Understanding the Weather – MCQs with Answers and Explanations
Class 7
Social Science — Chapter 2: Understanding the Weather
CBSE Board Examination — Suggested Presentation
- Section A — Objective / MCQs (1 mark each)
- Section B — Short Answers (2–3 marks)
- Section C — Long / Case-Based (4–6 marks)
Use these MCQs for quick practice and revision. Click “Show Answer & Explanation” to reveal the correct option and a short explanation.
Topic 1: Elements of Weather (Temperature, Rainfall, Wind, Humidity, Pressure)
1. Which instrument is used to measure temperature?
Correct: B. Thermometer
A thermometer measures air temperature. A barometer measures air pressure, a hygrometer measures humidity, and an anemometer measures wind speed.
2. What does a rain gauge measure?
Correct: B. Amount of rainfall
A rain gauge collects and measures the depth of liquid precipitation. Wind direction is measured by a wind vane, humidity by a hygrometer, and pressure by a barometer.
3. Which element of weather describes the amount of water vapour in the air?
Correct: B. Humidity
Humidity indicates moisture content in the atmosphere. High humidity can make hot days feel hotter and can lead to condensation when the air cools.
4. A sudden fall in atmospheric pressure usually indicates:
Correct: B. Approaching rainy or stormy weather
A falling barometer (pressure) often signals a low-pressure system approaching, which is associated with clouds and precipitation.
5. Which of the following affects evaporation most directly?
Correct: B. Wind speed
Wind increases evaporation by removing moist air from the surface and replacing it with drier air. Temperature and humidity also influence evaporation, but of the choices given, wind speed is most direct.
Topic 2: Weather Instruments & Weather Stations
6. Which instrument measures wind speed?
Correct: A. Anemometer
Anemometers measure wind speed — commonly with cups that spin faster in stronger winds. Hygrometers measure humidity, thermometers temperature, and rain gauges rainfall.
7. Which device helps meteorologists detect precipitation and track storms over large areas?
Correct: A. Radar
Weather radar sends radio waves and detects their return from raindrops or snow, allowing mapping of precipitation and storms in real time.
8. A weather station usually records all the following except:
Correct: B. Heart rate of people nearby
Weather stations measure atmospheric conditions — temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity, pressure — not personal health data like heart rate.
9. Which part of a weather station provides data that helps predict fog and dew?
Correct: A. Hygrometer (humidity)
High humidity close to saturation, combined with cooling, leads to condensation, fog and dew. Hygrometers measure humidity which is critical for these forecasts.
10. Why is continuous data from weather stations important for weather forecasting?
Correct: A. It allows forecasting by providing current conditions and trends
Continuous observations give meteorologists the information needed to detect changes, feed weather models and issue warnings. Data doesn't change climate or physically stop storms.
Topic 3: Weather vs Climate and Classification
11. Which statement is true?
Correct: C. Climate is the average of weather over many years
Climate refers to long-term averages (usually 30 years) of weather elements like temperature and rainfall for a region, while weather describes short-term conditions.
12. Which region in India is known for a desert climate?
Correct: B. Thar Desert (Rajasthan)
The Thar Desert has arid conditions with low and erratic rainfall, hot summers and large temperature variation — characteristics of a desert climate.
13. A tropical climate is generally characterised by:
Correct: B. High temperatures and significant rainfall
Tropical climates are warm and often receive heavy rainfall (especially monsoon-dominated areas), supporting lush vegetation.
14. The term 'rain shadow' refers to:
Correct: B. An area of reduced rainfall on the leeward side of mountains
When moisture-laden winds rise over mountains they cool and drop rain on the windward side, leaving the leeward side dry — this dry area is called a rain shadow.
15. Which factor does NOT directly determine the climate of a place?
Correct: C. Local traditions
Climate is determined by physical factors like latitude, altitude, distance from the sea and prevailing winds. Local traditions are cultural and do not determine climate.
Topic 4: Monsoons and Types of Climate in India
16. Which monsoon brings most of the rainfall to India during June to September?
Correct: B. Southwest monsoon
The southwest monsoon carries moisture from the Indian Ocean to the subcontinent, causing heavy rains during the summer months (June–September).
17. The northeast monsoon mainly affects which part of India?
Correct: B. Tamil Nadu and southeast coast
The northeast monsoon (October–December) brings rainfall to southeastern India, especially Tamil Nadu, while much of India receives rainfall from the southwest monsoon.
18. Monsoon winds change direction seasonally because of:
Correct: A. Changes in position of the sun and temperature differences between land and sea
Seasonal heating and cooling create pressure differences between land and sea. During summer, land heats up creating low pressure that draws moist ocean air (southwest monsoon); in winter the pattern reverses.
19. Which area in India receives the highest average annual rainfall?
Correct: B. Western Ghats and northeastern hills (e.g., Cherrapunji, Mawsynram)
Places like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya receive extremely high rainfall due to orographic lift when moisture-laden monsoon winds meet high hills.
20. If the monsoon fails in a region, the immediate effect is most likely:
Correct: B. Drought and crop failure
Monsoon failure reduces soil moisture needed for crops, causing drought, reduced yields and water scarcity. Floods are usually linked to excess rain, not lack of it.
Topic 5: How Climate Affects Life (Agriculture, Health, Daily Life)
21. Which crop is likely grown in areas with abundant rainfall and warm temperature in India?
Correct: A. Rice
Rice requires plenty of water and warm temperatures, so it is commonly grown in regions with heavy monsoon rains and low-lying fields where water can be retained.
22. Heatwaves most directly affect which of the following?
Correct: B. Human health, agriculture and energy demand
Heatwaves increase heat-related illnesses, damage crops, and raise demand for cooling (electricity). They do not affect tectonic activity or sea levels directly.
23. High humidity on a hot day usually causes:
Correct: B. More discomfort because sweat evaporates slowly
High humidity slows evaporation of sweat, reducing the body's ability to cool down, causing greater discomfort and risk of heat-related stress.
24. Which practice can help conserve water during a dry season?
Correct: B. Rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation (drip)
Collecting rainwater and using water-efficient irrigation reduces demand on groundwater and helps cope with dry spells. Other options increase water loss or harm the environment.
25. Frequent floods in a region are most likely to affect:
Correct: B. Short-term displacement, loss of property and spread of waterborne diseases
Floods cause immediate damage, displacement, and can lead to outbreaks of diseases (e.g., cholera). While floods may deposit fertile silt in some areas, they also damage infrastructure and livelihoods.
Topic 6: Climate Change and Natural Disasters
26. Global warming primarily refers to:
Correct: A. Rise in the average global temperature due to greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, raising global average temperatures. This is linked to sea-level rise, changing weather patterns and extreme events.
27. Which of the following is a consequence of rising sea levels?
Correct: A. Coastal erosion and increased flood risk
Sea-level rise submerges low-lying areas, increases storm surge risks and accelerates coastal erosion, threatening settlements and ecosystems.
28. Planting trees along riverbanks mainly helps to:
Correct: B. Reduce soil erosion and stabilize banks
Tree roots hold soil, reduce runoff speed and prevent banks from washing away, thereby lowering flood and erosion risk — a nature-based solution for resilience.
29. Which disaster is primarily geological rather than climate-related?
Correct: B. Earthquake
Earthquakes are caused by movements of the Earth's crust (tectonic activity) and are geological. Cyclones, droughts and floods are climate or weather-related hazards.
30. Which human activity increases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Correct: A. Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Planting trees and renewable energy reduce net emissions; rainwater harvesting conserves water.
Topic 7: Interpreting Weather Data & Decision Making
31. A weather forecast predicts heavy rain for the hills tomorrow. The best action for residents would be to:
Correct: B. Prepare for possible landslides and avoid low-lying roads
Heavy hill rain increases landslide risk and road closure. Residents should follow warnings, move to safe areas and avoid risky travel.
32. Which map feature helps identify rainfall patterns across a country?
Correct: B. Isopleths (e.g., isohyets showing equal rainfall)
Isohyets connect points of equal rainfall and show spatial rainfall distribution, helping identify wet and dry zones.
33. Daily weather records taken by students over a month are most useful to:
Correct: B. Observe local weather patterns and practice scientific recording
School records help students learn how to measure and interpret weather, notice short-term patterns, and compare with forecasts; they don't affect global climate or tectonic events.
34. If the barometer is rising, what weather is likely?
Correct: B. Clearer and calmer weather
Rising pressure generally indicates improving weather and clearer skies as high pressure stabilises the atmosphere.
35. Which is an effective personal action during cyclone warnings?
Correct: B. Move to higher ground or safer shelter and follow official instructions
During cyclones, following official evacuation orders, moving to safe shelters and avoiding exposed areas reduces risk of injury and loss of life.
Topic 8: Practical Activities, Revision & Concepts
36. A simple school experiment to show evaporation uses a bowl of water, a fan and a thermometer. Which variable will most likely show the effect of faster evaporation?
Correct: B. Decrease in water level and faster cooling at the water surface
Faster evaporation reduces water volume and cools the surface (evaporative cooling). A fan increases air movement, increasing evaporation rate.
37. Which simple graph helps show temperature changes over a week?
Correct: B. Line graph of daily temperature
A line graph effectively shows changes over time — plotting daily temperatures makes trends and extremes easy to see.
38. Why is it useful to compare local weather records with regional forecasts?
Correct: A. To check for accuracy, improve local planning and prepare for expected weather
Comparing helps understand how forecasts apply locally and enables timely measures like covering crops or adjusting travel plans.
39. Which of the following is a sustainable step communities can take to reduce flood damage?
Correct: B. Restoring wetlands and maintaining natural flood buffers
Wetlands absorb excess water and slow runoff, reducing flood peaks. Natural solutions often provide sustainable protection compared to destructive measures.
40. When revising for MCQs on this chapter, the best approach is to:
Correct: B. Understand key concepts, practise MCQs and relate to real-life examples
Understanding concepts (monsoon, humidity, instruments) and practicing questions with explanations helps retain knowledge and apply it in exams, rather than rote memorisation.
Note: All MCQs and explanations are based on NCERT Class 7 Chapter 2 (Understanding the Weather) and designed for CBSE-level practice.