Short & Long Questions: Human Settlements and Transport and Communication | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1: What is a settlement?
Ans: A settlement is an organized group of human habitation where people build their houses to live in.

Q2: List two factors that influence the location and growth of a settlement.
Ans: Topography of the region and availability of water.

Q3: What is the difference between permanent and temporary settlements?
Ans: Permanent settlements are where people build homes to live in for a long time, while temporary settlements are only occupied for a short period.

Q4: Describe a linear settlement pattern.
Ans: Linear settlements develop along linear features like rivers or roads in an elongated and narrow form.

Q5: What are nucleated settlements?
Ans: Nucleated settlements are compact, agglomerated settlements where dwellings are close together, often with narrow, winding streets between them.

Q6: Name the four major forms of transport.
Ans: Roadways, railways, waterways, and airways.

Q7: What is the significance of expressways?
Ans: Expressways are high-tech roads that facilitate fast movement of traffic between major destinations, with controlled entries and exits and no crossings to slow down traffic.

Q8: How do railways contribute to connecting different regions?
Ans: Railways make previously inaccessible areas reachable, promoting connectivity and economic development across regions.

Q9: Describe the role of airways in transportation.
Ans: Airways transport people and freight quickly and are essential in times of natural calamities and for defense purposes, connecting places within a country and internationally.

Q10: What is mass communication?
Ans: Mass communication reaches a large audience simultaneously through mediums like radio, TV, newspapers, and magazines.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain how the economy of rural settlements differs from urban settlements.
Ans: In rural settlements, the economy is based on primary activities like agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing, with cottage industries playing a significant role. Urban settlements, however, are characterized by secondary activities like industries and tertiary services such as banking or trade, offering a wider range of services and amenities.

Q2: Describe the characteristics of urban settlements.
Ans: Urban settlements are larger than rural ones, featuring a plethora of services and amenities such as education and healthcare facilities, banks, markets, and advanced transport and communication infrastructure. They use uniform building materials like cement, iron, bricks, and stone, irrespective of the environmental conditions.

Q3: How are settlements classified based on their main economic activity?
Ans: Settlements can be classified into rural and urban settlements based on the main economic activity. Rural settlements primarily engage in primary activities, while urban settlements are involved in secondary and tertiary activities.

Q4: What role does the climate and local environment play in the construction of rural settlements? Give an example.
Ans: The climate and local environment significantly influence the construction of settlements in rural areas. For instance, in flood-prone areas, houses are built on stilts to protect against floods.

Q5: Discuss the importance of trade potential in the development of settlements.
Ans: Trade potential is crucial for the development of settlements as it determines the settlement’s ability to grow and sustain itself economically. Settlements with high trade potential can attract more people, resources, and investment, leading to further growth and development.

Q6: Explain how modern highways and expressways have impacted transportation.
Ans: Modern highways and expressways have significantly improved transportation by providing fast, efficient routes for moving traffic and goods. They reduce travel time, increase safety, and support economic development by connecting major cities and regions.

Q7: Discuss the importance of waterways in global trade.
Ans: Waterways, including seas and oceans, play a crucial role in global trade by handling most of the world's trade volume. They enable the transportation of large quantities of goods over long distances at lower costs, supporting international trade and economic integration.

Q8: How have advancements in technology transformed communication?
Ans: Advancements in technology have revolutionized communication by enabling global connectivity through satellites, the World Wide Web (WWW), and the Internet. These technologies have made it possible to exchange ideas, information, and messages quickly and efficiently across vast distances.

Q9: What impact do human settlements have on the environment?
Ans: Human settlements can disrupt ecological balance by encroaching on habitats of other species during urbanization or infrastructure development. It is essential to harmonize economic activities, lifestyles, and infrastructure with nature to ensure sustainable development.

Q10: Describe the interdependence between urban and rural areas in terms of transport and communication.
Ans: Urban and rural areas are highly interdependent, with villages supplying food grains, raw materials, and labor to cities, and cities providing industrial goods, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities to rural areas. Transport and communication play key roles in facilitating this interdependence, enabling the flow of goods, services, and people between urban and rural areas.