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

Based on your understanding, choose the correct option.

Q1.
Ans: (a) hamlets
In the text, it's mentioned that settlements grew from tiny hamlets to villages, towns, and cities, indicating that hamlets refer to small clusters of dwellings.

Q2.
Ans: (b) radial settlements
Radial settlements develop along roads and lanes which diverge in all directions from a central point, forming a star-like pattern for ease of traffic flow.

Q3.
Ans: (b) metropolis
A metropolis refers to a very large city, typically one with a population over a million or a city that becomes too large in size.

Q4.
Ans: (b) agriculture
The text states that rural settlements are based on primary activities such as agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing.

Q5.
Ans: (b) tertiary activity
Banking sector falls under tertiary activities, which involve providing services rather than producing goods directly.

Q6.
Ans: (a) low
Rural areas generally have low population density, as mentioned in the text.

Q7.
Ans: (b) along a road or river
Linear settlements develop along a linear feature such as a river, road, railway track, canal, or coastline, creating a linear pattern.

Q8.
Ans: (b) urban areas
Metalled roads, which are surfaced or paved roads, are typically found in urban areas where there's more infrastructure development.

Q9.
Ans: (c) subways
Underpasses, which are roadways built underground, are also known as subways.

Q10.
Ans: (c) www
www stands for World Wide Web, which is a network of computers enabling global communication, as mentioned in the text.

Answer the following none sentence.

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

Q2.
Ans: Settlements are classified as rural or urban based on the main economic activities of the people living there. Rural settlements are characterized by primary activities like agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing, while urban settlements are characterized by secondary activities like industries and tertiary services such as banking or trade.

Q3.
Ans: The five patterns of settlements are:

• Linear settlements
• Circular settlements
• Dispersed settlements
• Nucleated settlements
• Radial settlements

Q4.
Ans: The four major forms of transportation are:

• Roadways
• Railways
• Waterways
• Airways

Q5.
Ans: The foundation of railways in India was laid by Lord Dalhousie in the year 1853.

Answer the following questions in brief.

Q1.
Ans: Factors responsible for the choice of location and growth of a settlement include:

• Topography of the region
• Availability of water
• Fertile soil
• Favourable climate
• Trade potential

Settlements develop where conditions are favorable for human habitation. Factors like geography, climate, and access to resources influence where people choose to live. For example, fertile soil and availability of water are crucial for agriculture, which often leads to the growth of settlements. Similarly, favorable climate and trade opportunities attract people to certain locations, contributing to settlement growth.

Q2.
Ans: Rural settlements are characterized by:

• Economy based on primary activities like agriculture, fishing, and livestock rearing
• Small population and low population density
• Construction of settlements influenced by local environment and climate
• Variation in size from isolated dwellings to villages
• Limited infrastructure such as healthcare and education facilities

Rural settlements primarily rely on activities like farming and animal husbandry for sustenance. They tend to have smaller populations compared to urban areas and are often spread out over larger areas. Housing construction in rural areas is often adapted to local conditions, such as building on stilts in flood-prone areas. Infrastructure like schools and hospitals is limited compared to urban areas due to lower population density.

Q3.
Ans: Rural-urban dependence refers to the mutual reliance between rural and urban areas for resources, goods, and services. Rural areas supply food grains, raw materials, and labor to urban areas, while urban areas provide industrial goods, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities to rural inhabitants. This interdependence strengthens economic ties between rural and urban populations, leading to a complementary relationship.
Rural and urban areas rely on each other for various needs, creating a symbiotic relationship. Rural areas provide agricultural products and raw materials essential for urban industries, while urban areas offer employment opportunities and services that rural residents may lack. This dependence fosters economic development and social cohesion between urban and rural populations.

Q4.
Ans: Advantages of road transport include:

• Accessibility to remote areas
• Flexibility in routes and destinations
• Door-to-door service
• Cost-effectiveness for short distances
• Ability to transport a wide range of goods

Road transport is versatile and accessible, allowing goods and people to reach even remote areas. Unlike other modes of transport, roads can be built almost anywhere, providing flexibility in routes and destinations. Additionally, road transport offers door-to-door service, making it convenient for both businesses and individuals. For short distances, it is often more cost-effective than rail or air transport. Moreover, roads accommodate various types of vehicles, facilitating the transportation of diverse goods and commodities.

Q5.
Ans: Airways offer several advantages over other means of transport, including:

• Speed: Air travel is the fastest mode of transportation, especially for long distances.
• Accessibility: Airports are located in major cities worldwide, providing access to remote destinations.
• Convenience: Air travel offers comfort and amenities, such as meals and entertainment, during the journey.
• Global connectivity: Air routes cover vast distances and connect countries across the globe, facilitating international travel and trade.
• Emergency response: Aircraft can swiftly reach disaster areas or remote locations, providing aid and relief during emergencies.

Airways provide unparalleled speed and global connectivity, making them ideal for long-distance travel and international trade. Unlike other modes of transport, air travel is not hindered by geographical barriers, allowing aircraft to reach distant destinations quickly. Additionally, the comfort and convenience of air travel enhance the overall passenger experience. In emergencies, such as natural disasters or medical evacuations, air transport can provide rapid assistance, saving lives and delivering aid to affected areas.

Answer the following questions in detail.

Q1.
Ans: 

• Linear settlements develop along a linear feature like a river, road, railway track, or coastline. They have an elongated and narrow shape, as houses are built in a line along the feature.
• Circular settlements form in a circular shape around a water body such as a lake or pond. Houses are built in a circular manner around the water body, creating a ring-like structure. 
• Dispersed settlements, also known as scattered settlements, consist of isolated dwellings or clusters of houses scattered over a large area. They are commonly found in forested regions, hilly areas, or deserts. 
• Nucleated settlements are compact and agglomerated, with houses located close together and narrow winding streets between them. These settlements often have a central marketplace or square.
• Radial settlements develop along roads and lanes that diverge in all directions from a central point, creating a star-like pattern. This pattern facilitates easy flow of traffic.

Q2.
Ans: 

• Administrative towns: These are centers of administration and governance, such as national and state capitals like New Delhi or Washington DC.
• Market or trading towns: These develop as centers for buying, selling, and distributing agricultural and industrial produce.
• Defense towns: They cater to the security and defense of a region.
• Mining towns: These are located in areas rich in mineral deposits.
• Industrial towns: They are centers of industrial activity, attracting people for employment opportunities.

Q3.
Ans: Waterways are natural or artificial routes for travel and transport on water bodies such as rivers, canals, and seas.

• Inland water transport: It involves navigation on rivers, canals, lakes, and other inland bodies of water. For example, the Mississippi River in the United States is a vital inland waterway for transportation.
• Ocean transport: This involves navigation on seas and oceans. Large ships, ocean liners, and oil tankers ply on oceans, facilitating international trade. An example is the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, providing a shortcut for ships traveling between Europe and Asia.

Q4.
Ans: Personal communication involves the exchange of ideas, thoughts, and information between individuals or a small group of people through mediums like letters, telephones, or emails. It is usually interactive and personalized. Mass communication, on the other hand, reaches a large audience simultaneously through mediums like radio, television, newspapers, and magazines. It is generally one-way communication from the sender to a vast number of receivers.

Q5.
Ans: Satellites are artificial objects placed into orbit around the Earth for various purposes such as communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and scientific research. They are launched into space by rockets and remain in orbit, circling the Earth at a specific altitude and speed. Satellites play a crucial role in modern communication by relaying signals for television, radio, telephone, and internet services across large distances. Additionally, they are used for monitoring weather patterns, mapping the Earth's surface, and conducting scientific experiments in space.