ABU DHABI INDIAN SCHOOL - BRANCH 1, AL WATHBA

Grade VI
Chapter-Major Domains of the Earth
Learning objectives: - To identify the major domains of the earth.
To analyse the importance of each domain.
Competence: - Global and environmental awareness, collaboration.
Value: - Care.

I. Answer the following:

1. What is the composition of the atmosphere?

A. Atmosphere is the air that surrounds the earth. Air is a mixture of gases mainly nitrogen
(78%), oxygen (21%) and small quantities of other gases such as carbon dioxide, argon,
neon, ozone, hydrogen etc and also water vapour and dust particles.

2. What are the main elements of the biosphere?

A. The main elements of biosphere are its biotic components including all the life forms and
its abiotic components consisting of land, air and water.

3. Write about at least one important physical feature of each continent.

A.
Continents Physical features

Asia The Himalayas are the chain of mountains stretching across 2600kms
covering the countries of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and China
holding the highest peak of the world Mt Everest (8848km)
Africa The Sahara desert is located in North Africa as the world’s largest hot
desert stretching over an area of 9million square kms.
North America The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado
river, Arizona, US. The Grand Canyon is446 km long,
South America The Amazon River is the largest river in the world and the Amazon
basin as the largest river basin spreading over an area of 7 million
square kms in Brazil
Europe The Alps] are the highest and most extensive mountain range system
that lies entirely in Europe stretching approximately 1,200 km across
eight European countries such as France, Switzerland, Monaco,
Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia
Australia The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system
stretching for over 2,300 kilometres built by billions of tiny
organisms, known as coral polyps off the coast of Queensland.

4. Why are oceans important to human beings?

A. Oceans are important to human beings in the following ways:
i) Oceans are a storehouse of minerals and chemicals and a source of tidal energy
ii) They regulate the atmospheric temperature and influence the climate
iii) They are the main source of seafood, drinking water (by desalination) and common salt
iv) They provide a permanent highway for travel and trade.
5. What is the importance of atmosphere?
A. The importance of atmosphere are
i) It acts as a blanket protecting earth from the harmful radiations
ii) It regulates extreme temperatures (greenhouse effect) and pressure
iii) It is responsible for the climates and weather phenomenon.
iv) It is a medium for the transmission of sound waves.

6. Why does air temperature decrease with an increase in height?

A. The temperature decreases with an increase in height due to the decrease in density of
air (or due to thinning of air)
In fact, it is the air molecules that keeps the air warm in the lower altitudes.

Valued based question:

7. Our earth is the only planet known to have life. Life exists on the earth due to its four
realms. Identify the domains of the earth and analyse the importance of each realm.
Ans. The four main domains of the earth which makes life possible are:
Lithosphere: the land masses, which provide a home for humans, animals and plants
represent the lithosphere.
Hydrosphere: The water cycle is one of the factors that makes life possible on earth.
Atmosphere: Living things breathe in oxygen from the air and atmosphere protect us from
harmful rays of the sun.
Biosphere: The various organisms in the biosphere provide food and raw materials for our
clothing, shelter and other needs.

III.HOTS.
8. Pollution is a man-made disturbance which nature cannot correct. Examine the
different kinds of pollution and human activities that disturb the balance in nature.
(or How are human beings disturbing the delicate balance of nature?)
ANS: There is a lot of pollution around us.
● Land pollution, air pollution and water pollution are the major types of pollution that
are seriously affecting us.
● Human beings are exploiting the natural resources of the earth.
● Forests are cut down to make way for farming.
● Land and minerals are dug out recklessly.
● All this is done to meet the demands of the quickly increasing human population.

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