Oceans and Continents – Very Short Answer Type Questions
Class 6
CBSE Class 6 Social Science — Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents
CBSE Board Examinations: Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark), Map labelling, Short answers, Internal assessment.
Content Bank — Chapter 2 (Topic-wise)
Topics covered: Major Oceans; Continents & their key features; Oceanic features (currents, trenches); Islands, peninsulas & isthmuses; Human uses and trade; Map skills.
Topic 1 — Major Oceans (1–8)
Q1. How many major oceans are there on Earth?
A1. Five.
Q2. Name the largest ocean.
A2. The Pacific Ocean.
Q3. Which ocean surrounds Antarctica?
A3. The Southern (Antarctic) Ocean.
Q4. Which ocean is the warmest on average?
A4. The Indian Ocean.
Q5. Which ocean is smallest by area?
A5. The Arctic Ocean.
Q6. Name the ocean between Africa and Australia.
A6. The Indian Ocean.
Q7. Which ocean lies to the west of South America?
A7. The Pacific Ocean.
Q8. Which ocean separates Africa and the Americas?
A8. The Atlantic Ocean.
Topic 2 — Continents (9–18)
Q9. How many continents are there?
A9. Seven continents.
Q10. Which is the largest continent by area?
A10. Asia.
Q11. Which continent is known for the Sahara Desert?
A11. Africa.
Q12. Which continent contains the Amazon Rainforest?
A12. South America.
Q13. Which continent is mostly covered by ice?
A13. Antarctica.
Q14. Which continent is both a country and a continent?
A14. Australia.
Q15. Which continent is smallest in area?
A15. Australia (smallest continent).
Q16. Which continent is separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains?
A16. Europe.
Q17. Name a major mountain range in Asia.
A17. The Himalayas.
Q18. Which continent has the most countries?
A18. Africa (has the largest number of countries).
Topic 3 — Oceanic Features (19–26)
Q19. What is an ocean current?
A19. A large-scale movement of seawater in a particular direction.
Q20. Name a warm ocean current.
A20. The Gulf Stream (a warm Atlantic current).
Q21. What is an ocean trench?
A21. A deep, narrow depression on the ocean floor, often very deep.
Q22. Give an example of an ocean trench.
A22. The Mariana Trench.
Q23. What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
A23. An underwater mountain range in the Atlantic Ocean formed by tectonic activity.
Q24. How do ocean currents affect climate?
A24. They transfer heat, warming or cooling coastal regions and influencing weather patterns.
Q25. What are tides?
A25. Regular rise and fall of sea level caused mainly by the Moon's and Sun's gravity.
Q26. What is an estuary?
A26. A place where a river meets the sea and mixes freshwater with seawater.
Topic 4 — Islands, Peninsulas & Isthmuses (27–34)
Q27. What is an island?
A27. A piece of land surrounded by water.
Q28. What is an archipelago?
A28. A group or chain of islands (e.g., Indonesia).
Q29. Define a peninsula.
A29. Land surrounded by water on three sides but connected to mainland on one side.
Q30. Give an example of a famous peninsula.
A30. The Indian Peninsula (Indian subcontinent) or the Arabian Peninsula.
Q31. What is an isthmus?
A31. A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.
Q32. Name a famous isthmus.
A32. The Isthmus of Panama.
Q33. What is a coral reef?
A33. A structure formed by coral organisms, often found in warm shallow seas (e.g., Great Barrier Reef).
Q34. Where is the Great Barrier Reef located?
A34. Off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea.
Topic 5 — Human Uses of Oceans & Continents (35–40)
Q35. Name one major human activity that depends on oceans.
A35. Fishing.
Q36. How do oceans help in trade?
A36. Oceans provide shipping routes for international trade and transport of goods.
Q37. Give one reason why coastal areas are important for tourism.
A37. Beaches and marine life attract tourists and support local economies.
Q38. Name one resource obtained from the ocean besides fish.
A38. Offshore oil and natural gas (or minerals like salt).
Q39. Why are ports important?
A39. Ports enable loading and unloading of ships, facilitating trade and transport.
Q40. How can human activities harm oceans?
A40. Pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction can damage marine ecosystems.
Topic 6 — Map Skills & Quick Facts (41–50)
Q41. What is a continent?
A41. A large continuous landmass such as Africa or Asia.
Q42. Which line divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
A42. The Equator.
Q43. What is latitude used for?
A43. To measure distance north or south of the Equator.
Q44. What is longitude used for?
A44. To measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
Q45. Which hemisphere contains most of Europe and North America?
A45. The Northern Hemisphere.
Q46. Name two continents that are connected by land (forming a single large landmass).
A46. Europe and Asia (often called Eurasia).
Q47. What is a map legend?
A47. A key explaining symbols and colours used on a map.
Q48. Which ocean would you cross when travelling from India to South America?
A48. The Indian Ocean (then Atlantic via Cape route) or more directly Pacific/Atlantic depending on route; primary is Indian then Atlantic.
Q49. Give one mnemonic to remember the major oceans.
A49. Example mnemonic: "Please Ask In School" (Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern) — add Arctic separately.
Q50. Why is it important to learn about continents and oceans?
A50. To understand Earth’s geography, climate, ecosystems and human activities like trade and settlement.
Note: These Very Short Answer Questions and Answers are prepared strictly as per the NCERT syllabus and are ideal for CBSE Class 6 quick revision and exam practice.