Class 7 Geography Chapter 9 Life in the Temperate Grasslands

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 7 Geography Social Science Chapter 9 Life in the Temperate Grasslands

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What are the Temperate Grasslands of North America called?
2. What are the cattle farms in the North American Grasslands known as?
3. Name the rivers that drain the velds.
4. When is the rainy season in the Velds.
5. What is the major occupation of the people of the South African grasslands?

Answer:

1. The Temperate Grasslands of North America are called Prairies.
2. The cattle farms in the North American grasslands are known as Ranches.
3. The names of the rivers which drain the velds are:
   • River Orange
   • River Limpopo
   • Their tributaries.
4. The rainy season in the velds is from November to February.
5. The major occupation of the people of the South African grasslands is Sheep Rearing.

2. Tick the correct answer:
(a) River Mississippi drains
(i) Canada(ii) Africa(iii) USA.
(b) Drakensberg Mountainsare to the west of 
(i) Prairies(ii) Velds(iii) Pampas.
(c) Merino is a species of
(i) Fish(ii) Elephant(iii) Sheep.
(d) Kimberley is famous for
(i) diamonds     (ii)silver  (iii) platinum.
Answer: (a)—(iii), (b)—(ii), (c)—(iii),(d)—(i)

3. Match the following:
(i) Comboys  (a)Iron and Steel
(ii) Gold    (b)Prairies
(iii) Kudu    (c)Hot wind
(iv) Chinook   (d)Velds
(v) Coal           (e)Johannesberg   (f)Animal
Answer: (i)—(b), (ii)—(e), (iii)—(f), (iv)—(c), (v)—a

4. Give reasons:

1. The Prairies are known as the ‘Granaries of the world’.
2. Rise of the wool industry in the Velds.

Answer:

1. The Prairies are known as the ‘Granaries of the World’ because of the following reasons:
   • Prairies grasslands have been cleared and wheat is grown extensively on these plains.
   • The use of tractors, harvesters, etc. and modem technologies have made the wheat production surplus:
   • Prairies supply wheat all over the world.
   • They satisfy the hunger of millions of people spread all over the world.
2. Rise of the wool industry in the Velds. The reasons responsible for this rise are the following:
• Sheep rearing is the most important occupation of the people of the Velds grasslands.
• Sheep are bred mainly for wool. Hence wool availability is in ample quantity.
• The Merino wool is of the best quality.
• Further merino wool is very warm.
• Merino wool and woolen garments are in great demand all over the world.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Enumerate the major features of the prairies. [Important]

Answer: The major features of the prairies are:

• These are the temperate grasslands of North America.

• It is a region of flat, gently sloping or hilly land.

• Prairies are almost treeless for the most part, but near the low lying plains, flanking river valleys, woodlands can be found.

• The landscape is dominated by tall grass, upto two metres high. It looks like a ‘sea of grass’.

2. Write a brief note on the climate of the prairies.

Answer: Prairies are located in the middle of the continent (North America). It is therefore, we find there a continental type of climate, characterised by extreme temperatures. The summers are warm with temperatures of around 20°C, while in winter-20°C has been recorded in Winnipeg and Canada, the important cities of the American prairies. In winters a think blanket of snow covers this region. The annual rainfall is moderate. A local wind called Chinook blows here.

3. Write some effects of Chinook? [Most Important Question]

Answer: Chinook is a hot wind that blows in winter. Being hot it raises the temperature within a short time. This increase in temperature results in the melting of snow, making the pasturelands available for grazing of animals.

4. Describe the climate of the velds.

Answer: The velds are under the influence of the Indian Ocean. Therefore they have a mild climate. Winters are cold and dry. Temperatures vary between 5°C and 10°C and July is the coldest month. Summers are short and warm Rainfall occurs in the summer months from November to February. Drought may occur if the rainfall is poor in the winter months from June to August.

5. Describe the flora and fauna of the prairies. [Very Important]

Answer: 

Flora:- Prairies don’t have many trees. A few trees such as willows, alders and poplars grow where water is available. Fertile soil is found in the places that receive rainfall of over 50 cm. The crops grown here are maize, potatoes, soyabean, cotton and alfa-alfa. In the areas receiving poor rainfall, short grasses can be found.

Fauna:- Cattle rearing is suitable in these areas. Large cattle farms called ranches are found here. Bison or the American buffalo is the important animal of this region. Other animals are rabbits, coyotes, gophers and Prairie dog.

6. Describe the flora and fauna of the velds.

Answer: 

Flora:- Velds are not rich in vegetation. Grasses dominate the landscape. Red grass grows in bush velds. High velds are characterised by grasses like acacia and maroola.

Fauna:- The animals found in the velds are lions, leopards, Cheetah, and Kudu.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. What are the major occupations of the people in the prairies? What factors contributed to the industrialisation of this region. [Very Important]

Answer: The people living in the praries are hardworking. Their main occupations are cultivations and dairy fanning. People use scientific methods in cultivation. They use tractors, harvesters and combines and produce surplus food. The prairies are known as the ‘Granaries of the world’ due to the huge surplus of wheat production.

Another main occupation of the people of the prairies is dairy farming. The daily belt extends from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast in the east. Daily farming and extensive agriculture both promote setting up of food processing industries. The factors that led to the industrialisation of this region are:

• Large mineral deposits such as coal and iron.

• A good network of roads, railways and canals.

2. What various activities are performed by the people living in the velds?

Answer: Cattle rearing and mining are the two major activities of the people living in the velds. However, some people have engaged in agriculture also, though it is not the main occupation of this region. The soils are not very fertile in the velds. Where the land is fertile enough to grow crops, maize, wheat, barley, oats, and potato are cultivated. Cash crops like tobacco, sugercane, and cotton are also grown.

People of the velds are mostly engaged in sheep rearing. Sheep is bred mainly for wool and has given rise to the wool industry in the velds. Dairy farming is the next important occupation. Cattle are reared in warmer and wetter regions and dairy products such as butter, cheese is produced for both domestic supply and also for export.

As velds are very rich in minerals reserves, gold and diamond mining are also the cheif occupations of the people of this region. Johannesburg is known for being the gold capital of the world. Kimberley is famous for its diamond mines. 

Class 7 Geography chapter 8 Human Environment Interactions (The Tropical and the Subtropical Region)

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 7 Geography Social Science Chapter 8 Human Environment Interactions (The Tropical and the Subtropical Region)

1. Answer the following questions briefly:

1. Name the continent in which the Amazon Basin in located.
2. What are the crops grown by the people of the Amazon Basin?
3. Name the birds that you are likely to find in the rain forests of the Amazon.
4. What are the major cities located on the river Ganga?
5. Where are the one-homed rhinoceros found?

Answer:

1. South America.
2. Crops are grown by the people of Amazon Basin:
   • Tapioca
   • Pineapple
   • Sweet-potatoes
   • Cassava (manioc)
   • Maize, coffee, and cocoa are other important crops.
3. Birds:
   • Toucans
   • Humming Birds
   • Bird of paradise with their brilliantly coloured plumage, oversized bills.
4. Major Cities located on the banks of River Ganga:
   • Dev Prayag
   • Rishikesh
   • Haridwar
   • Kanpur
   • Allahabad
   • Varanasi
   • Patna
5. In Assam.

2. Tick the correct answer:
(a) Toucans are a type of
(i) birds                              (ii) animals     (iii) crops.
(b) Manioc is the staple food of
(i)  Ganga Basin                 (ii) Africa   (iii) Amazon.
(c) Kolkata is located on the river
(i)  Orange                          (ii) Hooghly   (iii) Bhagirathi.
(d) Deodars and firs are a type of
(i)  Coniferous trees            (ii) Deciduous trees   (iii) Shrubs.
(e) Bengal tiger is found in
(i)   Mountains                     (ii) Delta area   (iii) Amazon.
Answer: (a)-(i), (b)—(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)—(i), (e)—(ii).

3. Match the following:
(i) Cotton textile   (a) Assam
(ii) Maloca             (b) Terrace farming
(iii) Piranha           (c) Sericulture
(iv) Silk worm        (d) Slanting roof
(v) Kaziranga         (e) Ganga plain     (f) Varanasi  (g)Fish
Answer: (i)—(f), (ii)—(d), (iii)—(g), (iv)—(c),(v)—(a)

4. Give reasons:

1. The rainforests are depleting.
2. Paddy is grown in the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains.

Answer:

01. The Rainforests are depleting because of the following reasons:

• Developmental activities have been started in a big way, resulting in the cutting of rainforests for various purposes.

• The indigenous population has been pushed out who practiced conservation activities of forests and wildlife.

• Industries are being set up after clearing the forests.

• Lumbering has developed.

• Topsoil is washed away during rains and lush green forests turn into barren lands.

02. Paddy is grown in the Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains because of the following:

• Deep loamy soil is found in these plains due to the deposition of silt by the rivers for thousands of years.

• Rivers in floods spread a new layer of alluvial every year. Hence it does not require manuring.

• Canals from rivers supply ample water for irrigation of paddy fields during the dry season.

• The lower portion of the plains receives adequate rainfall.

• Cheap labour is available from the densely populated plains.

• Means of transportation are developed to raise the movement of paddy and rice to the nearby markets.

• New technologies are being adopted by the farmers because they can afford it due – to their sound financial position.

Class 7 Geography Chapter 7 Human Environment–Settlement, Transport and Communication

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 7 Geography Social Science Chapter 7 Human Environment–Settlement, Transport and Communication

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What are the four means of transport?
2. What do you understand by the term ‘settlement’?
3. Which are the activities practiced by the rural people?
4. Mention any two merits of railways.
5. What do you understand by communication?
6. What is the mass media?

Answer:

1. Four Means of Transport:
   • Roadways
   • Railways
   • Waterways
   • Airways
2. Settlement:
   • The settlement is the group of houses where people live with their families.
3. Activities Practised by the Rural People:
   • Primary Activities:
   • Agriculture
   • Animal rearing/Pastoral activities
   • Fisting
   • Mining
   • Extracting and collecting
   • Trading of products related to primary activities.
   • Services related to primary activities.
4. Merits of Railways:
   • Quick means of transport
   • Carrier of bulk goods over long distances
     Cheap means of transport. (Any two)
5. Communication:
   • By communication we mean transmitting messages, ideas and words, written or oral.
6. Mass Media:
   • Mass Media is the medium of communication to the masses.
   • They are print media, radio, and television.

2. Tick the correct answer:
(a) Which is not a means of communication?
(i) telephone                       (ii)   books                               (iii)    table.
(b) Which type of road is constructed under the ground?
(i) flyover                          (ii)    expressways                     (iii)    subways.
(c) Which mode of transport is most suitable to reach an island?
(i) ship                              (ii)   train                                 (iii)   car.
(d) Which vehicle does not pollute the environment?
(i) cycle                             (ii)    bus                                  (iii)    aeroplane.
Answer: (a)—(iii), (b)—(iii), (c)—(i), (d)—(i).

3.Match the following:
(i) Internet                                        (a) areas where people are engaged in manufacturing,                                                                         trade and services
(ii) Canal route                                    (b) closely built area of houses

(iii) Urban areas                                 (c) houses on stilts

(iv) Compact settlement                   (d) inland waterway

                                                               (e)a means of communication

Ans. (i)—(e), (ii)—(d), (iii)—(a), (iv)—(b)

4. Give reason

Today’s world is shrinking

Answer

Today’s world is shrinking because of the following reasons:-

• Airways have become popular, more and more people use aeroplanes to travel to far off places. Airways have reduced time taken in journeys. 

• Means of communication have reduced both distances and time. We can talk, see, and interact with people sitting thousands of kilometers away within no time. 

• We can strike business deals in seconds through superfast means of communication, like the internet, satellite phones, etc. 

Class 7 Geography Chapter 6 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

 

NCERT Solutions For Class 7 Geography Social Science Chapter 6 Natural Vegetation and Wildlife

1. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Which are the two factors on which the growth of vegetation mostly depends?
2. Which are the three broad categories of natural vegetation?
3. Name the two hardwood trees commonly found in tropical evergreen forest
4. In which part of the world is tropical deciduous forests found?
5. In which climatic conditions are citrus fruits cultivated?
6. Mention the uses of coniferous forest.
7. In which part of the world is seasonal grassland found?

Answer:

1. Two factors on which growth of vegetation mostly depends:
   • Climate (Temperature and Moisture).
   • Height
   • Slope
   • The thickness of the soil.
     (Any two factors)
2. Three broad categories of natural vegetation:
   • Forests: Grow in regions of high temperature and rain.
   • Grasslands: Grow in regions of moderate rainfall.
   • Thorny shrubs and scrubs: Grow in dry regions.
3. Two Hardwood Trees:
   • Rosewood
   • Ebony
   • Mahogany (Any Two)
4. Tropical deciduous forest is found in the following parts of the world:
   • Large parts of India.
   • Northern Australia
   • Central America
5. Citrus fruits are cultivated in the Mediterranean climatic conditions.
6. Four uses of coniferous forests:
   • Coniferous forests provide softwood.
   • It is used in making pulp. The pulp is used in making paper and newsprint.
   • The matchmaking industry gets softwood from coniferous forests.
   • Softwood is also used in making package boxes.
7. Seasonal grassland is found in the Savannah region of Africa. It gets dried up in the dry season.

2. Tick the correct answer.

(a) Mosses and Lichens are found in

(i) Desertic vegetation

(ii) Tropical vegetation (iii) Tundra vegetation.

(b) Thorny bushes are found in

(i) Hot and humid tropical climate

(ii) Hot and dry desertic climate

(iii) Cold polar climate.

(c) In tropical evergreen forest, one of the common animals is

(i) Monkey (ii) Giraffe

(iii) Camel.

(d) One important variety of coniferous forest is

(i) Rosewood (ii) Pine

(iii) Teak.

(e) Steppe grassland is found in

(i) S. Africa (ii) Australia

(iii) Central Asia.

Answer: (a)—(iii), (b)—(ii), (c)—(i), (d)—(ii), (e)—(iii).

Question 3.

Match the following.

(i) Walrus (a) Softwood tree

(ii) Cedar (b) An animal of tropical deciduous forest

(iii) Olives (c) A polar animal

(iv) Elephants (d) Temperate grassland in Australia

(v) Campos (e) Thorny shrubs

(vi) Downs (f) A citrus fruit

                                 (g) Tropical grassland of Brazil

Answer.

(i) Walrus (c) A polar animal

(ii) Cedar (a) Softwood tree

(iii) Olives (f) A citrus fruit

(iv) Elephants (b) An animal of tropical deciduous forest

(v) Campos (g) Tropical grassland of Brazil

(vi) Downs (d) Temperate grassland in Australia

4. Give reasons:

01. The animals in the polar region have thick fur and thick skin.

02. Tropical deciduous trees shed their leaves in the dry season.

03. The type and thickness of vegetation changes from place to place.

Answer:

 01. The animals in the polar region have thick fur and thick skin because of the following reasons:

• Polar regions are very cold. .

• Animals that do not have thick fur and thick skin cannot survive in these harsh and cold climates.

• They have to protect themselves from cold by thick fur and thick skin.

02. Tropical deciduous trees shed their leaves in the dry season because of the following reasons:

• During the dry season, rainfall is scarce and water supply to plants and trees through their roots is reduced.

• Transpiration occurs through leaves.

• To reduce transpiration in dry season, trees shed their leaves.

• The short supply of moisture through their roots keeps them alive during the dry season.

03. The type and thickness of vegetation changes from place to place because of the following reasons:

• Climate (temperature and moisture)

• Height from mean sea level – Slope. 

• The thickness of the soil.

• As these conditions vary from place to place, natural vegetation (types and thickness) also varies from place to place.

VERY SHORT TYPE QUESTION AND ANSWER

1. How is height of land and the character of vegetation related with each other? [V. Imp.]

Answer: With the change in height the climate changes and that changes natural vegetation.

2. Where are shrubs found?

Answer: Shrubs are found in the dry regions.

3. Why do trees of tropical evergreen forests not shed their leaves altogether?

Answer: It is because there is no particular dry season.

4. What is the special feature of tropical evergreen forests?  [V. imp.]

Ans. Thick canopies of the closely spaced trees are found here. As a result sunlight do not reach inside the forest.

5. Name the trees found in the tropical deciduous forests.

Ans. Sal, teak, neem and shisham.

6. Where are temperate evergreen forests located?

Answer: These forests are located in the mid-latitudinal coastal region.

7. Why are only citrus fruits cultivated in Mediterranean regions? [V. Imp.]

Answer: It is because people have removed the natural vegetation in order to cultivate citrus fruits.

8. Mention one special feature of coniferous forests.

Answer: These forests have tall and softwood evergreen trees.

9. Name the animals found, in the coniferous forests.

Answer: Silver fox, mink, and polar bear.

10. Name the animals found in tropical grasslands. ,

Answer: Elephants, zebras, giraffes, dear and leopards.

11. Where are Savannah grasslands found?

Answer: They are found in East Africa.

12. Where are Llanos grasslands found?

Answer: They are found in Venezuela.

13. Which type of grassland Prairie is?

Answer: Prairie is temperate grassland.

14. Where are tropical deserts located?

Answer: They are located on the western margins of the continents.

15. Name some animals found in polar regions.

Answer: Seal, walruses, musk-oxen, Arctic owl, polar bear, and snow foxes.

LONG TYPE QUESTIONS AND ANSWER 

1. Mention the major features of tropical evergreen forests. [V. Imp.]

Answer: Major features of tropical evergreen forests are:

These forests are so dense that thick canopies are developed which do not allow the sunlight to penetrate inside the forest.

As there is no particular dry season, the trees do not shed their leaves altogether. This keeps the forest evergreen.

Hardwood trees such as rosewood, ebony and mahogany are found here.

2. Mention the features of Mediterranean trees.

Answer: These trees adapt themselves to dry summers with the help of their thick barks and wax-coated leaves which help them reduce transportation.

3. Write a short note tropical grasslands. [V. Imp.]

Answer: Tropical grasslands occur on either side of the equator and extend till the tropics. This vegetation grows in the areas of moderate to low amount of rainfall. The grass can grow very tall, about 3 to 4 metres in height. Savannah grasslands of Africa are of this type. Common animals found here are elephants, zebras, giraffes, deer and leopards.

4. Give cm account of the natural vegetation and wildlife found in the polar regions.

Answer: Polar regions are extremely cold. Therefore the growth of natural vegetation is very limited here. Only mosses, lichens and veiy small shrubs are found here. They grow during the very short summer. This is called Tundra type of vegetation. This vegetation is found in the polar areas of Europe, Asia and North America. The animals found here have thick fur and thick skin which protect them from the cold climatic conditions. Seal, walruses, musk-oxen, Arctic owl, Polar bear and snow foxes are some of the animals found in these regions.

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS 

1. Discuss various types of forests. [V. Imp.]

Answer: Types of forests:-

1. Tropical evergreen forests:- These forest are very dense and found in the regions near the equator and close to the tropics. These regions receive heavy rain throughout the year. The trees of these forests do not shed their leaves altogether and therefore they remain green all the time. Hardwood trees like rosewood, ebony and mahogany are found here.

2. Tropical deciduous forests:-These forest are found in the regions which experience seasonal changes. Trees shed their leaves in the dry season to conserve water. The hardwood trees like sal, teak, neem and shisham are found here. Animals like tigers, lions, elephants, langoors and monkeys are common in these forests.

3. Temperate evergreen forests:- These forests are commonly found along the eastern margin of the continents. They comprise both hard and softwood trees. For example, oak, pine, eucalyptus etc.

4. Temperate deciduous forests:- Trees of these forests shed their leaves in dry ‘season’. Oak, ash, beech, etc. are common trees here. Deer, foxes, wolves, etc. are common animals in these forests.

5. Mediterranean vegetation:- It is mostly found in the areas around the Mediterranean sea in Europe, Africa and Asia. Citrus fruits like oranges, figs, olives and grapes are commonly cultivated in the Mediterranean regions.

6. Coniferous forests:- They are also called Taiga. They are tall, softwood evergreen trees. Chir, pine, cedar is an important variety of trees in these forests. Silver, fox, mink, polar bear are the common animals found here.

2. Describe different types of grasslands. [V. Imp.]

Answer: Different types of grasslands are:

•Tropical grasslands:- This type of vegetation grows in the areas of moderate to low amounts of rainfall. The grass here can grow very tall, about 3 to 4 metres in height. Savannah grasslands of Africa are of this type. Common animals found here are elephants, zebras, giraffes, deer, leopards etc.

•Temperate grasslands:- This type of vegetation is found in the mid-latitudinal zones and in the interior part of the continents. Grass here is usually short and nutritious. Common animals found in this region are wild buffaloes, bison, antelopes etc.

•Thorny bushes:- These are found in the dry desert-like regions. Tropical deserts are located on the western margins of the continents, which are characterised by scarce vegetation.

Vegetation in the polar regions is also limited. Only mosses, lichens, and very small shrubs are found here. It grows during the very short summer. This is called Tundra type of vegetation. Polar animals have thick fur and thick skin which protect them from the cold climate conditions, for example, seal, walruses, musk-oxen, Arctic owl, etc.