Selina Textbook Solutions: North America Climate, Natural Vegetation, Wildlife; Mineral and Power Resources | Geography Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. 
1. The northern parts of North America are colder than the southern parts. 
2. The South Westerlies cause rain throughout the year along the north – west 
coast in the northern part of North America. 
3. The Alaskan Current warms the Alaskan Coast and keeps it frost-free in winter. 
4. The tropical regions mainly experience rainfall in the summer season. 
5. The prairies are a vast stretch of tall grasses. 
B. Match the following 
 
Answer: 
 
 
C. Select the appropriate term from the list given below to fill in the blank after 
each statement 
Page 2


EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. 
1. The northern parts of North America are colder than the southern parts. 
2. The South Westerlies cause rain throughout the year along the north – west 
coast in the northern part of North America. 
3. The Alaskan Current warms the Alaskan Coast and keeps it frost-free in winter. 
4. The tropical regions mainly experience rainfall in the summer season. 
5. The prairies are a vast stretch of tall grasses. 
B. Match the following 
 
Answer: 
 
 
C. Select the appropriate term from the list given below to fill in the blank after 
each statement 
? the prairies 
? chaparral 
? the taiga 
? the tundra 
? Mediterranean climate 
1. An extremely cold region which is treeless, the tundra. 
2. A vast stretch of coniferous forests in the cool temperate latitudes, the taiga. 
3. The only climate in North America which gets winter rain. Mediterranean climate. 
4. Grasslands where the bison are nearing extinction. The Prairies. 
5. The scrub-like vegetation found in coastal California. Chaparral. 
D. Differentiate between each of the following pairs. 
Question 1. 
Cool temperate east coast and west coast climates 
Answer: 
Cool temperate east coast: 
1. The cool temperate East coast experiences milder summer and winter due to the 
influence of the oceans. 
2. The region receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, which is more than that 
received in the cool temperate climatic region. 
West coast climates: 
1. The cool temperate west coast type experiences summer warms and dry while 
winters are mild and wet. 
2. Receive abundant rainfall throughout the year brought by the Westerly winds. 
Question 2. 
Warm temperate west coast and east coast climates. 
Answer: 
Temperate west coast : 
This climate type is found just south of the cool temperate west coast climatic region, 
along a narrow belt on the west coast in California. 
? Here, summers are warm and dry, while winters are mild and wet. 
? The region comes under the influence of the Westerlies in winter. 
East coast climates: 
? In this climatic region, summers are warm and winters are mild. Rainfall occurs all 
year round, but mostly in summer brought by the North-East. Trade Winds blowing 
Page 3


EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. 
1. The northern parts of North America are colder than the southern parts. 
2. The South Westerlies cause rain throughout the year along the north – west 
coast in the northern part of North America. 
3. The Alaskan Current warms the Alaskan Coast and keeps it frost-free in winter. 
4. The tropical regions mainly experience rainfall in the summer season. 
5. The prairies are a vast stretch of tall grasses. 
B. Match the following 
 
Answer: 
 
 
C. Select the appropriate term from the list given below to fill in the blank after 
each statement 
? the prairies 
? chaparral 
? the taiga 
? the tundra 
? Mediterranean climate 
1. An extremely cold region which is treeless, the tundra. 
2. A vast stretch of coniferous forests in the cool temperate latitudes, the taiga. 
3. The only climate in North America which gets winter rain. Mediterranean climate. 
4. Grasslands where the bison are nearing extinction. The Prairies. 
5. The scrub-like vegetation found in coastal California. Chaparral. 
D. Differentiate between each of the following pairs. 
Question 1. 
Cool temperate east coast and west coast climates 
Answer: 
Cool temperate east coast: 
1. The cool temperate East coast experiences milder summer and winter due to the 
influence of the oceans. 
2. The region receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, which is more than that 
received in the cool temperate climatic region. 
West coast climates: 
1. The cool temperate west coast type experiences summer warms and dry while 
winters are mild and wet. 
2. Receive abundant rainfall throughout the year brought by the Westerly winds. 
Question 2. 
Warm temperate west coast and east coast climates. 
Answer: 
Temperate west coast : 
This climate type is found just south of the cool temperate west coast climatic region, 
along a narrow belt on the west coast in California. 
? Here, summers are warm and dry, while winters are mild and wet. 
? The region comes under the influence of the Westerlies in winter. 
East coast climates: 
? In this climatic region, summers are warm and winters are mild. Rainfall occurs all 
year round, but mostly in summer brought by the North-East. Trade Winds blowing 
from the Atlantic Ocean. The rainfall gradually decreases westwards. The south-
eastern part of the continent and the coastal areas around the Gulf of Mexico in 
the USA experience this type of climate. 
Question 3. 
Deciduous and coniferous vegetation. 
Answer: 
Differences between deciduous and coniferous vegetation 
Deciduous : 
1. They have broad leaves. 
2. All trees of one species shed their leaves once a year in the dry season so trees 
are bare for some time. 
3. They yield hardwood. 
4. They have wide trunks with wide spread branches at the top. 
Coniferous: 
1. They have needle – like leaves. 
2. The trees do not shed their leaves in any particular season so the forests appear 
green at all times. 
3. They yield softwood. 
4. They have tall, slender trunks, wider at the base and tapering at the top. 
E. Answer the following questions in brief. 
Question 1. 
How does the latitudinal extent of North America affect its climate? 
Answer: 
North America lies within the temperate zone. Some parts in the north of the continent 
lie in the frigid zone. So the northern part of the continent is colder than the southern 
part. 
Question 2. 
Identify the winds that bring summer rainfall and winter rainfall to North America. 
Answer: 
North-East Trade Winds and South Westerlies bring rainfall in North America. The 
North-East Trade Winds bring heavy rainfall to the east coast and southern parts of 
North America during summer. The South Westerlies, coming from the Pacific Ocean, 
bring rain throughout the year to places in the north-west of North America and winter 
rain to places in south-west North America. 
Question 3. 
Why does the Alaskan Coast remain frost-free in the winter season? 
Page 4


EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. 
1. The northern parts of North America are colder than the southern parts. 
2. The South Westerlies cause rain throughout the year along the north – west 
coast in the northern part of North America. 
3. The Alaskan Current warms the Alaskan Coast and keeps it frost-free in winter. 
4. The tropical regions mainly experience rainfall in the summer season. 
5. The prairies are a vast stretch of tall grasses. 
B. Match the following 
 
Answer: 
 
 
C. Select the appropriate term from the list given below to fill in the blank after 
each statement 
? the prairies 
? chaparral 
? the taiga 
? the tundra 
? Mediterranean climate 
1. An extremely cold region which is treeless, the tundra. 
2. A vast stretch of coniferous forests in the cool temperate latitudes, the taiga. 
3. The only climate in North America which gets winter rain. Mediterranean climate. 
4. Grasslands where the bison are nearing extinction. The Prairies. 
5. The scrub-like vegetation found in coastal California. Chaparral. 
D. Differentiate between each of the following pairs. 
Question 1. 
Cool temperate east coast and west coast climates 
Answer: 
Cool temperate east coast: 
1. The cool temperate East coast experiences milder summer and winter due to the 
influence of the oceans. 
2. The region receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, which is more than that 
received in the cool temperate climatic region. 
West coast climates: 
1. The cool temperate west coast type experiences summer warms and dry while 
winters are mild and wet. 
2. Receive abundant rainfall throughout the year brought by the Westerly winds. 
Question 2. 
Warm temperate west coast and east coast climates. 
Answer: 
Temperate west coast : 
This climate type is found just south of the cool temperate west coast climatic region, 
along a narrow belt on the west coast in California. 
? Here, summers are warm and dry, while winters are mild and wet. 
? The region comes under the influence of the Westerlies in winter. 
East coast climates: 
? In this climatic region, summers are warm and winters are mild. Rainfall occurs all 
year round, but mostly in summer brought by the North-East. Trade Winds blowing 
from the Atlantic Ocean. The rainfall gradually decreases westwards. The south-
eastern part of the continent and the coastal areas around the Gulf of Mexico in 
the USA experience this type of climate. 
Question 3. 
Deciduous and coniferous vegetation. 
Answer: 
Differences between deciduous and coniferous vegetation 
Deciduous : 
1. They have broad leaves. 
2. All trees of one species shed their leaves once a year in the dry season so trees 
are bare for some time. 
3. They yield hardwood. 
4. They have wide trunks with wide spread branches at the top. 
Coniferous: 
1. They have needle – like leaves. 
2. The trees do not shed their leaves in any particular season so the forests appear 
green at all times. 
3. They yield softwood. 
4. They have tall, slender trunks, wider at the base and tapering at the top. 
E. Answer the following questions in brief. 
Question 1. 
How does the latitudinal extent of North America affect its climate? 
Answer: 
North America lies within the temperate zone. Some parts in the north of the continent 
lie in the frigid zone. So the northern part of the continent is colder than the southern 
part. 
Question 2. 
Identify the winds that bring summer rainfall and winter rainfall to North America. 
Answer: 
North-East Trade Winds and South Westerlies bring rainfall in North America. The 
North-East Trade Winds bring heavy rainfall to the east coast and southern parts of 
North America during summer. The South Westerlies, coming from the Pacific Ocean, 
bring rain throughout the year to places in the north-west of North America and winter 
rain to places in south-west North America. 
Question 3. 
Why does the Alaskan Coast remain frost-free in the winter season? 
Answer: 
The Gulf Stream in the south-east and the Alaskan Current in the north-west are warm 
currents. The coastal parts of Alaska are frost-free even in winter because of the 
Alaskan Current. 
Question 4. 
Which areas of North America experience the cool temperate or mid-latitude continental 
type of climate? Name the type of natural vegetation found here. 
Answer: 
The interior of North America in the middle latitudes. The southern part of central 
Canada and the northern part of central USA experience this climate which is 
characterized by warm summers and cool and cold winters. This region receives 
moderate rainfall in summer and snow in winter. 
The natural vegetation of this region is adapted to withstand the drought conditions. The 
cork oak, olive, Mediterranean pine, laurel, and cedar are the trees found in this region. 
Fruit trees such as orange, peach, apricot, lemon, and walnut thrive. 
Question 5. 
Bring out the difference between the wildlife of the tropical and taiga forests of North 
America. 
Answer: 
The tropical regions of Central America have hardwood vegetation consisting mainly of 
mahogany, palms, rubber, and cocoa trees. These forests are dense and large animals 
are rare. Instead a variety of birds, monkeys, insects, and reptiles thrive in these forests. 
Question 6. 
Name the areas of important coal deposits in North America. 
Answer: 
Coal is mainly found in the Appalachians and is of the high grade bituminous and 
anthracite variety. Northeastern Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois, and West Virginia are 
some important coal producing centres. Large deposits of coal are also found in the 
Rockies of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. 
F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs. 
Question 1. 
How do the mountain ranges affect the climate of North America? 
Answer: 
In North America, both the Western Cordilleras and the Eastern Highlands extend in a 
north-south direction parallel to the coast. Thus, in winter, the cold winds from the 
tundra region can easily reach the interior of the continent as there is no east-west 
range to block it. 
Likewise, in summer, the warm winds from the torrid zone raise the temperature of 
places situated in the temperate latitudes. The direction of the mountain ranges also 
Page 5


EXERCISES 
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct answer. 
1. The northern parts of North America are colder than the southern parts. 
2. The South Westerlies cause rain throughout the year along the north – west 
coast in the northern part of North America. 
3. The Alaskan Current warms the Alaskan Coast and keeps it frost-free in winter. 
4. The tropical regions mainly experience rainfall in the summer season. 
5. The prairies are a vast stretch of tall grasses. 
B. Match the following 
 
Answer: 
 
 
C. Select the appropriate term from the list given below to fill in the blank after 
each statement 
? the prairies 
? chaparral 
? the taiga 
? the tundra 
? Mediterranean climate 
1. An extremely cold region which is treeless, the tundra. 
2. A vast stretch of coniferous forests in the cool temperate latitudes, the taiga. 
3. The only climate in North America which gets winter rain. Mediterranean climate. 
4. Grasslands where the bison are nearing extinction. The Prairies. 
5. The scrub-like vegetation found in coastal California. Chaparral. 
D. Differentiate between each of the following pairs. 
Question 1. 
Cool temperate east coast and west coast climates 
Answer: 
Cool temperate east coast: 
1. The cool temperate East coast experiences milder summer and winter due to the 
influence of the oceans. 
2. The region receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, which is more than that 
received in the cool temperate climatic region. 
West coast climates: 
1. The cool temperate west coast type experiences summer warms and dry while 
winters are mild and wet. 
2. Receive abundant rainfall throughout the year brought by the Westerly winds. 
Question 2. 
Warm temperate west coast and east coast climates. 
Answer: 
Temperate west coast : 
This climate type is found just south of the cool temperate west coast climatic region, 
along a narrow belt on the west coast in California. 
? Here, summers are warm and dry, while winters are mild and wet. 
? The region comes under the influence of the Westerlies in winter. 
East coast climates: 
? In this climatic region, summers are warm and winters are mild. Rainfall occurs all 
year round, but mostly in summer brought by the North-East. Trade Winds blowing 
from the Atlantic Ocean. The rainfall gradually decreases westwards. The south-
eastern part of the continent and the coastal areas around the Gulf of Mexico in 
the USA experience this type of climate. 
Question 3. 
Deciduous and coniferous vegetation. 
Answer: 
Differences between deciduous and coniferous vegetation 
Deciduous : 
1. They have broad leaves. 
2. All trees of one species shed their leaves once a year in the dry season so trees 
are bare for some time. 
3. They yield hardwood. 
4. They have wide trunks with wide spread branches at the top. 
Coniferous: 
1. They have needle – like leaves. 
2. The trees do not shed their leaves in any particular season so the forests appear 
green at all times. 
3. They yield softwood. 
4. They have tall, slender trunks, wider at the base and tapering at the top. 
E. Answer the following questions in brief. 
Question 1. 
How does the latitudinal extent of North America affect its climate? 
Answer: 
North America lies within the temperate zone. Some parts in the north of the continent 
lie in the frigid zone. So the northern part of the continent is colder than the southern 
part. 
Question 2. 
Identify the winds that bring summer rainfall and winter rainfall to North America. 
Answer: 
North-East Trade Winds and South Westerlies bring rainfall in North America. The 
North-East Trade Winds bring heavy rainfall to the east coast and southern parts of 
North America during summer. The South Westerlies, coming from the Pacific Ocean, 
bring rain throughout the year to places in the north-west of North America and winter 
rain to places in south-west North America. 
Question 3. 
Why does the Alaskan Coast remain frost-free in the winter season? 
Answer: 
The Gulf Stream in the south-east and the Alaskan Current in the north-west are warm 
currents. The coastal parts of Alaska are frost-free even in winter because of the 
Alaskan Current. 
Question 4. 
Which areas of North America experience the cool temperate or mid-latitude continental 
type of climate? Name the type of natural vegetation found here. 
Answer: 
The interior of North America in the middle latitudes. The southern part of central 
Canada and the northern part of central USA experience this climate which is 
characterized by warm summers and cool and cold winters. This region receives 
moderate rainfall in summer and snow in winter. 
The natural vegetation of this region is adapted to withstand the drought conditions. The 
cork oak, olive, Mediterranean pine, laurel, and cedar are the trees found in this region. 
Fruit trees such as orange, peach, apricot, lemon, and walnut thrive. 
Question 5. 
Bring out the difference between the wildlife of the tropical and taiga forests of North 
America. 
Answer: 
The tropical regions of Central America have hardwood vegetation consisting mainly of 
mahogany, palms, rubber, and cocoa trees. These forests are dense and large animals 
are rare. Instead a variety of birds, monkeys, insects, and reptiles thrive in these forests. 
Question 6. 
Name the areas of important coal deposits in North America. 
Answer: 
Coal is mainly found in the Appalachians and is of the high grade bituminous and 
anthracite variety. Northeastern Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois, and West Virginia are 
some important coal producing centres. Large deposits of coal are also found in the 
Rockies of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. 
F. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs. 
Question 1. 
How do the mountain ranges affect the climate of North America? 
Answer: 
In North America, both the Western Cordilleras and the Eastern Highlands extend in a 
north-south direction parallel to the coast. Thus, in winter, the cold winds from the 
tundra region can easily reach the interior of the continent as there is no east-west 
range to block it. 
Likewise, in summer, the warm winds from the torrid zone raise the temperature of 
places situated in the temperate latitudes. The direction of the mountain ranges also 
cuts off the interior central plains from the maritime influence of the Pacific and Atlantic 
Oceans. 
Question 2. 
Write about the climatic characteristics of the hot desert type of climate in North 
America. 
Answer: 
The desert climate is mainly found in northern Mexico and in the south-west of the USA. 
Where the influence of the rain-bearing Westerlies and the North-East Trade Winds is 
not felt, a dry climate with very hot summers and little or no rainfall is experienced. 
Question 3. 
The vegetation of North America is closely related to the climatic conditions. Explain this 
statement and give examples from any two regions. 
Answer: 
The great variety of climates has resulted in a great variety of vegetation in North 
America —tropical forests in Central America, desert vegetation in Mexico and southern 
USA, Mediterranean vegetation along the Californian Coast, coniferous forests in 
Canada, and tundra vegetation in the areas of Arctic climate. 
Question 4. 
Where are the prairies situated? What are the major human activities in this region? 
Answer: 
The prairies are the natural vegetation of the interior parts of North America in the cool 
temperate latitudes. Very little summer rainfall can support only the rich, tall grasses, 
which occur in vast stretches. Cattle rearing is, therefore, the main occupation here. But 
at several places, the grass has been replaced by wheat farms, another major 
occupation of the region. 
Question 5. 
Describe the climate and vegetation of the Mediterranean climate region of North 
America. 
Answer: 
The west coast of North America, especially the Californian Coast, experiences hot dry 
summers and cool wet winters. So, the natural vegetation of this region is adapted to 
withstand the drought conditions. The cork oak, olive, Mediterranean pine, laurel, and 
cedar are the trees found in this region. Fruit trees such as orange, peach, apricot, 
lemon, and walnut thrive. Fruit orchards have replaced much of the original scrub-like 
vegetation called chaparral. 
Question 6. 
What is natural gas? What are its uses? 
Answer: 
Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, and propane. It is