Short & Long Questions: The Prairies (Temperate Grasslands) | Be an Explorer 5: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets - Class 5 PDF Download

Short Answer Questions.

Q1: What are grasslands, and where are they usually found?
Ans: Grasslands are vast plains covered with grass and are found in warm and dry places with minimal rainfall.

Q2: Name five types of grasslands found in different continents.
Ans:
1. Prairies in North America
2. Steppes in Russia
3. Pampas in South America
4. Velds in South Africa
5. Downs in Australia

Q3: What is the meaning of the term 'Prairie'?
Ans: The term 'Prairie' is a French word that means 'grassland' or 'meadow.'

Q4: Describe the location of the Prairies in North America.
Ans: The Prairies are located in the interior of North America, stretching from Canada in the north to Mexico in the south. They are bounded by the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Great Lakes and the Ohio River to the east.

Q5: What is the climate like in the Prairie region?
Ans: The climate is continental, with cold and dry winters and hot summers with moderate rainfall.

Q6: Why is the Prairie region considered a rain shadow area?
Ans: It is away from the path of rain-bearing winds, resulting in lower rainfall.

Q7: What types of vegetation are found in the Prairies?
Ans: Most parts have dry, tall to short grasses, with trees along riverbanks, such as alder, willow, and poplar.

Q8: Name some animals adapted to the Prairie climate.
Ans: Deer, antelope, prairie dog, jackrabbit, coyote, fox, badger, mice, and snakes.

Q9: Why are bison considered an endangered species in the Prairie region?
Ans: At one time, hordes of bison roamed the area, but today they have become endangered, possibly due to human activities and habitat loss.

Q10: What are the economic activities in the Prairie region?
Ans: Agriculture, cattle rearing, ore-crushing factories, oil refineries, meat packing, and flour mills.

Long Answer Questions.

Q1: Describe the location of the Prairies in North America, including its boundaries and major cities.
Ans: The Prairies are located in the interior of North America, stretching from Canada to Mexico, bounded by the Rocky Mountains in the west and the Great Lakes and Ohio River in the east. Major cities include Chicago, Dallas, Texas, Colorado, Minneapolis, and Oklahoma.

Q2: Explain the climate of the Prairie region and the impact of hot winds called Chinook.
Ans: The region experiences a continental climate with cold, dry winters and hot summers with moderate rainfall. Chinook, hot winds in spring, affect the climate.

Q3: Describe the vegetation in the Prairie region and the challenges it faces.
Ans: The area has mostly dry grasses due to low rainfall, growing rapidly in spring and drying up in autumn. Trees are limited to areas along river banks.

Q4: Detail the economic activities in the Prairie region, focusing on agriculture and cattle rearing.
Ans: Agriculture involves extensive farms with crops like wheat, maize, barley, rice, and oats. Cattle rearing occurs in ranches, providing milk and meat, with Chicago being a significant center for slaughtering animals.

Q5: Explain the importance of intensive farming in the Prairies and the role of silos in storing foodgrains.
Ans: Intensive farming involves using machines and scientific methods for plowing, sowing, harvesting, and storing foodgrains. Silos are tall tower-like buildings used to store foodgrains.

Q6: Discuss the challenges faced by the people in the Prairies due to its sparse population and harsh climate.
Ans: The region is sparsely populated, and people, mostly descendants of European settlers, face challenges from the harsh climate, adapting to hot summers and freezing winters.

Q7: Elaborate on the significance of cattle rearing in the western part of the Prairies and its contribution to the economy.
Ans: The hilly and infertile western part is unsuitable for crops, leading to cattle rearing. Cows provide milk and meat, and beef is a crucial part of the American diet, with Chicago being a major center for slaughtering animals.

Q8: Discuss the role of minerals in the Prairie region and how it has contributed to the development of industries.
Ans: Minerals in the Prairie region have led to the development of ore-crushing factories and oil refineries, with meat packing and flour mills being important industries.

Q9: Explain the term 'rain shadow area' and how it affects the climate of the Prairies.
Ans: A rain shadow area is away from the path of rain-bearing winds, resulting in lower rainfall. The Prairies experience this phenomenon, leading to its dry climate.

Q10: Describe the life of the people in the Prairies, focusing on their occupations and adaptations to the environment.
Ans: People in the Prairies are sparsely populated, with occupations including farming, cattle rearing, and industries. They have adapted to the harsh climate, including hot summers and freezing winters.