • Plot the data points and connect them with a line to show the trend over the years.
• Construction (Bar Graph):
  • Draw X and Y axes.
  • The X-axis will represent the “Production Year” with a bar for each year.
  • The Y-axis will represent the “Volume of Production (in tons).”
  • Draw a bar for each year, with its height corresponding to the volume of production.

(c) Population at regional level:

• Appropriate Graph: Bar Graph or Pie Graph.
• Construction (Bar Graph):
  • Draw X and Y axes.
  • The X-axis will represent the “Region.”
  • The Y-axis will represent the “Population (in lakhs).”
  • Draw a bar for each region, with the height corresponding to its population. This is good for comparing the population of different regions.
• Construction (Pie Graph):
  • First, calculate the total population: 32.9 + 130.0 + 295.1 + 55.4 = 513.4 lakhs.
  • Now, calculate the angle for each region:
    • Northern: (32.9/513.4)×360∘≈23∘
    • Southern: (130.0/513.4)×360∘≈91∘
    • Eastern: (295.1/513.4)×360∘≈207∘
    • Western: (55.4/513.4)×360∘≈39∘
  • Draw a circle and use a protractor to draw the sectors with these angles. Label each sector with the region’s name and its population.

(d) Rural and Urban Population:

• Appropriate Graph: Pie Graph.
• Construction:
  • First, find the total population: 349,742 + 127,973 = 477,715.
  • Calculate the angles for each sector:
    • Rural Area: (349,742/477,715)×360∘≈264∘
    • Urban Area: (127,973/477,715)×360∘≈96∘
  • Draw a circle and divide it into two sectors with these angles. Label the sectors as “Rural Area” and “Urban Area.”

(e) Distribution of Agricultural Land:

• Appropriate Graph: Pie Graph.
• Construction:
  • First, find the total agricultural land: 92,563 + 19,397 + 17,218 + 3,884 + 23,073 = 156,135 thousand hectares.
  • Calculate the angle for each crop:
    • Rice: (92,563/156,135)×360∘≈213∘
    • Jute: (19,397/156,135)×360∘≈45∘
    • Sugarcane: (17,218/156,135)×360∘≈40∘
    • Potato: (3,884/156,135)×360∘≈9∘
    • Others: (23,073/156,135)×360∘≈53∘

Draw a circle and divide it into five sectors with these angles. Label each sector with the crop name.