These DAV Class 7 SST Book Solutions Pdf and DAV Class 7 SST Chapter 8 Question Answer – Land and the People are thoughtfully prepared by experienced teachers.
DAV Class 7 SST Ch 8 Question Answer – Land and the People
DAV Class 7 SST Ch 8 Solutions – Land and the People
Something To Know
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Which one of the following is a feature of the Sahara Desert?
(a) The summers are short and warm.
(b) It is the world’s largest and the hottest desert.
(c) It is surrounded by lofty and high mountains.
(d) The climatic conditions are very moderate.
Answer:
(b) It is the world’s largest and the hottest desert.
Question 2.
Which river passes through the world’s largest rainforests, located in South America?
(a) Mississippi
(b) Amazon
(c) Nile
(d) Orange
Answer:
(b) Amazon
Question 3.
The Prairies are also known as the ‘Granaries of the World’ due to the practice of
(a) extensive farming
(b) dairy farming
(c) intensive farming
(d) subsistence farming
Answer:
(a) extensive farming
Question 4.
In which continent is the Kalahari Desert located?
(a) South America
(b) North America
(c) Asia
(d) Africa
Answer:
(d) Africa
Question 5.
Rice, jute and tea are important crops of –
(a) Indus basin
(b) Nile basin
(c) Ganga-Brahmaputra basin
(d) Amazon basin
Answer:
(c) Ganga-Brahmaputra basin
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. ……………… are the common features formed by winds in the hot deserts.
2. The opening of ………….. road has made Ladakh a big tourist centre.
3. The prairies produce huge surplus of …………….
4. …………… is the world’s largest river.
5. ……………. is known as the world’s largest delta.
Answer:
1. Sand dunes
2. Srinagar-Leh,
3. Wheat, corn, oat, etc.
4. Amazon
5. Ganga-Brahmaputra
C. Write True or False for the following statements.
1. Sahara receives heavy rainfall in the winter season.
2. Rhinoceros is a common animal of the Amazon basin.
3. The top layer of the Amazon forests is known as canopy.
4. Deserts are the areas of low vegetational cover.
5. The yaik and the sheep are the common animals of the Ladakh desert.
Answer:
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
Question 1.
What are the various uses of date palm tree for the inhabitants of the Sahara desert?
Answer:
In the Shahara desert, both human beings and animals eat dates. The sap of date tree is used to make wine. The seeds of date fruit are crushed and used as fodder for goats and camels. The leaves and trunks are also used to make doors, ropes and baskets.
Question 2.
Name the two types of deserts according to their locational zones.
Answer:
(a) Hot or tropical desert.
(b) Cool or temperate desert.
Question 3.
Name the important rivers found in the Veld grasslands.
Answer:
Limpopo and Orange.
Question 4.
Why is the Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta known as Sundarban?
Answer:
The lowest part of this delta is covered with a species of trees known as mangrove. Mangroves are locally known as Sundari and that is why this area is called Sundarban.
Question 5.
Mention the three layers of foliage of the equatorial forests.
Answer:
The trees of these forests are very tall and thick. There are three layers of vegetation. The topmost layer of foliage is known as canopy. Below this, there are two more layers of foliage consisting of shrubs and bushes.
E. Answer the following questions.
Question 1.
Distinguish between the Sahara desert and the Ladakh desert with respect to location, climate and vegetation.
Answer:
The Sahara Desert:
Location:
It covers a large part of north Africa. It lies between the Atlantic Ocean in the west, Red Sea in the east, Mediterranean Sea in the north and huge mounds of sand dunes in the South.
Climatic Characteristics:
The Sahara is a region of hot and dry climate with clear sky. The average annual rainfall is less than 20 cm. In Sahara, it is very hot during the day whereas the nights are cool. The day temperature is about 43 °C and the temperature at night goes down to about 10 °C.
Vegetation:
It comprises of cactus, date, palms and accacia.
The Ladakh Desert:
Location:
Ladakh is a new union territory of India. It is situated in the north-eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir (now union territory). It is surrounded by lefty and high mountain ranges.
Climatic Characteristics:
Ladakh, being located at high attitudes, is covered with snow for several months. The temperature is very low for the most part of the year. The average annual rainfall is only 8 cm.
Vegetation:
Due to dryness vegetation is sparse. There are very sparse patches of grasses and shrubs. Groves of poplars and willows and trees like apples, apricots and walnuts are found.
Question 2.
Why are the rainforests of the Amazon basin disappearing?
Answer:
In the past few decades due to increase in population, many rainforest areas have been cleared for various purposes. People are moving towards this areas because of economic potential of the Amazon basin. Vast forest areas were cleared for setting up lumbering camps and making roads. The developmental activities are, thus, on increase, leading to the gradual destruction of the biologically diverse rainforests.
Question 3.
Why is the density of population in the Sahara desert low?
Answer:
The Sahara is the world’s largest and the hottest desert on the earth, with extreme temperatures (above 50°C in summer and below freezing point in winter), and very low rainfall (below 20 cm). The temperature during a day is also very high. Days are very hot and the nights are severely cold. Regardless of its inhospitable climate, the density of population is low here.
Question 4.
Differentiate between the Prairies and Velds.
Answer:
Prairies:
Location and Climate:
The Prairies are located between the Rocky Mountains on the west and Appalachian on the east. Summers are very hot and winters are cold. The summer temperature goes high as 38°C and in winters the temperature goes low as -40°C. Rainfall does not exceed 50 to 75 cm annually. Most of the rain falls in spring and early summer. The region experiences an extreme or continental climate. The western part of the Prairies is dry.
Vegetation:
The vast, almost treeless plain is covered by tall grasses, almost $61 \mathrm{~cm}$ high. Most of the land is now cultivated extensively with wheat or maize. The deep roots of grasses hold the soil and check soil erosion. They also absorb soil moisture. Wheat, maize, oats, barley and vegetables are grown. Wheat is produced mostly for export. This region has become so important for wheat production and, therefore, it is referred as the ‘bread basket of the world’.
People:
After the construction and development of the transcontinental railways people started to settle down here. All towns were developed and grew after the establishment of the rail routes. An increase in the population resulted in the replacement of the prairie grass with wheat and maize fields. Extensive wheat farms (about 700 to 1,000 acres each) were established.
Velds:
Location and Climate:
Most of South Africa is a plateau. In the northeastern part of this plateau, the Velds are located on the leeward side of the Drakensberg mountains. Based on altitude, the three broad divisions of Velds are-High Veld, Middle Veld, Low Veld. The African Veld lies in the warm temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere. The climate is moderate with warm and wet summers and cool dry winters. Rainfall mostly occurs in summer. Sometimes, the night temperature drops below freezing point.
Vegetation:
This region is covered with grasses. Cattle, sheep and goats are reared an maize and tobacco are the main crops grown. Fruits are also cultivated.
People:
Parts of the Velds are rich in minerals. For instance, in New Johannesburg, gold and coal are mined. The diamond mines of Kimberley are world-famous.Also it is famous for its sheep rearing industry. The woolen industry, iron and steel industry and railways are also well-developed. Agriculture is not possible as it is a plateau area and the soil is infertile.
Question 5.
Why is the Ganga-Brahmaputra region thickly populated?
Answer:
The Ganga-Brahmaputra region has a moderate climate, with hot summers and cool winters. The rainfall gets most of its rainfall between July and October. Much of the tropical deciduous forests that once covered the Ganga plain have now been replaced by agricultural land. Because of the fertile alluvial soil, the abundant supply of water and the moderate climate, the Ganga- Brahmaputra basin is very suitable for the cultivation of various crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, jute and tea, pulses, vegetables and fruits such as mango, jackfruit and papaya are also grown.
Fishing and fish-breeding are important economic activities. Agro-based industries like textiles and sugar, etc. are common in this region. The Ganga Plain has an efficient network of roads and railways. There are many towns and cities in the Ganga-Brahmaputra region.
Value-Based Question
Indigenous people are those that have historically belonged to a particular region or country before its colonisation or transformation into a nation state and have different, often unique cultural, linguistic and traditional characteristics.
- In your opinion, should the indigenous people be modernised to get rid of their backwardness?
- Suggest measures to protect their identity, rights and bring some elements of modernisation for the betterment of their life.
Answer:
Do yourself with the help of Internet and other sources.
Map Skill
On the political outline map of the world, locate and label –
(a) All the continents of the world
(b) Countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, United State, of America, South Africa, Algeria
Answer:
Something To Do
Collect information and prepare travelogue on the lifestyle of any one of the following –
(a) American Cowboys.
(b) Bedouins of Sahara desert in Algeria and Libya.
(c) Farmers of Sunderban delta.
(d) Tribes in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil, Peru and Ecuador.
Answer:
Do yourself with the help of Internet.
DAV Class 7 Social Science Chapter 8 Question Answer – Land and the People
A. Tick (✓) the correct option.
Question 1.
Sahara is the world’s
(a) largest desert
(b) hottest desert
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) coldest desert
Answer:
(c) both (a) and (b)
Question 2.
The average annual rainfall in the Sahara region is less than
(a) 50 cm
(b) 40 cm
(c) 30 cm
(d) 20 cm
Answer:
(d) 20 cm
Question 3.
The most common fruit in the Sahara region is
(a) date
(b) walnut
(c) apricot
(d) orange
Answer:
(a) date
Question 4.
Soft wool is obtained from
(a) sheep
(b) mountain goats
(c) yaks
(d) both (a) and (b)
Answer:
(b) mountain goats
Question 5.
The main river of Ladakh is the
(a) Indus
(b) Satluj
(c) Beas
(d) Jhelum
Answer:
(a) Indus
Question 6.
A majority of people in Ladakh follow
(a) Hinduism
(b) Buddhism
(c) Islam
(d) Taoism
Answer:
(b) Buddhism
Question 7.
The prairies cover a large area of
(a) USA and Mexico
(b) Canada and Alaska
(c) Mexico and Guatemala
(d) USA and Canada
Answer:
(d) USA and Canada
Question 8.
The type of farming used in the prairies is
(a) shifting
(b) intensive
(c) extensive
(d) primitive
Answer:
(c) extensive
Question 9.
The climate of the veld is
(a) mild
(b) continental
(c) hot and humid
(d) cold and dry
Answer:
(a) mild
Question 10.
Coal mines are located in
(a) Pretoria
(b) Kalahari desert
(c) Kimberley
(d) Johannesburg
Answer:
(d) Johannesburg
Question 11.
Kimberley in South Africa is famous for its
(a) diamond mines
(b) gold mines
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) coal mines
Answer:
(a) diamond mines
Question 12.
The Amazon Basin lies in
(a) South America
(b) North America
(c) South Africa
(d) Europe
Answer:
(a) South America
Question 13.
Arboreal animals, found in the Amazon basin, are adapted to living on
(a) land
(b) water
(c) trees
(d) all of these
Answer:
(c) trees
Question 14.
The climate of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin is
(a) mild
(b) extreme
(c) cold and wet
(d) hot and humid
Answer:
(d) hot and humid
Question 15.
Ganga-Brahmaputra basin is a part of the northern plains of the Indian subcontinent. This plain is drained by three big rivers of India namely,
(a) the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra
(b) the Jhelum, the Brahmaputra and Kaveri
(c) the Ganga, the Beas and the Satluj
(d) the Indus, the Ganga and the Beas.
Answer:
(a) the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra
Question 16.
Rainfall in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin occurs mostly in the months of
(a) March, April and May
(b) April, May and June
(c) June, July and August
(d) July, August and September
Answer:
(c) June, July and August
B. Very Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Mention three characteristics of a desert.
Answer:
The three characteristics of a desert are –
(a) Extreme temperature
(b) Scanty vegetation
(c) Poor rainfall
Question 2.
What do you mean by hot desert?
Answer:
Hot desert is characterized by hot and dry landscape covered with layers of sand and having very scanty vegetation.
Question 3.
Which part of Africa does the Sahara desert cover?
Answer:
The Sahara desert covers almost the entire northern part of Africa.
Question 4.
Name the chain of mountains which lies in the north of the Sahara desert.
Answer:
The Atlas mountain.
Question 5.
Which river is the only source of water in the Sahara?
Answer:
The only source of water in the Sahara is the Nile river.
Question 6.
Give the names of various types of vegetation that grow in the Sahara desert.
Answer:
The various types of vegetation that grow in this desert are grasses, shrubs and bushes.
Question 7.
What is the north-western part of Sahara known as?
Answer:
Rocky desert.
Question 8.
What are the major crops grown in the Sahara desert?
Answer:
The major crops grown in the Sahara desert are wheat, maize, barley, millets, beans, etc.
Question 9.
Where is Ladakh situated?
Or
Give the location of Ladakh.
Answer:
Ladakh is a new union territory of India. It is situated in the north¬eastern part of Jammu and Kashmir (now union territory). It is surrounded by lofty and high mountain ranges.
Question 10.
What type of desert is Ladakh?
Answer:
Ladakh is a cold desert. It is covered with snow for several months.
Question 11.
The average annual rainfall is very low in Ladakh. Why?
Answer:
It is because Ladakh lies in the rain shadow area of the Himalayan ranges.
Question 12.
Which trees are mainly found in Ladakh?
Answer:
Willow trees.
Question 13.
What is the main occupation of the people of Ladakh? What percentage of the total population is engaged in this occupation?
Answer:
Agriculture. About 85% of the total population is engaged in this occupation.
Question 14.
What are known as temperate grasslands?
Answer:
The grasslands which are found between sub-tropical and sub-polar regions are known as temperate grasslands.
Question 15.
Describe the climate of the prairies.
Answer:
The prairies enjoy a continental type of climate. Summers are hot and winters are cold. The temperature in summers goes as high as 38°C and in winters it is as low as -40°C.
Question 16.
Name the common animals found in the prairies.
Answer:
Jackals, rabbits, deers, dogs and bisons.
Question 17.
Describe the location of the Veld.
Answer:
The Veld is the temperate grasslands of South Africa. It lies between the Darkensberg plateau in the east and merges with the Kalahari desert in the West.
Question 18.
Why is agriculture not possible in the Veld?
Answer:
It is because the Veld is a plateau area and the soil is infertite. Besides, there is a lack of availability of water in this area, which at times creates drought conditions.
Question 19.
What do you know about the climate of the Amazon basin?
Answer:
The climate of the Amazon basin is hot and humid. The area receives heavy rainfall throughout the year due to its location in the equatorial region.
Question 20.
How is the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin formed?
Answer:
The Ganga and the Brahmaputra are the two big rivers of India. These two rivers join together in Bangladesh and form the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta which is the world’s largest delta.
Question 21.
Which wildlife sanctuary is located in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin?
Answer:
The Sunderban Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin.
Question 22.
Which crops are grown in the Ganga- Brahmaputra basin?
Answer:
Crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, jute and tea are grown in the Ganga- Brahmaputra basin.
Question 23.
Name two agro-based industries which are common in the Ganga- Brahamaputra basin.
Answer:
- Textile industry
- Sugar industry.
C. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Describe the wildlife found in the Sahara desert.
Answer:
- The Sahara desert is not rich in wildlife. Some of the animals species found here are fox, jackal, sand fox and camel.
- Numerous types of reptiles are also found here, for example, frogs, snakes, crocodiles etc.
- Insects like scorpions and spiders also inhabit this desert.
Question 2.
Describe the wildlife of Ladakh.
Answer:
Ladakh is also not rich in wildlife. The common animals here are sheep, mountain goats and yaks. Mountain goats give wool which is used in making pashmina shawls, and yaks give milk.
Question 3.
What are the temperate grasslands of North America known as? Mention some of their features.
Answer:
The temperate grasslands of North America are known as the prairies. Some of their features are –
- The prairies cover a large area of USA and Canada.
- This area is drained by the river Mississippi and its tributaries.
- The basin is very fertile and important for agriculture.
- Agriculture is mainly extensive type in which modern methods of cultivation and high-yielding variety of seeds are used.
- The prairies are well-connected with all modern means of transportation.
Question 4.
What are the temperate grasslands of South Africa known as? Describe the climate found here.
Answer:
The temperate grasslands of South Africa are known as the Velds.
The Velds have a moderate type of climate because of their location near the coast.
- The summers are short and warm.
- The winters are long and cool.
- Rainfall is less. Droughts are common in this area.
- The climate gets cooler found in the Amazon basin.
Question 5.
Describe the wildlife found in the Amazon basin.
Or
The Amazon basin is rich in wildlife. Explain.
Answer:
The rainforests of the Amazon basin have a wide variety of wildlife.
- Most of the animals are arboreal i.e., adapting to being on trees. Apes and lemurs are some of these animals.
- Various species of reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, lizards and frogs are found here.
- Colourful birds and butterflies are also found here.
Question 6.
Define:
(a) Shifting agriculture
(b) Mixed farming.
Answer:
(a) Shifting Agriculture. In shifting agriculture, a part of forest usually on the slopes of hills is cleared. After the trees have been cut, they are burnt to provide ashes. The seeds are then scattered in the area and left to be irrigated by the rain. When the land loses fertility, the farmers move to another place.
(b) Mixed Farming. Mixed farming means the growing of crops and rearing of animals in the same farm.
Question 7.
Explain the location of the Sahara desert with reference to the seas and mountains.
Answer:
The Sahara desert lies between the Atlantic Ocean in the west, Red Sea in the east, Mediterranean Sea in the north and huge mounds of sand dunes in the South. It is also bounded by a chain of mountains in the north called the Atlas Mountains.
Question 8.
Name the most important animal of Ladakh. State its various uses.
Answer:
Yak is the most important animal of Ladakh. It is a very useful animal. Its various uses are:
(a) It gives milk which is used to make cheese and butter.
(b) It is used for transportation.
Question 9.
Explain the type of farming which is common in the prairies.
Answer:
Extensive farming is common in the prairies. In this type of farming the farms are big in size and the work is mostly done with the help of machines. Modern methods of cultivation and high yielding variety of seeds are used in this farming.
Question 10.
Explain the climatic factors responsible for the tall grasses in the prairies.
Answer:
- The prairies have a continental type of climate.
- Summers are hot and winters are cold.
- The temperature in summers goes as high as 30 °C and in winters it is as low as 40 °C.
- The rainfall is not sufficient to grow trees.
- Areas where rainfall is more than 50 cm tall grasses grow.
Question 11.
Write a short note on the wheat cultivation in the prairies.
Answer:
The prairies are extensively used for wheat cultivation. The farms are big in size and the work is mostly done with the help of machines. Farmers use high yielding varieties of seeds as a result of which they harvest bumper wheat. The surplus wheat is exported to other countries. Most of the population is concentrated around the wheat growing areas. Wheat cultivation in the prairies play an important role in the country’s economy.
Question 12.
List the important crops cultivated by the people of the Amazon basin.
Answer:
The most important crop cultivated by the people of the Amazon basin is manioc, also known as cassava. It grows under the ground like the potato. Other important crops are grown there are coffee, maize, cocoa, brazil nut, etc.
D. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
List the differences that you notice between life of the people in Sahara and Ladakh deserts.
Answer:
Sahara is a hot desert. Most of the land is barren and uninhabited. Density of population is low. Population is mainly concentrated near the waterbodies like oases. The cultivation of crops in possible around these oases. Major crops are wheat, maize, barley, millets, beans, etc. Since it is very hot, so people prefer to white and loose clothes to bear the heat. Ladakh, on the other hand, is a cold desert.
Population is mainly concentrated near the river banks. Agriculture is their main occupation. About 85% of the total population is engaged in it. Summar season is short there. In this season only a single crop is grown due to low rainfall and poor quality of soil. People grow crops like barley, millets and beans and fruits like apple, walnut and apricot.
Question 2.
Describe the temperate grasslands of South Africa under the following headings:
Answer:
- Location
- Climate
- Agriculture
- Minerals
Question 3.
What has caused degradation of natural environment in the Veld grassland?
Answer:
(i) Location. The temperate grass¬land of South Africa is called Veld. It covers the southern part of Africa. It lies between the Darkensberg plateau in the east and merges with the Kalahari desert in the west.
(ii) Climate. The Veld of South Africa enjoys moderate or mild climate. The summers are short and warm and winter are long and cool. Rainfall is very low. The climate gets cooler as the height increases.
(iii) Agriculture. The Veld is a plateau area and the soil is infertile. Besides, the area suffers acute crisis of water. Hence, agriculture is not an important occupation of the people.
(iv) Minerals. The Veld grasslands are rich in minerals like gold, diamond and coal. Coal mines are located in Johannesburg. The diamond mines of Kimberley are well-known on the western border of the Veld. The agro-based and mineral-based industries can be found there.
The natural environment of the Veld grasslands has got sharp degradation due to the rapid development there. Several towns and cities have been developed, industries have been set up.
Question 3.
Give an account of the Ganga- Brahmaputra basin.
Answer:
- The two big rivers of India, Ganga and Brahmaputra join together in Bangladesh and form the world’s largest delta, known as Ganga- Brahmaputra delta.
- It is a very fertile area and provides the most suitable land for human habitation.
- Since the soil is fertile, so agriculture is the main occupation of the people. They grew crops like rice, wheat, sugarcane, jute and tea.
- Agro-based industries such as textiles and sugar, etc. are common in this region.
- The lowest part of the Ganga delta is covered with a species of trees called mangroves. Mangroves are locally known as Sundari and, therefore, this area is named as the Sundarban.
- The Ganga-Brahamaputra delta is the home of various kinds of wild animals. The most common ones are one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers.
- Towns and cities have been developing at a very fast rate in this region. They are located on or near the river banks. These towns and cities are Haridwar, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna and Guwahati.