UNDERSTANDING WEATHER : Class 7 : Social Science
(SUMMARY)
1. What is Weather?
Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions of a place at a particular time.
It changes from day to day and even hour to hour.
The main elements of weather are:
Temperature
Humidity
Rainfall/Precipitation
Wind
Air Pressure
2. Difference between Weather and Climate
Weather: Condition of atmosphere for a short period (day to day).
Climate: Average weather condition of a place over a long period (30+ years).
3. Elements of Weather
Temperature –
Measured with a thermometer (Celsius/Fahrenheit).
Varies from place to place (equator hotter, poles colder).
Humidity –
Amount of water vapour in the air.
High humidity makes us feel hotter.
Rainfall/Precipitation –
Water falls to earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Measured by a rain gauge.
Wind –
Moving air caused by differences in air pressure.
Can be local (land and sea breeze) or global (monsoon winds).
Air Pressure –
Weight of air on earth’s surface.
Measured by a barometer.
High-pressure areas → clear sky, Low-pressure areas → cloudy/rainy weather.
4. Factors Affecting Weather
Latitude (distance from equator).
Altitude (height above sea level).
Distance from the sea.
Relief features (mountains, plains, deserts).
5. Importance of Weather
Affects agriculture, transport, communication, daily life.
Farmers, pilots, sailors, and fishermen depend on weather forecasts.
SHORT QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q1. Define weather.
Answer: Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time with respect to temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind, and pressure.
Q2. Define climate.
Answer: Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long period of time (about 30 years or more).
Q3. What is the difference between weather and climate?
Answer: Weather changes daily and is short-term, while climate is the long-term pattern of weather of a region.
Q4. What is temperature?
Answer: Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of the atmosphere.
Q5. How is temperature measured?
Answer: Temperature is measured by a thermometer.
Q6. Mention two factors that affect temperature.
Answer: Latitude and altitude affect temperature.
Q7. What is humidity?
Answer: Humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air.
Q8. How is humidity measured?
Answer: Humidity is measured by a hygrometer.
Q9. What is precipitation?
Answer: Precipitation is the process by which water in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail falls to the ground.
Q10. Name the instrument used to measure rainfall.
Answer: Rainfall is measured by a rain gauge.
Q11. Name different forms of precipitation.
Answer: Rain, snow, hail, and sleet.
Q12. What is air pressure?
Answer: Air pressure is the weight of air exerted on the earth’s surface.
Q13. How is air pressure measured?
Answer: Air pressure is measured by a barometer.
Q14. How do winds blow?
Answer: Winds blow from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.
Q15. Name the instrument used to measure wind speed.
Answer: Wind speed is measured by an anemometer.
Q16. What are permanent winds? Give an example.
Answer: Winds that blow throughout the year in the same direction, e.g., Trade winds.
Q17. What are seasonal winds? Give an example.
Answer: Winds that change their direction according to the season, e.g., Monsoon winds.
Q18. What are local winds? Give an example.
Answer: Winds that blow only in a small area for a short time, e.g., Loo or sea breeze.
Q19. Differentiate between land breeze and sea breeze.
Answer: Land breeze blows from land to sea at night; sea breeze blows from sea to land during the day.
Q20. What are clouds?
Answer: Clouds are masses of tiny water droplets or ice crystals formed when water vapour condenses in the atmosphere.
Q21. Name the main source of heat and energy for weather.
Answer: The Sun is the main source of heat and energy for weather.
Q22. How does latitude affect weather?
Answer: Places near the equator are hotter, while places near the poles are colder due to the angle of sun’s rays.
Q23. How does altitude affect weather?
Answer: Higher places are cooler, while low-lying areas are warmer.
Q24. How does distance from the sea influence weather?
Answer: Coastal areas have moderate weather; inland areas have extreme weather.
Q25. What is relief?
Answer: Relief refers to the shape and height of the land surface, such as mountains, plains, and plateaus.
Q26. What is the effect of mountains on rainfall?
Answer: Mountains force moist air to rise, causing rainfall on the windward side and dryness on the leeward side.
Q27. Why do deserts experience extreme temperatures?
Answer: Because sand heats up quickly during the day and cools quickly at night.
Q28. What are monsoon winds?
Answer: Monsoon winds are seasonal winds that bring heavy rainfall to India during summer.
Q29. Why are clouds important for weather?
Answer: Clouds bring rainfall and regulate Earth’s temperature by reflecting sunlight and trapping heat.
Q30. What is a cyclone?
Answer: A cyclone is a violent storm with strong winds and heavy rain caused by low pressure.
Q31. What is an anticyclone?
Answer: An anticyclone is a high-pressure system bringing clear skies and dry weather.
Q32. How does weather forecasting help us?
Answer: It helps farmers, fishermen, pilots, and warns people about storms and floods.
Q33. Give one example of permanent, seasonal, and local winds.
Answer: Trade winds (permanent), monsoon winds (seasonal), loo (local).
Q34. Why do coastal areas have moderate weather?
Answer: Because the sea heats and cools slowly compared to land, balancing temperature.
Q35. How do ocean currents affect weather?
Answer: Warm currents raise temperature of coastal areas, while cold currents lower it.
Q36. Mention two effects of humidity.
Answer: High humidity makes weather sticky and helps in cloud formation.
Q37. Why is the equator hotter than the poles?
Answer: Because the equator receives direct rays of the Sun, while poles receive slanting rays.
Q38. Give two reasons why mountains are cooler than plains.
Answer: Higher altitude and thin air lead to lower temperatures in mountains.
Q39. Why is rainfall important?
Answer: It provides water for drinking, agriculture, rivers, and groundwater.
Q40. How does weather affect our daily life?
Answer: Weather influences our clothing, food, agriculture, festivals, and daily work.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. Define weather. Explain its main elements with examples.
Answer: Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. It keeps changing frequently.
Temperature – Shows how hot or cold it is. Example: Summer in Rajasthan.
Humidity – Amount of water vapour in air. Example: Humid weather in Chennai.
Rainfall/Precipitation – Water in the form of rain, snow, hail. Example: Monsoon rainfall in Assam.
Air Pressure – Weight of air on Earth. Example: Low pressure in monsoon brings rain.
Wind – Movement of air from high to low pressure. Example: Sea breeze.
Q2. Differentiate between weather and climate with examples.
Answer:
Weather – Short-term condition of the atmosphere. Example: It may rain today and be sunny tomorrow.
Climate – Long-term average weather of a place (over 30+ years). Example: Rajasthan’s climate is hot and dry.
Thus, weather changes daily, but climate remains constant for years.
Q3. Explain how temperature is measured, factors affecting it, and its role in weather.
Answer:
Measurement: By thermometer.
Factors affecting temperature:
Latitude – Equator hotter, poles colder.
Altitude – Higher places cooler.
Distance from sea – Coastal areas moderate.
Nature of surface – Land heats faster than water.
Role in weather: Affects rainfall, humidity, wind, and vegetation.
Q4. What is humidity? How is it measured? Explain its effect on daily life.
Answer:
Humidity = Amount of water vapour in air.
Measured by hygrometer.
Effects:
High humidity makes sweating difficult.
Low humidity makes air dry.
Helps in cloud formation.
Essential for agriculture.
Q5. Define air pressure. How is it measured? Explain its effects on weather.
Answer:
Air pressure = Weight of air.
Measured by barometer.
High pressure → Clear skies, dry weather.
Low pressure → Cloudy sky, rainfall, storms.
Q6. Explain the importance of rainfall in human life. How is it measured?
Answer:
Importance: Provides drinking water, helps crops, recharges groundwater, fills rivers, balances water cycle.
Excess = floods, Less = drought.
Measured by rain gauge.
Q7. Describe the different forms of precipitation with examples.
Answer:
Rain – Liquid drops.
Snow – Ice crystals (Himalayas).
Hail – Ice balls in thunderstorms.
Sleet – Frozen raindrops.
Q8. What are winds? How are they caused? Mention types of winds.
Answer:
Winds = Moving air.
Caused by differences in air pressure.
Types:
Permanent winds – Trade winds.
Seasonal winds – Monsoon.
Local winds – Sea breeze, loo.
Q9. Differentiate between local winds and global winds.
Answer:
Local winds – Small areas, short duration. Example: Land breeze, loo.
Global winds – Blow across continents. Example: Trade winds, westerlies.
Q10. How does latitude affect weather?
Answer:
Equator → Direct rays → Hot climate.
Tropics → Slant rays → Moderate climate.
Poles → Very less heat → Cold climate.
Q11. How does altitude affect weather conditions?
Answer:
Higher places = colder than lowlands.
Temperature decreases 6.5°C per 1000 m rise.
Example: Shimla cooler than Delhi.
Q12. Explain the role of distance from the sea in controlling weather.
Answer:
Coastal areas – Moderate (Mumbai, Chennai).
Inland areas – Extreme (Delhi, Jaipur).
Reason: Water heats/cools slower than land.
Q13. What is relief? How do mountains affect weather?
Answer:
Relief = shape of land (mountains, valleys).
Mountains:
Block winds.
Cause rainfall on windward side.
Cause dryness on leeward side (rain shadow).
Q14. Explain the difference between hot, cold, and temperate weather conditions with examples.
Answer:
Hot regions – Near equator, high temperature. Example: Chennai.
Cold regions – Near poles, freezing. Example: Greenland.
Temperate regions – Moderate, four seasons. Example: Europe.
Q15. Describe the role of sun in controlling weather.
Answer:
Sun = main source of heat and light.
Uneven heating causes winds, rainfall.
Drives water cycle, cloud formation, storms.
Q16. Explain how clouds are formed and their role in weather.
Answer:
Clouds form when water vapour rises, cools, and condenses into droplets.
Role: Bring rainfall, regulate temperature, reflect sunlight, and show weather changes.
Q17. Differentiate between land breeze and sea breeze.
Answer:
Land breeze – Blows from land to sea at night.
Sea breeze – Blows from sea to land during day.
Both caused by unequal heating of land and water.
Q18. What are monsoon winds? Explain their importance in India.
Answer:
Seasonal winds blowing from sea to land in summer and land to sea in winter.
Importance:
Provide rainfall for crops.
Fill rivers.
Support drinking water needs.
Q19. What is climate? How is it different from weather?
Answer:
Climate = Average weather condition over 30 years.
Weather is short-term, climate is long-term. Example: Kerala has hot, wet climate.
Q20. How do mountains influence rainfall?
Answer:
Moist winds rise along mountains → cool → rainfall on windward side.
Leeward side gets little rain → dry. Example: Western Ghats.
Q21. Explain why deserts are hot during day but cold at night.
Answer:
Sand heats quickly in day → very hot.
Loses heat quickly at night → very cold.
Lack of moisture intensifies extremes.
Q22. How do oceans affect weather?
Answer:
Oceans supply moisture for rainfall.
Coastal regions → moderate weather.
Ocean currents bring warm/cold winds.
Q23. Explain the importance of weather forecasting.
Answer:
Helps farmers plan sowing/harvesting.
Helps pilots, sailors, fishermen.
Warns people about storms, floods, cyclones.
Q24. How does air pressure affect movement of winds?
Answer:
Air moves from high pressure to low pressure.
Large differences → strong winds, storms.
Low pressure → rainfall, High pressure → clear skies.
Q25. What are cyclones? Explain their effect on weather.
Answer:
Cyclones = violent circular storms caused by low pressure.
Bring heavy rain, strong winds, floods, destruction.
Example: Cyclone Amphan in 2020.
Q26. How does weather affect agriculture?
Answer:
Temperature, rainfall, humidity decide crop type.
Example: Rice requires heavy rain, wheat needs cool climate.
Droughts/floods damage crops.
Q27. How do winds influence rainfall?
Answer:
Moist winds from sea → heavy rainfall.
Dry winds from land → dry weather.
Example: Monsoon winds bring rain to India.
Q28. Explain the role of clouds in rainfall.
Answer:
Clouds contain condensed water vapour.
When heavy, droplets fall as rain.
Different types give different rainfall (cumulus = heavy rain).
Q29. Explain the differences between cyclonic and anticyclonic conditions.
Answer:
Cyclonic – Low pressure, air rises, cloudy, rainy.
Anticyclonic – High pressure, air sinks, clear sky, dry.
Q30. What are the instruments used to measure weather elements?
Answer:
Thermometer – Temperature.
Hygrometer – Humidity.
Rain gauge – Rainfall.
Barometer – Air pressure.
Anemometer – Wind speed.
Q31. Explain with examples how global warming can affect weather.
Answer:
Increases Earth’s temperature.
Melts glaciers, raises sea level.
Changes rainfall patterns.
Causes heat waves, droughts, floods.
Q32. Explain the importance of clouds in controlling Earth’s temperature.
Answer:
Clouds reflect sunlight → keep earth cool in day.
Trap heat at night → keep earth warm.
Help maintain balance in atmosphere.
Q33. Why do coastal areas have moderate weather conditions?
Answer:
Sea absorbs heat slowly → cools slowly.
Land heats/cools faster → extreme weather inland.
Example: Mumbai moderate vs Delhi extreme.
Q34. How does weather influence human activities?
Answer:
Agriculture – depends on rainfall.
Transport – flights, ships affected by storms.
Clothing – depends on climate.
Daily life – work, festivals, health.
Q35. Explain why it is said that ‘weather is a daily experience but climate is a long-term pattern’.
Answer:
Weather = daily change in temperature, rain, wind.
Climate = long-term average of weather in a region.
Example: It may rain today in Delhi (weather), but overall Delhi has extreme climate.
MCQS WITH ANSWERS
1. Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere at a:
a) Particular time and place
b) Whole year
c) Decade
d) Century
Answer: a) Particular time and place
2. The study of weather is called:
a) Astronomy
b) Meteorology
c) Geology
d) Astrology
Answer: b) Meteorology
3. Which instrument is used to measure temperature?
a) Thermometer
b) Barometer
c) Rain gauge
d) Hygrometer
Answer: a) Thermometer
4. Which of these is not an element of weather?
a) Temperature
b) Rainfall
c) Mountains
d) Humidity
Answer: c) Mountains
5. Long-term average condition of weather is called:
a) Climate
b) Pressure
c) Forecast
d) Monsoon
Answer: a) Climate
6. Rainfall is measured by:
a) Barometer
b) Rain gauge
c) Thermometer
d) Compass
Answer: b) Rain gauge
7. The amount of water vapour in the air is called:
a) Wind
b) Humidity
c) Air pressure
d) Condensation
Answer: b) Humidity
8. The weight of air on the earth’s surface is known as:
a) Humidity
b) Climate
c) Air pressure
d) Wind speed
Answer: c) Air pressure
9. Air pressure is measured by:
a) Thermometer
b) Barometer
c) Rain gauge
d) Anemometer
Answer: b) Barometer
10. Winds blow from:
a) High pressure to low pressure
b) Low pressure to high pressure
c) East to west only
d) West to east only
Answer: a) High pressure to low pressure
11. Which of these is a local wind?
a) Monsoon
b) Sea breeze
c) Trade wind
d) Westerlies
Answer: b) Sea breeze
12. Which instrument is used to measure wind speed?
a) Barometer
b) Anemometer
c) Thermometer
d) Hygrometer
Answer: b) Anemometer
13. What causes wind to move?
a) Ocean currents
b) Differences in air pressure
c) Mountains
d) Latitude
Answer: b) Differences in air pressure
14. Which factor does not affect weather?
a) Latitude
b) Altitude
c) Soil type
d) Distance from the sea
Answer: c) Soil type
15. The difference between weather and climate is:
a) Weather is short-term, climate is long-term
b) Weather is long-term, climate is short-term
c) Both are short-term
d) Both are long-term
Answer: a) Weather is short-term, climate is long-term
16. High humidity means:
a) Dry air
b) Moist air
c) Low temperature
d) Low rainfall
Answer: b) Moist air
17. Heavy rainfall occurs in:
a) Desert regions
b) High-pressure regions
c) Low-pressure regions
d) Polar regions
Answer: c) Low-pressure regions
18. Clouds are formed due to:
a) Evaporation
b) Condensation
c) Precipitation
d) Melting
Answer: b) Condensation
19. Which type of rainfall is common in mountains?
a) Orographic rainfall
b) Cyclonic rainfall
c) Convectional rainfall
d) Desert rainfall
Answer: a) Orographic rainfall
20. India receives most of its rainfall from:
a) Sea breeze
b) Westerlies
c) Monsoon winds
d) Local winds
Answer: c) Monsoon winds
21. The instrument used to measure humidity is:
a) Anemometer
b) Hygrometer
c) Barometer
d) Rain gauge
Answer: b) Hygrometer
22. Which factor decreases temperature?
a) Decreasing altitude
b) Increasing altitude
c) Moving towards equator
d) Moving near the sea
Answer: b) Increasing altitude
23. Which region has the highest temperature?
a) Equatorial region
b) Polar region
c) Desert region
d) Mountain region
Answer: a) Equatorial region
24. The daily weather forecast is given by:
a) Doctors
b) Meteorological Department
c) Teachers
d) Farmers
Answer: b) Meteorological Department
25. Which gas is essential for cloud formation?
a) Oxygen
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Water vapour
d) Nitrogen
Answer: c) Water vapour
26. What is the effect of distance from the sea on weather?
a) Places near the sea have extreme climate
b) Places near the sea have moderate climate
c) No effect
d) Only increases rainfall
Answer: b) Places near the sea have moderate climate
27. Winds blowing steadily in one direction are called:
a) Global winds
b) Local winds
c) Cyclonic winds
d) Storms
Answer: a) Global winds
28. The wind blowing from land to sea at night is called:
a) Sea breeze
b) Land breeze
c) Monsoon
d) Cyclone
Answer: b) Land breeze
29. Which of these is a precipitation form?
a) Fog
b) Dew
c) Hail
d) Smog
Answer: c) Hail
30. The amount of rainfall is measured in:
a) Litres
b) Millimetres
c) Centimetres
d) Kilometres
Answer: b) Millimetres
31. Which part of India receives the highest rainfall?
a) Rajasthan
b) Mawsynram, Meghalaya
c) Punjab
d) Ladakh
Answer: b) Mawsynram, Meghalaya
32. Which natural disaster is linked with low-pressure areas?
a) Earthquake
b) Tsunami
c) Cyclone
d) Volcano
Answer: c) Cyclone
33. In deserts, the humidity level is:
a) High
b) Low
c) Medium
d) Very high
Answer: b) Low
34. Temperature decreases with height at the rate of:
a) 1°C per 165 metres
b) 6.5°C per 1000 metres
c) 5°C per 1000 metres
d) 1°C per 1000 metres
Answer: b) 6.5°C per 1000 metres
35. The average condition of weather for 30–35 years is called:
a) Climate
b) Weather
c) Season
d) Monsoon
Answer: a) Climate
36. Which element of weather affects our clothing?
a) Rainfall
b) Temperature
c) Air pressure
d) Wind
Answer: b) Temperature
37. The continuous movement of air is called:
a) Evaporation
b) Condensation
c) Wind
d) Humidity
Answer: c) Wind
38. What type of pressure leads to clear skies?
a) High pressure
b) Low pressure
c) No pressure
d) Equal pressure
Answer: a) High pressure
39. Monsoon winds bring rainfall because they carry:
a) Dust
b) Smoke
c) Moisture
d) Sand
Answer: c) Moisture
40. Weather affects:
a) Agriculture
b) Daily life
c) Transport and communication
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
