CBSE Class 11 Geography: chapter-wise study guide

Geography as a Discipline

• Geography as an Integrating Discipline: Spatial and Temporal Synthesis, Approaches and Branches
• Meaning of Geography, Areal Differentiation, Nature-Human Interaction and the What, Where, Why Questions

The Origin and Evolution of the Earth

• Big Bang, Formation of Planets and Evolution of the Earth's Layers, Atmosphere and Life

Interior of the Earth

• Layers of the Earth, Volcanoes and Intrusive Landforms
• Earthquakes: Waves, Shadow Zones, Types and Measurement

Distribution of Oceans and Continents

• Continental Drift Theory: Wegener's Pangaea and the Evidence
• Sea Floor Spreading, Plate Tectonics and the Movement of the Indian Plate

Geomorphic Processes

• Endogenic and Exogenic Forces, Weathering and Mass Movements
• Erosion, Deposition and Soil Formation (Pedogenesis)

Landforms and their Evolution

• Landforms of Running Water: Valleys, Meanders, Fans, Deltas and Floodplains
• Wind Action and Desert Landforms: Pediments, Playas and Sand Dunes

Composition and Structure of Atmosphere

• Atmospheric Gases, Water Vapour, Dust and the Five Layers of the Atmosphere

Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature

• Factors Controlling Temperature, World Distribution and Inversion of Temperature
• Insolation, Heating of the Atmosphere and the Heat Budget of the Earth

Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems

• Air Masses, Fronts, Cyclones, Thunderstorms and Tornadoes
• Pressure Belts, Forces on Wind, Circulation Cells, ENSO and Local Winds

Water in the Atmosphere

• Humidity, Evaporation, Condensation, Dew, Frost, Fog and Clouds
• Precipitation, Types of Rainfall and World Distribution of Rainfall

World Climate and Climate Change

• Climate Change: Evidence, Natural and Human Causes, the Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming
• Koeppen's Scheme: Classifying the Climates of the World into A, B, C, D and E Groups

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in school only, through a project and presentation (internal assessment); not in the theory paper.

Water (Oceans)

• The Hydrological Cycle and Relief of the Ocean Floor: Shelf, Slope, Deep Plain, Trenches and Minor Features
• Temperature and Salinity of Ocean Water: Factors, Distribution, Thermocline and Halocline

Movements of Ocean Water

• Ocean Currents: Causes, Warm and Cold Currents, Gyres and Their Effects
• Ocean Waves and Tides: Wave Characteristics, Causes and Types of Tides, and Their Importance

Biodiversity and Conservation

• Loss of Biodiversity, IUCN Categories, Conservation Measures and Biodiversity Hotspots
• Biodiversity: Meaning, Distribution, Three Levels and Ecological, Economic and Scientific Roles

Only part is in the annual exam

Assessed through a project and presentation; only its map items (ecological hotspots) are in the theory paper.

India – Location

• Extent, Size, Coastline, the Indian Subcontinent and the Neighbours of India
• Longitudinal Extent, Time Difference, the Standard Meridian and Indian Standard Time

Structure and Physiography

• Geological Divisions of India, the Northern and North-eastern Mountains and the Northern Plains
• The Peninsular Plateau, the Indian Desert, the Coastal Plains and the Islands of India

Drainage System

• Drainage Patterns, Classification of Indian Drainage and Himalayan versus Peninsular Rivers
• Major River Systems: Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Peninsular Rivers and Use of River Water

Climate

• The Indian Monsoon: Onset, ITCZ, Jet Streams, Breaks, El Nino and Forecasting
• Weather and Climate, Unity and Diversity and the Factors Controlling the Climate of India

Natural Vegetation

• Five Types of Forests of India: Evergreen, Deciduous, Thorn, Montane and Mangroves
• Forest Conservation, Social Forestry, Wildlife Decline and Conservation Programmes

Natural Hazards and Disasters

• Hazard, Disaster and Vulnerability, Classification of Disasters and Earthquakes in India
• Tsunami, Tropical Cyclones, Floods, Droughts, Landslides and Disaster Management in India

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in school only, through a project and presentation (internal assessment); not in the theory paper.

Introduction to Maps

• Types of Maps by Scale and Function: Cadastral, Topographical, Wall, Atlas, Physical and Cultural Maps
• What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in the 30-mark practical exam (25-mark written test, practical file 3, viva 2), not in the theory paper.

Map Scale

• Constructing a Graphical (Bar) Scale: Primary and Secondary Divisions and Worked Problems
• Map Scale: Meaning, Systems of Measurement, Three Methods and Converting Between Scales

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in the 30-mark practical exam (25-mark written test, practical file 3, viva 2), not in the theory paper.

Latitude, Longitude and Time

• The Geographical Grid: Parallels of Latitude, Meridians of Longitude and How to Draw Them
• Longitude and Time: Local Time, Standard Time, Time Zones and the International Date Line

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in the 30-mark practical exam (25-mark written test, practical file 3, viva 2), not in the theory paper.

Map Projections

• Conical Projection with One Standard Parallel and Mercator's Projection: Properties, Construction and Uses
• Map Projections: Need, Distortion, Elements of a Projection and Classification

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in the 30-mark practical exam (25-mark written test, practical file 3, viva 2), not in the theory paper. Only two projections: conical with one standard parallel and Mercator.

Topographical Maps

• Landforms from Contours, Drawing Cross-Sections and Interpreting a Topographical Sheet
• Topographical Sheets of the Survey of India, Methods of Showing Relief, Contours and Types of Slope

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in the 30-mark practical exam (25-mark written test, practical file 3, viva 2), not in the theory paper.

Introduction to Remote Sensing

• Remote Sensing: Meaning, the Eight Stages of Data Acquisition, Satellite Platforms and Sensors
• Resolutions of Satellite Sensors, Photographic and Digital Data Products and Visual Interpretation

Not in the annual exam

Assessed in the 30-mark practical exam (25-mark written test, practical file 3, viva 2), not in the theory paper.