PAKISTAN SCHOOL SUWAIQ

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CLASS: 8 Subject: Social Studies___________________ (Homework)
Chapter: 02 The Earth
NOTE: Students are advised to write following Question-Answers in their notebooks. In case of any query related to
Social Studies, do not hesitate to contact your subject teacher SHABAN AHMED via WhatsApp: 98264911)
Q 1. What are the Tectonic plates? How were the continents formed?
Ans: Tectonic plates are large plates of irregularly shaped massive rocks that make up the foundation of
the Earth’s crust and the shape of the continents. There are ten major plates on the Earth and many
more minor ones. These plates are most famously known for being the source of earthquakes.
Formation of the Continents: Scientists estimate that Tectonic Plates move or drift away almost 10 centimetres
a year. Such away movement of continents is also known as continental drift. The formation of continents is the
result of this movement that broke off the big landmasses to form new continents on our planet Earth. .
Q 2: Describe the term ‘Fault Lines’? Why are they significant?
Ans: Fault lines are the cracks or fracture in the ground that occur when Earth’s tectonic plates move or collide.
These lines mark out the boundaries of tectonic plates. They are also known as area where most of the volcanic
activities and earthquakes are likely to take place.
Q 3: What is meant by the term continent? Name the continents in the world.
Ans: A big landmass is called a continent. Our planet Earth has been divided into seven landmasses (continents).
The North Polar Region (The Arctic) is not a continent as it has no land there – it is just ice, often several
kilometers thick. Names of the seven continents is given below:
1. Asia 2. Africa
3. Oceania (Australia) 4. North America
5. South America 6. Europe
7. Antarctica (South Polar Region)
Q 4: Describe the term Ocean? How many oceans are there in the world?
Ans: Water makes up almost 71% of Earth’s surface, and a big water mass or vast body of water is known as
ocean. Oceans are larger and deeper than seas. In fact, there are only three oceans in the world i.e. the Atlantic,
Pacific and the Indian oceans, but some have the names of the five oceans, according to their sizes, are listed
below:
1. The Pacific Ocean (the largest ocean) 2. The Atlantic Ocean
3. The India Ocean 4. The Southern Ocean
5. The Arctic Ocean
Q 5: How do oceans affect temperatures on land?
Ans: Oceans moderate the temperatures on adjacent land—cooler in summer as the land heats up and
air rises, drawing in cooler air from over the sea; warmer in winter as the oceans do not change their
temperature more than a few degrees throughout the year, and though the air over the sea is warmer
and rises, drawing cooler air from over the land, the proximity to the great mass of warmer water near
the coast keeps the temperature moderate.
Q 6: Explain the importance of seas and oceans to the people living on islands and coastal areas.
Ans: Benefits of seas and oceans to people living on islands and coastal areas are:
(a) Moderate climatic conditions—cooler in summer, warmer in winter
(b) Source of food—fish and other seafood. (Page ½)
(c) Easier transport and facility of sea harbour. and
(d) Relaxation on beaches.
Q 7: Describe the term ‘Ocean Currents’?
Ans:. An ocean current is like a giant invisible river in the ocean. It is continuous movement of these invisible
rivers (ocean water) from one place to another. They are created by the wind, water temperature, saltiness of
water and the gravity of the Moon.
Q 8: How do currents move? What effects do they have?
Ans: Movement of the Ocean Currents:
Currents are the great broad ‘rivers’ of water in the oceans. They move due to the temperature and
saltiness in the sea. Cold and salty water is heavy and sinks down. This water along the ocean bed
moves from the polar regions towards the equator where it warms up and rises and then moves
towards the poles where again it cools down and the whole process is repeated.
Effects of Ocean Currents:
Currents take their temperature from where they originate; those from the Arctic or Antarctic regions
are cold currents and keep the climate of the land they flow past cooler. Examples are: Chile and the
west coast of South America. Currents arising in the equatorial latitudes tend to keep the coasts they touch
warmer; for example, the eastern coast of Africa; the Gulf States and India.
Q 9: Explain the term Sea tides. How are they caused?
Ans:. Frequent and cyclic rise and fall in the sea water is called sea tides. Tides are caused due to the
gravitational pull of Sun, Moon or Earth itself. Tides originate in the sea, and progress towards the coastlines
where they appear as the regular rise and fall of the sea surface.
Q 10: Explain with examples, what is meant by weathering and how it is caused.
Ans: Weathering is a process in which landforms such as rocks, cliffs, beaches, and soil are eroded i.e.
broken down over a period of time. It is caused by the actions of wind, rain, water, temperature, and
ice (glaciers).
Causes of the weathering:
Water: Water is the most important causes of weathering and works in several ways.
a. Rain water, either it is in the form of water, ice or even when it turns out to become gas.
b. Running water from mountains also affects the the areas it passes through and erode the soil.
Wind: Strong wind blows and carries away the fertile soil and also erode the land.
Sunshine: The Sun heats up the rock in the daytime, but at night cools rapidly. This constant heating and cooling,
expansion and contraction, gradually breaks up the rocks.
Q 11: What steps have the local authorities taken for the conservation of marine life along Pakistan’s coast?
Ans: Local authorities have taken the following steps for conservation of marine life in Pakistan:
1. Improving fresh (river) water outflow into the sea,
2. Conservation of mangroves in the coastal areas,
3. Treatment of sewage and waste water,
4. Controlling human activity along the coastal belt and beach cleanups.
5. Raising awareness about environmental issues.

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