Short Answer Questions
Q1: What are the two main types of grasslands mentioned in the chapter?
Ans: The two main types of grasslands are tropical grasslands and temperate grasslands.
Q2: Which major landforms bound the prairie in North America?
Ans: The Rocky Mountains bound the prairie to the west, and the Great Lakes lie to the east.
Q3: What is the name of the warm, dry wind that sometimes blows down from the Rockies in the prairie?
Ans: It is called the Chinook.
Q4: Name three regions in the prairie based on their vegetation.
Ans: The tallgrass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, and shortgrass prairie.
Q5: Which animals are found in the prairie region?
Ans: Animals in the prairie region include prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, ferrets, bison, squirrels, gophers, and rabbits.
Q6: Who were the original inhabitants of the prairie, and what were their primary activities?
Ans: The original inhabitants were nomadic communities who practiced agriculture, hunting, gathering, fishing, and various handicrafts.
Q7: What is the main occupation in the prairie region today?
Ans: Agriculture is the primary occupation, with a focus on crops like maize and wheat.
Q8: What caused the Dust Bowl in the prairie, and what were its consequences?
Ans: The Dust Bowl was caused by removing the native grasses and exposing the soil, leading to severe dust storms. Consequences included failed crops, deaths, and homelessness.
Q9: Name the temperate grassland in southern Africa and its main location.
Ans: The temperate grassland in southern Africa is called the veld, with the major part in South Africa.
Q10: What are some of the main crops grown in the veld region?
Ans: Crops grown in the veld include maize, wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes.
Long Answer Questions
Q1: Describe the climate of the prairie in North America, including the unique wind phenomenon.
Ans: The prairie experiences extreme climate with warm summers (around 20°C) and cold, snowy winters (below -20°C). The Chinook is a warm, dry wind from the Rockies that can raise temperatures by over 40°C in a few hours, causing rapid snowmelt.
Q2: Explain the different regions in the prairie based on vegetation and provide examples of animals found in each.
Ans: The prairie can be divided into the tallgrass prairie (eastern), mixed-grass prairie (central), and shortgrass prairie (western) based on vegetation. Examples of animals include prairie dogs in the tallgrass, bison in the mixed-grass, and coyotes in the shortgrass prairie.
Q3: Discuss the historical background of the original inhabitants of the prairie and their way of life.
Ans: The original inhabitants of the prairie were nomadic communities who practiced agriculture, hunting, gathering, fishing, and handicrafts. Indigenous communities like Anishinaabe, Manitoba, Apache, Cree, Blackfoot, and Dakota lived in this region.
Q4: Describe the economic activities in the prairie, including agriculture, cattle rearing, and mining.
Ans: Agriculture, with a focus on crops like maize and wheat, is the main occupation. Cattle rearing is carried out in areas with low rainfall, and mining activities exploit rich deposits of iron ore and coal.
Q5: Explain the concept of the Dust Bowl, its causes, consequences, and the government's role in recovery.
Ans: The Dust Bowl resulted from plowing native grasses, leading to severe dust storms during a prolonged drought. This caused failed crops, deaths, and homelessness. The government intervened by educating farmers on soil conservation and promoting better farming methods to restore the land.
Q6: Discuss the divisions of the veld based on altitude and the climate variations in different parts.
Ans: The veld is divided into Highveld, Middleveld, and Lowveld based on altitude. The climate includes cold winters (May-September) and warm, rainy summers (November-March), with the Lowveld being warmer and receiving more rainfall.
Q7: Mention the types of natural vegetation found in the veld region and provide examples of animals.
Ans: The veld's semi-arid climate supports grasses, with trees like acacia and baobab near rivers. Animals include lions, leopards, springboks, cheetahs, giraffes, kudus, and gemsbok.
Q8: Describe the occupations of the people in the veld, including agriculture, sheep-rearing, and mining.
Ans: People in the veld region are involved in agriculture, including crops like maize, wheat, and cash crops like tobacco. Sheep-rearing, especially merino sheep for their fine wool, is common. Mining is also vital, with rich deposits of coal and iron.
Q9: Explain the significance of transport and communication in the veld region and their role in industrial development.
Ans: The veld has a well-developed network of transport and communication, which supports various industries like mining and contributes to the region's economic development.
Q10: Explain the significance of the Prairie being called the 'granary of the world.'
Ans: The Prairie's high crop yield due to modern farming practices and technology, including high-yield seeds, makes it a major contributor to global food production, earning it the title 'granary of the world.'
