CBSE Class 6 Social Science Major Domains of the Earth NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, 'Major Domains of the Earth,' for CBSE Class 6 Social Science, delves into the fundamental components of our planet. It introduces students to the four primary domains: the Lithosphere (land), Hydrosphere (water), Atmosphere (air), and Biosphere (life). The solutions provide clear explanations for each domain, including the names of major continents and oceans, and the different layers of the atmosphere. It also explains why Earth is called the 'blue planet' and why the Northern Hemisphere is known as the 'land Hemisphere.' The importance of the biosphere as the zone supporting life is highlighted. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students grasp these essential geographical concepts, clarify doubts, and prepare effectively for their exams by offering detailed answers and explanations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	Social Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Geography - Chapter 5 Major Domains of the Earth

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, 'Major Domains of the Earth,' for Class 6 Social Science, focuses on the key geographical divisions of our planet. The NCERT Solutions cover the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere, explaining their characteristics and significance. Students will learn about the major continents, oceans, and atmospheric layers, as well as the reasons behind Earth's nickname 'blue planet' and the 'land Hemisphere.' The solutions emphasize the crucial role of the biosphere in supporting life, providing a comprehensive understanding of these fundamental Earth science concepts.

Learning outcomes

Identify and describe the four major domains of the Earth: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere.
Name the seven continents and differentiate between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
List the different layers of the Earth's atmosphere.
Explain the reasons behind Earth being called the 'blue planet' and the 'land Hemisphere'.
Understand the significance of the biosphere as the zone supporting life.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Major Domains of the Earth
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Continents
Oceans
Layers of Atmosphere
Earth as the 'Blue Planet'
Northern Hemisphere as 'Land Hemisphere'
Geographical Features
Life Support Zones

Important topics

The Four Major Domains of the Earth
Identification of Continents and Oceans
Layers of the Atmosphere
Significance of the Biosphere
Earth's Unique Characteristics ('Blue Planet')

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1 (a)

What are the four major domains of the earth?

Solution: The Earth is broadly divided into four major domains, which are essential components of our planet:

Lithosphere: This is the solid, rocky outer layer of the Earth, including the continents and the ocean floors.
Hydrosphere: This domain comprises all the water on Earth, such as oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and ice caps.
Atmosphere: This is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth, providing the air we breathe and protecting us from solar radiation.
Biosphere: This is the zone where life exists, encompassing parts of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere where living organisms are found.

Question 1 (b)

Name the major continents of the earth.

Solution: The major continents of the Earth, listed in approximate order of size, are:

Asia
Africa
North America
South America
Antarctica
Europe
Australia

Question 1 (c)

Name the two continents that lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

Solution: The two continents that are located completely within the Southern Hemisphere are:

Australia
Antarctica

Question 1 (d)

Name the different layers of atmosphere.

Solution: The Earth's atmosphere is divided into several layers, based on temperature and other characteristics. The main layers, starting from the Earth's surface and moving upwards, are:

Troposphere: The lowest layer, where weather occurs.
Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs UV radiation.
Mesosphere: Where most meteors burn up.
Thermosphere: Temperature increases with altitude; where auroras occur.
Exosphere: The outermost layer, gradually fading into space.

Question 1 (e)

Why is the earth called the 'blue planet'?

Solution: The Earth is often called the 'blue planet' because a vast majority of its surface, more than 71 percent, is covered by water. From space, this extensive coverage of oceans, seas, and other water bodies gives our planet a distinct blue appearance.

Question 1 (f)

Why is the Northern Hemisphere called the 'land Hemisphere'?

Solution: The Northern Hemisphere is referred to as the 'land Hemisphere' because a significantly larger portion of the Earth's landmass is situated in this half of the globe compared to the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 1 (g)

Why is the biosphere important for living organisms?

Solution: The Biosphere is critically important for all living organisms because it represents the zone where life can exist. It is here that the three essential elements necessary for life – land (Lithosphere), water (Hydrosphere), and air (Atmosphere) – come together and interact, creating suitable conditions for diverse forms of life to thrive.

Question 2 (a)

The mountain range that separates Europe from Asia is:

(i) the Andes
(ii) the Himalayas
(iii) the Urals

Solution: The correct answer is (iii) the Urals. The Ural Mountains form a traditional geographical boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia.

Question 2 (b)

The continent of North America is linked to South America by:

(i) an Isthmus
(ii) a Strait
(iii) a Canal

Solution: The correct answer is (i) an Isthmus. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses, with water on either side. In this case, it connects North America and South America.

Question 2 (c)

The major constituent of the atmosphere by percent is:

(i) Nitrogen
(ii) Oxygen
(iii) Carbon dioxide

Solution: The correct answer is (i) Nitrogen. Nitrogen gas makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, making it the most abundant gas.

Question 2 (d)

The domain of the earth consisting of solid rocks is:

(i) the Atmosphere
(ii) the Hydrosphere
(iii) the Lithosphere

Solution: The correct answer is (iii) the Lithosphere. The Lithosphere is defined as the rigid, rocky outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

Question 2 (e)

Which is the largest continent?

(i) Africa
(ii) Asia
(iii) Australia

Solution: The correct answer is (ii) Asia. Asia is the largest continent in terms of both land area and population.

Question 3 (a)

The deepest point on the earth is ______ in the Pacific Ocean.

Solution: The deepest point on the Earth is the Mariana Trench, located in the western Pacific Ocean.

Question 3 (b)

The ______ Ocean is named after a country.

Solution: The Indian Ocean is the only ocean named after a country, India.

Question 3 (c)

The ______ is a narrow contact zone of land, water and air that supports life.

Solution: The Biosphere is the narrow contact zone of land, water, and air where life exists and is supported.

Question 3 (d)

The continents of Europe and Asia together are known as ______.

Solution: The continents of Europe and Asia are collectively known as Eurasia.

Question 3 (e)

The highest mountain peak on the earth is ______.

Solution: The highest mountain peak on Earth is Mount Everest.

Question (Things to do 1)

Cut the outline of the continents from an outline map of the world and arrange them according to their decreasing sizes.

Solution: This is a practical activity. To complete it, you would need an outline map of the world. Carefully cut out the shapes of each continent. Then, compare their sizes and arrange them in order from largest to smallest. The order of decreasing size is Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

Question (Things to do 2)

Collect pictures of expeditions to the Himalayas. Write about the kind of equipment carried by the climbers for protection against sunshine, temperature and the lack of air.

Solution: Expeditions to high mountains like the Himalayas require specialized equipment due to extreme conditions. Climbers carry oxygen cylinders to breathe at altitudes where the air is thin. They wear insulated clothing, such as warm jackets and thermal layers, to protect against the very low temperatures. To shield themselves from intense solar radiation at high altitudes, they use sunglasses and wear hats or caps to protect their skin from sunburn and heat.

Question (Multiple Choice Questions 1)

Life exists in this zone:

Lithosphere
Biosphere
Hydrosphere

Solution: The correct option is Biosphere. The Biosphere is the zone of the Earth where life exists, encompassing interactions between the land, water, and air.

Question (Multiple Choice Questions 2)

It is the only continent through which the Tropic of Cancer, the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn pass:

Asia
Europe
Africa

Solution: The correct option is Africa. Africa is the only continent through which all three major lines of latitude – the Tropic of Cancer, the Equator, and the Tropic of Capricorn – pass.

Common mistakes

Confusing the names of continents or oceans.
Incorrectly identifying which continents lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
Misunderstanding the composition of the atmosphere or its layers.
Not clearly articulating why Earth is called the 'blue planet'.

Revision tips

Use a world map to visually locate and identify the continents and oceans mentioned.
Create flashcards for key terms like Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere, and major geographical features.
Review the reasons for Earth's nicknames ('blue planet', 'land Hemisphere') to ensure clear understanding.
Practice drawing a simple diagram of the Earth's layers (atmosphere) and domains.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is NOT considered one of the four major domains of the Earth?

Q2. What is the primary reason Earth is called the 'blue planet'?

Q3. The mountain range separating Europe and Asia is:

Q4. Which continent is linked to South America by an isthmus?

Q5. The zone where land, water, and air meet and support life is known as:

Frequently asked questions

What are the four main domains of the Earth discussed in this chapter?

The four main domains are the Lithosphere (the solid crust), the Hydrosphere (water bodies), the Atmosphere (the gaseous envelope), and the Biosphere (the zone of life).

Why is the Earth referred to as the 'blue planet'?

Earth is called the 'blue planet' because approximately 71% of its surface is covered by water, which appears blue from space.

Which continents lie entirely in the Southern Hemisphere?

Australia and Antarctica are the two continents that lie entirely within the Southern Hemisphere.

What is the significance of the Biosphere?

The Biosphere is crucial because it is the region where the essential elements of land, water, and air interact to support all forms of life.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 6 students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions in the chapter, helping students understand complex geographical concepts and prepare effectively for their exams.

What is the difference between the Lithosphere and the Hydrosphere?

The Lithosphere refers to the solid, rocky outer layer of the Earth, including the landmasses and the ocean floor. The Hydrosphere encompasses all the water on Earth, such as oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes.

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