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NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 30 Life In The Deserts
Also, you can read the NCERT book online in these sections Solutions by Expert Teachers as per Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Book guidelines. CBSE Class 7 Social Science Solutions are part of All Subject Solutions. Here we have given NCERT Class 7 Social Science Chapter 30 Life In The Deserts and After, NCERT Class 7 Social Science Textbook of Our Pasts – II: History, Social and Political Life – II: Civics, Our Environment: Geography. for All Chapters, You can practice these here.
Life In The Deserts
Chapter: 30
Our Environment [Geography]
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. Answer the following questions:
Q.1. What are the two types of deserts found in the world?
Ans: The two types of deserts found in the world are hot deserts and cold deserts.
Q.2. In which continent is the Sahara desert located?
Ans: Africa.
Q.3. What are the climatic conditions of the Ladakh desert?
Ans: (i) The climate of the Ladakh desert is extremely cold and dry due to its high altitude which varies from about 3,000 m in Kargil to more than 8,000 m in the Karakoram.
(ii) The air at this altitude is so thin that the heat of the sun can be felt intensely. The day temperatures in summer are just above zero degree and the night temperatures are below -30°C. Winters are extremely cold with temperatures below -40°C for most of the time.
(iii) There is very little rainfall in this region. It is as low as 10 cm. every year.
(iv) The area experiences freezing winds and burning hot sunlight.
Q.4. What mainly attracts tourists to Ladakh?
Ans: Ladakh is a famous tourist place. The tourists from within the country and abroad enjoy visiting Buddhist monasteries that dot the Ladakhi landscape with their traditional gompas. The meadows and glaciers in Ladakh also attract these tourists. The ceremonies and festivities in which the local people keep themselves engaged during winter months are great attractions to the tourists.
Q.5. What type of clothes the people of the Sahara desert wear?
Ans: The people of the Sahara desert wear heavy clothes.
Q.6. Name the trees that grow in Ladakh.
Ans: Scanty patches of grasses and shrubs, groves of willows and poplars, fruit trees such as apples, apricots and walnuts.
2. Tick the correct answer:
1. Sahara is located in which part of Africa?
(a) Eastern.
(b) Northern.
(c) Western.
Ans: (b) Northern.
2. Sahara is what type of desert?
(a) Cold.
(b) Hot.
(c) Mild.
Ans: (b) Hot.
3. The Ladakh desert is mainly inhabited by _______.
(a) Christians and Muslims.
(b) Buddhists and Muslims.
(c) Christians and Buddhists.
Ans: (b) Buddhists and Muslims.
4. Deserts are characterised by _______.
(a) scanty vegetation.
(b) heavy precipitation.
(c) low evaporation.
Ans: (a) scanty vegetation.
5. Hemis in Ladakh is a famous _______.
(a) temple.
(b) church.
(c) monastery.
Ans: (c) monastery.
6. Egypt is famous for growing-
(a) Wheat.
(b) Maize.
(c) Cotton.
Ans: (c) Cotton.
3. Match the following:
| (i) Oasis | (a) Libya |
| (ii) Bedouins | (b) Monastery |
| (iii) Oil | (c) Glacier |
| (iv) Gangri | (d) Depression |
| (v) Lamayuru | (e) Sahara |
Ans:
| (i) Oasis | (d) Depression |
| (ii) Bedouins | (e) Sahara |
| (iii) Oil | (a) Libya |
| (iv) Gangri | (c) Glacier |
| (v) Lamayuru | (b) Monastery |
4. Give reasons:
1. There is scanty of vegetation in the deserts.
Ans: There are scanty vegetation in the deserts due to harsh climatic conditions. These conditions, i.e., very hot and very cold climatic conditions are not favourable for the growth of vegetation. Besides this there is no or less rainfall, hence there is also water shortage which is essential for the growth of the vegetation.
2. People of Sahara desert wear heavy robe.
Ans: To protect themself from the dust storm and hot winds.
5. Mop Skill:
1. On the outline map of Africa mark the Sahara desert and any four countries around it.
Ans:
2. On the outline map of India mark the Karakoram Range, Zanskar Range, Ladakh and Zojila Pass.
Ans:
6. For Fun:
DESERT GAME
This is a class room activity involving all the students. The teacher will create a list of desert creatures. The number of the creatures should be same as the number of students in the class. The creatures can be picked up from the categories of mammals, birds and reptiles. Mammals can include – camel, yak, fox, sheep, goat, antelope…
Birds – raven, eagle, vulture, turkey…
Reptiles – snakes…
Assign one desert creature to each student. Ask the student to write three characteristics of the creature on plain sheet of paper, (students can use index cards of size 10 cm x 15 cm). Questions such as – in what type of deserts it is found? Major adaptation? Use to man?
These characteristics will be used as clues in the guessing game. On the board make three columns – mammals, birds and reptiles. Paste a sheet of paper in the column under the particular category. The class can be divided in three to four groups. They will compete against each other in the ‘desert game’. Each group now takes turn in guessing the correct answer. Explain to the class that they have to guess what animal matches the characteristics listed on the paper.
For example:
(i) Animal of hot desert.
(ii) Has double set of eyelashes to keep away the sand.
(iii) The hide is used for making water bottles.
The correct answer is ‘camel’. Within the group there will be a student who has prepared the card. That student should not answer. Ten points are awarded for the correct answer.
This game will enable students to understand the desert. You can play the same game by taking different types of fruits, flora and the clothes the people wear.
SOME OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1. What is a desert?
Ans: It is an arid region characterised by extremely high or low temperatures and has scarce vegetation.
Q.2. From where does the name ‘Sahara’ is derived?
Ans: The name ‘Sahara’ is derived from an Arabic word meaning ‘desert’ especially with reference to the reddish colour of sand.
Q.3. How much area is covered by Sahara desert?
Ans: It covers an area of 94,00,000 sq km or roughly 10% of the African continent.
Q.4. Name two types of deserts.
Ans: Two type of deserts are-hot deserts and cold deserts.
Q.5. What is an oasis?
Ans: An area in a hot desert where water is available and a few Date Palm trees grow is called an Oasis.
Q.6. What type of soil is found in Sahara desert?
Ans: The soils of Sahara is not well developed and lacks organic content. In depressions, soils are very saline. However, due to lack of leaching, minerals and carbonates are present.
Q.7. What is Desertification?
Ans: Desertification is the onward march of the desert, a kind of natural land degradation.
Q.8. Describe the climate of Sahara desert in brief.
Ans: The climate of the Sahara desert is scorching hot and parch dry. It has a short rainy season. The sky is cloudless and clear.
Q.9. Which animal is known as the ‘ship of the desert’ and why?
Ans: Camel is known as the ‘ship of the desert’, because it has soft-padded feet which prevents them from sinking in the loose sand. The long eyelashes also protect it from sand.
Q.10. What are Caravans?
Ans: Group of people travelling across deserts with animals or vehicles is known as Caravans.
Q.11. Where are mostly cold deserts found?
Ans: The cold deserts are mostly found in the Northern Hemisphere, situated on plateaus between high mountain ranges.
Q.12. Where are settlements in Ladakh found?
Ans: Settlements are found along river valleys of Indus and other rivers like Nubra, Shyok, Suru and Zaskar.
Q.13. What is the meaning of word Ladakh?
Ans: Ladakh is made up of two words – “La” meaning ‘mountain pass’ and “Dak” meaning country. Thus it means the place between mountain pass.
Q.14. What type of soil found in Ladakh?
Ans: Soils of the desert, as expected, are loamy and sandy which are very porous. At places, soils are clayey in nature, which have the capacity to retain water and promote plant growth.
Q.15. What is the difference between the climate of Ladakh and Sahara?
Ans: Sahara experiences extremely hot and dry climate while Ladakh experiences cold climate.
Q.16. Name the minerals found in the Sahara desert.
Ans: Oil, iron, phosphorous, manganese and uranium are the minerals found in the sahara desert.
Q.17. Why there is little rainfall in the Sahara desert?
Ans: As it lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, there is little rainfall as low as 10 cm every year.
Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1. Write a brief note on the climatic conditions of the Sahara desert.
Ans: The climatic conditions of the Sahara desert-
(i) The climate of the Sahara desert is scorching hot and dry.
(ii) The rainy season is short. The sky is cloudless and clear.
(iii) Days are unbelievably hot. The temperature during the day may reach as high as 50°C.
Q.2. How an oasis is formed?
Ans: An oasis is formed when the wind blown away the sand and forms depressions. In some depressions, underground water reaches the surface and forms an oasis.
Q.3. Name the vegetation of Ladakh and Sahara.
Ans: Sahara: Cacti, shrubs and trees, date-palm, the wadis and herbs.
Ladakh: Shrubs, trees, willow grooves, wild roses near water courses, cultivated vegetation.
Q.4. Write two features each of plants and animals that adapt to desert conditions.
Ans: (i) Plant of hot deserts are generally xerophytes that have thick spikes to preserve moisture.
(ii) Animal of cold desert usually have thick skin or fur so that they can well suit the extremely cold temperature.
Q.5. Where is Drass? Why its famous?
Ans: Drass, is in Ladakh desert in India. It is famous as its one of the coldest inhabited places on earth.
Q.6. Write a note on the Vegetation in the Sahara desert.
Ans: (i) Vegetation in the Sahara desert includes cactus, datepalms and acacia.
(ii) In some places there are oasis-green islands with date palms surrounding them.
(iii) Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes, scorpions, many varieties of snakes and lizards are the prominent animal species living there.
Q.7. Was Sahara desert the same ever since? If not, how do we know about its previous conditions?
Ans: No, it was once used to be a lush green plain. Cave paintings in Sahara desert depict that there used to be rivers with crocodile. Elephants, lions, leopards, goat, giraffes and ostriches were most common found here at that time. The climate has changed to a very hot and dry region now.
Q.8. Why is the vegetation in Ladakh sparse? What can be seen as vegetation growth?
Ans: Due to high aridity, vegetation is sparse in Ladakh. There are scanty patches of grasses and shrubs for animals to graze. Grove of willows (used for making bats) and poplars are seen in valley. During the summer fruit trees such as apples, apricots and walnuts bloom.
Q.9. Name few crops grown by the people of Ladakh.
Ans: Crops such as barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnip are grown by the people of Ladakh.
Q.10. Write about the location of Ladakh.
Ans: Ladakh is a cold desert lying in the Great Himalayas on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir. The Karakoram Range in the north and the Zanskar mountains in the south enclosed.
Q.11. Discuss the main occupations of the people of Ladakh.
Ans: Occupations carried by the people of Ladakh can be explained as follows:
(a) In the summer season, the people are busy cultivating barley, potatoes, peas, beans and turnip.
(b) The climate in winter months is so harsh that people keep themselves engaged in festivities and ceremonies.
(c) The women are very hard working. They work not only in the house and fields, but also manage small business and shops.
Long Answer Type Questions
Q.1. Describe the Physiography of Sahara.
Ans: (i) Sahara is the world’s largest desert that lies atop the African Shield.
(ii) Though Sahara has a plain topography, there are huge sand dunes, which look like hills.
(iii) These sand dunes constantly keep shifting and changing their appearance due to fast winds blowing in the region.
(iv) Besides the vast stretches of land, there are also gravel plains and elevated plateaus with bare rocky surface.
Q.2. Describe the life of people of Sahara desert.
Ans: (i) Sahara desert has about 2.5 million inhabitants.
(ii) The vast Sahara is surrounded by several African countries, there are large nomadic herders of camels and goats, both in the Hammada (rock desert) and in the sandy desert.
(iii) The people are mostly Arab Muslims, Tuaregs and Berbers. The settlements are concentrated around oasis.
(iv) Nomadic traders control an oasis, and the trade of this particular region.
Q.3. What do you know about Ladakh desert and the temperature condition prevailing here?
Ans: (i) Ladakh is a cold desert. It is situated on the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir.
(ii) The Karakoram Range in the north and the Zaskar mountains in the south enclose it.
(iii) Several rivers flow through Ladakh, Indus being the most important among them.
(iv) The altitude in Ladakh varies from about 3000 m in Kargil to more than 8,000 m in the Karakoram.
(v) Due to its high altitude, the climate is extremely cold and dry. The air at this altitude is so thin that the heat of the sun can be felt intensely.
(vi) The day temperatures in summer are just above zero degree and the night temperatures will below -30°C.
(vii) It is freezing cold in the winters when the temperatures may remain below -40°C for most of the time.
Q.4. Explain the flora and fauna of the Sahara Desert.
Ans: Flora: Vegetation in the Sahara desert includes cactus, date, palms and acacia, In some areas there are Oasis with date palms surrounding them.
Fauna: Camels, hyenas, jackals, foxes scorpions, many varieties of snakes and lizards are the prominent animal species living here.
Q.5. “The cultural landscape of the Sahara is undergoing change”. Explain the statement.
Ans: The cultural landscape of the Sahara is undergoing change:
(a) Gleaming glass cased office buildings tower over mosques and super highways criss cross the ancient camel paths.
(b) Trucks are replacing camels in the salt trade.
(c) Tuaregs are seen acting as guides to foreign tourists.
(d) More and more nomadic herdsmen are taking to city life finding jobs in oil and gas operations.
Higher Order Thinking Skill
Q.1. Why is Ladakh known as ‘Zero Waste Town’?
Ans: Ladakh is known as a ‘Zero Waste Town’ because of the practices like Bamboo Drip irrigation, Rain water harvesting, Soil conservation and Recycling of waste.
Q.2. How was Ladakh linked to the Silk Route?
Ans: Ladakh was linked to the silk trade through the Zojila Pass (Route). Many merchants used this route for trading. A variety of trade items like shoes, ornaments, earrings, woollen clothes and antiques were traded through this route.
Q.3. What is the tourist interest in Ladakh?
Or
Why is tourism picking up in Ladakh?
Ans: Tourism is a major activity with several tourists streaming in from within India and abroad. Visits to the gompas, treks, to see the meadows and glaciers, witnessing ceremonies and festivals are important activities.
Q.4. Name the two tribes of the Sahara desert and write in detail about them.
Ans: Bedouins and Tuaregs are the main tribes found in the Sahara desert. These groups are nomadic tribes rearing livestock such as goats, sheep, camels and horses. These animals provide them with milk, hides from which they make leather. They wear heavy robes as protection against dust storms and hot winds.
Value Based Questions
Q.1. Ladakh and Sahara are two different types of deserts. On which essential value would you like to differentiate between them?
Ans:
Q.2. What are changes undergoing in cultural landscape of the Sahara?
Ans: (i) Gleaming lass cased office buildings tower over mosques and super highway criss-cross the ancient camel path.
(ii) Tuaregs are seen acting as guides to the foreign tourists.
(iii) More and more nomadic herdsmen are taking to city life finding jobs in gas and oil operation.
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
l. Multiple Choice Questions:
Choose the correct option:
1. The place which has recorded the lowest temperature in India is _______.
(a) Leh.
(b) Drass.
(c) Srinagar.
(d) Jammu.
Ans: (b) Drass.
2. Ladakh is located between
(a) Karakoram and Kaitart Range.
(b) Kailash and Zaskar Range.
(c) Karakoram and Zanskar Range.
(d) Zaskar and Kaitart Range.
Ans: (c) Karakoram and Zanskar Range.
3. The Sahara desert cut across _______.
(a) 13 Asian countries.
(b) 11 African countries.
(c) 13 American countries.
(d) 13 African countries.
Ans: (b) 11 African countries.
4. Which river flows along the east of Sahara?
(a) Nile.
(b) Orange.
(c) Niger.
(d) Zaire.
Ans: (c) Niger.
5. The lowest point of Sahara desert that lies 133 m below sea level is _______.
(a) Qattara depression.
(b) El – Khela.
(c) Emi – Koussi in Libya.
(d) Emi – Koussin in Chad.
Ans: (a) Qattara depression.
II. Write True or False for each of the given statements:
1. K-2 is the highest peak of the Karakoram.
Ans: True.
2. River Nile and Niger are the two main rivers in eastern and western parts of Sahara.
Ans: True.
3. Tuareges and Bedouins are two nomadic group of Sahara desert.
Ans: True.
