CBSE Class 11 Geography Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline - NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography, Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline. It covers fundamental concepts of geography, including its definition, the scholars who contributed to its terminology, and the distinction between physical and cultural features. The solutions explain the cause-effect relationships explored in geography and the concept of temporal synthesis. It also delves into the importance of cultural and physical features in geographical studies, the shape of the Earth, the role of trees in ecological balance, and the concept of the biosphere. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the core ideas of geography as a discipline and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear explanations and structured answers.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectGeography
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter1. Geography as a Discipline

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Geography, Chapter 1, "Geography as a Discipline," focuses on introducing students to the foundational aspects of the subject. It clarifies what geography entails, identifies key historical figures like Eratosthenes, and differentiates between physical and human/cultural elements. The chapter also touches upon the 'why' of geographical inquiry, the temporal aspect of historical synthesis, and practical examples like observing cultural features on the way to school, the Earth's shape, the significance of trees, and the concept of the biosphere. These solutions aim to build a strong conceptual base for further geographical studies.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the definition and scope of Geography as a discipline.
  • Identify key scholars associated with the origin of the term 'Geography'.
  • Differentiate between physical and cultural features studied in Geography.
  • Explain the cause-effect relationships explored in geographical studies.
  • Recognize the role of temporal synthesis in understanding geographical phenomena.
  • Appreciate the significance of cultural landscapes and the biosphere.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Definition of Geography
  • Origin of the term 'Geography'
  • Scholars in Geography
  • Physical Features
  • Cultural Features
  • Cause-Effect Relationship in Geography
  • Temporal Synthesis
  • Branches of Geography (implied)
  • Man-made Features
  • Shape of the Earth
  • Biosphere
  • Ecological Balance

Important topics

  • Definition and Scope of Geography
  • Physical vs. Cultural Features
  • Cause-Effect Relationships
  • The Role of Man-made Features
  • Understanding the Biosphere

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Questions and Solutions

1. Multiple choice question

Which one of the following scholars coined the term "Geography"?
  1. Herodotus
  2. Galileo
  3. Erathosthenese
  4. Aristotle
Solution: The correct option is (c) Erathosthenese. Eratosthenes, an ancient Greek scholar, is widely credited with coining the term 'Geography', derived from the Greek words 'geo' (Earth) and 'graphien' (to write).

2. Which one of the following features can be termed as "physical feature"?

Which one of the following features can be termed as "physical feature"?
  1. Port
  2. Plain
  3. Road
  4. Water park
Solution: The correct option is (b) Plain. A plain is a natural landform created by geological processes, making it a physical feature. Ports, roads, and water parks are examples of man-made or cultural features.

3. Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct option.

Make correct pairs from the following two columns and mark the correct option.
  1. Meteorology A. Population Geography
  2. Demography B. Soil Geography
  3. Sociology C. Climatology
  4. Pedology D. Social Geography
  1. 1B, 2C, 3A, 4D
  2. 1D, 2B, 3C, 4A
  3. 1A, 2D, 3B, 4C
  4. 1C, 2A, 3D, 4B
Solution: The correct pairing is (d) 1C, 2A, 3D, 4B.
  1. Meteorology is the study of atmospheric phenomena, closely related to Climatology (1C).
  2. Demography is the statistical study of populations, which includes Population Geography (2A).
  3. Sociology is the study of society and social relationships, aligning with Social Geography (3D).
  4. Pedology is the study of soils, which relates to Soil Geography (4B).

4. Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship?

Which one of the following questions is related to cause-effect relationship?
  1. Why
  2. What
  3. Where
  4. When
Solution: The correct option is (a) Why. The question 'Why?' delves into the reasons behind a phenomenon, exploring its causes and effects, which is central to understanding relationships in geography. 'What' and 'Where' focus on description and location, while 'When' relates to time.

5. Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis?

Which one of the following disciplines attempts temporal synthesis?
  1. Sociology
  2. Anthropology
  3. Geography
  4. History
Solution: The correct option is (d) History. History is the discipline that primarily focuses on temporal synthesis, which involves understanding and explaining events and changes over time by analyzing their sequence and relationships. While geography also considers time, history's core methodology is temporal synthesis.

6. 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?

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?
Solution: While travelling to school, one observes various cultural features such as roads, buildings (houses, shops, schools), markets, parks, places of worship, and street infrastructure. These features are often dissimilar across different routes and locations, reflecting diverse human activities and planning. These cultural features are essential components of human geography. They should be included in the study of geography because they represent the human-modified landscape and are integral to understanding how humans interact with and shape their environment.

7. 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?

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?
Solution: Among the given options, an orange most closely resembles the shape of the Earth. The Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator. An orange shares this characteristic: it is generally round but has a slightly flattened top and bottom, with a fuller middle, similar to the Earth's shape.

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

Do you celebrate Van Mahotsava in your school? Why do we plant so many trees? How do the trees maintain ecological balance?
Solution: Yes, celebrating Van Mahotsava is a common practice in many schools to promote tree plantation. We plant numerous trees primarily to help maintain ecological balance. Trees play a vital role by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis, which is crucial for respiration. Additionally, tree roots help in binding the soil, thereby preventing soil erosion and improving soil fertility, contributing to a stable ecosystem.

9. 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?

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?
Solution: Elephants, deer, earthworms, trees, and grasses are all living organisms that live or grow within the biosphere. The sphere that encompasses all life on Earth is called the Biosphere. The important features of the biosphere include its role as the zone of life, existing at the interface of the lithosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), and atmosphere (air). It is a complex system where living organisms interact with each other and their physical environment.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the contributions of different scholars to the field of geography.
  • Difficulty in distinguishing between physical and cultural geographical features.
  • Not fully grasping the 'cause-effect' aspect of geographical inquiry.
  • Overlooking the importance of cultural elements in geographical studies.

Revision tips

  • Focus on understanding the etymology of 'Geography' and its early proponents.
  • Clearly distinguish between physical and human/cultural geography concepts.
  • Pay attention to the types of questions geography seeks to answer (What, Where, Why).
  • Review the examples provided to understand abstract concepts like the biosphere and temporal synthesis.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Who is credited with coining the term 'Geography'?

Q2. Which of the following is considered a 'physical feature' in geography?

Q3. The question 'Why?' in geography relates to which of the following?

Q4. Which discipline is known for attempting temporal synthesis?

Q5. Cultural features observed on the way to school are considered part of:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 1: Geography as a Discipline?

Chapter 1 introduces the fundamental concepts of geography, defining the discipline, identifying its key scholars, and distinguishing between its various aspects like physical and cultural features, and the types of questions it addresses.

Who coined the term 'Geography' according to the NCERT Solutions?

According to the NCERT Solutions, the term 'Geography' was coined by the scholar Eratosthenes.

How does geography study cause-effect relationships?

Geography studies cause-effect relationships by asking 'Why?' questions, seeking to understand the reasons behind geographical phenomena and their interconnections.

What are examples of cultural features mentioned in the solutions?

Examples of cultural features include streets, roads, houses, shops, schools, and markets, which are man-made elements studied in human geography.

What is the significance of the biosphere in geographical studies?

The biosphere is a crucial part of geographical study as it encompasses all life on Earth and represents the interface between the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere where life exists.

How can these NCERT Solutions help in exam preparation?

These solutions provide clear, concise, and comprehensive answers to the chapter's questions, helping students understand key concepts, revise important topics, and practice answering questions accurately for their exams.

Important links

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