NEB Class 11 Humanities Geography Question Paper 2078 Nepal

Geography is the science that studies the Earth's surface, its physical features, climate, natural resources, and the spatial distribution and interrelationship of human activities and natural phenomena.

Two subjects integrated with geography are: (i) Geology and (ii) Economics. (Other acceptable answers: History, Sociology, Meteorology, Demography.)

Two factors affecting the earth crust are: (i) Endogenetic (internal) forces such as volcanic activity and earthquakes, and (ii) Exogenetic (external) forces such as weathering and erosion.

Two factors influencing local climate are: (i) Altitude (height above sea level) and (ii) Distance from the sea / latitude. (Other acceptable: relief, wind, vegetation.)

Two modes of transportation are: (i) Roadways and (ii) Airways. (Other acceptable: railways, waterways, ropeways.)

The main types of settlement are: (i) Rural settlement and (ii) Urban settlement. By pattern they include compact (nucleated), dispersed (scattered), and linear settlements.

Two measures to minimize population growth are: (i) Promoting family planning and the use of contraceptives, and (ii) Spreading education and awareness (especially female education) about small family norms.

Two measures are: (i) Use of modern technology, improved seeds, irrigation and chemical fertilizers to increase production, and (ii) Provision of agricultural credit, market access and crop insurance to commercialize farming.

Two rivers of the Koshi (Saptakoshi) drainage system are: (i) Sun Koshi and (ii) Arun. (Other acceptable: Tamor, Dudh Koshi, Indrawati, Tamakoshi, Likhu.)

Two food crops grown in the region are: (i) Rice (paddy) and (ii) Maize. (Other acceptable: wheat, millet, barley depending on the region.)

Two benefits of provincial division are: (i) Decentralization of power and services brings development and administration closer to local people, and (ii) Balanced regional development with local resources mobilized for local needs.

Rock formation process: Rocks form by three main processes. (i) Igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of molten magma/lava (e.g. granite, basalt). (ii) Sedimentary rocks form from the deposition, compaction and cementation of sediments and weathered material in layers (e.g. sandstone, limestone). (iii) Metamorphic rocks form when existing igneous or sedimentary rocks are transformed under high heat and pressure (e.g. marble from limestone, slate from shale). These processes are interlinked through the rock cycle.

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Effects of endogenetic (internal) forces on the formation of earth crust: Endogenetic forces originate inside the earth. Slow (diastrophic) movements cause folding, faulting, warping and the formation of mountains, plateaus and rift valleys; sudden movements such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions create new landforms, fault scarps, volcanic cones and reshape the crust. These forces are mainly constructive, building relief features on the earth's surface.

Five factors influencing climate are: (i) Latitude - distance from the equator determines the amount of solar insolation and temperature. (ii) Altitude - temperature decreases with increasing height (about 6.5C per 1000 m). (iii) Distance from the sea - coastal areas have moderate (maritime) climates while interiors have extreme (continental) climates. (iv) Ocean currents - warm and cold currents raise or lower temperature and affect rainfall of adjoining coasts. (v) Winds - prevailing winds carry heat and moisture, influencing temperature and precipitation. (Relief/aspect and vegetation cover also influence local climate.)

Soil formation (pedogenesis) is the process by which parent rock material is gradually converted into soil. (i) Weathering - physical, chemical and biological weathering breaks parent rock into fine mineral particles (regolith). (ii) Addition of organic matter - decomposition of plant and animal remains by micro-organisms forms humus. (iii) Action of climate - temperature, rainfall and moisture control the rate of weathering and leaching. (iv) Role of organisms - plant roots, bacteria, earthworms and other organisms mix and enrich the material. (v) Time and topography - over long periods distinct soil horizons (A, B, C) develop, producing a mature soil profile. Thus soil is formed by the combined action of parent material, climate, organisms, relief and time.

Measures to protect a locality from major natural disasters: (i) Public awareness and disaster education programmes for the community. (ii) Construction of safe, earthquake-resistant and flood-resistant buildings following building codes. (iii) Afforestation and proper land-use planning to control landslides, floods and soil erosion. (iv) Construction of embankments, retaining walls and proper drainage to control floods and landslides. (v) Establishment of early-warning systems, evacuation plans and well-equipped rescue and relief teams. These preparedness and mitigation measures reduce loss of life and property.

A model plan to protect from earthquake effects:

1. Before the earthquake (preparedness): Construct earthquake-resistant buildings following the building code, identify safe open spaces, prepare an emergency kit (food, water, first aid, torch), fix heavy furniture to walls, and conduct regular earthquake drills.

2. During the earthquake (response): Follow 'Drop, Cover and Hold On' - take shelter under a strong table, stay away from windows and heavy objects; if outdoors move to an open area away from buildings and electric poles; do not use lifts.

3. After the earthquake (recovery): Move calmly to a safe open space, check for injuries and provide first aid, turn off gas and electricity to prevent fire, listen to official information, and help in rescue and relief work.

The plan should also include public awareness, trained rescue teams and an early-response coordination mechanism at the community level.

Importance of planning for planned settlement development in Nepal: (i) Ensures systematic and efficient use of limited land and resources, avoiding haphazard growth. (ii) Provides proper infrastructure - roads, drinking water, electricity, drainage and sanitation - to all residents. (iii) Reduces vulnerability to disasters by avoiding risky areas (flood plains, landslide zones) and enforcing safe building standards. (iv) Improves living standards, public health and the environment by allocating space for parks, schools and health facilities. (v) Helps balanced regional development, controls unmanaged urban sprawl and migration pressure, and makes service delivery cost-effective. Therefore planning is essential for sustainable, safe and well-managed settlements in Nepal.

Uses of water resources in Nepal include: hydroelectricity generation, irrigation, drinking water supply, fisheries, water transport (rafting/navigation), tourism and recreation, and industrial use.

Description of one use - Hydroelectricity: Nepal has steep gradients and large perennial rivers fed by snow and monsoon, giving an estimated economically feasible hydropower potential of about 42,000 MW. Hydropower projects (e.g. Kaligandaki, Marsyangdi, Upper Tamakoshi) generate clean, renewable electricity used for domestic lighting, industry and export. It is a key resource for Nepal's economic development.

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Nature of Nepali agriculture: Nepali agriculture is largely subsistence-based, monsoon-dependent and dominated by small, fragmented landholdings. It employs the majority of the population but contributes a declining share to GDP. It uses traditional methods with limited mechanization, depends on rainfall due to inadequate irrigation, and produces mainly food crops such as paddy, maize, wheat and millet. Low productivity, lack of modern inputs and market access are major problems, and the government is promoting commercialization and modernization.

Effects of uneven population distribution: densely populated areas (Kathmandu Valley, Tarai) face pressure on land, housing, employment, services and the environment, while sparsely populated hill and mountain areas suffer labour shortage, underused resources and slow development.

Five measures to overcome the effects: (i) Promote balanced regional development by establishing industries, services and employment in less-populated regions. (ii) Develop infrastructure (roads, electricity, health, education) in remote areas to retain population. (iii) Encourage planned resettlement and discourage unmanaged migration to cities. (iv) Decentralize administration and services through the federal/provincial structure. (v) Create local employment and use local resources (tourism, agriculture, agro-industries) to reduce out-migration. These measures help achieve a more balanced population distribution.

Permanent (planetary) winds - the trade winds, westerlies and polar easterlies - blow throughout the year in fixed directions due to the unequal heating of the earth and the pressure-belt system. They redistribute heat and moisture across the globe and thus largely determine the origin and nature of climates: winds blowing from oceans bring moisture and rainfall (humid climates), while winds blowing from land masses are dry and cause aridity.

Effect of one wind on one climate - Trade winds and the equatorial/tropical climate: The trade winds blow from the subtropical high-pressure belts towards the equatorial low-pressure belt. On the eastern margins of continents they pick up moisture from warm oceans and bring heavy rainfall, creating hot, humid climates with dense forests (e.g. eastern tropical coasts). On the western margins, after losing moisture, they are dry and help form hot deserts (e.g. the Sahara). Thus a single permanent wind directly shapes the temperature and rainfall pattern of the climate it affects.

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Effects of natural disasters on the earth surface: Natural disasters reshape the earth's surface in many ways - earthquakes cause cracks, fault scarps, landslides and surface displacement; floods deposit silt, erode banks and change river courses; landslides strip hillsides and bury land; volcanic eruptions build new landforms and cover land with ash and lava; droughts dry up land and cause desertification. They also destroy settlements, farmland, forests and infrastructure and cause loss of life, leaving lasting changes on the landscape.

Natural resources are the materials and energy sources provided by nature - such as land, soil, water, minerals, forests, wildlife, air and sunlight - that are useful to human beings and can be used to satisfy human needs. They may be renewable (forests, water, solar energy) or non-renewable (minerals, fossil fuels).

Importance of natural resources: (i) Basis of economy - resources like land, minerals and water are the foundation of agriculture, industry and energy production. (ii) Source of energy - water (hydropower), fossil fuels and solar energy provide power for homes and industries. (iii) Food and raw materials - soil and water produce food crops; forests and minerals supply raw materials for industries. (iv) Employment and income - exploitation of resources (farming, mining, forestry, tourism) generates jobs and national income. (v) Environmental balance - forests, water and air maintain ecological balance, regulate climate and support biodiversity. (vi) National development - proper use of natural resources is essential for the overall economic and social development of a country like Nepal. Hence natural resources are vital for human survival and development and must be conserved and used sustainably.

Nepal's drainage system consists of rivers flowing generally from north (Himalaya) to south, draining into the Ganges in India. They are broadly classified into three categories:

1. Major (Himalayan) river systems - large, snow-fed perennial rivers originating from the Himalaya or beyond, with high hydropower and irrigation potential:

• Koshi (Saptakoshi) system in the east (tributaries: Sun Koshi, Arun, Tamor, Dudh Koshi, etc.).
• Gandaki (Narayani/Saptagandaki) system in the centre (tributaries: Kaligandaki, Trishuli, Marsyangdi, Budhi Gandaki, etc.).
• Karnali system in the west (tributaries: Bheri, Seti, Mugu Karnali, etc.), the longest river of Nepal.

2. Medium rivers - originate from the Mahabharat range, fed by rain and springs, more or less perennial (e.g. Mechi, Kankai, Kamala, Bagmati, Rapti, Babai).

3. Small rivers - originate from the Chure (Siwalik) hills, fed mainly by monsoon rain, seasonal and often dry in winter (e.g. Banganga, Tilawe and other Tarai streams).

(On the map, the three major systems are shown from west to east - Karnali, Gandaki and Koshi - with their tributaries flowing southward across the country.) This drainage system is very important for hydroelectricity, irrigation, water supply, fisheries and tourism in Nepal.