Human Geography Nature and Scope Class 12 Competency Based Questions and Answers

Ch-1: Human Geography - Nature and Scope

Question: "...Each and every event or phenomenon which varies over space and time can be studied geographically." - Justify the statement.

Answer:

This statement is related to the scope of Human Geography, which studies all aspects of geography that change over time and across space. 

1. Study of spatial distribution: Geography studies different aspects like forests, populations, physical features, industries, etc., over the earth, and these vary over space.
2. Change over time: All the aspects, like forests, population, industries, resources, etc., change over time and space, which are important aspects of geography.
3. Study of natural phenomenon: Natural events like floods, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions occur at specific times and places. Geography examines the causes and consequences related to human life.
4. Human activities and distribution: Human activities such as agriculture, tourism, transport, and settlements vary over space and time, and these are important areas of geographical study.
5. Human-environment interaction: Geography is the study of the interrelationship between human beings and nature, and this interaction varies over space and time.

Thus, every event or phenomenon occurs at a particular place and time and shows variations across regions, which can be studied through geography.

Question: "The dichotomy between human and physical is not a valid one because nature and humans are inseparable elements and should be seen holistically." - Justify the statement.

Answer:

Geography is the study of the interrelationship between human beings and nature, and both of these elements are inseparable. Because of the following:

1. Human activities and nature: In geography, physical elements such as mountains, plains, plateaus, rivers, air, and sunshine all influence human activities.
2. Human modification of nature: All human beings modify nature as per their daily needs. Without the help of nature, human beings can not develop anything.
3. Mutual Interaction: There is a continuous interaction between the physical environment and the cultural societies. All human activities are influenced by the natural elements.
4. Integrated study of geography: Geography examines both human beings and the natural environment and their interaction with each other. Separating them will not give a complete geographical study.
5. Holistic approach: Since humans are part of nature, their activities are closely related to the natural processes. Therefore, geography adopts a holistic approach to study the Earth and its systems.

The division between human and physical aspects is invalid because they are interconnected; separating these aspects of human and physical phenomena makes a complete understanding of geography impossible.

A. Paragraph-based question from the paragraph of Benda's Life, from the book: Fundamentals of Human Geography, Page 3.

Question:

A.1. What type of activities are practised by the tribal people mentioned in the given paragraph?
A.2. What type of relationship was built there between nature and the human beings in the forest where Benda lives?
A.3. What lesson about environmental conservation can modern society learn from Benda's life?
A.4. Explain how the story of Benda represents the idea of 'environmental determinism'?

Answer 1:

1. They practise shifting cultivation by clearing and burning small forest areas.
2. Ash from the burning forest enhances the quality of the soil.
3. The tribal people collect the forest products such as honey, roots of the trees, medicinal plants, bark of the trees, etc.
4. These tribal people live in the forest, depending upon the forest resources and natural surroundings.

Answer 2:

1. Humans and nature share a close relationship and interdependency.
2. People depend on forests for food, shelter, water and medicine, etc.
3. Tribal communities respect forests, nature and forests spirit, showing cultural connection.
4. The lifestyle of the tribal people is very simple and adapted to the natural conditions.
5. They try to live in harmony with the natural environment.

Answer 3:

1. Humans should live in harmony with nature.
2. Natural resources should be used carefully and sustainably.
3. Forests and biodiversity must be protected for future generations.
4. Traditional knowledge of the tribal communities can help in environmental conservation.
5. Overexploitation of nature should be avoided to maintain ecological balance.

Answer 4:

1. Environmental determinism means the influence of the natural environment on the lives of people.
2. Benda lives in the forest area, and they depend on the forest for their livelihood.
3. The community members of Benda are practising the shifting cultivation, which fully depends on the natural environment.
4. These people depend on the forest for their food, shelter, etc.
5. Their cultures, beliefs, and daily activities are strongly influenced by nature.

Question: "People began to understand their environment and the forces of nature with the passage of time." - Explain.

OR

"Nature provides opportunities and human beings make use of these and slowly nature gets humanised and starts bearing the imprints of human endeavour." - Justify the statement with an example.

OR

"Human beings move from the state of necessity to the state of freedom." - Justify the statement. 

OR

"The imprints of human activities are created everywhere." - Justify the statement.

Answer:

Human life is closely connected with the natural environment. In the early period, people depended completely on nature for their needs. As time passed, humans gained knowledge and learned new ways to use natural resources more efficiently.

• Gradual understanding of nature: Over time, people began to understand their surroundings, such as weather, land, water, and forests. This understanding helped them to adjust their activities according to natural conditions.
• Development in technology: As human society developed, people started living in groups and sharing ideas. Cultural and social progress helped them to find better ways to manage and use resources.
• Improvement in technology: Humans invented tools and machines to make work easier. These technologies helped in farming, building houses, transport, and any other activities.
• More freedom in life: In the beginning, humans had limited choices because they were fully controlled by nature. With the growth of knowledge and technology, they were able to overcome many natural limitations.
• Human impact on the environment: Activities such as agriculture, settlement building, industries, and transport networks have changed the natural landscape. As a result, many parts of the environment now show the clear influence of human efforts.

Conclusion:

In this way, nature provides opportunities while humans use their knowledge and skills to benefit from them. Gradually, human activities transform the environment, and the landscape begins to reflect human presence and development.

B. Paragraph-based question from the paragraph of Kari's Life, from the book: Fundamentals of Human Geography, Page 3.

B.1. Question: How does technology help Kari live comfortably in the cold climate of Trondheim?

Answer:

• Technology helps Kari overcome the harsh climate. She uses a powerful car with special winter tyres and headlights for travel.
• Her office is artificially heated, and the university campus has a grass dome that controls temperature and lighting.
• These technologies make life comfortable even in extreme weather.

B.2. Question: What does the passage show about the role of transportation in modern human life?

Answer:

• The passage shows that modern transportation connects distant places quickly. 
• Tropical fruits are brought from warmer regions by air transport.
• Kari can also travel by flight to other cities for work and return the same day. 
• This shows how transportation helps people access resources and opportunities from different regions.

B.3. Question: Identify two examples from the passage that show human control over nature.

Answer:

1. The university campus is built under a glass dome that keeps snow out and controls temperature and light.
2. Fresh fruits and plants from warm regions are transported to Trondheim despite the cold climate.

These examples show how humans modify natural conditions using technology.

B.4. Question: What geographical idea is reflected in the lifestyle of Kari described in the passage?

Answer:

The passage reflects the idea that humans can adapt to and modify their environment with the help of technology and development. Even in a cold and difficult climate, people can live comfortably by using modern technology and global connections.

Question: "Neither is there a situation of absolute necessity nor is there a situation of absolute freedom." - Support the statement with suitable examples.

Answer:

Humans and nature are closely related. People depends in nature for resources, but they also use knowledge and technology to use and change nature. Therefore, humans are neither completely controlled by nature nor completely free from it. Because of the following:

1. Dependence on nature: Humans need natural resources like air, land, and climate to live. These factors are influenced by human activities.
2. Natural limitations: In earlier times, people had very little technology, so their lives depended on natural environments.
3. Use of technology: With the development of technology, humans can reduce the difficulties caused by the natural environment, such as irrigation to cultivate dry lands.
4. Human adaptation: People adjust to different environments. For example, in cold areas, they use heaters and warm clothes, while in hot areas, they build houses that protect them from the heat.

Thus, humans live between necessity and freedom. Nature sets certain limits, but humans use knowledge and technology to improve their living conditions.

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