(Syllabus) CBSE Syllabus of Geography for Class 11th For March 2009 Examination
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Syllabus : CBSE Syllabus of Geography for Class 11th For March 2009 Examination
EXAMINATION SPECIFICATIONS
Class XI
GEOGRAPHY
One Theory Paper 3 Hours 70 Marks
Part A. Fundamentals of Physical Geography 35 (Marks)
Unit Marks Unit-1: Geography as a discipline 03 Unit-2: The Earth 05 Unit-3: Landforms 08 Unit-4: Climate 10 Unit-5: Water (Oceans) 04 Unit-6: Life on the Earth 03 Unit-7: Map work 02 TOTAL : 35
Part B. India- Physical Environment 35 (Marks)
Unit Marks Unit-8: Introduction 03 Unit-9: Physiography 10 Unit-10: Climate, vegetation and soil 10 Unit-11: Natural hazards and Disasters 09 Unit-12: Map Work 03 TOTAL : 35
Part C. Practical Work 3 Hours 30 Marks
Unit Marks Unit-1 : Fundamentals of Maps 10 Unit-2 : Topographic and Weather Maps 15 Unit-3 : Practical Record Book & Viva 05 TOTAL : 30
Part A: Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Periods 75)
Unit-1: Geography as a Discipline (Periods 3)
Geography as an integrating discipline, as a science of spatial attributes;
Branches of geography; importance of physical geography
Unit-2: The Earth (Periods 10)
Origin and evolution of the earth; Interior of the earth; Wegener’s
continental drift theory and plate tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes.
Unit-3: Landforms (Periods 18)
Rocks: major types of rocks and their characteristics;
Landforms and their evolution
Geomorphic processes-weathering, mass wasting, erosion and deposition;
soil-formation
Unit 4: Climate (Periods 30)
Atmosphere- composition and structure; elements of weather and climate.
Insolation-angle of incidence and distribution; heat budget of the earth-heating
and cooling of atmosphere (conduction, convection, terrestrial radiation and
advection); temperature-factors controlling temperature; distribution of
temperature-horizontal and vertical; inversion of temperature.
Pressure-pressure belts; winds-planetary, seasonal and local; air masses and
fronts; tropical and extratropical cyclones.
Precipitation-evaporation; condensation-dew, frost, fog, mist and cloud;
rainfall-types and world distribution.
World climates-classification (Koeppen), greenhouse effect, global warming and
climatic changes.
Unit 5: Water (Oceans) (Periods 8)
Hydrological Cycle.
Oceans - distribution of temperature and salinity; movements of ocean
water-waves, tides and currents; submarine reliefs.
Unit 6: Life on the Earth (Periods 6)
Biosphere - importance of plants and other organisms; biodiversity and
conservation; ecosystem and ecological balance.
Unit 7: Map work on identification of features based on the above units on
the outline political map of the world.
Part B. India - Physical Environment 65 Periods
Unit 8: Introduction (Periods 3)
Location-space relations and India’s place in the world. (Periods 3)
Unit 9: Physiography (Periods 24)
Structure and Relief;
Drainage systems: concept of watershed; the Himalayan and the Peninsular;
Physiographic divisions.
Unit 10: Climate, Vegetation and Soil (24 Periods)
Weather and climate — spatial and temporal distribution of temperature,
pressure winds and rainfall, Indian monsoon: mechanism, onset and withdrawal,
variability of rainfalls : spatial and temporal; Climatic types (koeppen)
Natural vegetation-forest types and distribution; wild life; conservation;
biosphere reserves;
Soils - major types (ICAR’s classification) and their distribution, soil
degradation and conservation.
Unit 11: Natural Hazards and Disasters: Causes, Consequences and Management
(One case study to be introduced for each topic) (Periods 16)
Floods and droughts
Earthquakes and Tsunami
Cyclones
Landslides
Unit 12: Map Work of features based on above units for locating and labelling on
the Outline Political map of India.
C. Practical Work (40 Periods)
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Maps (12 Periods)
Maps -types; scales-types; construction of simple linear scale, measuring
distance; finding direction and use of symbols.
Latitude, longitude and time.
Map projection- typology, construction and properties of projections : Conical
with one standard parallel and Mercator’s projection.
Unit 2: Topographic and Weather Maps (28 Periods)
Study of topographic maps (1 : 50,000 or 1 : 25,000 Survey of India maps);
contour cross section and identification of landforms-slopes, hills, valleys,
waterfall, cliffs; distribution of settlements.
Aerial Photographs: Types & Geometry-vertical aerial photographs; difference
between maps & aerial photographs; photo scale determination.
Satellite imageries, stages in remote sensing data-acquisition, platform &
sensors and data products, (photographic & digital).
Identification of physical & cultural features from aerial photographs &
satellite imageries.
Use of weather instruments: thermometer, wet and dry-bulb thermometer,
barometer, wind vane, raingauge.
Use of weather charts: describing pressure, wind and rainfall distribution.
Unit 3: Practical Record Book and Vivavoce.
Recommended Books:
1. Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Published by NCERT.
2. India - Physical Environment, Published by NCERT.