Complete Summary and Solutions for Locating Places on the Earth – NCERT Class VI Social Science, Chapter 1 – Maps, Latitudes, Longitudes, Time Zones, Questions, Answers

Full Chapter Summary & Detailed Notes - Locating Places on the Earth

Introduction – Why Social Science?

The chapter begins with an exploration of two images: a rural lake scene and an urban tech park. It prompts questions about natural resources, human activities, history, and future, linking them to Social Science.

We live in the 21st century, facing rapid technological progress alongside wars, conflicts, and environmental stress. Social Science helps understand human societies to solve these challenges and build a better future.

Social Science uses scientific methods but focuses on diverse human societies. Subdisciplines include geography, history, political science, economics, etc. In Middle Stage, it's organized into five themes:

Theme A: India and the World – Land and the People: Geography basics, maps, natural features shaping civilizations.
Theme B: Tapestry of the Past: History as key to present, understanding identities and avoiding past errors.
Theme C: Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions: India's ancient culture, principles, manifestations.
Theme D: Governance and Democracy: Political systems, rights, duties, international interactions.
Theme E: Economic Life Around Us: Essentials of living, economy functioning, resources management.

Social Science emphasizes asking right questions, multidisciplinarity, and using past to shape future.

Chapter 1: Locating Places on the Earth

Quote from Āryabhaṭa (500 CE) on Earth's spherical nature.

Big Questions

What is a map and how do we use it? Main components?
What are coordinates? How latitude and longitude mark locations?
How local time and standard time relate to longitude?

Maps and Navigation

Imagine visiting a new city; use maps to find places. Example: Map of imaginary small city (Fig. 1.1) with railway station, bank, etc.

Let's Explore Activities

Mark hospital, interpret blue areas (water), compare distances.
Group activity: Draw school map with streets, buildings; compare.

A Map and Its Components

Map: Representation of area from top view. Types:

Physical: Natural features (mountains, rivers).
Political: Boundaries, cities.
Thematic: Specific information.

Components: Distance (scale), direction (cardinal: N, E, S, W; intermediate: NE, SE, SW, NW), symbols.

Scale: E.g., 1 cm = 500 m. Atlas: Book of maps.

Let's Explore

Draw playground (40m x 30m) on 1 cm = 10 m scale; calculate diagonal.
Identify correct/incorrect statements on city map.
Cardinal direction of home from school.

Symbols: Standardized by Survey of India (Fig. 1.2).

Mapping the Earth

Earth nearly spherical; flat maps distort. Globe: Accurate spherical representation.

Understanding Coordinates

Analogy: Market shops (row/shop number), chessboard (letters/numbers).

Let's Explore

Chess move: Black responds d7 to d5.

Latitudes

Equator (0°), parallels to poles (90°N/S). Connection to climate: Torrid (hot), temperate, frigid (cold).

Longitudes

Meridians from poles. Prime Meridian (0° at Greenwich). Measured 0°-180° E/W. Related to time (15°/hour).

Don't Miss Out: Ancient Indian Ujjayinī meridian (Fig. 1.5).

India's Coordinates

8°N-37°N, 68°E-97°E (Fig. 1.6).

Understanding Time Zones

360°/24 hours = 15°/hour. Standard time (IST: 5.5 hours ahead GMT). Time zones follow borders (Fig. 1.8, 1.9).

International Date Line (~180°).

Let's Explore

Time difference Porbandar-Tinsukia (30° longitude).
Local vs standard time.
Lat/long of cities using globe/atlas.

Key Takeaways for Exams

Concept	One-Liner Answer
Map components?	Distance (scale), direction, symbols
Latitude?	Distance from Equator (0°-90° N/S)
Longitude?	Distance from Prime Meridian (0°-180° E/W)
Time zones?	15° per hour; IST 5.5 hrs ahead GMT
Prime Meridian?	0° longitude through Greenwich

Golden Exam Answer

“Latitude and longitude are coordinates used to locate places on Earth. Latitude measures north-south from Equator, longitude east-west from Prime Meridian.”

Key Terms & Definitions – Complete Glossary (Chapter 1)

All important terms with detailed explanation, examples, exam tips & common mistakes.

Map

Definition: Representation of an area from top view.

Types: Physical (natural features), political (boundaries), thematic (specific info).

Exam Tip: Always mention components: scale, direction, symbols.

Scale

Definition: Ratio of map distance to actual distance (e.g., 1 cm = 500 m).

Example: Ruler on map showing km.

Exam Tip: Used for calculating real distances.

Cardinal Directions

Definition: North, East, South, West.

Intermediate: NE, SE, SW, NW.

Exam Note: Maps have 'N' arrow for north.

Symbols

Definition: Drawings representing features (e.g., railway station, river).

Exam Tip: Standardized by Survey of India.

Globe

Definition: Spherical model of Earth, accurate shape.

Vs Map: No distortion, but less detailed.

Latitude

Definition: Parallels from Equator (0°) to poles (90° N/S).

Exam Favourite: Measures north-south position.

Longitude

Definition: Meridians from Prime (0°) to 180° E/W.

Exam Tip: Related to time (15° = 1 hour).

Prime Meridian

Definition: 0° longitude through Greenwich.

Historical: Ancient Ujjayinī meridian in India.

Time Zone

Definition: Regions with same standard time (15° wide).

IST: 5.5 hours ahead GMT.

International Date Line

Definition: ~180° longitude; crossing changes date by 1 day.

Exam Quick Tips & Mnemonics

Directions: Never Eat Soggy Waffles (N, E, S, W)
Latitude: Like ladder rungs (horizontal)
Longitude: Long lines from pole to pole (vertical)
Scale: Small map = large area
Time: East ahead, West behind

Activities + 25+ Questions and Answers - Locating Places on the Earth

Activities with Detailed Observations and Inferences

Let's Explore: Image Observation (Page 2)

Setup: Observe rural lake image.
Questions: Water source? Road maker/why? House activities/history/future?
Urban Image: Questions from mind.
Inference: Links geography, history, economics to Social Science.
Exam Tip: Shows multidisciplinarity.

Let's Explore: City Map (Page 8)

Mark: Hospital.
Blue areas: Water (lake).
Farthest from station: Public garden.

Group Activity: School Map

Draw school with streets/buildings; compare variations in perspective/accuracy.

Let's Explore: Playground Scale (Page 10)

Draw: 4 cm x 3 cm rectangle (1 cm=10 m).
Diagonal: ~5 cm on map → 50 m real (Pythagoras: √(40²+30²)=50 m).

Let's Explore: City Statements (Page 11)

1. Incorrect (market south of hospital).

2. Correct.

3. Incorrect (station northeast).

4. Correct.

Let's Explore: Home Direction

Discuss with teacher/parents for approximate cardinal direction.

Let's Explore: Locality Map (Page 11)

Rough map with home, school, landmarks, directions, symbols.

Let's Explore: Chess Move (Page 13)

Black: d7 to d5.

Let's Explore: City Lat/Long

Use globe: Mumbai ~19°N 73°E, Kolkata ~23°N 88°E, etc.

Let's Explore: Gujarat-Assam Time (Page 21)

30° difference → 2 hours local time difference; but same IST.

End-of-Chapter Questions - Solved

1. Calculate distance Narmada-Ganga estuaries (Page 24)

~1000 km (2 cm on map × 500 km).

2. Why 5:30 pm India when noon London?

IST 5.5 hours ahead GMT; 82.5°E longitude.

3. Why symbols/colors in maps?

Represent features in limited space; standardize understanding.

4. Eight directions from home/school?

N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW – list landmarks.

5. Local vs standard time difference?

Local based on longitude; standard uniform for country (e.g., IST).

6. Delhi-Bengaluru time difference?

16° latitude difference, same longitude → ~1 hour 4 min local, but same IST.

7. True/False

All parallels same length? False (decrease to poles).

Meridian half Equator? True.

South Pole 90°S? True.

Assam local=IST? False (east, ahead).

Time zones=meridians? False (follow borders).

Equator parallel? True.

8. Crossword

Across: 1. Scale, 4. Globe, 5. Equator, 6. Greenwich, 8. Directions, 10. Latitude. Down: 2. Longitude, 3. Coordinates, 6. Grid, 7. IST, 9. Pole, 11. IDL.

Extra Practice Questions (Exam Booster – 25+ Questions)

1. What is Social Science?

Study of human societies using scientific methods.

2. Name five themes.

A: Land/People, B: Past, C: Heritage, D: Governance, E: Economics.

3. What is a map?

Top-view representation of area.

4. Map types?

Physical, political, thematic.

5. Components of maps?

Distance, direction, symbols.

6. What is scale?

Ratio for actual distance.

7. Cardinal directions?

N, E, S, W.

8. Symbols purpose?

Represent features in space.

9. Globe vs map?

Globe accurate shape, map flat/detailed.

10. Coordinates?

Latitude + longitude.

11. Latitude?

Parallels from Equator.

12. Longitude?

Meridians from Prime.

13. Prime Meridian?

0° through Greenwich.

14. Time calculation?

15° = 1 hour.

15. IST?

5.5 hrs ahead GMT.

16. International Date Line?

180°; change date.

17. Ujjayini meridian?

Ancient Indian prime meridian through Ujjain.

18. India's lat/long?

8°N-37°N, 68°E-97°E.

19. Why globe better for Earth?

Spherical like Earth.

20. Local vs standard time?

Local by longitude, standard uniform.

21. Why time zones not straight?

Follow borders.

22. Equator latitude?

0°.

23. Poles latitude?

90° N/S.

24. Why symbols standardized?

Universal understanding.

25. Multidisciplinarity?

Mixing fields for richer perspective.

Key Concepts - In-Depth Exploration (Chapter 1)

Core ideas explained with examples, common confusions, and exam connections.

Social Science Themes

Concept: Five broad areas (A-E).
Example: Theme A: Geography shaping India.
Confusion: Not subdisciplines in Middle Stage.

Map Components

Concept: Scale, direction, symbols.
Example: 1 cm=500 m.
Exam Trick: Calculate distances using scale.

Coordinates

Concept: Lat/long grid.
Example: Delhi 29°N 77°E.
Confusion: Lat horizontal, long vertical.

Time Zones

Concept: 15°/hour from GMT.
Example: IST at 82.5°E.

Exam Master Tips:

Mnemonics: "Lat is flat" (horizontal lines)
Most Asked: Difference globe/map
Historical: Mention Āryabhaṭa/Ujjayinī for bonus

Historical & Social Insights - Locating Places

Evolution of mapping and social understanding.

Historical

Āryabhaṭa (500 CE): Described spherical Earth.
Ujjayinī Meridian: Ancient Indian prime meridian.
Greenwich (1884): International standard.

Social

21st Century Challenges: Tech progress vs conflicts/environment.
Multidisciplinarity: Mixing fields like life does.

Exam Important Points:

Indian Contribution: Ujjayinī in astronomy texts.
Social Relevance: Understand societies for peace/harmony.

Interactive Chapter Review Quiz

Map Your World!

Maps • Coordinates • Latitude • Longitude • Time Zones

Exploration Skills Step-by-Step (Chapter 1)

Skill 1: Map Reading Basics

• Identify features on map
• Use scale for distance
• Follow directions (N arrow)
• Interpret symbols
Conclusion: Maps guide navigation accurately.

Skill 2: Drawing Simple Maps

• Choose scale (e.g., 1 cm=10 m)
• Mark directions
• Add symbols/landmarks
• Label features
Conclusion: Represents areas proportionally.

Skill 3: Using Coordinates

• Find latitude (N/S from Equator)
• Find longitude (E/W from Prime)
• Locate point (e.g., 20°N 75°E)
Conclusion: Precise global positioning.

Skill 4: Time Zone Calculation

• Difference in longitude / 15 = hours
• East: Add time; West: Subtract
• Adjust for standard time
Conclusion: Understands global time differences.

Best Exam Answer Tip:
“A map is a representation of an area showing distance, direction, and symbols to locate places accurately.”
→ Use in every map-related question!